Travel tips · Goa · India
Goa travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sam 8393, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Goa's culture blends Konkani Hindu traditions with four and a half centuries of Portuguese Catholic influence: whitewashed churches and village feasts sit alongside temples and Hindu festivals. The relaxed, unhurried way of life is summed up by the word susegad. Goa became part of India in 1961 and a separate state in 1987.
Key facts
- Language
- Konkani, English, Hindi and Marathi
- Currency
- INR
- Plugs
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which most hotels…
- Emergency
- 112 (national emergency number)
Things to know
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches and temples, and remove shoes before entering temples.
- Swimwear is for the beach; cover up in villages, markets and towns.
- Nudity and topless sunbathing are illegal on Goa's beaches.
- Ask before photographing people, especially women and religious ceremonies.
- Outdoor amplified music has to stop at 10pm under noise rules, so parties move indoors after that.
- Avoid the weeks around Christmas and New Year, when room prices can double or more.
Tipping
Tip about 10% in restaurants and shacks if service is not included, and round up for taxi drivers. Hotel staff and guides appreciate a small tip at the end of a stay.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Namaskar | Hello |
| Dev borem korum | Thank you (literally 'God bless you') |
| Hoi / Na | Yes / No |
| Susegad | Relaxed, unhurried — the Goan way of life |
What to wear
Light cotton clothing, a hat and sandals; a long skirt or trousers and a scarf or shirt to cover shoulders for churches, temples and markets.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which most hotels provide.
- Emergency number
- 112 (national emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Jio, Airtel and Vi SIM cards are available with a passport and photo; coverage is good in towns and patchy in some remote southern coves.
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Rip currents make swimming dangerous on many beaches, especially from June to September when swimming is often banned; obey lifeguards and red flags. Scooter accidents are a common cause of injury, so wear a helmet and avoid riding at night or after drinking.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check India's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Goa?
Tip about 10% in restaurants and shacks if service is not included, and round up for taxi drivers. Hotel staff and guides appreciate a small tip at the end of a stay.
+Can you drink the tap water in Goa?
Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which most hotels provide.
+What plugs are used in Goa?
Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Goa?
Konkani, English, Hindi and Marathi.