Goa
The easiest add-on to a Mumbai trip: 450 years of Portuguese rule left behind a coastline of Konkani-Catholic villages, laterite churches, palm-backed beaches and a very interesting cuisine.
Notes:
- From Mumbai:
1 h flight to GOX (Mopa, north Goa) or GOI (Dabolim, south) — check which one your hotel is actually near, they’re 60 km apart. The Konkan Railway down the coast is the scenic alternative (10–12 h, book 2A/3A); overnight sleeper buses exist and are fine but you’ll see nothing. - Goa can be deceptively big, so location is everything and the vibe varies wildly!
- North: Nightlife, markets, cafes. Stay at Anjuna, Vagator, Assagao or Arambol if you plan on going to parties.
- South: Quieter, private beaches, relaxed atmosphere. Stay at Palolem, Agonda, Patnem if you want to decompress after a stressful time.
- I wouldn’t recommend staying in Old Goa, but definitely do a day trip. Get a walking tour of the portugese part of the city (
Fontainhas).
- Getting around: rented scooters are the local default; note that helmets are legally required and police checkpoints are real. If you don’t ride a two-wheeler at home, do not learn on a Goan highway. Uber doesn’t operate here and the local taxi app is bad, so rely on your hotel to organize a taxi for you and ideally just get their number to organize it each time. The random taxi stands will try to scam you.
- Beach caution: the Arabian Sea has strong undertows and rip currents. Swim where the lifeguards (orange flags) are, and take the flag colours seriously. The sea is likely far warmer than what you’d expect it to be, feels more like being in a bathtub.
- For the really adventurous, go to Gokarna instead of Goa and get the Goa vibe of 1980s. Its way harder to get to, but its a beautiful place!