Useful tips for Goa

I was thinking maybe it might be useful so start a thread on tips, around travel to Goa. Covering things like What type of plugs to use, and whether to buy them in home country or in Goa. Im sure everyone would agree Goa.

Medication, i always stock up on Anti Biotics / Histamine. Immodium etc.. Which can be bought over the counter in Goa.

How to haggle Do you aim for a third of the price or more or less. Do you walk away and wait for the seller to call you back.

Money, cash or TCs.

Sun creams, anti malarial.

Trips book independantly ?? I know i do.

I know these topics have been covered in previous posts but Kazzors report got me thinking, She seemed so well informed, i think it will be good to have one thread which we could all add to, im not trying to instigate any debates, but if we share our experiences then at least any Goa Virgins will know what to expect.

I have been several times, but would welcome any tips, ie.. Dont eat yellow snow..

Useful tips for Goa

hi

get your plugs over there,if you are taking chargers kettles and other things with uk plugs take one/or two extension leads then you only need get a couple of indian plug adapters to run all,i also buy some of the indian lightbulbs to take home the very bright white ones i find them so much better ,also stock up on tablets,etc.and of course handbags and gladrags for oh,dont use tour from tour operaters they are a rip off fix your own up,use local sims

Useful tips for Goa

Something else come to mind.

Phoning Home. Calls can be made cheaply from outside phone boxes. A 2 or 3 minute call will cost approx £1

Travel Light. Airlines seem to be tightening up on excesive baggage. There are so many bargains to be had in Goa.

Buy your flip flops there. Leave High Heels at home

Never accept the first price, goods and taxis, theres normally always rome for Haggling.

Be prepared when you arrive at the airport, luggage is normally removed from the belt, and placed in to the side of the belt, so if your luggage does%26#39;nt appear to be coming, look for it placed at the side.

Airport porters will pounce on you as you arrive, wanting to carry your luggage to your transfer coach / taxi, for a fee. Tip at your discretion.

If you use the WC inside the airport, attendant looks for tip.

Some Shaks charge for sunbeds, only about 50 rups, some are free, on the basis that they get your business.

A lot of things you buy in supermarkets and chemist are already priced up, exc. local taxes.

You can get all your toiletries there and cheaper. The Himalayan range is lovely.

If you buy suntan lotion over only buy the orange bottle one with a sun on it (the name has really escaped me!)But watch prices as they vary greatly.

Sometimes the smaller supermarkets/shops are cheaper than the big ones.

Tablets etc have the price embossed on them so check first or you may be asked for more.

Buy all your mossie stuff there....plugins, coils and the amazing Odomos ( mossie cream/spray)

Eat where the locals do! The food is great.

Try the buses and ferry (and train!) :o)

Celcat,

Definately agree with shopping at the Local supermarkets being cheaper.

And whilst the new big Westernised Newtons supermarket in Candolim is very pretty it must be killing the little shops.

Good idea Dagenhamkal, another tip is, don%26#39;t take beach towels with you, not only will it save on luggage weight but you can get them in Goa from the road side shops( haggle haggle haggle) then use them for the duration of your hols then at the end just tell which ever shack you used to keep them or throw them.

hi

i agree with bindoobaba,towels are cheap enough,we also pick up some lightweight covers in cotton fabric cheap then put them on the sunbed first some of their covers and padded thing look really er shall we say used and lived in

take a torch. there will be power cuts in the evening just as your getting ready.

Come on everybody! there%26#39;s got to be more tips people can pass on to Goa first timer%26#39;s, here%26#39;s an opportunity to help other tourists so as they don%26#39;t make the same mistake%26#39;s that we might have done, however minor.

Wear lightweight long sleeves and long trousers in the evenings to stop the mosquito bites,they love to get your legs when you sit at restaurant tables.

Get a map and a taxi driver and take a whistle stop tour of Goa,some of the tiny beach villages are magical,The towns and villages further inland are where you can see the real Goa,Even after years of visiting India I never fail to be amazed the way of life.

I buy my shorts ,T-shirts and flip flops over there,The prices in local Goan shops are so cheap,Shorts Rs70,T-shirts Rs80 and flip flops are Rs50,the prices are fixed and so much cheaper than beach sellers or tourist shops.

So a full outfit for the daytime can be less than £3 ,I just leave it all there or give it away.

If you are feeling too hot when in a taxi or on a bus you can put your wrists against the side of a cold drink it seems to cool yoou down faster than drinking it.

If you are on a tight budget you can eat a meal from a roadside barrow vendor for as little as Rs10 yes thats Rs10 its very tasty and no it wont make you ill or kill you.

Most of all make sure you spend some of the time away from the beach or the hotel pool because there is so much to see and do over there.

Rob

Hi

I always make sure apart from the torch I take one of those small hand held fans.

I also carry everywhere a small bottle of hand wash very useful especially after handling any money.

I%26#39;ve also found a large sarong brought by the roadside doubles up for the sunbed under a towel and have also used them as an extra curtain over the windows/doors of the room at night sprayed to keep out mozzies, as where I stay doesn%26#39;t have air con and late in season I sometimes have window open and sarong pegged up strange but effective.

I too try and buy alot of stuff when I arrive from a small shop in high street Calangute - mozzie plug,coils,spray.

Shampoo/conditioner and shower gel you get named brands now.

Boo