Tips for First-Time Visitors to Goa
1. Plan Your Itinerary Carefully
First, decide on the purpose of your trip:
- Relaxing on the beach,
- Exploring historical landmarks,
- Or embarking on a pilgrimage to ancient temples.
Maybe you want to combine all of these? Based on your goals, you can start exploring regions to visit, either independently or through a tour.
The most popular option among Russian tourists is the "Golden Triangle" tour. It perfectly combines a beach vacation with trips to some of India's most stunning historical sites. This tour includes:
- Visiting the Taj Mahal, a wonder of the world,
- Exploring the Pink City of Jaipur, known for its jewelry craftsmanship,
- Experiencing Delhi, India's capital, by walking through local markets, practicing bargaining skills, and making excellent purchases.
After this tour, you’ll arrive in Goa, where you’ll be greeted by the sun, sea, beaches, vibrant parties, Ayurvedic salons—everything you need for a fantastic vacation!
Here’s a quick list of popular cities, states, and regions:
- Best beaches: Goa, Kerala, Andaman Islands, Lakshadweep;
- Parties and nightlife: North Goa (and Mumbai's nightlife is rapidly developing too);
- Yoga centers: Rishikesh;
- Best markets and shopping: Delhi;
- Diving spots: Nicobar Islands.
2. Don’t Rush
No single trip can unveil all the facets of India—its nature, lifestyle, religions, beaches, traditions, and local customs. For your first trip, we recommend choosing a beach vacation or combining it with the “Golden Triangle” tour.
Indians differ from Europeans in their ability to relax and adopt a philosophical attitude toward life’s events. Our advice: embrace this mindset, stop rushing, and don’t stress. This way, you’ll fully enjoy your trip to this wonderful country.
It’s better to deeply explore one city, region, or state than to rush through the entire country, understanding nothing and overlooking the uniqueness of each place.
3. Follow Hygiene Rules
You’ve probably heard about the dirt, unsanitary conditions, bacteria, and diseases in India. While the situation isn’t as dire as it’s often portrayed, basic hygiene and cleanliness rules must be followed:
- Avoid tap water: Always drink bottled water with sealed caps.
- Wash fruits and vegetables with drinking water instead of tap water.
- Brush your teeth and prepare meals with clean water.
- If you doubt the food quality in a street cafe, opt for a decent restaurant—preferably one in a hotel.
Indian toilets are another story—98% of them are far from ideal, resembling provincial Russian train station restrooms from the '90s. Carry antibacterial wipes and accept this reality.
4. Don’t Fear Crowds
India’s population exceeds 1 billion, about ten times that of Russia, yet its land area is 20 times smaller. Naturally, the population density is incredibly high. Expect crowds everywhere—on every street, in every establishment, in every city.
People will stare at you with curiosity, examine your appearance, and some may try to touch you, believing that contact with a white person brings blessings. Our advice: try to ignore them.
If you dislike crowds and find it challenging to relax, consider quieter regions:
- Kerala for beach vacations,
- Himalayan towns like Dharamshala, Manali, or Rishikesh for mountain retreats.
5. Don’t Pay Attention
While traveling in India, especially alone, you’ll constantly encounter touts trying to sell you something, scammers, and beggars. Ignore them as much as possible.
Initially, this might be challenging—they’ll tug at your sleeves, speak directly into your ear, and persistently demand your attention. However, with time and practice, you’ll learn to focus on your journey and ignore distractions.
6. Enjoy Every Moment
India is alive, noisy, and incredible. Sometimes it’s tough because the European mindset is so different from the Indian one. However, if you tune into this beautiful country’s rhythm, it will embrace you and reveal its best sides.
Relish the cool mornings in Goa, the sounds and aromas, the beautiful beaches, the delicious Indian cuisine, and the unique atmosphere. Appreciate the small things—clouds in the sky, a smile from a passerby, mesmerizing views, and the freedom to savor life.
Have a wonderful journey! For a more enriching experience, consider booking excursions with us.
Guiding Star—your travel guru in India!
https://guidestargoa.ru/about_india/esli-sobiraetes-v-goa-vpervie