Goa Travel Guide & Tips

Christmas and New Years are celebrated to a major extent here and the festivities carry on till dawn. Another festival you shouldn’t miss out on is the local seafood festival during November. This five day event takes place on the beaches of Goa and there are various local stalls selling delicious Goan cuisine. Get a taste of Goa at the fish stalls and the the Kokum Kadhi is a must try.

If you are looking for more grand celebrations, visit Goa in February as this is when the Carnival takes place. This three-day festival was started by the Portuguese during the 18th century and involves colorful feasts. You will get to witness a dynamic mix of colour, dance, enthusiasm and music. There are also mega parades where various bands perform and people dawn numerous costumes. It is full of fun and frolic and showcases the essence of the Goan spirit.

Other festivals that are also celebrated in a big manner include the Feast of the Three Kings, Bonderam festival, the Feast Of St. Francis Xavier, the Sao Joao Festival and the Shigmotsav.

Goan cuisines:

A visit to Goa is incomplete without trying some of the delicious local cuisines depicting a true collaboration where the east meets the west in a delectable array of dishes. Goan cuisines include tantalizing spicy seafood dishes, traditional Goan snacks, a variety of sweet and savory items and much more! The Indo-Portuguese influence is evident in the food of Goa that can be seen in the bhali-pau, classic fish curry rice,  the vindaloo and a spicy xacuti sauce.

Some of the other Goan specialities include the multi-layered cake Bebinca, the delicious spicy gravy dish Ambot Tik, the thick coconut gravy dish Crab Xec Xec, the spicy coriander dish Chicken Cafreal, the rich pork stew Sorpotel, mushroom xacuti and the white and fluffy cake Sanna.

Most of the Goan restaurants also offer chourico (pickled pig's liver cooked in vinegar with tamarind) along with their dishes. You will get to taste a lot of chillies and cashew nuts as well as coconut sauces in traditional Goan dishes. Make sure you also sip on some delicious local and imported beers and wines like feni etc.

Hub of souvenirs:

A shopaholic’s true delight, Goa is crammed with plenty of flea markets and night bazaars where you can pick a variety of items. From hippie clothing to shell and bamboo work, junk jewellery, terracotta and brassware, and feni and bebinca, you can find it all. Most of the flea markets take place at the beaches like the Wednesday market at Anjuna, the Saturday Night Bazaar at Arpora, the Panjim Market and the Mapusa Market.

At the Mapusa market, you can souvenirs, like: antique pieces, traditional handicrafts, textiles, spices, Goan pottery, fruits, sausages and more. At the other flea markets, you can purchase local handicrafts, clothes, trinkets, footwear, beachwear and more. Spend an entire day at these markets picking up souvenirs for your loved ones and indulge the shopaholic in you!