Related Goa Favorites Tips

Favorite thing: The closest ATM to Palolem beach is at Canacona - there's a little row of shops and a large hotel, halfway between the beach and Canacona railway station and the ATM is there. It's not far to walk from the Hi-Tide area, though it's a bit further if you're coming from the main street of Palolem.

Favorite thing: The season for Goa is between October and March, with Christmas being the peak time. We were there in early April, and a lot of the beach hut resorts and restaurants were starting to close down for the coming of the monsoon season. That said, just out of season like that, it's a lot quieter.

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Favorite thing: The thing that strikes me about Goa is how friendly everybody is. The locals are really helpful when you speak to them and strangers smile at you in the street as you pass, a far cry from London that's for sure. We met many people out there and you will be surprised by the number of people from out of town who come up to you and ask nicely to have their picture taken with you. Embrace it and you'll meet some lovely people.

Fondest memory: One of my fondest memories was on the beach walking back from Calangute and meeting a family who had come to Goa for a holiday. They asked us to be in a photo with them, we lined up then suddenly I had a baby thrust in my arms, bless. We in turn asked if we could take some pictures of them. The kids were so sweet and all queued up for kisses when we parted.

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Fondest memory: India has a large number of mobile phone users. Even among the poorest people. In 2009 they said it was more mobil phones than toalets in India. With their increasing technology it is maybe twice as much now. Domestic calls within India is cheap.

Countrycode: +91

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Fondest memory: Goa trance is a monotone electronic music said to be originated from Goa during the late 1980's. For me it sounds more like Belgian techno music from the early 1990's. A romantic dream made as a continuance of the spiritual hippie culture.

The music is heard from CD shopping stalls and other places in goa where you find young foreign tourists.

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Fondest memory: Calangute is the largest town in North Goa, and an intersection between north and south in Goa. The streets are traficated with restaurants and shops offering souvenirs, crafts, leather items, clothes and jewellery. The Saturday bazaar held in the Beach of Calangute close to the post office has plenty of good deals for shoppers. Another place is the market of Calangute Square.

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Fondest memory: The bamboo restaurants and the shanty cottages on the beach of Calangute is teared down every year when the summer monsun starts and some of them are build up again in October when the tourists season starts. Maybe the cottages are too fragile for heavy wind and rain? Actually this is not the reason. There are some disputes among the poor restaurant owners on the beach and the hotel owners, who say they loose money because the shanty restaurants steel their customers. Lobbyism by the hotel owners have resulted in a goverment fee every season of 50000 rupies for each restaurant on the beach, which is an enourmous amount for a poor man. I don't think this is fair. Please be wise when you are here and eat on the beach.

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Charter operators recommend Health Clinic in Calangute if you need medical assistance. +91 9822662979

Vintage Hospital St. Ines in Panjim is the best hospital in Goa. +91 8322232533.

Apollo Victor Hospital in Margao, Goa +91 8322728888.