| Tips on what to pack for a trip to Goa, posted by real travelers and Goa locals. Goa Map |
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Goa is relatively safe, but in crowded "touristy" areas such as the markets - we found it useful to have deep pockets with zippers or bags that we could hold close to our bodies. We avoided rucksacks/backpacks simply because they're too easy to open & steal the contents.
A good pair of sneakers/walking shoes is recommended. As soon as you venture away from the beaches and the main road, the paths are rocky & bumpy.
There's a lot of confusion, conflicting reports & split opinions about whether or not Malaria tablets are necessary when travelling to Goa. It's everyone's personal decision, all I can give you is the facts & info from personal experience:
The risk of malaria in Goa is very low compared with the rest of India. It's such a low risk because you are near the coast. The general rule stands in all tropical countries: the further inland you travel (the more "jungle" there is around you), the higher your risk of catching Malaria.
So it really depends on how high-risk the area you are visiting is.
The side effects of the Malaria tablets make many people feel very ill. Apparently, the weekly tablets make you feel worse than the daily ones (but I cannot speak from personal experience as we opted for sprays & creams, and didn't take the tablets).
Mosquitoes are of course most active at night, but dusk is the most dangerous time as they literally "swarm" when the sun sets. We sprayed ourselves with mosquito repellent every night, and most hotels provide mosquito nets if you want to sleep with the windows open
Before we went to Goa, we got our VACCINATIONS for:
> Tetanus
> Polio
> Hepatitis A
Some also advise getting immunized against Typhoid/Cholera, but this is not compulsory. You may need to declare if you have been in a known yellow fever area prior to entering India. But the actual Yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required.
The bottom line is:
Malaria is not a disease to play around with: ask or your doctor's advice, and take it. Not taking anti-malarials where they are indicated will put you at greater risk.
Fact is: Malaria is a killer and should not be taken lightly.
The symptoms of malaria can appear many months after leaving the malarious region. Any flu like symptoms, especially within the first few months after returning from the region should result in you visiting your doctor and mentioning where you have travelled too to rule out malaria. Leave a Comment
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If you need help then perhaps you can get extra luggage for your flight. If you Mention our charity and charity number (available on our website) then depending on which airline you are flying with you might get up to 25kg extra allowance!!!!
If you have old children's clothes that are clean and in good condition and have a spare bit of room in you case then why not bring it out and take it to Children Walking Tall. See the picture for some of the new clothes we have given out....
Toiletries are always required as the children play in the streets all day long, and once the Mango house is fully open they will be coming in from the streets, have the chance to have a wash and put clean clothes on before going out again and getting dirty all over again. If you have any items left over from your holiday then these are just as good. Shampoo, Soap, Toothpaste anything that will make the children clean is great.
If you have a little more room in your case and yoou would like to make a child happy then why not bring out (small) toys and games. The idea ones are small as they can be used in the house, given out as presents at Christmas. If you have something larger then these would be kept at the house as it's never good giving one child a small toy and another one something twice as good. We would also prefer toys that do not require batteries as we would prefer to spend money on giving children good food rather than spending it on batteries. Some ideas... Lego, Craft Items, small cars, early learning toys, books etc Leave a Comment
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Malaria tablets can be bought from a pharmacy when you are in Goa for a matter of a pence/pounds, rather than 17 pound from BOOTS. If there is a couple of you going to India and you are worried about Malaria, buy one box of tablets from BOOTS, and share them between you. Take them a week before you travel. There are plenty of chemists about. There must be at least 5 in calangute, and a few in Baga and Candolim. Then when you get there, just get the local tablets. If you then plan on making a second trip back to Goa within the next year ( six month tourist visa), buy some more whilst you are there, to take for your next trip. Leave a Comment
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There are mossies in Goa and YES Malaria does occur, so consult your Doctor before you travel. But, most cases of Malaria occur just after the Monsoon...ie August/September.October...and the incidence is very low. I, like others do not bother with anti-malaria drugs...but thats our choice...and a risk we take. If you are going to take drugs...buy enough to take before you arrive...and then buy the rest of your course in Goa...as its way cheaper! As an example in May 2008 20 malaria pills cost 25 rupees! Leave a Comment
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Bring the largest hand luggage you can and pack the heavy stuff in there on the way home. We bought so much we had to buy new hand luggage bags just to fit it all in!
Girls don't take your high heels, the roads are very uneven and there is no such thing as a pavement. I lived in flips flops for the whole forntnight. Take a pair of the cheap plastic ones for daytime as the ground is the colour of chilli powder and will ruin anything nice. Then buy the fancy ones when you get there for night time. They have hundreds everywhere you look in every colour you could want. Also don't take trousers because if they touch the floor they will be stained with the red dust. Skirts and flip flops are the best bet.
Daytime whatever you wear will end up filthy, the dust from the ground coats your skin and you clothes so take things that are easy to wash. But pack light as there is so much to buy.
Wet wipes are a must, take as many as you can carry and keep some in the fridge. It gets so hot and dusty you will want to wipe your face down about 50 times a day and the result will be a very brown wet wipe when you're done.
Also take something for your stomach if you're planning on eating lots of local food and not used to the spice or the malaria tablets may upset your stomach.
Take sterling. i was advised by my travel company to take US$ which was completely wrong. You can even pay with sterling in some places and in the airport you will be bombarded for pound coins. Leave a Comment
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As most hotel rooms have a fridge in them with a small freezer compartment, ice bags come in handy.
Just fill them with bottled water and then you can have a nice cool drink in your room, with ice cubes, without fear of spending the next day in the bathroom! Leave a Comment
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If you visit Goa in the main 'season' the evening climate is warm...but to avoid mossie bites don't wear t-shirts & shorts. Take a pair of lightweight trousers...and long sleeve shirt/blouses...prevention is the best cure! Avoid strong perfume/after-shave as it appears to attract the little blighters! Leave a Comment
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Take large case with you - you will be glad of the space when you fill it with all of your bargains...handbags, wallets, bedspreads, jewellery and lots more !!
For daytime you will only need T.Shirts and Shorts, Swimwear, Sarongs. For evenings casual holidaywear
There are plenty of supermarkets selling everything that you will require ( Garnier products much cheaper than in the U.K ) Leave a Comment
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Unfortunately, I thought too much about what to take with me this time, I didn't need to!!
You can get mozzie spray/plugs/repellant, flip flops, sun tan lotions, sunglasses, sandals, clothes made/bought, beach bag, ibuprofen, water tablets, diarhoea tablets (better than immodium plus), anti-hystamine tablets, shampoo/conditioner, need I go on. Best not to pack too much, then you can take plenty of clothes, sandals etc home and not get charged for excess baggage like I did!!! You live and learn.
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The local Goan children (and their parents) will really appreciate any t-shirts you can bring over. So...rather than throw out stuff you no longer want...bring it with you and give out as gifts! If you have lots...and are thinking of donating them to one of the childrens homes( like www.childrenwalkingtall.com )...contact your airline...as they'll probably let you bring it over for free rather than charge you excess! Leave a Comment
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