Goa What to Pack

Luggage and bags: Don't bring lots of bags, as it can be a bit of a squeeze getting them into a tuk-tuk!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: For Goa, you really won't need much in the way of clothes! A swimming costume, a light shirt/top and shorts and thin trousers / skirts for evening, and that's about it. You can buy cheap and pretty sarongs in Palolem, so don't bother bringing anything like that with you.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You can get everything you need in Palolem, but it's about the same price as at home.

Photo Equipment: Don't forget your camera, and bring memory cards / film with you.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: You can even buy swimwear in some of the shops in Palolem, but probably best to bring it with you! You can rent bodyboards on the beach.

Miscellaneous: This tip is for UK tourists buy a double female rubber plug attach a small cable to it then bare
other end take a screwdriver with you then buy a 5 amp plug in Goa attach same now all you electrical products from home can be used

Luggage and bags: 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.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: 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.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: 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).

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: 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

Miscellaneous: 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.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: 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!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: If you have an old single duvet cover take it with you and sleep inside at night, I find this is when I get bit the most . It should supply plenty of cover and not leave your skin exposed to the flying pests.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Mosquito repellent. when choosing always look for an ingredient called DEET in the repellent.
I have just got some that contains 100% Deet from a camping shop. It is called Expedition 100ml

Photo Equipment: Make sure you have 2 pinned international plug adaptors for all your electrical charging equipment.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Long trousers for the night time.
A torch for brief power cuts between 4pm & 8pm the time everyone is back at there hotels.

Miscellaneous: Get a International Drivers Permit to support your own licence if you borrow a motor scooter in Goa. Keeps the police off your back. They are only £5.00 for 12 months.

Luggage and bags: If traveling by air, travel light as far as far as clothes go. You can get light cotten clothing (T shirts, skirts, shirts, shorts etc) in all variety in Goa itself.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Light cotten wear mostly, swim wear.
Keep a long dress for a visit to religious sites.
Comfortable shoes n sandals.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: These are available mostly. You may want to carry your favorite moisturiser, shampoo and sun tan lotion incase not staying very close to a city.
Do carry a mosquito repellant. I was bitten by mosquitoes and had red patches on my legs for 10 days!

Photo Equipment: An essential to carry your memories..

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: This was a family holiday and we had travelled by air so baggage was not a problem. We carried enough but not too many clothes, so we had room for a straw mat, extra towels and a beach kit for our son.

Miscellaneous: Carry hats, light full sleeves shirts, extra swim wear, books, diary, things to do for your lil ones, medicines, essential toiletries including mosquito repellant, moisturiser, shampoo n conditioner etc.

Miscellaneous: Find the space in your bags for some pencils,crayons,paper or coloring books for the little ones in Goa.
You dont need to spend much only a few pounds and they take up no space or weight at all.
Believe me when you hand a some pencils,crayons etc to the little kids,on the street or outside the shack style homes they live in. There little faces light up like a million Christmas's have come at once.
If the children are lucky enough to go to school then they have to buy all these items and they dont come cheap.
Remember Goa is a third world country and there is poverty so please just give a little something to the little ones. the smile and the love they show you will be worth it. You wont forget the smiles in a long time!!!!!.

Luggage and bags: If you are thinking of buying a new suitcase there are Delsey & Samsonite Outlets in panjim and they are roughly half of UK prices!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Don't bring much...stuff is way cheaper in Goa!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You can now buy high factor sunscreen in Goa, and its cheaper than UK prices!

Miscellaneous: Electrical adaptors are much cheaper in Goa...so buy on arrival.

A pencil or small torch can be useful for pot holes at night!

Decent ciggies are about 8 pounds for 200...so don't buy in duty free in say Manchester...as they'll cost 20 pounds plus!