When you go to Goa, you have to prepare for hot days, cool evenings, cozy beach bars, a lot of sand and for the party animals among us: dancing the night away under the stars. To make sure you don't forget important things, I have made a list of 10 things that you should definitely take to Goa.
1. Swimwear This is of course a no-brainer as most people go to Goa for sun, sea and beach, but, better said too often than too little. In addition, take especially light clothing and possibly a sarong that you can wrap around you on the beach.
2. Sunglasses From October to May the sun shines from early in the morning until late in the evening. And since the sun is a lot brighter in India than in the Netherlands and the sand and sea also reflect the sun, good sunglasses are no superfluous luxury. You can also buy sunglasses in one of the many stalls around the beaches.
3. Driving license The nicest and easiest way to discover Goa is by scooter. To be able to rent a scooter, you must be able to show a driver's license, so don't forget to bring it with you. Officially you need an international driver's license in India, but in Goa no-one asks about it and you can also rent a scooter with a normal driver's license. Click here to get taxi service in Udaipur.
4. Sweaters The whole year round is warm during the day - or, say, hot - in Goa, but from November to February it can be quite cold in the evening. When you go to Goa in that period, you should therefore also bring some sweaters or cardigans. It is not necessary for the rest of the year and it is also warm in the evenings and at night.
5. Sunburn Lying on the beach all day or touring with a scooter is great, but not so good for your skin. The sun is much more powerful in Goa than in the Netherlands, so you burn faster. Therefore take sunscreen with at least a factor of 30 and preferably also one that is waterproof. And then you actually apply it, preferably three times a day. You can also buy cheap sunscreen on the spot.
6. Deet Mosquitoes are everywhere in India and, unfortunately, Goa is no exception. The malaria mosquito is fortunately not found in Goa, but there is a regular outbreak of dengue. And anyway mosquito bites are naturally irritating, so you definitely need a good anti-insect spray - preferably with deet. You can also purchase this in Goa yourself.
7. Slippers Since you will mainly be on the beach, you better leave your heels at home. And because of the heat, sneakers are not really a good choice - unless you plan on hiking, of course, you really need good closed shoes. But if you stay mainly on or around the beach, it is best to take only a pair of comfortable slippers or sandals.
8. First aid kit Goa remains India and that means that the chance of getting sick is generally a bit higher than in other countries. For safety reasons, take some medicines with you, such as diarrhea inhibitors and ORS. And when you plan to party a lot, aspirins can sometimes come in handy.
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9. Disinfecting hand gel To prevent you from getting sick, it is smart to clean your hands often. Wash your hands regularly and use a disinfectant gel just before every meal to kill all bacteria.
10. Earplugs Especially when you sleep in an accommodation on the beach, earplugs are not a luxury. Some parties go on for nights, dogs sometimes bark the entire neighborhood together at night and the sound of the sea is a wonderful sound, but not if the sea is wild and you sleep nearby.