GOA: Travel tips

Goa….. Travelling in Goa is easy and convenient with a moderate transportation system, choice of accommodation and dining options and superb hospitality. You will find Goa’s cultural, Goa’s historic and natural attractions along with “Goa Special” fabulous nightlife.

Over 65 percent of Goa’s population is Hindu and near about 30 percent of Goa’s population is Christian, with Muslim animist minorities. The official language of Goa is Konkani, though English and Hindi is widely spoken in cities and larger towns. Goa borders the Arabian Sea, Maharastra and Karnataka states in India.

Goa’s tropical climate has three main seasons: Hot : March to June. Rainy: July to September. Cool : October to February. Average January temperatures ranging from 19° to 29° C (66° to 84° F), and average June temperatures ranging from 25° to 33° C (77° to 91° F). Goa experiences a monsoon season from June through September; accounts for four-fifths of the state's average annual rainfall. 350 cms approximately from June to September. Humidity levels touch almost 95 percent during monsoon and fall to about 55 percent in the winter.

Best season to visit Goa is mainly between 15th September to April end, but from November to February is the peak tourist season- the atmosphere, at this time, is mild and pleasant.

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Visa:
Everyone needs a visa for India and it must be obtained before you enter the country.

Passport Requirements: Original, signed passport valid for 6 months from day of application, and with at least two blank visa pages preferably back to back. Amendment pages are not acceptable for visa stamps.

Tourist visa and cost: £30 (multiple-entry; six months); £50 (multiple-entry; one year). Visa fees vary from country to country.

Validity: Indian visas allow multiple entries into the country, however, there must be a gap of at least 2 months between two visits to the country on a Tourist Visa. Visas are valid from the date of issue. Travelers must leave India on or before the expiration of their visa. Travelers who remain in India beyond the validity of their visa could face detention and significant penalties. If your intended length of stay in India exceeds the validity of your existing visa, you must apply for a new visa. If re-entry permission is granted, travelers intending to return to India for a second visit within two months must register at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival in India.

Applications to: Embassy or high commission (or consular section at embassy or high commission); There are also Indian Visa Application Centres in London, Hayes, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Working Days Required: Personal applications can normally be processed the same day. Applications made at the visa centres will take at least 2-3 working days. Postal applications take a minimum of 10 working days. Where referrals are required, applications may require 20-25 working days.

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Customs: Duty-free allowance for visitors is 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco , one litre each of alcoholic liquor and wine, goods for personal use and reasonable quantities of medicines.
Note:

1. Import by non-residents is only permitted if the national has entered India for a stay of not less than 24 hours and not more than six months, provided they visit not more than once a month.
2. Domestic pets (cats, dogs, birds etc) are permitted to be imported into India as long as they have a health certificate from the country of origin. Importing weapons, livestock, live plants, gold , silver bullion and pornography is prohibited. Cash/travellers cheques totaling more than US$10,000 are supposed to be declared at customs.

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Getting Around in Goa:

• Airport: Dabolim, the Goa International Airport(GOI), is located approximately 4km (2.5 miles) from Vasco da Gama to the northwest and 5km (3 miles) from Dabolim to the east. State capital Panaji is around 30km (19 miles) away to the north. The domestic and international terminals are housed in the same building. Construction of a modern new integrated terminal building began in February 2009. Parking facilities at the airport are limited. There are 114 parking spaces for cars and six for coaches. The parking lot is located near the terminal building. Car hire services are not available at the airport. A bank, currency exchange booths and post and telegraph services are available in the terminal building. The airport has free baggage trolleys for travellers navigating their way through the airport. Wheelchairs are available from the airline counters. There are no hotels at the airport. Hotel reservation desks are available in the airport's arrivals area.
• Rail: The nearest railway station is in Vasco da Gama, and can be reached by local bus, taxi or auto-rickshwa. Train services are available to a number of destinations, both local, and with connections nationwide.
• Bus: Local buses, which are often very crowded and not very frequent, go to Chicalim and Vasco da Gama nearby.
• Taxi: Pre-paid taxis are available at the airport. The pre-paid taxi service counter is located outside the terminal building.
• Auto-rickshaws: A typical Indian mode of transport which are considered the best options for short trips. These three-wheeled vehicles, run by the meter, charge per kilometer.
• Shuttle: Locally operated minibuses provide links with the Panaji area. There are information desks both in the domestic terminal and the international terminal.
• Motorcycle Taxis: Motorcycle taxis are the normal way to get around in Goa. Licensed operators ride black bikes with a yellow front mudguard.
• Renting a Motorcycle or Moped: Many people rent motorcycles and mopeds in Goa. Rental rates vary depending on the season. Often a large deposit is required, or you will be asked to leave your passport. If you plan to rent a motorcycle during the Christmas-New Year week and you arrive a few weeks before, ask for a monthly rate and pay for it in advance. If you don’t, there is a good change the owner will not want to rent it to you at the same rate, but will double or triple the normal rate.You should carry all the paperwork with you, such as your license, registration, and insurance papers. Officially, most people need an international driver’s license to ride any bike more powerful than a 25cc moped. UK residents do not require an international license, but USA residents need one. Rental companies do not usually enforce this rule. You may be stopped by the police and asked to show your license, and if you do not possess one, you will be fined. Insurance is required, so ask to see proof that a rental vehicle is insured. If you get into an accident, you will be expected to pay for the repairs of the rented bike.

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Money:

• Indian Currency: Indian currency is the Rupee (INR; symbol Rs), divided in to 100 paise. Notes are in denominations of Rs1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Rs5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5 paise. The import and export of local currency is prohibited. Currency can be changed at banks, airports or authorised money changers. It is illegal to exchange money through unauthorised money changers. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange.
• Traveller's Cheques: Traveller's Cheques are widely accepted and may be changed at banks and larger hotels. The most widely accepted currencies include US Dollars and Pounds Sterling.Charges for changing travllers cheques vary from place to place and bank to bank. Foreign currency can be exchanged at most of the Banks and few leading hotels, shops ad travel agents who have been authorised as restricted money changers.
• ATM/Credit Cards: Major credit/debit/ATMs including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops. There are lot of ATM centers available all over Goa for the convenience of the people. These take international cards using the Cirrus, Maestro, Master Card and Visa networks.
• Tipping: Give a 10% tip at restaurants/shakes if a service charge is not included. Tip porters and bag boys Rs.20 to Rs. 50. Don’t tip taxis but you must pay expressway tolls.

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Travel Insurance: A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is definitely a wise idea.You should not ignore the travel insurance wherever you travel. In covering medical expenses and emergency flights, it is also insures your money and belongings against loss or theft.Travel Insurance act as an additional security in the case of cancellations or interruption in travel plans, lost goods or damaged goods, travel delays, illness or even accidents.

Travelling In other parts of India: Indians and other domestic airlines operate regular flights to cities, towns throughout the country from Goa. India’s rail service and bus services are medium standards.

Car Driving: An international license is required for drivers. Driving is on the left side of the road. Both self and chauffeur-driven cars are available on rent for a local tour of Goa.

Local Time:Indian time is GMT/UTC +5.5 hours.

Electricity: Electricity current is usually 220 volts A/C. Various plugs and sockets are used.

Business Hours: Government offices are open Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. except on public holidays. Business offices generally operate between 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. with some opening Saturday. Banking Hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1400, Sat 1000-1200.