In Goa with a small child reviews. In Goa with children: what was it like and what do you need to know? What to visit with a child in Goa
There is plenty to do in Goa with children. photo Anatoly Nechaev
Goa is not a place for families with children. Many parents think so and thereby deprive their daughters and sons of cool vacations, new shows and adventures. We will find out right now how safe it is to vacation in Goa with children, what to do here and what entertainment awaits children and adults.
North Goa with children is better than south Goa.
For family vacation the best place is considered to be the south of the state (read about South Goa with children). It's warm, clean and the locals don't bother you. But there is more entertainment in the north. North Goa is constantly celebrating something and festivals, which is what children like. So, if you have a choice about where it is better to relax in Goa with children, definitely head for the northern beaches.
In order not to spend your entire vacation hugging an umbrella, you need to go to Goa from November to April. During these months it is sunny, hot and without rain, the sea is calm, the water is warm.
Where to go in 2019-2020 and which beach is best for children in Goa? Let's get acquainted with tourist places.
Ashvem is a quiet little village with a deserted, clean beach - ideal for sculpting castles, cakes and various sand figures. There are no rides or other activities here, nor athletes, which means there is no risk that a surfer who couldn’t cope with a wave will run into a child. The bottom of the sea is clean sandy, without holes, stones or corals.
Suitable for relaxing with small children, for whom, to be happy, it is enough to splash around in the water to their hearts content with the same bubbles, of which, by the way, there are plenty here.
Another thing is the noisy party town of Arambol. Children five, six, seven, eight years old and older will love this place. There are many shops and a market, which is convenient if you cook yourself. There is also a pharmacy, so you don't have to travel far to get your medications. And they will certainly come in handy - even if you have had all your vaccinations and become familiar with the local cuisine, a short acclimatization is not canceled.
The beach in Arambol is sandy with a flat bottom. There are no sharp cliffs or drops in the sea; the depth begins far from the shore. Some performances, dances, ceremonies, and rituals of seeing off the sun are constantly taking place on the beach. Everyone dances, sings, masters exotic instruments and merges in holiday ecstasy. Children also happily participate in all this madness, dancing around the fires and dancing the Chunga-Changa.
Mandrem begins immediately after Arambol, but it is much quieter here. There are many shops and shops nearby with fruits, juices, ice cream, pizza, soups. So it’s quite possible to eat in local cafes with children. There are few people on the beach, the sand is clean, the sea is shallow - it’s perfect for swimming and playing on the shore all day long. You can master yoga and introduce the younger generation to it, which is what many mothers do, judging by the photographs below.
IN best beaches Goa is steadily entering Morjim. It was chosen by parents with nursery and preschool children. During low tides, deep puddles form in the sand where little ones can splash around and take “mud” baths. The village has game Zone with inflatable slides, trampolines and animators, master classes and creative activities are often held, so five-year-olds and older will also find something to do.
Entertainment for children: excursions, trips, kindergartens, holidays.
The main entertainment in Goa for children and youth is, of course, the beaches. But what to do with a fidget who is tired of sand and molds and sea baths? The best solution is short excursions for children, for example, Boat trip. Kindergarteners will love the zoo or Butterfly Park at Pond.
What will definitely delight both preschoolers and teenagers is crab fishing. But here, depending on your luck. Hunters often return with a catch; not all young crab catchers can wait patiently for their catch, but those who are dexterous and attentive will definitely leave with the catch.
An interesting excursion to Goa with a child 7 years old and older would be a trip to waterfalls or a safari tropical forest. And if the little explorer craves adventures in the spirit of Indiana Jones, welcome to Call of the Jungle. This includes hiking through the forest, swimming in the lake at the foot of the waterfall, visiting an ancient Hindu temple and spice plantations. And during the break, you can ride on a swing made of real vines, which is what one of the participants did - the heroine of our next photo.
It’s easier with teenagers, you can go with them sightseeing tours and see the coolest places« Goa in one day» . These are Hindu shrines, reserves, mountains, temples and monuments. And also jeeps, elephant rides, feeding monkeys and much more.
For example, the excursion “Trail of the Tiger”. There is nothing to do on it with small children; for them such entertainment will be torture - 2 days in the cities and towns of Goa, in the heat, without rest and games. But for others, the tour will be a real adventure. The program includes ancient city Mundeshwar, old Hare Krishna temple, elephant nursery, Shivamoga nature reserve, zoo and waterfalls.
Most of the entertainment is aimed at schoolchildren and teenagers, and these are perhaps the only disadvantages of holidays here. What to do in Goa with young children? For example, go to the Holi festival in March. This is when crowds of children and adults rush through the streets and throw paint at each other.
How much tourists like it can be assessed from the photo below. Here we see two small participants in this action, smeared with multi-colored paints. And no less grimy dad, who seems to have participated in the fun more actively than the kids and looks no less happy.
Goa with a child: reviews from tourists.
"We vacationed in January of this year. Both the children and we were simply delighted. Stunning bungalows, a minute from the beach! The child splashed in the sea all day long, you can’t drag her away from the water))). Don’t be afraid to go, it’s really great here! They say ", the main danger is food. But who is stopping you from taking the usual pizza and not buying local dishes? And there will be no health problems."
"We visited twice, both with two small children. We liked everything, especially the nature - palm trees, flowers, greenery everywhere. We went purely to the sea and the beach, had lunch on the beach in shacks, had dinner in restaurants in the village. The children really liked the ice cream, except "We ate only fruits, sometimes we took flatbreads and noodle soup, but we didn’t really feel like eating in the heat. And we had no problems with the stomach or getting used to the climate, although we took out fire insurance for every fireman)."
“We decided to go to North Goa with our children after reading reviews, and we never regretted it. The youngest kinder was 6 years old at the time of the holiday, but with our own eyes we saw toddlers on the beaches who had just learned to walk. The beaches are clean, the sand too, small fish in it "I enjoy fussing around and playing. The water is warm, housing is inexpensive, you can relax all winter."
“We were in the north of Goa last year, went with my son, a 10-year-old idiot. We not only managed to swim and sunbathe, but also went on several excursions - to an elephant nursery and to waterfalls. We were surprised when we saw very young children on the beach. Although, as we heard, they even give birth here, and nature and the climate itself ordered them to relax with children. So, dear mothers, Goa - good resort for children of any age, verified by real experience."
Goa: tours with children and for the whole family.
Is it fantastic to have a fun holiday in Goa with a child 5-8 years old? Nothing like this! Especially if you know where to go, how to have fun and what to save on. When traveling with children, the easiest way is to buy a package tour. An independent holiday will cost less, but for the first time, an all-inclusive package is more suitable. And you can save money by simply purchasing tours online.
Goa is a holiday without boundaries, even with small children. Many hotels provide nanny services, and popular resorts have kindergartens with Russian staff and playgrounds with animators. While your child is frolicking with his peers, you can go on an excursion or relax in a bar.
Here you can relax for months on end, which, by the way, is what many lucky people do: radically changing their lifestyle, finding a job and staying here for a long time is quite possible. And it all starts with the usual purchase of a tour.
Especially for India-Goa.Today
photo: Marina Belikova Alexandra Bozhko
Goa - beautiful place for family holidays: warm waters of the Arabian Sea, picturesque sandy beaches, gentle sun - ideal conditions for holidays with kids. The main thing is to choose a suitable resort with developed infrastructure, a safe coastline, a calm atmosphere and an adequate public.
For example, the cities of North Goa are clearly not the best option: endless parties and omnipresent crowds of strange characters are unlikely to allow you to relax, and comfortable accommodation is a bit tight here. But in the south it is quite possible to find cubby, where it will be good for both parents and children.
The trip should be planned for the period from October to March: there is no rain, the sea is calm, warm during the day, but not hot, fresh at night, but not cold. In April and May it is too stuffy and humid, and from June to September the weather is cool.
Goa for the little ones
Kids don’t have to spend days and days fiddling around in the sand and splashing in the sea: excursions to nature reserves and fun in water parks will provide vivid impressions and diversify your leisure time.
Beaches
One of the best beaches in the state for children is Om: the coast is clean, the bottom is safe, the depth increases smoothly, the water is almost always warm and calm. In Majorda and Mandrem, the entrance to the sea is also gentle, the coast is covered with yellowish-white sand and framed by emerald palm groves. It wouldn’t hurt to take a look at Patnem - it’s calm, uncrowded, with a wide coastal strip and well-functioning infrastructure.
Wainiginim Beach is small but very beautiful: the sand is golden yellow and the water is dazzling turquoise. The bay is always quiet, but it is better to keep an eye on the kids: the further from the shore, the stronger the current.
Families with children also have a good time on the Bogmalo beach with amenities, sun loungers and umbrellas. It is relatively clean here, there are cafes and restaurants, the only caveat is that waves often rush onto the shore, so you should swim with caution. And if you get bored of lying on the sand, you can rent a boat and go out to sea to admire the dolphins.
Wealthy tourists prefer elite Cavelossim: on wide sandy beaches There is a blessed silence so rare for Goa.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Reserves
Perhaps, best idea for an excursion with a child - acquaintance with wildlife: children are delighted with walks in the fresh air and encounters with strange animals. Fortunately, Goa has plenty of nature reserves with pristine landscapes and diverse flora and fauna. The largest is “Bhagwan Mahavir”: 240 sq. km of lush vegetation at the foot of the Western Ghats, 53 km from Panaji. It is home to sika deer, giant squirrels, marsh lynx, macaques, porcupines, elephants and bears, as well as all kinds of birds, reptiles and insects.
Leopards and panthers are also found in the expanses of Bhagwan Mahavir, but meeting them is a rare success.
If the baby is not yet ready for such long walks, you can take him to the Bandla nature reserve with an area of 8 square meters. km. For little guests there is complete freedom: they are taken for a ride on a mini train, entertained in a playroom, introduced to peacocks and squirrels, and even placed on the backs of friendly elephants. Predators also live in the reserve, but only in fenced areas - safety comes first.
Pond has a Butterfly Park with endemic plants and picturesque streams.
“Cotigao”, 12 km from Palolem, is home to colorful tropical birds and bizarre insects, and here you can feed curious monkeys with bananas. In "Salim Ali" on the island of Chorao there are also many birds: kingfishers, storks, herons and ducks, adjacent to otters and crocodiles. And at Mhadei Wildlife, not far from Valpoi, Bengal tigers live - it’s a pity that they are rarely shown to visitors.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Water parks
Splashdown Goa water park (office site in English) on the outskirts of Anjuna is a whole complex of pools, water slides and other attractions for visitors of all ages. It will be a little boring for extreme sports enthusiasts, but just right for kids: no dizzying heights or crazy turns, but absolutely safe.
After the rides, you can dance at the water disco, relax on a sun lounger, or have a snack in a cafe.
Blue Whale Water Park between Baga and Arpora is much more compact: there is a single pool with one large slide and 4 small ones. For the youngest visitors there is a separate recreation area and a castle-trampoline “Finding Nemo”; for adults there is a cocktail bar and cafe, which become venues for noisy parties as dusk sets in.
The largest amusement park in Goa is Froggyland (official website in English), opened in 2015 in Nuvema. More than 10 slides different levels difficulties, a wave pool, a hall for dancing in the “rain”, a “lazy river” that goes around the entire territory - there will obviously be a lot of splashes. On land, you can go rock climbing, zipline, ride a mechanical bull or jump on trampolines.
Goa for older children
The history of Goa may well captivate older children, especially if it is told in the right setting: in the middle of powerful fortress walls, where it is so easy to feel like a brave conqueror or a dashing pirate. We recommend continuing your exciting hunt for knowledge in the few but very unusual museums.
Medieval forts
The most famous fortress in Goa is Aguada on the edge of Candolim Beach. Built in the 17th century to protect the Old Town and store fresh water, today it has turned into a museum, opened next door to the existing prison.
The Portuguese built Fort Korjum in the vicinity of Aldona a century later, and it has been preserved quite well: the loopholes, the coat of arms above the main entrance and the Catholic altar still keep the secrets of the past. Chapora Fort near Vagator Beach is much less fortunate: only ruins remind of its former greatness, but the view of the ocean is stunning.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Museums
Curious boys should definitely be taken to the Museum of Naval Aviation (office site in English), located near Bogmalo beach. Airplanes, helicopters, fighters, amphibians, torpedoes, aerial bombs, uniforms of Indian pilots - under open air and the small building houses dozens of interesting exhibits, many of which originate from the USSR.
In Old Goa, not far from the Basilica of Bon Jesus, the Wax World Museum has been opened (office site in English). There are more than 20 wax “doubles” of ordinary Hindus, ancient deities and famous personalities: Mahatma Gandhi, Sai Baba, Francis Xavier. The most impressive work of the master Sriji Bhaskaran is the 7-meter composition “The Last Supper”.
Goa Chitra (office site in English) is a carefully recreated Goan village with traditional houses and unique artifacts: from dishes to agricultural tools that have served the indigenous inhabitants for centuries. A pleasant addition to the excursion are costume shows and folk music concerts. You can also learn more about the life of the aborigines at the Big Foot ethnographic museum with realistic sculptures depicting the everyday life of the Goans.
The picturesque coastline of the Indian state is famous for its magnificent beaches with velvety sand, fringed by palm groves, stretching 105 km along the Arabian Sea.
The mild climate, gentle entrance to the sea and low prices for hotel accommodation make Goa one of favorite places for holidays with children of different ages for tourists from Europe and Russia. The cost of meals in cafes, fruits and babysitting services is also low, and local attractions and developed infrastructure for aquatic species sports perfectly diversify the family vacation program.
Arambol beach in Goa, sunset
Weather and seasons on the coast
The cost of staying at the hotel varies from 2860 rubles. for a family room. Popular hotels are Sea View Resort and The Palm Trees Resort (with a beautiful green area).
North Goa - active recreation and wide beaches
For families with older children, we can recommend excellent beaches located in. There are many youth parties and clubs here, you can always have fun. For example, on Arambol beach you can take yoga lessons during the day, and in the evening dance by the sea to the accompaniment of drums and guitars.
On Morjim beach you can meet a large number of Russian-speaking tourists. Local restaurants have even adjusted their menus to accommodate them. The beach itself here is very convenient - quite wide and with a gentle gentle entrance into the water. Lovers active rest They will be able to go kite and windsurfing here.
Ashwem Beach
Velvety yellow sand combined with shallow calm waters makes Ashvem Beach in North Goa ideal place for a family holiday with a child.
There are several accommodation options to choose from: hotels, bungalows, guest houses, the beach is not crowded. There are not many restaurants or clubs, making Ashvem relatively quiet and peaceful. Near the beach there are small shops that sell food, children's goods, and beach goods.
The entrance to the sea is gentle, there are no stones in the water. On the beach there are sun loungers (wooden and plastic) under canopies made of palm leaves. There are toilets and changing cabins.
Ashwem Beach Among the shacks, Paradise Beach Shack is popular (seafood, snacks, cocktails). The food, which can be asked not to add too much spice, is served either in a beach restaurant overlooking the sea or at a table right next to the shelter, ideal for parents of sleeping little ones.
Entertainment
In the evening, beach volleyball tournaments are held on the beach. You can also take surfing lessons for 2500 rupees (1.5 hours). But the most popular is the boogie board (a special light board on which you lie down and “catch a wave”).
Where to go
From Ashvem you can visit the Goa Spice Garden, a unique place with many plants that are used in cooking. It will also be useful for children to learn a lot about the spices for which India is famous.
Advantages and disadvantages
There are no animals (cows) on Ashvem. Organized trade in beach toys for children. You can see crabs in the coastal area in the morning and evening. Children on this beach love to jump over the big waves in shallow water.
Among the disadvantages, one can note the high prices for food compared to other resorts in the North of the state.
One of the most popular hotels is Rococco Aswem Resort, which has comfortable living conditions and quite affordable prices.
In a romantic setting, at the request of guests, on a green lawn near the beach, wedding ceremonies under a beautiful arch at sunset.
Candolim
Candolim Beach also gained a lot good reviews among tourists from different countries. The coast is covered with delicate white sand, on which small palm groves “step”
Candolim - enough clean beach with a convenient gentle entrance to the sea. On the shore there are beach huts and tourist shops. There are shekis where you can have a meal overlooking the sea.
Candolim Beach Where to eat
There is one main street running through Candolim, Fort Aguada Road. It has almost everything you need (beach toys, breakfast before heading to the sea, clothes).
Candolim also has a good coffee shop, Vivenda Kafeis and fish restaurant Fishermans Cove.
Seafood at the beach cafe - Sheki There is a fort to explore near Candolim. Other popular beaches of North Goa - Baga and Calangute are less than 5 km away from this place.
Arambol
About a decade ago, Arambol was an ordinary fishing village. With the construction of a bridge over the Chapora River in 2002, the area began to rapidly develop (before the construction of the bridge, this part of Goa could be reached by ferry or through a detour).
Arambol The central part is not the best place for relax. On Arambol beach you need to go towards Mandrem, there are very cozy deserted beaches. Sun loungers usually belong to cafés, and if you buy water or juice there, you can use the sun lounger all day.
Entertainment
Arambol offers guests interesting activities: dancing, massage, yoga, singing, tea ceremonies, performances by “folk circus” artists and fakirs.
You can try to learn to play different musical instruments, dance African or Indian dances.
At sunset, everyone moves to the ocean shore to see off the sun. The legendary "sunset point" is a place in Arambol where hundreds of people come together to spend the sun with songs, dances, to the drum rhythms of jimbes and other percussion instruments
Miramar
Miramar A special feature of Miramar is the nearby mouth of the Mandovi River. The shore is covered with yellow fine sand with shells; at the water's edge the sand is light gray. The shallow waters of Miramar Beach are great for children (wide, no waves).
The beach is relatively clean, there are umbrellas and sun loungers, and changing cabins.
Morjim
Morjim is one of the favorite vacation spots of Russians in the state of Goa. Tourists from Russia have been staying in Morjim since the early 2000s. The small village developed, hotels, bungalows, cafes and restaurants were built.
One of the advantages is the relative uncrowding of the beach: due to the fact that it is difficult to get to.
Morjim stretches for 3 km. The sand on the beach is light and clean. The descent into the water is very gentle and smooth. Coastline not wide.
Among the disadvantages of Morjim are high prices for accommodation. In South Morjim prices are more affordable.
Beach cafes and restaurants close before dusk: measures to protect olive sea turtles. It is because of the turtles that there are few people on the beach.
How to get there and where to stay
From Dabolim airport to Morjim, you first arrive at the Vasco da Gama bus station, then to Panaji, and from there to Morjim.
There are many hotels of different categories in Morjim. Among them: Sur La Mer; Treebo Turte;Paros by Amarya.
Video tips for choosing a beach in South Goa:
Family holiday on a luxurious beach
Holidays on the beaches of Goa in 2019 – great option for tourists with children. The natural beauty of Goa, the hospitality of the residents and the creative atmosphere make visiting the resorts of the state a bright and unforgettable holiday.
Going on vacation with a small child is always much more difficult than going on your own. Especially if you want to relax not in Turkey or Egypt, but in India. Each country has its own characteristics, but if we talk about Goa, then we need to put aside our ideas about India as a whole. Goa is the most unusual state of this colorful country, a state of freedom and beauty. But whether it is suitable for a holiday with a child is up to you to decide.
Flight
Parents are always worried about how their baby will cope with such a long flight, forgetting that this is a new adventure for the child. The child does not think about how far above the ground the plane is and how safe it is. The new environment gives another impetus to understanding the world around us, so be prepared for vigilant control throughout the flight. Most often there will be several small children on board, so you can enrich your time by interacting with their parents. Almost all children have difficulty sitting down, so take sucking candies with you, they will reduce discomfort and pain in the ears. Another method - massage the dimples behind the ear, as well as on the sides under the lower jaw.
Also be prepared for a line at the airport; Indians are extremely slow in checking their luggage and documents. And this is during arrival, when all your belongings have already been examined at the departure airport. When you decide to fly from Goa, the procedures for checking and marking absolutely all suitcases and bags will take much longer. Be prepared for several hours of waiting, so bring a light snack for your child.
By the way, on the website kiwitaxi.ru you can order a transfer from the airport to your destination. This pleasure will cost an average of 2000-3000 rubles.
Acclimatization
A different climate, different temperature, humidity and time zone - all this can knock even an adult off his feet. But most children experience mild acclimatization. An upset stomach is a standard reaction of children's (and not only children's) tummies in Goa. Even if you do not let your child near the sea and local cuisine, you still cannot avoid diarrhea. It seems that even the air here is saturated with spices.
Be prepared for the fact that your child may have a slight fever. If after a day it does not fall, then this is a signal to call a doctor. But such cases are rare.
Which beach to choose?
First, parents need to decide where they want to go more: to the South or to. If you need silence and beautiful nature, then welcome to . But you most likely won’t see any fun holidays or unusual people here.
North Goa is imbued with the flavor of a mixture of cultures, noisy youth, and an atmosphere of eternal celebration, but the beaches and hotels here are objectively worse. Ashvem and Mandrem are suitable for families with children. Morjim and Arambol are also quite often chosen for family holidays.
Housing. Where is the best place to stay?
If you want a relaxing holiday in comfort, then choose. The level of service, food and accommodation here is the best in the region. Many hotels have children's pools, animators and even nannies (for a fee).
If you want to feel at home, you can rent a house or part of a house. But keep in mind that the understanding of luxury class conditions among Russians and Indians is very different. Although for a very reasonable amount you can rent a two-story house with all the necessary things. If you want to save money, rent part of the house; this type of rental is common in Goa.
Much lower class, so many families with children choose houses to stay. Be careful with your choice, ask your neighbors if you don’t want to fight every evening because of loud music. Young people come here to relax around the clock, and they are unlikely to be disturbed by your child’s sleep.
Nutrition
Depending on the age of the child, food in Goa can be either hassle-free or challenging. Shakes have a very large selection of European dishes; classic breakfasts are no different from breakfasts in ordinary cafes in Russia. The products are always fresh. But you shouldn’t order pork or beef - Indians don’t know how to cook meat. If you order vegetables and fruits, be sure to specify in what water they were washed. Tap water in Goa is far from sanitation standards. In most food places, after using tap water, vegetables and fruits are then washed in bottled water.
If desired and available basic knowledge in English you can agree on a special dish for the child, for example, boiled chicken. Indians are always ready to accommodate tourists, especially tourists with children.
There may be problems with baby food. The choice of fruit and vegetable food is quite wide, but meat baby food Hardly ever.
Also be prepared for the fact that a white child (especially a blond one) in Goa will attract increased attention. Watch carefully to see if the Indians have treated him to something completely unsuitable for a non-native organism.
Children's products in stores
Whether or not to bring diapers with you is a controversial issue. All supermarkets, and many minimarkets, have several types of this necessary product. But almost all of them are locally produced. It is impossible to say that Indian products are of poor quality, but if a child is accustomed to super-expensive diapers with ten degrees of protection, then difficulties may arise.
Wet wipes for children, powders, ointments and lotions - Goa has plenty of these. All children's cosmetics are pretty High Quality, many mothers continue to use it even in Russia (you can often find it in our stores).
All the necessary equipment for feeding and entertainment is also easy to find. Indians love children, so there are a lot of specialized stores.
Kindergartens
There are a large number of kindergartens for Russian children in Goa, some are already many years old, some appear for a couple of seasons and disappear. As a rule, kindergartens work from 10 to 18 hours with one day off on Sunday. The teachers there are usually mothers and grandmothers with extensive experience and often specialized education. You can find a kindergarten for your child in advance using the Internet, or on the spot by asking the owners of the house/hotel for advice. Also, advertisements that are plastered all over here will help you in your search.
Nannies
There is no shortage of nannies in Goa. Moreover, there are a lot of them here, if you don’t mind the Indian nanny with poor knowledge of the Russian language. Phone numbers of good nannies can be found on the Internet in Russian-speaking communities. Many mothers choose local nannies because their work is inexpensive, and they treat other people’s children with the same attention and love as their own.
The cost of services of Russian nannies is much higher, although they are also not difficult to find. Mothers with children living in Goa often work as nannies. But in this case, be prepared for the fact that the child will most likely have to be taken to someone else’s house.
The standard work schedule for a nanny is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but you can always negotiate special conditions.
Leisure
Holidays in Goa are, first and foremost, about the ocean. There is space and fun for children here; beaches with soft sand will allow them to build huge castles, bury their own parents in this same sand, and chase small crabs (they are incredibly fast). But parents will need maximum attention. Everyone knows that the seas and oceans are dangerous, but even a gentle Goan descent into the water can be dangerous. Also on the beach (as elsewhere in Goa) there are usually a lot of dogs, which are very friendly, but can infect you with some local disease.
If you decide to stay at a hotel, then it’s worth checking whether animators work there and whether children’s parties are held. Goa, of course, is not Turkey, but in the southern part more and more hotels provide such services.
It will be an unforgettable experience for the child elephant ride. And just looking at elephants and monkeys in the wild will be much more interesting than seeing them in a zoo. You shouldn’t take very young children on such excursions, because the excursions are designed for the whole day (you will also be taken to spice plantations). A Small child gets tired pretty quickly and loses interest in what is happening.
Regardless of what type of holiday you choose, don't forget to always take water with you. High humidity is deceptive; dehydration is a common problem for tourists in Goa. Also, don't forget to wear hats to avoid sunstroke. Bring a long-sleeve jacket for moped trips (this is the most popular mode of transport). And then you won't have any problems.
Our winter foray into summer was the second in our lives and the first with children. Read more about flights, meals, hotels, adaptation, medical care and the sea...
I don’t pretend to be an advanced travel writer because I don’t consider myself an experienced traveler. No special discoveries, just personal experience, which I hope will be useful for someone.
About the choice
My husband and I had already been to Goa before the birth of our children; my son then lived in my belly for the second month. Therefore, the first trip was overshadowed by toxicosis, and therefore, when choosing a place to vacation this winter, we avoided India for a long time. We considered, of course, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Dominican Republic, but it didn’t work out - either in terms of finances, or in terms of timing, or in terms of the amount of travel time.
Having gone through everything possible options, returned to Goa: relatively inexpensive, direct flight, by charter flight lasting 6-7 hours. For the first time we opted for a travel package: it seemed a more convenient option, because the airlines offered flights only with transfers and at a fairly high price. high price(for four people), and the price of the trip included: direct flight there and back, transfer, hotel accommodation (with breakfast).
When choosing, we used the services of Tutu.ru. Very convenient service for the selection of tours, they work with trusted tour operators, they assure that there are no extra charges, pleasant service. Visas were obtained through them: quickly and easily. We paid everything online and waited for the documents that arrived 5 days before departure. I recommend!
About the flight
The Boeing 747 that flew along our route was large, two-story, packed to capacity. Our family was saved by the opportunity online registration(24 hours before departure) with a choice of seat and the availability of four seats side by side in the center of the plane.
We flew there at night, so most On the way the children were sleeping. We landed in Goa at 5 am, and this is where the difficulties began. Great amount passengers headed to the airport and were “stuck” at the entrance - they were checking for a visa. We moved slowly, the sleep-deprived children were capricious. Entering the building, I took the bull by the horns and walked with the children in an armful to the reception desk without queuing. Oddly enough, no one was outraged. True, this did not help us much, because we waited a long time for our luggage - Indians, as a southern people, do not really like to rush.
I’ll jump ahead and tell you about the return. We flew during the day, but since we woke up the children at 4 am to catch the transfer, we managed to put them to bed again. The rest of the time, entertainment was food and drinks (this is a whole ritual), notebooks with labyrinths, books with stickers and coloring pages, some cartoons, educational games on the phone, and the kids’ imagination - they either pressed buttons or worked on the “computer.” . Of course, they had to be bored and whine - without this, there was no way. However, in general, I consider the flights to be successful.
About the hotel
Before the trip, I read that there are practically no normal hotels in India, that their “three stars” do not even match our “two stars”, so I was preparing for anything. And I was pleasantly surprised. Small, quiet, cozy, clean, well-groomed, with a swimming pool and a garden - this is how Lemon Mint Svelton Manor greeted us in Calangute North Goa.
Attentive and helpful staff, they speak mainly English, but also understand Russian. By the way, there were a lot of Russian vacationers. Room cleaning every day with linen change, two bottles of clean water daily - a compliment from the hotel.
What else? Hot water in the shower, air conditioning, but there were enough fans in the ceiling. The guides recommended using the safe, but we simply did not leave gadgets and money in a visible place, and left with our own. There were problems with WiFi - the Internet did not work everywhere or did not work at all. They escaped the information vacuum in beach cafes...
About nutrition
There is no question about what to eat for adults - the choice of dishes is very rich, cuisines are not only Indian, but also Chinese, continental, and European. The best part is the prices. One meal for four cost from 500 to 2000 rupees (which is approximately equal to the same number of rubles). A round sum was collected when ordering seafood - shark, crab, lobster, etc.
The children's diet was limited due to habits, but no one was left hungry. Seafood didn’t impress my little one as much as it did us adults. The hotel's breakfast offered a delicious omelet, cereal with milk, French fries, and chicken and vegetable sandwiches. For lunch, we ordered chicken soup with pasta, local cheese flatbread (by the way, I highly recommend it) and fresh fruit juices - strawberry, watermelon, mango, etc. from a nearby cafe. Other first courses were a failed experiment—too spicy, too greasy, too pureed. Here it comes down to taste and color, but there is a choice.
The only thing we had for dinner was French fries. We tried to diversify the diet with banana pancakes, local pancakes, and pastas, but my conservative children insistently demanded potatoes. But I knew that they were full.
The portions in Goa are large, my husband and I often ordered one for two. Well, fruits. I recommend trying local pineapples, small bananas, melons, watermelons - very juicy and sweet. Coconuts are not for everyone, strawberries are a bit sour. They offer to buy all this on the beach; I recommend washing it with drinking water first. The children ate it with pleasure.
About medical care
Going on a trip, I stocked up on medications for indigestion - Smecta, Rehydron. But, fortunately, they were not useful. However, there were some incidents - my daughter caught a cold: severe cough, runny nose, fever.
It was not possible to call the Moscow insurance company from the hotel reception to call a doctor - it was too expensive. I arranged a call back via messenger. The application was accepted, and 20 minutes later an Indian Russian-speaking (although I would say “Russian-understanding”) doctor wrote to me. It took him an hour and a half to get to us. Well, Olesya did not have a temperature at that time.
He listened, examined him, prescribed nasal drops, cough medicine and (attention!) antibiotics for three days, although no wheezing was heard. I guess I played it safe. What’s good is that he brought the medications with him, so he didn’t have to go to the pharmacy. A couple of days later the daughter was on her feet.
About the sea and the weather
Winter days in Goa are hot, no precipitation has ever been observed, and the nights are slightly cool, so there is no need for air conditioning in the room. The sea is very warm, I would say, the warmest of all in which I have ever swum. But at the beginning of our vacation there were big waves. Therefore, there was nothing to do there with the children: the waves kept trying to cover us headlong.
The little one splashed on the shore, got her feet wet, and then relieved herself in the hotel pool. In the last two or three days the sea has noticeably calmed down. Therefore, we carried the children in a circle to those places where the waves had not yet turned, and calmly swam.
They say there are less waves in South Goa. I don't know, I haven't seen it. We practically didn’t go anywhere, since any trip would be tiring for the children and our nerves. The holiday was passive, on the beach.
About the local population
Hindus are very friendly people who love white children to bits. The guide warned us that the locals might want to take pictures with us, because some were coming from states where they had never seen white people.
But I couldn’t even imagine how much attention my children would receive. Every second person came up to take a photo with them, sometimes they didn’t even ask. Kiryukha, my eldest, posed with pleasure, but Olesya quickly got tired of this entertainment. Every day I had to explain more and more often that She doesn’t like it.
Despite some puritanism (women should have their shoulders and knees covered, although this does not apply to vacationers), Indians have absolutely no idea about personal space. Especially in relation to children. Sometimes I didn’t have time to look back when someone was already taking my daughter in his arms to take a photo. In general, we regularly had to repel the attack.
In addition, the locals will teach you to say “no”, or you will have to buy half of their goods - they are very intrusive. Every second person here has his own “business”, and it’s a family one - carving elephants and candlesticks from stone and wood, sewing bags, weaving jewelry, making scarves. In general, there is a good chance you will buy more than you need. What is really worth paying attention to is jewellery, jewelry (sold in small shops), and scarves. This is where decent quality comes in at reasonable prices!
About the language
The common language here is English. For Indians, it is significantly simplified, so if you do not know the language very well, you will most likely understand what they want from you and will be able to talk about your desires. Some Indians can speak Russian - simple and primitive, but again, you can understand each other. As a last resort, there are gestures. Therefore, there is not much of a communication barrier there.
Overall, that's probably it. Despite a number of unpleasant moments, we were pleased with the trip. There is no more unsanitary place for tourists to relax than at our resorts. You don't need any additional vaccinations to protect yourself from God knows what. By the way, the children’s adaptation to summer was easy, quick and unnoticeable. They took longer to get used to the winter we returned to. A trip to Goa with children is worth it.
If you have questions, write in the comments. I am in touch.
If you want to receive our articles regularly, join communities on social networks