Holidays in Goa in a year. How much did a holiday in India cost? Standard Goa Tour Package

Goa is the smallest state in India in terms of area, but at the same time the most visited by tourists. Comes here every year great amount foreigners from different countries peace. Local resorts are very popular among residents of Europe, America, Asia and other regions. Goa is washed by the Arabian Sea, which smoothly turns into soft sandy beaches. You can relax here either in a comfortable hotel or in a traditional bungalow.

Do you want to join the colorful Indian culture and fill your life? vivid impressions? But at the same time, do you want to save your family budget? Last minute travel deals are the ideal solution.

What time to look for last minute deals

The climate of Goa can be divided into two stages: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season begins at the end of May and lasts until mid-September. But from October to May, the clouds clear over Goa and the beaches are illuminated by the bright rays of the sun. The highest temperature is observed in May. Velvet season is the time from late November to February. At this time, the temperature returns to normal, there is neither sweltering heat (+38 - +40 degrees Celsius) nor coolness. Also during these months there is practically no precipitation; rare rains are accompanied by joyful cries of local residents. IN the Velvet season the sea is at its calmest, its color becomes turquoise with a dark tint. Sand and other contaminants that are brought in waves during rain gradually settle and the water becomes crystal clear.

So, if you decide to visit Goa in 2018 or 2019, the best time to do so is from November to February. You need to take care of last-minute tours in advance. Travel agencies begin to offer discounted holidays a week, maximum two weeks before departure. Therefore, we begin our search 2 weeks in advance, but we are not in a hurry to buy the first tour we come across. But in the second week we become less capricious and try to buy a ticket with an optimal price-quality ratio as soon as possible. Goa is a fairly democratic holiday, and when do they appear? additional discounts, offers are flying out very quickly.

How much does a last minute tour to Goa cost?

The cost of tours with flights to Moscow depends on a number of reasons, the most important of which is the choice of hotel. If you want to relax cheaply and are not too lazy to walk to the beach, choose hotels on the third line. For example, for family vacation“Arambol plaza beach resorts” is suitable, 720 meters from the sea. But the price of a 7-night trip per adult, including breakfast, starts from 22,000 rubles. For democratic rest the second line will go with the family. For example, “Goa beach house 2 line” 400 meters from the shore, the price of the tour is from 25,000. The first line will cost from 30,000 rubles. For example, "Alidia beach cottages" is great option For romantic trip. But for youth recreation, you should choose “Amigo plaza” for 29,000 per person.

Most hotels, even those located on the first line, in Goa are three-star. It is very rare to find a four-star offer here. And five-star hotels are a single product that mainly works for European tourists.

Prices are given “in season”. If you travel from the end of April to the end of September, the cost decreases by 20-50%, as demand decreases due to the rainy season. However, lately the rainy season has often been delayed. Even in May you can have a great rest and enjoy amazingly picturesque nature at a reduced price of a last-minute tour.

Good day, friends! We have collected all the nuances of booking a holiday in Goa.

• About air travel to Goa (Dabolim airport)
• Prices for last minute tours and regular tour packages to Goa
• How much money to take to Goa?

In 2019, tours to Goa are one of the most popular destinations. There are 3 reasons for this:

• Lots of flights. After the closure of Egypt and Turkey, most of those released charter flights delivered to Dabolim airport in Goa. There are many charters, both from Moscow and from major cities Russian Federation (Ekaterinburg, Ufa, Tyumen, etc.). Not all charters are 100% full, so very cheap tours to Goa from Moscow often appear 1-2 days before departure.
• Fly close. Of the “tourist” destinations in Asia, flight times to India are the shortest. The direct flight time to Dabolim (airport in Goa) from Moscow is 7 hours 30 minutes, and from Ufa, Orenburg or Chelyabinsk only 6 hours, which, for example, is a significant factor when flying with a restless child. To Thailand and Vietnam from 9 hours or longer.
• Cheap. Low prices for meals and excursions in Goa. Taking into account the new dollar exchange rate, the approximate exchange rate of the Indian rupee is equal to the ruble. Therefore on this moment holidays in India are the cheapest in terms of costs, even usually cheaper than what it costs to eat in Russia. You can have a hearty dinner in Goa for about 300 rubles per person. And if you are a vegan, then you can generally live on 100 rupees = 100 rubles. For example, for 10 days of rest, taking into account occasional trips to yoga and massages, small shopping, while actively eating steaks and fresh juices, I spent only $100. Although if you are a fan of seafood, then take $150-200 bucks per nose. But if on the contrary, you like to eat with local residents, then $50 for 10 days should be enough.

About prices for “last minute tours to Goa”. In 2019 the most cheap tour from Moscow cost 9,500 rubles per person for 10 days, but in my experience, only 15 lucky people managed to buy such affordable tours.

3 options for a profitable holiday in Goa. The most common question is, when is the best time to buy a tour to Goa?

Last minute tours

Tickets for charters to Goa are usually not sold in advance, and if they are sold, the prices range from $600 and above. Therefore, the most popular option among smart tourists is to make an electronic visa in advance and buy a last-minute tour 1-2 days before departure. Charter flights to Goa do not fly in the summer (from May to September in India, Goa is the rainy season, and in winter, spring and autumn there is dry, sunny weather and warm seas).

pros

• price (any tour package already includes transfer to the resort and medical insurance)
• direct flight 6-7 hours

Minuses

• few hotels available. Selecting hotels from what's left

For those who are easy-going and ready to quickly pack their bags. For people with good karma, who are always lucky to find super hotels at last minute prices. And if there are no normal hotels (which is 80% likely), then come only to spend the night or look for accommodation on site. .

The usual “last minute” price is about 17,000 rubles per person for a 10-day tour from Moscow. Last-minute tours to India from Ufa or Samara are less common, since charters usually fly once every 7-10 days and rarely the price of last-minute tours to India falls below 20,000 rubles per person. Last minute tours can be purchased online in the tour search. (Select your departure city and try to change the number of nights, sometimes the price for 8 nights is the same as for 13). Last minute tours to India, and to all other countries, are available ONLY 1-3 days before departure. Tour operators usually don’t sell charters in Goa, so you need to take the cheapest tour.

Previous booking

Air + hotel in advance. If you are flying to Goa for a long time, 2 weeks or more, then it is more profitable to buy separate air tickets to Goa-Dabolim airport and book separate accommodation. It’s more profitable to buy tickets 3-6 months in advance and take advantage of promotions on regular airlines. The downside is that there are no direct regular flights from Moscow and the regions. Here either with a transfer on a regular route (Aeroflot and Air India via Delhi; Qatar airlines via Doha; Emirate and FlyDubai via Dubai; Etihad via Abu Dhabi), or on a direct charter flight(then see point No. 1 or No. 3). Regular flights There are flights to Goa all year round.

pros

• flight comfort Emirates and Etihad flights are much more convenient than charters
• a stable schedule, you can safely plan connecting flights to Moscow from regions of the Russian Federation. Flights operate all year round

Minuses

• the price without promotion is quite high. Also, don’t forget about medical insurance and a taxi from the airport)
• transfer flight time including connections is usually about 12-16 hours

For those who like to plan ahead, love comfort and are willing to pay more for it. For those who travel for a long time.

About prices for air tickets to Goa. In 2016, promotional prices for air tickets to Goa from Moscow were about 20,000 rubles in both directions. Common price about 35,000 rubles from the nose. Cheap apartments on short term in Goa they usually cost about 1000-1500 rupees per night, a 10-15 minute walk to the sea; on the coast, prices for decent housing are about 2000-3000 rubles per night per room/room/house. For example, if you are going for 10 days as a family of 2 adults + 1 child, you will get about 100,000-150,000 rubles. Therefore, this option is usually used by tourists who are going to the sea for a long time, from a month or more. Long-term rental housing can be found from 20,000 rubles per month.

Standard Goa Tour Package

A standard trip is planned 2-4 weeks before departure. Our tour search contains all tour operators in India (Anex, Pegasus, Biblio-Globus, Coral, Sanmar, Pax). Therefore, you can compare prices on one site, choose the best and buy a tour online. All prices already include fuel surcharges and discounts, only excluding visa. By the way, our prices are the lowest, thanks to large volumes (while a regular travel agency books 1 tour, during the same time we book 10).

pros

• large selection of hotels
• direct flight 6-7 hours

Minuses

• little comfort. The seats are poorly laid out, the food is poor
• Departure time is often postponed (check one day before departure)

For those who travel to Goa with children and for whom a comfortable hotel is important, or need a hotel on certain beaches.

Have a great holiday at good prices!

Goa - harmony of body and soul

International round dances and dances to the sounds of psychedelic music on the shore Indian Ocean, which reflects the blood-red sunset - this is Goa, a resort for informal recreation of people for whom freedom is not just a word. Tourists from all over the world buy tours to Goa, some out of pure curiosity about Indian exoticism, and others dreaming of self-purification and nirvana.
The resort is located on the shores of the Indian Ocean not far from. Travel packages to Goa are a vacation without taboos and prohibitions, which is eloquently confirmed by the reviews of numerous tourists who have visited the resort. By the way, tours to this resort are often preferred by celebrities who, under the influence of the magical charm of the resort, forget about everything. This is where there is enough work for the paparazzi, who are on duty here day and night in the hope of “catching” on film the most piquant moments from the lives of stars. Mere mortals have nothing to fear from persistent photographers, which means it’s best to turn your attention to unforgettable vacation in Goa, which will give you trips and last-minute tours to this amazing place on the coast of the Indian Ocean

Holidays in Goa: a taste of a carefree life

Why is it so attractive for tourists from Moscow and other cities of the world to vacation in Goa, why are people ready to cross half the world in order to lie on the beach here, and not or not buy? The fact is that the numerous beaches of Goa, stretching for many kilometers, are ideal for relaxation, and Cote d'Azur The Indian Ocean, where you can hide from the sun under the shade of picturesque palm trees - it’s terribly romantic! For this reason, you can even take a long flight! Back in the 60s, Goa was chosen by hippies who appreciated the exotic wild beauty of the resort’s nature, preferring it not always to the natural beauty of popular European resorts.

Holidays in Goa: tourist leisure

In addition to relaxing on numerous Goa beaches, night parties under open air on the shore of the ocean and discos, everyone can undergo treatment with Ayurvedic medicine. The essence of treatment is based on the interconnection of everything in the human body. The difference between such medicine and traditional medicine is in the treatment itself, which is aimed not at getting rid of symptoms, but at the very cause of the disease. In Goa, during the treatment process, patients learn to properly manage their own energy, take nutritious baths, drink medicinal juices and herbal infusions.
Accommodation in Goa usually includes breakfast in the room price. You can have lunch and dinner in numerous restaurants, where they are especially popular among tourists National dishes from seafood. You will be offered to wash down all this Indian delicacy traditional drink based on cashew nuts and coconut - Fenny vodka.
When darkness falls, a holiday in Goa turns into a complete party, where everyone will find something to their liking. Some will go to a company of like-minded people from different countries to meditate on the beach, some to a disco, and some to casinos or restaurants, the prices of which are quite affordable by European standards.

There is no fuss, crowds of people or skyscrapers, and the air is saturated with positive energy and mysticism, saturated with romance and sun.

Every year, thousands of travelers flock to Goa on vacation, a resort where the cultures of various countries are intertwined. They are attracted not only by endless beaches and stunning landscapes, but also by the opportunity to get acquainted with the ancient traditions and history of the Indian people, visit exotic parks and national reserves, get a powerful boost of energy and improve their health in Ayurvedic centers. Local parties will give you no less pleasure, where you can party until the morning, watching the sunrise right on the dance floor to the sounds of Goa trance.

Tours to Goa will give a lot of freedom and fun to real adventure seekers; here those who are young at heart and full of energy will be able to shake off the old days, and travelers who want peace and solitude will be able to be alone with themselves. The northern part of the resort is popular among young people and avid party-goers who are hungry for new experiences and acquaintances, while the southern part is ideal for those who seek to learn the philosophy of life and become familiar with the innermost secrets of yoga.

Seasonality and climate. When is the best time to go on holiday to Goa?

Goa is famous for its mild subtropical climate, thanks to which the water remains warm all year round. Those planning to go on a tour should remember that this region of India experiences long monsoon seasons. The best time to holiday in Goa is from December to March, when there is very little rainfall and the air temperature is most comfortable (+21..30°C).

The hottest period is from April to June, when the thermometer mark can exceed +33°C and often occur dust storms. The greatest amount of precipitation falls in June-July; these months are characterized by frequent and heavy rainfall. The time from the beginning of July to the end of September is ideal for a holiday in Goa for those who cannot stand the sweltering heat. The temperature during this period is +20..+25°C.

Prices for tours to Goa

The fantastic popularity of Goa among lovers sea ​​holiday due to the amazing diversity coastline. The resort is divided into southern and northern. The southern one is traditionally considered more prestigious and more expensive, famous for its snow-white and golden sandy beaches and luxury hotels. The North is distinguished by a coast with volcanic sand of a mysterious dark gray color and a large selection of options budget holiday. This feature has a direct impact on the cost of the tour.

The price of travel also depends on the time of year. The peak tourist season is in winter and spring. At this time, the cost of a trip starts from 60 thousand rubles for two with departure from Moscow to a 2* hotel. Even in June 2016, when the demand for tours is minimal, the trip will cost no less than 47 thousand rubles. How can you relax at competitive prices?

Will help significantly reduce travel costs early booking, which makes it possible to order in advance inexpensive tour. You can buy a ticket on the eve of autumn in Goa, from October until about mid-November. After the long monsoon season, the weather returns to normal, everything around blossoms, the water becomes surprisingly clean, and the cost of accommodation becomes more affordable.

Types of recreation. Things to do?

Beach holiday

Coast North Goa It is considered the epicenter of beach tourism and is literally saturated with hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops. A bunch of water activities awaits those who prefer to alternate active and passive pastime on many kilometers of beaches. When darkness falls, young people flock to discos under the stars right by the sea, where they can dance until the morning to the wonderful sounds of trance. South Goa is famous for its respectable resorts with the most luxurious hotels and magnificent beaches. Although there are no trance parties here, the entertainment infrastructure is quite developed, and you won’t be bored during your vacation.

The main historical and architectural attractions of Goa are directly related to religious beliefs. Every year thousands of pilgrims visit the famous Basilica containing the remains of St. Francis Xavier. On tours to Goa, do not miss the majestic Catholic churches - the Church of the Infant Jesus and Cathedral St. St. Catherine, which are located in oldest area resort. The most famous Hindu sanctuaries are the Shantadurga temple dedicated to the goddess Parvati and the Sri Mangesh temple dedicated to the god Shiva.

Health improvement

For anyone who needs to restore vital energy and replenish their strength, the famous treatment and health centers of Ayurveda - traditional Indian medicine dating back over a thousand years - are waiting for you. Their guests can enjoy reflexology and aromatherapy, acupressure and Ayurvedic massage, nourishing baths and yoga. Only natural herbs and juices that have no side effects are used as medicinal products.

Shopping

Shopping in Goa amazes the inexperienced tourist with a variety of goods - from standard store products to exquisite souvenirs self made. Most of shopping centers located in Panangi - the capital of the region, as well as in Arambol, Anjuna, Kanangute. Going on vacation this amazing land, pay attention to quality Indian spices and teas, magnificent stone jewelry and Nepalese wool scarves, silk and cashmere fabrics, as well as crafts and souvenirs that can be purchased at a nominal price.

Beaches and their types

The coastline of Goa stretches for more than 100 km. Southern Beaches are presented with dazzling white and golden sand and a gently sloping entrance to the water. Mostly wealthy couples and families with children who prefer a quiet pastime relax here. The beaches of the northern part of the resort have dark gray sand due to its volcanic origin, and are favored by young people. The coast is quite high, so the coastal areas of many hotels are located in lagoons. All beaches in Goa belong to the state and are completely free. Umbrellas and sun loungers are usually assigned to hotels or beach restaurants. There is no charge for using them if tourists make an order at the establishment.

Attractions

Although Goa is considered a place of exceptionally carefree beach holiday, there are a lot of interesting things in its surroundings. When going on a tour to the resort, do not miss its famous natural and architectural attractions.

St. Catherine's Cathedral

St. Catherine's Cathedral is the largest in Asia christian temple. In one of its chapels, according to legend, a priceless shrine is kept - a “growing cross”, comparable in size to the cross of Golgotha. The original and exquisite interior design of the cathedral with a rich altar will appeal not only to Catholics.

Dudhsagar

One of the most grandiose waterfalls in India is located 60 km from the regional capital. Tourists are fascinated by the virgin a tropical forest, crazy water extravaganza and extraordinary landscapes. The road to the waterfall runs through the picturesque Bhagwan Mahavir Nature Reserve, where many exotic inhabitants live - mongooses, panthers, porcupines, tigers and macaques, as well as over 200 species of colorful birds. The most inquisitive travelers do not miss the opportunity to visit the Devil's Canyon and admire the Kandepar River.

Spice plantations

Many real "grass" towns are scattered throughout India. Visiting the homeland of cloves, vanilla and cardamom, inhaling fragrant spices, enjoying aromatic dishes seasoned with bright powders is one of the main desires of any tourist going on a tour to Goa. Just 10 km from the resort center are the most popular plantations - Sahakari, Pascoal, Savoi Plantation and Tropical Spice Plantation. According to reviews from tourists, you should definitely take a camera on the excursion and take a photo - colorful, unforgettable views await you.

Arriving home after India, we decided to take stock of how much the entire month of living in India cost us, how much we spent on air tickets, on housing, how much we spent on food and souvenirs. Let's once again plunge into this fabulous and unforgettable atmosphere of India and remember everything with us.

First of all, let me remind you that we read a lot of material in order to learn more and begin to learn and comprehend amazing country India. Having arrived there, we made our own conclusions about what you definitely need to take with you () and about the holiday in Goa itself, what you need to know while you are there (). All this material is educational and interesting for package tourists and even those who are just thinking about traveling to this amazing country.

Visa to India and travel insurance

If you have to get a visa, then with insurance, everyone decides for themselves whether they need it or not. My husband and I came to the conclusion that it was better to insure ourselves against not flying, and we took out an insurance policy only for the first days of the trip (you never know, illness before the flight or loss of luggage during the flight). To find out which company is more suitable for our requirements, we dug through a lot of material and made sure that Tinkoff insurance is one of the reliable insurers, because their policy covers most of the various problems that an outbound traveler may encounter, and which this company will help resolve. This is a purely subjective opinion of some traveling spouses, their prices are an order of magnitude higher, but having studied a number of advertised insurers, we realized that not all of them cover different insurance cases (cheap does not mean good). I will write about choosing insurance in a separate article.

We applied for the visa ourselves without the help of travel agencies. may involve going to a visa center to apply and receive (one visa for 3 months in Moscow costs 1,880 rubles per person) or you can apply for it electronically and receive it for 30 days upon arrival (but it will cost 60 USD). We did not get scared and applied for a visa in Moscow, and after 4 days we went and received it.

Renting a property in Goa

With housing, everything was simple, our friends already lived in Goa (in Arambol), and they had a free room in a two-room apartment, so we decided to stay with them until we found a separate one. However, having gotten used to the heat, we decided to stay in that very same apartment, and also the guys from half of our month had already gone home, and we were left alone. We lived in Goa (in Arambol) for one month (from mid-March to mid-April 2016), this period is considered too hot, and is called “off season,” so our housing cost us mere pennies.

While we shared an apartment with friends, we paid the owner 200 rupees per family (in total, 400 rupees per day for the entire apartment), when our friends moved out, we were able to negotiate up to 220 rupees per day for the entire apartment. They paid the Indian owner for housing only after the days had passed, that is, not immediately upon moving into the apartment, but after some time had passed, and we also had to call him and catch him ourselves to give him the money. Our accommodation was 8 minutes from and 5 minutes by scooter from the Arambol market with food and clothing. However, if we didn’t have housing, there was a plan to book a hotel for the first few days, come to it and look for housing that would suit us, while immediately renting a scooter for ease of movement, read the paragraph below about this.

During the month of stay we spent on housing: 6,500 rupees (the exchange rate of rupees is almost one to one to the ruble).

Renting a scooter in India

There were no problems with the scooter either; our landlord also provided scooters (bikes) for rent, this is a common practice in Goa. We were able to bargain with him for a scooter that was no longer new and scratched in places - 4,000 rupees per month. We gave the first half to him after half a month of driving it, and the second when leaving, along with the remaining payment for housing. I will note that not everywhere there are such good owners, because our guys vouched for us, and he knew that there would be no problems with us, because... It wasn’t with them either. At the end of the rest, we broke and scratched our faithful horse and ourselves a little (we fell on our side due to faulty rear brakes), but we honestly admitted to the owner, he took the scooter to the workshop and showed us the amount of 900 rupees, we immediately did not agree and bargained for 400 Rs.

Total spent on transport - 5400 rupees:

• we paid 4000 rupees to rent a scooter for a month,
• for damage 400 rupees.
• for petrol 1000 rupees
• The impressions of how responsive people (helped me get up) in India are priceless.

Food in Goa

You can find tablets for the gastrointestinal tract, joints, heart and many other ailments, and their cost varies from 50 to 300 rupees. I note that the cost of already packaged goods in India, including tablets, is regulated by the state, so the price above which the product cannot be sold is indicated opposite the letters MRP, pay attention to this. For example, we bought our parents a drug that cleans blood vessels from cholesterol; on its packaging it says MRP: 90 rupees (that is, 60 tablets of the drug cost 90 rupees).

For all brought gifts, cosmetics, pills and various souvenirs spent 16,220 rupees.

Total expenses for a trip to Goa for a month

The total spent on the trip to India was 118,210 rubles for 1 month for two, half of which was travel. And a bunch of other souvenirs:

• 5,990 rubles – insurance and visas
• 57,200 rubles – round trip air tickets for two
• 800 rubles - taxi to the airport only there, met back by a friend
• 2,000 rupees - round trip transfer to Goa (rupee exchange rate is almost one to one to the ruble)
• 6,500 rupees - for a two-room apartment (with increased trading with the owner)
• 4,000 rupees – rent a scooter for a month
• 400 rupees - minor damage to the scooter
• 1,000 rupees - petrol
• 24,100 rupees - food for two, both in a cafe and at home
• 16,220 rupees - Ayurvedic tablets and souvenirs

It turns out that you can absolutely easily go to Goa (to Arambol) for a month for two people for 101,990 rubles, without gifts and souvenirs brought for 16,220 rupees. True, you need to remember that we did not go during the high season (from December to March), but at the end of it (from mid-March to mid-April), so housing prices in the high season will be higher, but if you come early and for a long period , usually, Indians go to a meeting and give a good discount, but you must not forget about this and, of course, bargain with them.

Read about my husband and I’s colorful and fragrant impressions of amazing India - you will find a lot of interesting things there: how local Indians drive, and how tourists drive, how humid it is and at what period the real heat begins, that trading is the main occupation of Indians They give themselves completely and can bargain with you for at least half a day. We also managed to catch and participate, so these were generally very exciting and amazing days.