Complete relaxation and shanti, even though it’s garbage here … You don’t rush anywhere in Goa, you don’t worry about anything. When it is winter in Russia, it is summer here. This is a good budget format – to spend a warm winter, as Dasha did with her husband and two children from cold Novosibirsk, who spend the winter in Goa, and share their experience with us.
Let’s get acquainted 🙂
My name is Dasha. I have a family – a husband and two sons. My husband worked in the IT field, and I worked as a designer before the decree. Then there was a 6-year decree, during which I managed to be a master of artistic point painting. And then circumstances pushed me to become a home pastry chef. But not easy. I made wholesome sweets to order. It was in demand. After all, my sweets did not contain the sugar and flour we are used to – I lost weight myself and helped others without parting with sweets.
We lived an ordinary life, and then I went on a package tour to Goa and my world turned upside down.
Why did you choose Goa for wintering?
I have been there twice. I went alone, without a family. It was my personal mom’s vacation)))) Moms will understand how necessary it is.
I liked it there, I talked with other winterers, learned the peculiarities of the local culture, prices and opportunities. Therefore, the choice was obvious. We decided not just for the winter, but for the winter in Goa. Otherwise, they would hardly have been able to take such a risk in an unfamiliar place.
How long does it take to catch a profitable flight to Goa? How much does the flight cost?
For the first time for the winter, we flew on a tour. In November, you can catch last minute very advantageous offers. I left Novosibirsk for a good hotel – 22 500 rubles per person without a visa.
This time we are flying a regular flight with transfers. From Novosibirsk to Mumbai, with a transfer in Dubai. It turned out to be 18,000 rubles per person. This is a good value for Novosibirsk. Bought in 1.5 months. 2-3 months before departure, the prices were lower, but circumstances with my health prevented us from dealing with this issue earlier. From Mumbai we will go on a sleeper bass, because are already familiar with this type of Indian transport. It is convenient and not expensive. But there are nuances that we will learn in the course of the action, tk. we have never left Mumbai on our own.
Regular flight from Novosibirsk to Mumbai, with a stopover in Dubai – RUB 18,000 per person.
It is necessary to take into account the rule of arrival and departure: if you flew in by charter, you can only take off by charter of the same company. If you flew in a regular, then you can only fly in a regular, but of any company. This is more about Goa airport.
Accommodation in Goa. Where do you find it? What are the prices?
It makes sense to look for housing immediately on the spot. On the first days, rent any hotel and go around the desired area on a bike. Since it will be much more expensive remotely, and in fact it may not correspond to reality.
Housing prices in Goa vary depending on: the area and distance from the sea, the condition of the apartment and its area, the rental period and the owner’s greed. It is difficult to say something concrete here. But – always bargain. 20 percent can be reset due to a long period (from 3 months or more), and simply – through trading. We rented a spacious two-room floor. The nearest beach is 5 minutes away by bike. On foot for 15-20 minutes. The cost was 17,000 rubles / month. We filmed for 5 months. The original price was 20,000 rubles, we bargained. But – the house stood along a noisy road and the furnishings were very modest. We washed the house ourselves. From time to time there were interruptions with water in the tap, the owner tried to resolve the issue on time, but it happened that, coming from the beach, we still had no water at all for 2 hours
An important nuance – do not give money for the entire period, give it monthly. Otherwise, the owner of the apartment can forget about you and any problems with the apartment.
Which area is suitable for wintering in Goa?
Depends on requests. Mandrem is quiet, Arambol is cheerful, Calangute, Candolim, Baga are very touristy. This is in North Goa. I find it difficult to tell something about the rest. There is also South Goa – more expensive, but more civilized, calmer.
We lived in Arambol. I like the proximity of all interesting movers and the developed infrastructure. This time we will probably live in Mandrem. I want to be a little quieter.
Do I need a visa to Goa?
A visa to Goa is required.
There are two types of visa:
- consular
- electronic
Consular visa is obtained at the consulate or through intermediaries. It costs about 3,000 rubles – if you do it yourself. And from 4 500 rubles – if through Moscow agencies. Available for 6 months continuous. This is the maximum tourist destination. You need to submit documents approximately 3 weeks before departure. We do it through an agency, because the consulate is in Moscow, and we are in Novosibirsk.
This spring (2019) e-visas have fallen in price and increased.
It is easy to get a visa to Goa : fill out the form on the website, attach all the necessary documents and pay. After 2-3 days, you have a visa in electronic form. It is put into the passport upon arrival.
Ele tron visas now there are such periods: 1 month, 1 year, 5 years.
Goa e-Visa Prices (2019):
- 30 days from April to June – $ 10
- 30 days from July to March – 25 $
- 1 year – $ 40
- 5 years – 80 $
But every 90 days you need to leave the country for at least 1 day.
There are currently no other renewal options.
Nutrition. What are the prices for food in Goa?
The cost of food in Goa is quite low. If you cook yourself from local products (without trying to use only the usual European options), then the difference is 2-3 times compared to Novosibirsk. The cafes are also quite budgetary. Especially the local cafes, but they don’t look very attractive. It should be borne in mind that the food is quite spicy. But very tasty in my opinion. I love their curries and palak paneer.
Prices in a cafe in Goa (2019):
- rice with chicken – 150-160 rupees (~ 170-180₽)
- omelet – 90 rupees (~ 100₽)
- soups – from 50 rupees (~ from 56₽)
Food prices in Goa (2019):
products:
- shrimp – 300-700 rupees (~ 336-784₽)
- fish – 200-250 rupees (~ 224-280₽)
- lobsters – 1200 rupees (~ 1345₽)
- chicken (kg) – 90-100 rupees (~ 100-112₽)
- rice (1 kg) – 90-160 rupees (~ 100-180₽)
- pasta (1 kg) – 80-120 rupees (~ 90-135₽)
- eggs (dec.) – 50 rupees (~ 56₽)
- tea (250 gr) – about 150 rupees (~ 170₽)
fruits:
- cucumbers, tomatoes – 16 rupees (~ 18₽)
- mango – 60-80 rupees (~ 68-90₽)
- papaya (pcs) – 50 rupees (~ 56₽)
- pineapple – 30-70 rupees (~ 34-79₽)
- watermelon – 20 rupees (~ 23₽)
- bananas – 25 rupees (~ 28₽)
- mangosteen – about 100 rupees (~ 112₽)
- coconut – 30 rupees (~ 34₽)
How to get around Goa?
Moped, motorcycle. Cars also go and rent, but the roads are narrow, and it is quite difficult to maneuver a car there, especially if you are not used to it. We ride a moped.
Did you get insurance?
We do not make out. But we find out in advance the necessary phone numbers and addresses where you can contact.
– What are the pros and cons of wintering in Goa?
Pros, perhaps, everyone understands: warm, tasty, sea, fun, national flavor – local temples and sights. Budget format. Complete relaxation and shanti. Do not rush anywhere, do not worry about anything. It’s hard to get used to, though. We still run and worry)))
Cons , like throughout Asia, it is garbage, sometimes it is difficult to communicate with Indians because of the difference in mentality and language barrier. The absence or high cost of some familiar products.
– Your life hacks about wintering in Goa 🙂
Expect nothing and be grateful for everything. Remain a well-mannered and decent person. Then life in Goa will be a wonderful period of your life. And bargain?
My instagram: @darya_dabda, even more useful and interesting about wintering in Goa, subscribe!
Interviewed by Olga Avrakh
Dasha’s photo
