Are you going to go on vacation to India in the winter of 2020-2021? Find out about prices for tours, hotels and food in Goa, about the weather in December, January and February. We give advice on what to do in the winter and where to go (festivals and holidays), and at the end we give reviews of tourists.
Not so long ago, the Indian state of Goa was associated exclusively with informal movements and subcultures, but now its beaches are becoming more and more popular with tourists. This is facilitated by excellent natural conditions and affordable prices. Rest in Goa in winter is especially good - it is sunny and warm, about +30 ... + 32 ° С. There is practically no precipitation, and the perfectly transparent sea water is heated to +26 ... + 28 ° С.
What to do in Goa in winter
In December, January and February, people go to Goa primarily for a beach holiday - the weather is ideal for this, in addition, you can improve your body and mental health: there are many active yoga and Ayurveda centers in the state.
At this time, the sun becomes very active, so it is best to sunbathe in the morning, before 10 o'clock, and in the afternoon - after 15. In the evening, clothes with long sleeves will come in handy, since after sunset the air cools rather quickly.
In the north of the state, there are small village-type settlements - Anjuna, Candolim, Calangute, Arambol, Morjim and others. Local beaches have long been chosen by hippies, while young people tend to get to dance parties and trance parties. In the south, tourists settle in places such as Agonda, Kavelosim, Colva, Benaulim and others.
Look: What to bring from Goa as a gift to friends and family.
According to reviews, Agonda is well suited for a quiet "seal" rest. Cavelosim has beautiful half-empty beaches and luxury hotels. In Colva and Benaulim, all infrastructure is oriented towards the middle class.
There is a yoga center in Arambol, which is very popular with travelers, there are nightclubs and casinos, the bulk of cafes are located along the beach. Concerts and fire shows are organized periodically.
Morjim is considered the most Russian resort, which is why prices are higher here than in other places. In winter, turtles swim to the local shores and lay their eggs in the southern part of the beach - Turtle Beach. There are also several yoga centers, shops and souvenir shops in the village.
Find out also how Russians get a visa to India.
Fans of diving in the winter months will have the opportunity to explore the underwater world, which hides the remains of ships that were once lost. The main diving season is from October to April and there are several beginner training centers in the state. The largest of them is located in Bogmalo.
Surfing schools are open in Baga and Ashvem, but sailing and parachuting, water skiing and motorcycles are more popular in the state. The largest selection of water activities is offered by the beaches of Calangute, Candolim, Colva and Baga.
Shopping enthusiasts can stroll through the colorful markets in Anjuna, Baga or Arpora. Youngsters - attend the upstate boisterous parties, or rent a bike and ride nearby.
Spicy and spicy Indian food at the resorts is presented in a tourist-friendly version, in addition to specific local dishes on the beaches, they offer dishes more familiar to European stomachs. According to reviews, sea inhabitants are well prepared on the beaches: fish, lobster, shrimp and others, and a glass of freshly squeezed juice from tropical fruits quickly refreshes and quenches thirst.
In between a beach holiday and cocktails with tropical fruits, you can entertain yourself with elephant trekking or an educational excursion. Natural attractions are very popular - 310-meter Dudhasagar waterfall, Pandava caves, Bondla wildlife sanctuary, park of live butterflies, bird sanctuary about. Charao, spice garden, extreme jungle trips in off-road vehicles. Connoisseurs of architecture choose a trip to Panaji and Vasco da Gama, ancient frescoes and buildings of Old Goa, the ancient buildings of Bumbai and Hampi.
Looking for the best beach destination in India? Find out where is the best vacation in Goa.
Winter Holidays and Festivals
According to the reviews of tourists, while vacationing in Goa in winter, you can see many celebrations and join the Indian culture. Below we list the main holidays, events and festivals that can be visited in December, January and February 2020-2021. while on holiday in India.
December
On December 8, Goa (in Panaji) celebrates the feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, there is a city fair with tasting of national dishes.
On the last weekend before New Years, Candolim Beach hosts the annual Sunburn electronic dance music festival. They play mainly house, go- and psi-trance, for three days the huge beach turns into one continuous party with contests and other entertainments.
Catholic Christmas is celebrated with traditional temple services and family celebrations, while New Year's is celebrated with on-air parties and other recreational activities. On December 31, the beaches and streets of Goa are simply not crowded due to the influx of people.
Find out more about holidays in Goa for the New Year >>
January
From January 1 to January 8, 2021, a large yoga festival will be held at Mandarem Beach in Goa.
On January 6, the inhabitants of Goa celebrate the Portuguese holiday of the three wise men: theatrical processions to the church are held in Chandor, Kansaulim and Fort Reis Magos. The ceremonial procession is led by adolescents in smart clothes, riding on white horses.
On January 14, India celebrates the harvest festival - Pongal - with traditional bathing in water and offering gifts to brahmanas. On January 26, a military parade of sailors is held on the embankment in Panaji - local residents celebrate Republic Day.
February
In February, the Panaji Academy of Arts hosts a two-day Pop, Beat and Jazz festival, and at the end of the month, the traditional Lent Carnival is held in all cities. The ceremony is opened and closed by King Momo, who has been appointed governor of the city for the period of the celebrations.
Goa weather December, January and February
According to reviews, Goa in December and January perfectly suited for a beach holiday. The weather is dry and clear (temperature is about + 32 ° C during the day), very warm and sunny, but you cannot do without a headdress and plenty of drink. It rains very rarely (1-2 times), it may not be at all for the whole month. The wind is warm and pleasant, the water is just fresh milk, the temperature is about + 28 ° С.
The whole January sunny and clear, the air temperature is +31 ... + 32 ° С, the water temperature is +26 ... + 28 ° С, a pleasant breeze is blowing. Some beaches in the north of the state have great waves for surfing.
Goa weather in February resembles January: during the day + 30 ° С, humidity slightly rises - from January 65% to 70%, there is no rain or very little. Western winds bring freshness and coolness. After sunset, the temperature drops rapidly and by nightfall can drop to + 21 ° C, so people who are sensitive to temperature extremes will not be disturbed by a light cape-stole.
See a full overview of the weather for all months of the year: When is the best time to relax in Goa.
Prices in Goa in winter 2020-2021
Since the exchange rate of the Indian rupee and the Russian ruble is currently almost equal (1 rupee ≈ 0.9 rubles), living in the state for Russians has become not at all as cheap as before. Nevertheless, the flow of Russian tourists does not decrease, despite the inflated winter prices - at this time in the state is the peak season. On New Year's holidays, there is a jump in prices for accommodation, food and entertainment.
Prices in Goa in winter 2020-2021 for double rooms in hotels are approximately the following (note that they may vary from resort to resort):
- budget room in the guesthouse - from 600 rubles,
- in a 2 * hotel - from 900 rubles,
- in a 3 * hotel - from 1500 rubles,
- in a 4 * hotel - from 2000 rubles,
- in a 5 * hotel - from 2700 rubles
Directly on New Year's, the cost of living can be 2-3 times higher, and we recommend booking hotels strongly in advance - even at the beginning of autumn. It is better to do this on the Rumguru service, which will find the best deals among several booking systems - sometimes 4- and 5-star hotels make significant discounts.
Lunch at a shack (beach restaurant) will cost about 60-200 rupees per person, depending on the ordered dishes. Coffee - 50-80 rupees.
Find out more about food prices in Goa >>
Compare the cost of living and recreation in India with other countries in Asia: Countries where it is cheap to live.
Tours to Goa in December, January and February 2020-2021
The cost of vouchers increases significantly during the winter months. In December, tours are the most expensive: at the beginning of the month, prices are lower, closer to Christmas they rise in price by at least 50-60%, and reach their maximum by the New Year. By mid-January, prices will stabilize, and in February, vouchers become more affordable. The difference in the cost of vouchers at the beginning of December and at the end of January is 15-20%.
It is best to look for inexpensive tours to India on the services of Travelata and Level.Travel - they compare offers from more than 120 leading tour operators. This is how you can find the tour at the best price. The voucher is issued online. Do you want to have an inexpensive vacation? See also our tips for finding cheap tours.
In winter, cheap tours to Goa appear quite often - we write about them in a special section "Last Minute Tours". For example, you can often find vouchers for 7-11 nights for only 20 thousand rubles per person - this is even cheaper than tickets for regular flights, in addition, the amount already includes accommodation, meals, insurance, transfer.
Find out about the 10 best hotels in Goa.
Reviews of tourists about holidays in Goa in 2020
Winter prices in Goa are the highest, especially during the New Year holidays. In addition, you need to be mentally prepared for the crowds of vacationers: the coast is completely dotted with people, and endless traffic jams will form on the roads.
Judging by the reviews of tourists who were vacationing in Goa in December and January, there is no need to expect peace and quiet during the New Year and Christmas holidays - the country has a large population of its own, plus an influx of tourists, everyone is having fun and drinking, some are drunk on bikes, thereby creating emergency situations on the roads.
Women traveling alone need to be more careful: they are highly discouraged from night gatherings on the beach, as the contingent at the resorts is too motley.
Otherwise, this is a beautiful place with unique nature and wonderful climate, and a beach holiday in Goa in winter is simply magnificent due to the wonderful weather and warm sea, the main thing is to choose the right resort with a good hotel.
Look for more detailed reviews of tourists about holidays in India: an overview of beaches, restaurants, hotels, reviews on prices and weather in Goa, as well as recommendations from vacationers.
