A Goenkar’s guide to visiting Goa without getting scammed

There are two kinds of people who land in Goa. The first has done their homework. They know the difference between a shack and a sham. They understand that Goa is not just about parties, beaches, and sand. They arrive with a plan.

The second group? They step off the plane, and assume the universe will sort them out. Spoiler: Not just Goa, a little bit of research is required for any place that you are visiting. Here are some tips:

Try to arrive during daylight hours. Why? Because buses largely wind down by 6–7 PM. Miss that window and you’re entering taxi territory, and not all taxis are created equal. There’s an official, use it.

Or pre-book through your hotel. What you should avoid is the enthusiastic gentleman at arrivals whispering, “Madam, very good rate. ”

Save yourself the drama. Book smart, screenshot fares, and walk up to your designated pickup point. If you’re arriving by train at Madgaon Junction, same logic applies. Daylight equals buses. Night equals negotiations.

Nothing says ‘scammed’ right away like landing in peak season without accommodation. Yes, Goa feels breezy and spontaneous. But that does not mean you’ll magically find a charming room in Calangute at 10 PM in December for INR 1,000.

Popular belts like Calangute and Baga are commercial magnets. Be prepared as last-minute rates here can go high than you can imagine. Instead, look at local guesthouses. Many are family-run, affordable (sometimes under INR 1,000 a night). There are platforms to check out, but the golden rule remains: confirm before you travel.

Visit the famous beaches. Take the photos. But don’t confuse popularity with quality. A beach lined with 200 bars isn’t automatically charming, it’s competitive. And competition in hyper-commercial zones often translates to inflated menus, aggressive watersports pitches, and ‘brother special discount’ tactics.

The trick isn’t to avoid famous spots entirely. It’s to avoid doing everything there.

Eat where locals eat. If a place looks like it was designed by Instagram and staffed by people who’ve never pronounced ‘xacuti’ correctly, reconsider.

The best Goan meals often happen in modest spaces with plastic chairs and zero neon signage.

A bike rental is Goa’s cheat code. It gives you freedom, flexibility, and parking privileges that cars simply don’t. But here’s the non-negotiable: photograph the vehicle before and after use. There are rental operators who will attempt to charge you for mysterious scratches that appear seconds after you return the keys. A timestamped photo is your best defense.

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Let’s address the elephant in the beach shack.

Goa is not a stereotype. It is not permanently in party mode. It is not your hometown relocated with palm trees. Reckless driving is not tolerated. Cars on sand dunes are absolutely no no. Trash on beaches? Well, we all know the answer.

Goa’s ecology, especially its sand dune systems, is fragile. Its communities are tight-knit. And locals are friendly… until you mistake friendliness for permission.

Drive properly, park sensibly, pick up your trash. Don’t ogle. Don’t stereotype.

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Peak tourism runs roughly November to February. December? That’s premium pricing season, thanks to Christmas and festivals like Sunburn Festival. If you want activity and energy, visit at the edges of peak season. If you want solitude, avoid December altogether.

Summer is hot. Monsoon is lush but limited to beach activities.

Choose your vibe consciously.

Goa rewards curiosity and punishes laziness. Research before you travel. Avoid blasting ‘hidden gems’ across social media. Support local businesses. And understand that the best experiences here are rarely the loudest ones. Come for the beaches if you must. But stay for the culture, the conversations, the bakeries, the quiet mornings.