Basilica of Bom Jesus
Church in Old Goa holding the preserved remains of St Francis Xavier, a missionary. The UNESCO-listed basilica is a major pilgrimage site and an important example of Baroque architecture.
Goa
Goa, a coastal state, is known for its lively nightlife, fresh seafood, Portuguese-era churches and relaxed beaches.
Attractive locations
Se Cathedral
Very large whitewashed church in Old Goa built by the Portuguese. It is known for its Golden Bell and its tall, simple facade facing a wide square.
Dudhsagar Falls
Tall waterfall in the Western Ghats on the Goa-Karnataka border, dropping in several tiers down a forested hillside. It is most impressive during and after the monsoon.
Fort Aguada
17th-century Portuguese fort overlooking the Arabian Sea at the mouth of the Mandovi River, with thick laterite walls and an old lighthouse.
Fontainhas
Old Latin Quarter of Panaji with narrow lanes, Portuguese-style houses painted in bright colours, small chapels and cafes. Walks reveal tiled house signs and balconies.
Calangute
Busy beach town on Goa's north coast with a long sandy beach, water sports and beach shacks, long nicknamed the queen of Goa's beaches.
Palolem Beach
Crescent-shaped beach in south Goa with calm water, palm trees and kayaking. It is quieter than the north and suits swimming and slow walks.
Airports
Goa Dabolim International Airport GOI
It is about 23 km in a straight line from Goa.
Manohar International Airport GOX
It is about 43 km in a straight line from Goa.
Belagavi Airport IXG
It is about 80 km in a straight line from Goa.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan26.3 °C1 mm
- Feb27.1 °C1 mm
- Mar28.2 °C9 mm
- Apr29.3 °C16 mm
- May29.4 °C75 mm
- Jun28.0 °C583 mm
- Jul26.9 °C625 mm
- Aug26.5 °C454 mm
- Sep26.6 °C267 mm
- Oct27.2 °C140 mm
- Nov27.1 °C27 mm
- Dec26.6 °C4 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Costs
Prices here are about 23% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
festival
Goa Carnival
Lent is preceded by music and parades.
Who can help
Emergency
112 is the national emergency number (old numbers 100 police, 101 fire, 102 ambulance may also work).
local government
Ministry of Tourism tourist helpline (Government of India)
Helps with: National tourist helpline of the Ministry of Tourism. It gives travel and tourism information and advises callers in distress while travelling in India, alerting authorities if needed.
Who qualifies: Domestic and international tourists in India.
Phone: 1800111363
ngo
Indian Red Cross Society, National Headquarters
Helps with: India's national Red Cross society. The national headquarters in New Delhi lists a main phone line and email, and runs a blood centre with its own enquiry line.
Who qualifies: People in India seeking Red Cross services or information.
Phone: +91-11 23716441
Email: ircs@indianredcross.org
Address: 1 Red Cross Road, New Delhi 110001
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) India
Helps with: The UN migration agency, working in India since 2001. Its work covers labour migration, counter-trafficking, assisted voluntary return and reintegration, and support for migrants.
Who qualifies: Migrants and people affected by trafficking or labour migration issues. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +91 11 24100026
Email: iomnewdelhi@iom.int
Address: UNESCO House, Ground Floor, 1 San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
embassy
Diplomatic missions in India (Ministry of External Affairs)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The Ministry's homepage links to a Diplomatic Missions in India section under Foreign Relations.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own country's embassy or high commission.
local government
Emergency number 112 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches the police, ambulance and fire services in India, with support in English, Hindi and other languages. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 112