When you hear the destination Goa what pictures emerge in your mind? Obviously, you are not thinking about common tourist problems in Goa that you may face as soon as you reach there. The visuals that you envision are something like:
Long and happening beaches
Parts of forts stand strong even today telling their history
Vibrant nightlife with drinks and dinner by the seashore
And rich cultural heritage and temples
No wonder it is a top destination for tourists not only from different corners of India but also around the world.
We were in Goa for a week and as the days of our vacation started coming to an end we realized one thing:
You cannot have enough of Goa in just a week. This realization hit us as we started exploring the near and far away destinations. Even after travelling to many places in Goa and enriching our experience, we found that there is so much more to be explored, so many destinations that remained untouched by us. But our holidays had come to an end.
However, for tourists like us and like any popular tourist spot, Goa has its set of challenges that can sometimes dampen the travel experience you had in mind.
In this blog, I’ll address some of the common problems we faced and some unexpected expenses that we came to know about in Goa and will try to offer some practical solutions to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable trip if you are planning to visit Goa in near future.
We were in Goa in May of 2024. So things might change if you are travelling on any future days or year.
Let’s dive right into it, shall we?
Common Tourist Problems in Goa
1. Petrol Pumps are far away
We had hired a car to cover the tourist spots. It was off-season so we got it at a discounted price. The car was with us for the entire five days for which we had booked. You too can hire a two-wheeler or a car by paying the per day charges in advance. Plus you’ll have to give a security deposit. These hired cars don’t come with drivers so you need a local to drive you around.
On the first day, we filled petrol for Rs.2000/-.
At first, we were not aware. When you are on vacation you focus on the good and happy things. Even though you travel to distant places and are out way into the night, your mind tends to forget a few important things that you should keep in mind – like the level of petrol in the car.
As the petrol in the car came on the verge of getting over we realized this:
The petrol pumps in Goa are quite a distance from each other. This was the first common tourist problem we encountered in Goa.
It so happened that one day we decided to go out early to watch the sunrise. Our friend driving the car announced that we needed to fill the petrol. He took the car to a petrol pump. It was early morning. The petrol pump was closed. I believe they expect people like us to be more cautious and proactive when it comes to keeping our vehicles filled with petrol.
Our driver friend told us that we could still go to Sunrise Point and return. So off we went. The ride was steep and put pressure on the vehicle. Somehow we managed to reach our destination.
As we were returning he announced that if we didn’t fill the petrol the car might stop at any time. There was a subtle tension in the car. To our shock, the car suddenly stopped. Our heartbeat also came to a standstill for a second as we thought the petrol was over. We were in the midst of nowhere. On both sides of the road were trees and green bushes.
Our driver friend tried to restart the car and it started. We all sighed in relief. The car moved ahead and we went in search of a petrol pump. We were hungry and wanted to have breakfast. But that was our last priority. The first and foremost priority was to feed our car. We asked the locals and they guided us to the nearest petrol pump which was not very near. We drove for about twenty minutes and reached a highway. We saw a petrol pump sign on the left-hand side of the road and we gave a big sigh of relief. Luckily we had found a petrol pump before the petrol in our car was over. I can’t even imagine what we would have done if the petrol had gotten over before we could find the petrol pump. It would have been another big adventure.
One lesson that we learned the hard way, especially exploring Goa on scooters, bikes or cars is keeping the fuel tank filled sufficiently due to the scarcity of petrol pumps. While Goa’s scenic beauty, wide and beautiful highways and well-designed bridges encourage us to go on long drives, the availability of fuel stations nearby can be a concern.
Here’s what you can do to avoid such a sudden break in your journey:
Solution:
Plan Ahead: Before setting out on your journey, check the locations of petrol pumps on your route using maps or apps.
Refuel Frequently: Don’t be too adventurous and wait until your tank is nearly empty to look for a petrol pump. Refuel whenever you see a station, especially in less populated areas. Or better fill your tank to the extent that the petrol will last at least two days.
2. Parking Charges at Beaches and Other Tourist Spots
We come from a city where whenever we visit a Mall the parking charges are from twenty to fifty rupees. Some shopping complexes even let go of your parking charges if you have done shopping there and show your shopping bill to the parking attendant.
So we were a bit taken aback when we were asked to pay a hundred or sometimes two hundred bucks for parking our car.
Most of the popular beaches and tourist spots in Goa charge parking fees, often around 200 rupees for 4 hours. And if you visit even five spots in a day that charges parking fees then you would have spent around one thousand bucks only on parking.
During our stay, we drove to many spots for hours. Our driver friend had suggested that the places were worth seeing as a tourist. But when we reached there we were informed that we had to pay parking charges of two hundred rupees. We had not anticipated this additional burden in our budget. Unfortunately, we had to cancel visiting some good places because of these parking charges. I know for most of you paying two hundred rupees for parking may not be a big deal when you are in a place like Goa but we couldn’t do it because it was disturbing our budget.
Solution:
Budget for Parking: Now that you know about parking charges, when you plan a budget for your next Goa visit just remember to include parking fees in your daily travel budget to avoid any last minute surprises. Also, depending on when you are travelling the parking charges may increase.
Look for Alternatives: If you don’t want to cough out parking charges be prepared to look beyond the parking lot. Some areas may have free parking spots just a bit further away from the main attractions if you are willing to explore. A short walk from there to the spot can save you some money.
We actually found a place for free parking at a location and saved some money.
3. Struggle to Find Vegetarian Restaurants
Goa’s cuisine is renowned for its seafood and non-vegetarian delicacies, but vegetarians like us might find it challenging to locate suitable dining options or may have to travel long distances to find one.
When we were driving from Madgaon railway station to our destination, we were informed that if we were pure vegetarians then we would find it difficult to find a decent pure vegetarian restaurant.
We didn’t realize how difficult it would be until we started searching for a good restaurant to eat.
Now non-vegetarian restaurants also serve vegetarian dishes but it’s not always a pleasant place for a vegetarian person to eat. We tried a few places that were famous and known for non-vegetarian dishes. We thought we could order some vegetarian dishes here. But we couldn’t stand the strong aroma of non-vegetarian dishes that filled the air in the restaurant. At one of the well-known non-vegetarian restaurants, we had to walk away almost immediately after sitting at the table to eat.
Solution:
Research and List: Before your trip, research and make a list of vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the areas you plan to visit. Some multiple Apps and websites will give you a list and location of vegetarian restaurants. Even as you are exploring Goa you can search for vegetarian restaurants on Apps and search engines.
Even though we had to struggle a lot, in the end, we were fortunate to have dined at a few pure vegetarian restaurants during our stay in Goa and enjoyed the vegetarian dishes.
Ask Locals: Locals often know the best spots for all kinds of dietary preferences. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations.
If you are staying at a hotel you can enquire at the reception and they should be able to guide you to a pure vegetarian restaurant.
Try Open Air Restaurants:
Many non-vegetarian restaurants are open air and are not enclosed in a small area. They also have many vegetarian options. If you decide to eat here at least you will not have to bear the strong non-vegetarian smell.
Eat at Restaurants inside a Hotel: We got an opportunity to eat at a restaurant that was a part of a good hotel. Even though it was enclosed it was quite spacious and there was no strong aroma of non-vegetarian foods.
Eat at Beach Shacks: If you are the adventurous type you may love to have dinner at many of the beach shacks spread across the beaches of Goa. Twice we had dinner at beach shacks. They have a decent collection of vegetarian delicacies. It feels heavenly sitting and relaxing under the open night sky watching the White Sea waves glowing in the night. You can sit there way late at night enjoying your drinks with dinner.
4. Narrow Lanes Leading to Tourist Spots
To reach most of Goa’s tourist attractions one needs to go through narrow and muddy lanes. This can test your riding and driving skills and patience.
We faced this challenge many times during our exploration but fortunately, we had a driver friend who was quite an expert at the wheels.
Solution:
Use Smaller Vehicles: Opt for scooters or bikes over cars. Or if you have to choose a car make sure it’s not too big. These vehicles are comparatively easier to navigate through narrow lanes and congested areas.
Be Patient and Alert: Drive cautiously and respect other vehicles plying on the road. Be prepared for sudden stops, turns or diversions. Be in no hurry. You are in Goa to enjoy the scenery. Enjoy the ambience and also the traffic if you get stuck in one. Patience is key when you visit any tourist destination.
Final Thoughts
Despite the above issues, Goa, for us, remains a magical destination worth visiting. We will surely love to explore more of the land sometime in the future.
By planning and being prepared for these common issues, and some unwarranted incidents you can be mentally prepared and ensure a more pleasant and hassle-free trip.
Every travel experience comes with its unique set of enjoyment and challenges. That’s what adventure is all about.
Travel with the right mindset and well-planned strategies and at the same time be ready to adapt to the unexpected turn of events. This way you can spin these trip challenges into memorable adventures and say bye-bye to these common tourists problems in Goa.
Happy travelling!
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