Water
• Bottled water is widely available and very cheap, between 12 – 15 pence for 1 litre. It isn’t mineral water but ‘packaged drinking water’ (purified water). (A few years ago there was a scam against tourists; water bottles were cut at their bottoms filled with tap wate, soldered back together and re-sold; this isn’t so widespread now but its best to be safe, be vigilant! Crushing bottles after use protects against this.)
• Ensure the seal is not broken and the bottle doesn’t look corrupt; if it does, ask the shopkeeper to replace/swap it; they invariably will.
• When in a restaurant, ask for mineral water. The waiter should bring you an unopened bottle and open it in front of you. If they don’t, don’t be afraid to send it back.
• Many homes have ‘Aqua Filters’ installed; this purifies the water sufficiently for you to be able to drink it straight from the tap.
• If you boil water fiercely for 15 minutes, it will be safe to drink.
Food
• Embrace the Indian cuisine. It would be easy living in Goa to only eat continental food. It is up to you but please please, don’t come to India and only eat in Domino’s! The food is fantastic; you’ll be surprised how much better (and cheaper) the Indian dishes are than the continental.
• Meat should only be eaten from reputable looking places and be sure to cut right through checking that the juices run clear.
• Fish is pretty safe as you know it’s very fresh though you should still be aware of the cleanliness of the premises.
• Fruit and vegetables should be washed thoroughly in filtered water or peeled; it is not worth the risk of eating straight from vendors without taking necessary precautions.
• As the power supply in Goa is anything but reliable, be careful about what you have in the fridge. Last night's chicken curry may not so safe to eat if the fridge has been off all night.
• Imported brands of your favourite foods are available in good supermarkets: tea, marmite, cereals, juices etc.
• Most restaurants will pack food if you don’t have time/don’t want to eat in; you’ll be charged the same rate but be able to eat at your leisure.
Security
• Most of the apartments you'll find will have bolt locks on the front doors (though it might be worth bringing a good padlock yourself) and many have metal bars on the windows. If you are bringing laptops, personal walkmans etc it is good sense to get a place that is and feels safe as Goa is rich compared to the surrounding areas and thieves are known to ride in at night and leave early morning with their loot.
Simple Tip : Many banks offer security boxes for a monthly rental.
Money
• You cannot bring Indian rupees into the country or take any out of the country. However recently the UK has been able to offer very small amounts of rupees to travellers at a very bad exchange rates.
• Withdrawing from ATM’s is an easy, quick and safe way to deal with your finances. There are no worries about traveller’s checks or sterling currency and you can withdraw little and often so you’re not carrying too much cash around with you. Visa cards can be used in all ATM’s and Maestro can be used in most but some can be temperamental. Note: Depending on which bank you are with in the UK, every time you make a withdrawal, you are charged, though the charge is minimal and similar to the excess you are charged for traveller’s checks. Some banks do not charge e.g. Nationwide Flex Account for example.
• There are numerous bureau de exchange (equivalents) around so changing traveller’s checks/sterling is very easy. Look around for good exchange rates and be sensible about who you are exchanging with – check the amount against your own calculations and always count your money.
• When you get change hold on to it! Pay for large things in shops/restaurants with 500 /- Rs. notes and hoard the change. Street vendors/rickshaw drivers etc. may claim they have no change and try to take more money than they deserve. Keeping those small notes will alleviate these possible problems.
Accommodation
• Prices obviously vary due to the seasons, and you are likely to pay twice the price if you want somewhere near the beach.
• If you look around, you should be able to pick up a furnished single bed roomed apartment in a resort for around 8000 Rs/- (approximately £100) a month. If you decide on something away from the beach you could find something for half that.
• Most furnished apartments come with a gas stove (2 gas burners), a fridge, simple furniture (a few chairs, table and a kitchen top) and a bed.
• Before deciding on a place to stay, make sure it has enough fans to keep you cool; in the evenings it is best to keep the windows closed, especially around 6pm as the local mosquito population comes out to feed. Mosquito nets are very effective at keeping the ravenous insects at bay and mosquito repellent can be bought locally.
Simple Tip : There are many material shops in the main towns (Mapusa, Panjim and Margao) that sell black netting which can be cut to size and put up to the windows to keep the mosquitoes out. One pound of material should be enough to cover the windows/doors allowing your evenings to be bite and itch free.
If you are staying for a longer period, it might be worth purchasing a voltage regulator to protect your personal electronic equipment (Laptop, CD players etc) from the Goan electricity grid. The voltage jumps up and down throughout the day, especially at night when the hotels and restaurants are in full swing. Most local residents use the regulators to protect their expensive equipment. They can be bought from any electrical store for around ten pounds.
Simple Tip : If you’re not using your laptop etc, make sure you turn it off at the mains socket!
Simple Tip : if you don’t want to buy multiple Indian adapters for your stereo, computer etc bring out a 4 Way extension lead and plug your electrics into that. Only one adapter required (or buy an Indian plug and use it every time you come)
Travel
Here's the Taxi Price List to give you an idea of Taxi Prices....
Simple Tip : Don’t use taxis, use the bus! It gives you a chance to mix with locals and to save a few rupees at the same time. A taxi from Calangute to Panjim is likely to cost 150 Rs/- or much more depending on how much they think they can get away with;A Bus is 9 Rs/- . You do the math! :o)
• Buses are very cheap and frequent and are a great way to get around on a budget. They are available from all of the resorts and cost around 1-2 Rs/- a mile. It's good to have correct change and to ask about the cost before showing your money. The downside to travelling by bus is the way you will be herded onto the bus. Every last inch of room will be used, if you don't like your personal space being invaded then it's probably not the transport for you. The buses generally have the destinations written on boards at the front of the bus. The popular beach resorts have these written in English but more local buses have them in Hindi. For longer journeys between the major towns, there are 'Non Stop' services which may also guarantee you with a seat.
• Taxis: If you're not up to being pushed and shoved on the bus, another option is to take a taxi. There are hundreds of them so finding one shouldn't be a problem. There are set metered fares for taxis but drivers will rarely be persuaded to use them, you must agree on a price before you start. If there is more than one of you travelling make sure the price is for the journey and not per person as it will help prevent arguments on arrival. Also be aware that the taxi drivers love to take your money and the more the better! Don’t think that they will come down to an acceptable price even when you walk away; they are experts on taking money from tourists.
• There are also motorcycle taxis and Auto-Rickshaws which will be slightly cheaper and get round the crowded streets a little easier.
• Motorbikes, If you want true independence while you're in Goa then a motorbike is the ideal choice. They are cheap to run, fun and exciting. There are a few documents you will need (See Driving In Goa) but it's a great way to get round. The main draw backs are the road conditions and the other drivers. New bikes are cheap to buy, but only worth while if you're planning on staying in Goa for longer durations.
Driving in Goa
• Driving in Goa is nothing like the UK, there are very few signs and even fewer rules. When it comes to roundabouts, junctions and cross-roads the average Goan driver will not give way to the right, will not stop at T-Junctions and generally do what they want, many go the wrong way on roundabouts and drive in the middle of the road.
• Large buses and lorries do not seem to stop for anyone, if you're lucky they will sound their rather loud horn to tell you to move out of the way. The general rules of the road are: move out of the way of anything bigger than you and you are only responsible for what’s in front of you.
• If you can pick up the courage then it is well worth it, it might take a week or two to get your bearings and to feel safe, but it’s a great way to see the countryside. If the other traffic wasn’t enough to watch out for care should also be taken on the roads as dogs and cattle roam freely, both regularly can be found sleeping in the middle of the road expecting the traffic to drive round them.
• Motorbikes are the main mode of transport for tourists especially as most locals rent them out as an extra income. Prices can vary, but you shouldn’t normally pay more than 100 Rs/- a day for a moped, larger bikes are also available but these tend to start at 100 s/- per day up to probably 300 Rs/-. If you rent such a bike and are likely to use it on the main highways a helmet is now required.
• There are many traffic police waiting to catch you out, and fine you. The fines are quite reasonable for tourists as caught without a helmet is around 100 Rs/- (£1.20). Also if you are stopped you might be asked to provide the ownership papers and insurance for the motorbike, if you do not have these another fine might be issued! When ever you receive a fine, make sure that you obtain a receipt as this will ensure the money does not go into the back pocket of the officer.
• Push Bikes - Another way to get round is to buy or hire a push bike. They are very cheap over here, but are not quite the same as in the UK. The main difference you'll notice is the weight, they are 2 or 3 times heavier. But if you want to spend a little more you can get similar specs, 21 gears, suspension etc. A bike without gears will cost less than 2500 Rs/- (£35), one with 18 gears and suspension is likely to cost around 3500 Rs/- (£50)
Trains
• There are two quotas – tourist and general – this means that as tourists we are designated a certain number of seats on each train. You will be given tourist quota unless you state otherwise. If you are trying to get on a train which is full, ask for general quota to be checked.
• You will need to present your passport when booking train tickets in advance (to get tourist allocations).
• There are 4 classes on most trains – sleeper (general), 3 AC, 2 AC and 1 AC. These obviously have price implications but the step up from Sleeper to AC is massive.
• You can opt for upper, middle or lower bunks – women ALWAYS try to get upper or middle bunks, prying hands can be a problem late at night.
• Thieves have been known to steal bags from sleeping travellers; carry a padlock and chain and lock your bags to the hooks under the lower bunks.
• Train food has mixed reports some say it’s the best food they’ve had, others have been sick for weeks – use your best judgement!
• Chai, Coffee, Soup etc. should be fine to drink and costs between 3 and 6 /- Rs. per cup.
• If you are staying in Calangute or Candolim book train tickets from Thivim - it is your closest station.
Photography
• Buying film and even digital memory cards is easy out here so don’t think it is necessary to stock up for your whole stay!
• Digital developing and transferring onto CD disk is available: burning 200 + shots to CD cost between 75 and 150 /- Rs. and developing is between 4 and 7 /- Rs. per shot depending on the number of shots you are printing.
• The quality of developing is fairly average, some places are considerably better than others. Processors may offer free films/albums as incentives to process with them, shop around for good deals/best quality.
• You may want to photograph people doing/wearing what you deem to be culturally interesting, remember etiquette and be sensitive. Some people may ask for money – give or don’t as you see fit.
Phones
• If you are calling the UK the international code is 0044; drop the 0 from your area code and continue with the rest of the number.
• You will see numerous yellow signs displaying the letters PCO, STD, ISD – these are public telephones. PCO – local calling, STD – state and national calls, ISD – international calling.
• Calling from an internet café ‘Net to Phone’ is considerably cheaper than standard call box calling.
• Having a mobile out here is a real asset, you can use your phone from home provided it is ‘unlocked’ (this can be done at home or out here). Sim cards are approximately 150 /- Rs. and ‘pay as you go’ credit is in varying denominations from 350 – 3500 /- Rs. Messaging a UK mobile costs just a few rupees (5 – 8 Rs. I think, though it does vary) and messages to other Indian mobiles are just 1 /- Rs.
• There are lots of services which friends/family at home can hook up to get them cheaper calls to you. Ask Shermina or Robert for more information on this.
Phoning From the UK - A good website for all your friends and family is this one Cheap Phone Calls which gives a run down of the best rates at the moment for phoning India. This site is updated regularly so check it before making the call...
Internal flights
• There are more choices for Internal flights: Air Deccan, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Spice are just a few. Air Deccan is a budget airline (www.airdeccan.net) which has limited number of very cheap flights, Goa – Mumbai for example booked in advance costs approx. 1750 Rs. Jet Airways and Air Sahara are slightly more upmarket airlines though they are still very reasonable in cost and fly between more destinations. The service and planes are of western standard and they certainly cut travelling time right down.
Post
• Receiving post is possible and I’ve found very reliable. Letters take between 5 – 8 days to receive and parcels just a little longer. If you are having something sent by registered post the postman will have to see and confirm your passport details with you.
• Sending letters is really easy and very cheap; postcards need only 8 /- Rs. stamps and cards or closed letters between 12 – 15 /- Rs. stamps. Stamps can be purchased from street vendors; ask those selling postcards. Letters should reach within 8 – 12 days, though sometimes they will take much longer!
Music and Cinema
• Western films are shown in the large halls though they’re released a few months later than in the UK. The cinema is very cheap and the halls are much nicer than the home!
• There is also a cinema in Panjim which shows both Hindi and Western films. The great thing about this place is that it has air conditioning!!!
• Music shops sell Western music though, sometimes, a fairly limited selection however disks available are very cheap.
Personal hygiene, toiletries and medication
• Carry toilet roll, it is not always available!
• Imported toiletries are available and can be found in all good supermarkets and chemists, alternatively a really good and very cheap Indian brand is ‘Himalya’ the range includes toiletries, food stuffs, vitamins and herbal medicines.
• Medicines are widely available, lots of chemists are open 24 hours so it is rarely a problem to obtain treatments. International brands (Imodium, Boots, Strepsils etc) are available often at a fraction of the cost (2 Imodium cost approximately 8 pence, considerably cheaper than at home).
• Malaria tablets are available if you decide to extend your visit.
• If you need to visit a doctor try to go on recommendation. Consultations cost between 150 and 250 /- Rs. Prescriptions should be taken to your local chemist where medication will be given, be warned however tablets do not come in their boxes with instructions but as individual tablets, your prescription should have instructions of when and how to take.
• A good brand of re-hydration sachets is Electrolyte; it’s cheap and tastes much better than other makes. Mix with 1 ltr of bottled water and sip slowly if you incur symptoms of diarrhoea or dehydration.
Beggars
• Everyone deals with beggars in there own way, there is no right or wrong way, it is what is comfortable for you. Giving a few rupees is not wrong, however, you may prefer to plough money into something more long lasting i.e. Children Walking Tall!
• Giving food and empty water bottles is an alternative way of helping.
Tips for single women travellers
• Be conservative with dress – this is not so true in Goa as Goa is set up for tourism but for the majority of India you should respect Indian culture and dress modestly. This means no low cut tops, no very short skirts, keeping your bikini for the beach only etc.
• You will receive male attention, mostly it is non-threatening but if you feel uncomfortable at anytime shout out. Raising your voice at someone is usually enough to scare them off and leave them red faced. If not there are always lots of people who will come to your aid. Don’t put up with it, Indian women don’t.
• When travelling on public transport (trains, buses, metro) there are designated ladies sections/carriages. You have every right to ask men to get up so you can sit. Sticking with other women can ease uncomfortable situations/advances.
• During celebrations like new year etc there are lots of tourists from around India, most of which are likely to try and be more friendly than they should and ladies are often groped where there are lots of people, so be warned.
