Our Blog

Hello, my travel fellows, Soumendra Majumder is here!!!

Goa, where worries fade with the tide. Embark on a budget-friendly adventure, exploring the vibrant streets and serene beaches of this coastal haven.

Route from Pune to Goa :

• Pune Jn to Goa (Madgaon Jn) via 12780-Goa Express (To) and 12779-Goa Express (Return)
• Madgaon Station to Navelim Bus Stand (autorickshaw), Navelim to Canacona Bus Stand (bus), Canacona to Agonda Beach (autorickshaw)

Note: The most budget-friendly way to go from Pune to Goa is by taking the daily overnight 12780 Goa Express from Pune Junction at 5 p.m. for Rs. 380 per person, reaching Madgaon Junction around 6 a.m. From Madgaon, a public bus to Canacona Bus Stand costs Rs. 30 per person, followed by an auto-rickshaw to Agonda Beach for Rs. 100. For local travel, we rented a scooter for Rs. 250 per day.

Places to visit in Goa:

1. Vasco Da Gama Airfield and Sankval Beach Crescent: As the train arrives at Vasco Da Gama Railway Station in the early morning, look out to catch a fleeting view of the airfield and Crescent-shaped beach. Beyond the coconut palm groves, they glisten in the warm rays of the morning sun.
2. Madgaon Junction Railway Station: The railway station and its surroundings provide the initial taste of Goan and Portuguese life for any visitor arriving in Goa. Seeing numerous motorbikes available for rent adds a touch of Rohit Shetty’s style. The station is bustling with shops offering a variety of local and exotic foods, including chocolates, cakes, cashews, nuts, and different types of dry fruits. It’s a vibrant introduction to the unique flavors and atmosphere of Goa.

3. Navelim Church: The first Portuguese-style church you’ll experience in Goa exudes aesthetics and peace. Its beauty is heightened on public holidays, creating a peaceful atmosphere that adds to its charm.
4. Canacona Bus Stand: The bus ride to the stand winds through steep hills and Western Ghats forests, providing an adventurous thrill with the bus’s super-fast turns. Near the bus stand, you’ll find three religious’ buildings: a temple, a mosque, and a church, all in Portuguese style.

5. Agonda Beach: South Goa beaches are quieter than those in the north, surrounded by houses built on sloping hills, combining Konkani Hut and Portuguese Villa architectural styles. Streets adorned with red laterite soil are shaded by lush mangoes and eucalyptus groves, filling the air with a magical fragrance.
6. Palolem Beach: It is just 5 km from Agonda Beach and is livelier with restaurants and cafes, embodying the essence of a Goanese beach. The clear blue waters and afternoon sky made our time there memorable. We encountered a charming kid on his first beach trip and played football with local children. The Palolem Rocks Sunset Point and Backwaters Palolem added to the experience, making us feel like monkeys in Lord Rama’s Vanar Sena climbing cliffs by the ocean. The sunset was a breathtaking sight, surpassing anything I had seen before.

7. Aguada Fort and Chapora Fort: The main reason for the long road trip was to see that famous place from Dil Chahta Hai.
8. Candolim: Candolim Beach, the first one from Panaji City, is a beautiful spot with soft glittering sand and a mesmerizing sea view. The constant waves create a memorable experience, making it a soothing and perfect place to spend time amidst the natural beauty of Goa.

9. Anjuna: Anjuna Beach is renowned for its golden shoreline, vibrant nightclubs, beachside shacks, thrilling water sports, lively full-moon parties, and bustling flea markets.

10. Mapusa: The market is particularly famous for its array of spices, marinated pork sausages, strings of homemade Goan chouriço, cashew nut shops, and, of course, stores selling fenny.
11. Dudhsagar Falls and Castle Rock Railway Tunnel: The return journey on the third day was captivating as the train navigated the steep mountainous cliffs of the Western Ghats, passing through dense jungles with bird chirps and occasional monkey howls. The deep gorges, tunnels, and stunning Dudhsagar Falls make it an exciting experience, reminiscent of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.

Hidden Gem in Goa

• Western Ghat Hills Tracts: Riding through endless tropical forests with banana, mango, coconut, and palm plantations, the hilly roads and red soil stimulate the sensation of journeying through hidden forests in Bali or Southeast Asia. The cloudy sky and cool breeze add a delightful touch.

• Russian Ghost Hotel: While searching for our Airbnb near Agonda Beach, we took a wrong turn and ended up deep in the forest. To our shock, we stumbled upon an old, haunted hotel building with no one around. The phone battery was dead too. Quickly retracing our steps, we asked locals for directions and finally reached our destination.
• Canacona Ravindra Bhawan Auditorium: Opposite the Canacona Bus Stand, this large building stands in stark contrast to the surrounding hills, forests, and small huts.
• Fisherman’s Village is a must-visit for those wanting to experience local culture and food. Fishing boats can be booked hourly to join fishermen at sea, catching fish together. They also serve delicious local Konkani foods for lunch.

• Goa State Museum (Panaji): An undercover place but a public one, we made a quick stop during our 210 km scooter road trip from South Goa to North Goa and back. The streets of Panaji felt like riding through a Rohit Shetty movie set, with landmarks that matched scenes from his films.

Best Accommodation and Food in Goa:

• Stay –

We booked the Afonso Guest House on Airbnb, just a 5-minute walk from Agonda Beach, for Rs. 700 per night for two nights. It’s a cozy homestay with a comfortable single room, a double bed, an attached toilet and balcony, and a common kitchen. We also rented a scooter from the owner at the most affordable rate, only covering the gasoline cost ourselves.

• Food –

Local food in Agonda is budget-friendly, with veggie thali at Rs. 120 and fish or chicken thali at Rs. 180 in small eateries. Avoiding proper hotels and restaurants can save money, as they charge around Rs. 360 per thali. Local dishes are in Konkani/Marathi style, and fast food includes Marathi and North and South Indian delicacies. Alcohol is cheap and readily available throughout Goa.

Necessary Things to Pack

• Ensure to carry essential IDs and a driver’s license.
• Keep power banks for uninterrupted connectivity.
• Pack some snacks and carry sufficient water for the journey.
• Many shops in Goa may not have UPI or QR scanners, so cash is essential.
• Carry necessary medications, especially ORS and stomach trouble tablets, as healthcare facilities may be limited in Goa.
• At least two pairs of shorts and T-shirts and a pair of sandals are needed to enjoy the beach sands and the ocean.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses

Tips for Travelers:

• Learn local languages (Marathi, Konkani, and Hindi) for better communication.
• Bargain with auto-rickshaws to avoid overcharging.
• Travel light and smart; always carry drinking water.
• Carry necessary medicines and wear a helmet when riding a two-wheeler.
• Avoid excessive drinking to prevent trouble.
• Some locals are helpful but be cautious of touts and scammers.
• Be aware of pimps; deal with them at your own risk.
• Renting a scooter is the best, cheapest, and most flexible way to explore Goa’s 110-kilometer length. If traveling in a group, renting a car (around 1000–1200 per day) can save on gasoline costs.
• Staying at Agonda Beach (South Goa) is cheaper and less crowded than in North Goa.
• Enjoy late nights from 10 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. on restaurant beach chairs, feeling the ocean breeze, and sipping drinks.
• Holi Purnima with the Full Moon adds sparkle to the night sky and sea.
• Request the DJ for your song choice and special food at beach resorts.
• Good behavior may get you discounts.
• Gifts and items available by the beach are pricey but have a wonderful collection.
• A0void seafood if you are allergic, as finding a doctor or pharmacy in South Goa can be 0challenging.

The Best Time to Visit Goa

To experience the best weather, it is recommended to visit Goa in the spring, autumn, and winter seasons since rain and summer can ruin your travel plans.

The total cost for the trip, including train fare (round trip), auto-rickshaw fares, bus fares, scooter rental, Airbnb accommodation, and petrol for 2 people, is approximately Rs. 5000.

This trip was a spontaneous plan during the long Holi weekend in March 2022. My friend, who came from Kolkata to Pune, and I rushed from the office at 4 p.m., taking a train at 5 p.m. with RAC tickets that luckily got confirmed at the last minute. It felt like a signal from the universe to leave work behind and enjoy the weekend in an exotic tropical paradise. This short trip ignited a desire to explore Goa more deeply in the future, with a longer duration and more friends and family.