Goa is one of the most happening places for parties and booze but there’s more to it than meets the eye. When planning a vacation to Goa, most people pick the peak season, that is, winter. What they don’t know is that they’re missing out on the serenity that Goa offers when it’s not flooded with tourists. For this reason, Monsoons are the perfect time to appreciate Goa’s natural beauty.
You might wonder what Goa is without its outdoor parties, water sports and beach shacks. The truth is, Goa Monsoons are highly underrated. For a nature buff, this place is all that one can ask for. Calm beaches lined with lush green palm trees, salty air and dewy mornings. Sounds enticing, doesn’t it?
Everyone knows about the major tourist hotspots of Goa and it’s one google click away. So, the purpose of this blog is to give you a sneak peek into the offbeat Goa- the monsoons, the nature hotspots, the festivals and other underrated attractions of Goa which define a full Goan experience for the people who don’t like to walk the beaten path.
Here’s How You Can Make the Most Out of Anjuna Monsoons
No Crowded Beaches
Experience beaches in Goa like never before. The beaches are heavily crowded in peak seasons and sometimes it can be a little too much. However, this is the time when you can take long, relaxing walks on a beach or watch raindrops create ripples in the ocean. Anjuna beach looks marvellous during the monsoons.
Best Time to Enjoy Monsoons in Goa?
The lovely rainy season in Goa lasts from mid-June until October. July through September is a fantastic season to visit Goa if you enjoy the monsoon and the beautiful green landscape that the island transforms into.
Tours of Rural and Traditional Goa
Beaches, churches, temples, and the carnival are just a few of Goa’s well-known attractions. However, the state also offers stunning rural areas that Goan tourists never visit. Discover Goa beyond its beaches by paying a visit to the local villages. This is what you can do in rural Goa:
- Tour around and check out the traditional Goan housing.
- Try out local cuisine– Poee is a nutritious bread variety sold in the villages of Goa by a Poder, which is what a traditional baker is called there. Poee was brought to Goa by the Portuguese. Another conventional sweet bread dish to try out is Bon.
- Feni Brewery– Another thing that Goa is very well known for. Exclusive to Goa, feni is a regional alcoholic drink made from cashew apples. Neero, a well-known juice, is also produced as a result of the procedure. March through May are the main viewing months for this activity.
Ferry Ride to Nearby Islands like Divar Islands
Your search for tranquillity and natural beauty ends here. The Divar Island is 10kms away from Panjim. You can go to the island via ferry which makes for another fun experience. The charming Divar Islands are connected to Old Goa and are untouched by tourism. Since it was one of the first places conquered by the Portuguese, the influence is still evident and can be spotted in old remnants of architecture from that period.
How to Reach: 3 Ferry services are available. Get a ferry to Divar Island from old Goa near the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
Spend a day at Dudhsagar Waterfalls and Other Waterfalls
Beaches may be the most known attractions of Goa, but they’re not the sole attraction. Goa is abundant with mesmerising waterfalls that are worth admiring. Dudhsagar Waterfall is a popular waterfall and also one of the tallest in Goa. These waterfalls in Goa, which originate from the majestic Western Ghats, are arranged in four tiers and are among the top 100 highest waterfalls in the world. They are one of the country’s five highest waterfalls.
Some more waterfalls to see are Hivre Waterfalls (Valpoi, Goa), Netravali Waterfalls and Tambadi Waterfalls in Surla.
Safari Jeep Tours
Situated close to Dudhsagar Falls are the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary & Mollem National Park, in South Goa. After visiting the falls in the morning, you can take an open jeep safari tour of the jungle and spot some fauna friends in the evening. Make sure to carry a pair of binoculars and a camera to capture animals like leopards, the majestic Bengal tiger, pangolins and more. Unique birds such as emerald doves, fairy bluebirds, and Indian hornbills can be spotted flying in and out of the lush green groves.
Stay and Experience the Spice Plantations Near DudhSagar Waterfalls
The world’s most fragrant and flavorful spices were brought with the Portuguese when they first set foot on the Goan shores. Goa developed into a spice trading hub for the French, the Dutch, and then the British.
Needless to say, it’s these authentic spices which have made India a world leader in their production and export. If you’re at Dudhsagar Waterfalls, make sure to check out Dudhsagar Spice Plantation as well. The plantation is one of the least polluted areas. You’re served fresh fruit juices as you take a tour around the tropical gardens. Sounds refreshing, doesn’t it?
Dudgsagar Plantations also have cosy cottages for a relaxing stay amidst mother nature. While you’re here, you can also check out the Dudhsagar River and Tambdi Surla Mahadev temple (the oldest temple in Goa).
How to Reach?
There are two ways to reach the Dudhsagar Plantations. You can either travel by your vehicle or by bus. You’ll have to take a bus from Panaji to Ponda, then to Sanvordem and finally another short bus ride to Karmane bus stop, which is 5 minutes away from the plantation.
A Peep Into the Offbeat Goa
The adventure doesn’t end here! Anjuna monsoon allows you to experience Goa in ways unexplored. If you found that fascinating, we have more ideas for you. Below are some ways to squeeze out the goodness of this beachy wonderland and savour the Goan experience in its entirety.
Sao Joao Festival & Other Carnivals
Goa, with its lively ambience, is in full swing during the festive season. Most of the festivals and carnivals happen during the monsoon season, hence it’s the perfect time to be there. The villages of Harmal, Baga, Siolim, and Terekhol in North Goa, as well as Cortalim in South Goa, are known for their extravagant Sao Joao celebrations.
The Catholics of Goa traditionally celebrate all the feasts of the Roman Catholic church. The most significant one is the feast of St John the Baptist on June 24- The Sao Joao festival.
Sao Joao
The localities look forward to this joyous occasion every year. People wear crowns made of fruits, flowers and leaves (Kopel) and dive in the water, called the ‘leap of joy’. This fun-filled activity is followed by a musical eve of Konkani folk songs, accompanied by traditional instruments like gumott and cymbal. Feni is served and boating also takes place. It’s a day of unlimited merriment!
In Goa, Sao Joao is also an event for the family and the community to learn a little more about their daughters’ newlywed husbands. The new son-in-law would traditionally be adorned with celebratory fruit and leaf headgear, paraded through the village, and then jumped into the well with other revellers.
Boat Parade
One of the main events on Friday is the Sao Joao boat festival in Siolim, which often draws tens of thousands of spectators. The Sao Joao traditional boat festival takes place in front of the village’s St. Anthony’s Church. Participants arrive in colourful costumes, a stage is set up, and awards are given out for the boats, dresses, and Kopels with the best decorations.
Shigmo Festival
The Konkani community of Goa celebrates the Shigmo festival, a spring carnival, with a lot of fanfare and enthusiasm. According to the Hindu community of Goa’s Saka calendar, this festival is held in the Phalguna month. Every year, this holiday is observed around March. The main attractions of this intriguing, colourful celebration that will enthral and delight you include folk dances in vibrant costumes like Divli and Ghode Modni, Gopha and Phugadi Float parades reflecting local folklore, etc.
Try Local Goan Juice Shops, Soda Shops and Bakeries
Eating at fancy restaurants on a vacation is common. If you consider yourself a true foodie, you shouldn’t miss out on local bakeries and juice shops in Goa. Freshly made fruit juices and the aroma of cakes and bread straight out of the oven are unbeatable. Since Goa is a hub of plantations, the juice shops here use organic produce. We doubt that you’ll ever want to go back to packaged drinks after having a glass of lip-smacking orange juice in one of the Goan shacks.
- Haji Ali Shauarama And Juice in Tiswadi, Panaji
- Jai Ganesh Fruit Juice Center in Vagator
- Scarlet Juice Centre in Vagator
Try out these pocket-friendly juice centres if you’re craving a detox and a refreshing start to your day.
Top-Rated Local Bakeries
German Bakery – Their cake slices are to die for. When you visit German Bakery, try their lemon cake and coffee cream. They also have live music every evening which sets a pleasant mood.
Location: Market Road,Grand Peddem, Monteiro Vaddo, Anjuna
Simonia Stores – This is your go-to place for freshly baked loaves of bread of different varieties. The cookies and the apple pie here are loved by the customers.
Location: Shop No. 189, Mapusa Municipal Market, Mapusa
Mr Baker 1992 – Your search for a delicious breakfast place ends here. This 100-year-old bakery perfectly captures Goa’s warm and rich cuisine with its Goan Baath Cake, Prawns Risso and Rum Balls.
Location: Dr Dada Vaidya Road, Opposite Municipal Garden, Panaji, North Goa
Live with a Localite – Learn Goan Culture
The people of Goa are as amazing as Goa itself. Goans are noted for their exceptional hospitality shown to visiting guests and are warm and kind. Regardless of their religious preferences, Goans have fashioned a distinctive identity that exudes loads of charm. They are cheerful individuals with good etiquette and a positive outlook on life.
Ask about, talk to locals, and make some new friends and you may learn about Goa that you can’t through blogs. The history and the authentic beauty of a place are preserved in its people.
Reader’s Note
Be it the cheerful festivals or serene vacant beaches, Goa monsoons have a lot to offer. North Goa is ideal for exploring in monsoons as most shacks and stores in South Goa remain shut. Another added advantage of travelling during this season is the incredibly affordable accommodations. The flight ticket prices and hotel rates go down during the off-season, making it a super budget-friendly vacation spot. Make sure to book your trip at least 3 days in advance to avoid last minute rush and you’re good to go!
Happy Travelling
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