Best Time To Visit Goa

With its beautiful beaches, olden Portuguese buildings, luxury resorts and more, Goa is all the rage among newly wedded couples as a honeymoon destination. Although November to February is the best time to visit Goa, any time between October to April is excellent for a honeymoon, if you wish to avoid the peak season.

With ideal weather, exciting activities and plenty of festivities and celebrations, the winter season is the favourite time of the year in Goa for most tourists. The weather at this time is usually pleasant and calm, and days may become slightly chilly. The temperatures typically range from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius, with moderate humidity levels.

Most people enjoy spending time at the beach or participating in outdoor activities and water sports during this time. One can head to one of the many parades, parties and fairs being held everywhere. Several weddings and engagements are also commonly celebrated during these winter months.

In December, the entire state is covered with lights, Christmas trees and decorations to celebrate Christmas. Traditional midnight masses and feasts are extremely popular during this time. New Year celebrations take place with great enthusiasm too, complete with parties, fireworks and music festivals. For music-lovers, Goa has become a trendy destination with popular music festivals like Sunburn and VH1 Supersonic.

Other festivals to look out for include the Grape Escapade, which is India's most prominent wine festival and is held in January. It brings together wine connoisseurs from all over the country and the world. The Goa Food and Cultural Festival is a favourite among culinary art and food lovers in February that celebrates the delicious Goan cuisine, including fish n chips and fish curry. The 'Intruz' or the Goa Carnival held in February, consists of fun and enjoyment preceding the month of Lent. Food, drinks, music, dance, parades, floats, parties - it's all a part of the celebration!

However, due to this time of the year being peak season, hotels are packed, and fares are usually high, so be sure to book in advance!

Most people associate Goa to its sunshine and sandy beaches, and therefore usually avoid travelling to Goa in Monsoon. Beach facilities, as well as water sports like scuba-diving, are typically discontinued. Goa experiences heavy rainfall during these months, with July being the wettest month of the year. However, if you enjoy the rain, natural beauty and lush greenery all around you, then this is the perfect time for your trip to Goa.

Don't let the weather rain on your parade; you can still enjoy some fun activities in Goa! Although it is not advisable to visit beaches and go swimming, you can take advantage of the national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and spice plantations instead. Further, activities like trekking, bird-watching and white water rafting are in full swing during these months. You can also enjoy off-peak season fares, and discounts on food, flights and hotel stay. Those who are looking for a relaxed time away from their fast-paced lives will especially enjoy Goa at this time.

The Sao Joao festival is celebrated during June and consists of a feast honouring Saint John the Baptist, the prophet who baptised Jesus in River Jordan. It is a festival worth visiting Goa for, and usually involves folk dances and many other local traditions such as dressing up in leaves and men jumping into wells to grab bottles of feni (a type of alcohol found locally).

The Saptah Festival takes place in August to honour those who lost their lives during an epidemic in Vasco. It is believed that during this desperate time, locals had turned to Lord Damodar for blessings, an avatar of Lord Shiva, and worshipped a pure coconut as a symbol of worship. Today, devotees continue to visit the Damodar temple to seek blessings during the festival.

Goa in summer is sweltering, with high humidity levels and temperatures rising to 40 degrees Celsius. Although the beach areas remain relatively breezy, being outdoors is difficult for most. Not many tourists visit Goa at this time of the year, and there are relatively fewer activities to indulge in.

However, most accommodation options in Goa offer incredibly reasonable prices during summer. So for those who do not mind the heat, or for those who are looking to spend most of their time indoors for some peace, this is a perfect time to visit Goa. You can also avoid the usual crowds in Goa if you choose to travel during this time. 

A popular festival celebrated in Goa during these months is the Shigmo festival, which is celebrated by the Hindu community of Goa every March. The celebration of this colourful festival consists of folk dances and 'warrior dances', as well as the famous Shigmo Parade.

Another fun festival worth mentioning is the Goa Cashew and Coconut Fest, held in May. This celebrates cashews, coconuts and their origin with unique cuisine, art and activities all over the state, including cashew stomping and coconut breaking.