Looking for Some Pointers for a First Time Trip to Goa

nabusman

Hey guys, I going to be heading out to Goa soon to meet up some friends who have rented a house somewhere in Salcete. I have never been to Goa, I am ethnically Indian but I grew up in America, I do know how to speak Hindi if that is necessary. I am currently in Lucknow, UP.

My question is that I will have to go from Salcete to Panajim, what is the best way to travel (bus, train, taxi, etc)? Also, is there a listing of cyber cafes in Goa that I can find online? I run an online business and I will need to be connected if possible (I'll only be there for 10 days so its not really that big of a deal if I can't get online).

Thanks,

Nabs

the opoponax

I never heard Hindi spoken in Goa, aside from maybe a one-off seasonal hired hand or domestic tourist. The local language is Konkani, with some old folks still speaking a bit of Portuguese. While maybe some people know Hindi as a lingua franca, you will be able to get by quite easily with English.

I found cyber cafes aplenty, even in the relatively untouristed town where I stayed. Though connections aren't lightspeed or anything.

As for getting around, apparently the ideal thing is to have personal transport like a bike or scooter (or a car, I guess), which are all available to rent. There are also a lot of taxis, bike taxis, and autos available. There's a bus network between bigger towns. Train is less convenient unless you happen to be staying somewhere with a station and worthwhile trains passing through. Margao is the rail hub in that area.

nabusman

Thanks, I figured Hindi probably wasn't going to be necessary. If I have an American drivers license would be applicable in Goa? Do GPS devices work fine there? I have GPS on my phone and I've only seen it work in Delhi and Bombay, any idea if Goa is covered by GPS systems?

Thanks again, great information.

the opoponax

Regarding American license being sufficient to rent a scooter or whatever in Goa -- I'm not sure, and that's a potentially hairy topic. Try digging around in the Goa section of the archives.

In terms of GPS, no idea. What do you need it for? I would guess that a GPS that's meant to give you directions and tell you where the nearest McDonald's is will probably not work in most of India. I mean, rural parts of the USA are often not covered by those sorts of systems... You might want to bring along one of those outdated "map" type artifacts.

nabusman

haha, ya those map things, gotta get one. Thanks for all your help.

Ignite

Legally speaking, i don't think your American Driving License would do you anything good, unless if you have a international drivers license. But then again, its india so i'm sure you'll be able to rent a car with or without any license.

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goangoangone

Hindi is widely spoken in Goa. There is no GPS.

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shashank.aggarwal

Hindi is very common is Goa...most of people would be comfortable with it or would have passable knowledge of it..

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baz

You can obtain an International Driving Permit in the U.S. issued by American Automobile Assocation. Link and information is here:

http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html

I always drive with one. Its makes you legal for starters and it keeps you right with the police.

nabusman

Hey guy, thanks for all the input. I just got back from Goa (short trip, will be longer next time). Couple of things from my experience (which was mostly in the southern part of Goa, the north is more the partying type of place, the south is more relaxed):

1. Hindi - yes it is spoken very widely, if you know Hindi its better to start in Hindi as most people there know Hindi better than English. American accents are tolerated, fake an Indian one if you can, things will be cheaper.

2. GPS - no GPS... you really won't need it though, I found the directions everywhere quite easily, just stop anyone who looks like a local and ask, everyone is quite helpful.

3. Driver's License/Getting around/Renting Vehicles - You can find scooters and bicycles available for rent at the beach, I didn't get stopped by any cops, though I did see a couple.

Again thanks, great forum.

Nabs