Goa In Monsoon Season: Your Ultimate Itinerary For The Trip

Goa is the smallest state in India. Being a tropical state and on the belt of the Konkan region, it is known for its beautiful beaches and humid weather. It has a rich heritage and a vibrant culture and is a perfect destination for a short holiday. 

People worldwide come to Goa to explore its sandy beaches and sunny weather. However, Goa is famous for its parties and beaches from November to February, it is unexplored during monsoon season. 

There are a lot of fun activities to do in Goa in monsoon including exploring Spice Garden, trekking, river rafting, visiting wildlife sanctuaries, etc. Goa in monsoon is less crowded and the delicacy Goa has to offer shall not be missed.

While monsoon may bring the best adventure you can ever experience on your trip to Goa in monsoon season, it is important to plan your itinerary and accommodation.

Best Places To Stay In Goa In Monsoon

You need to know that Goa during monsoon is not like any other season. As in monsoon, the ocean is rough, therefore the beach hut and shakes are pulled down during this period. It is advisable not to go to beaches but to explore other different places in Goa during monsoon. 

If you want to stay in a busier location with amenities during monsoon then Baga, Calangute, and Candolim are the locations you should consider. During monsoon season there is a problem of electricity cut-down, therefore it is advisable to stay in such a location where the amenities are modern and easily available. These locations offer a cosy stay with modern accommodations. Restaurants and hotels are accessible and you can try different cuisines. 

Places like Ajuna and Vagotar are most visited in Goa as well. Popular cafes and restaurants including Artjuna, Baba Au Rhum, and Thalassa also stay open throughout the rains.

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Places To Visit Goa in Monsoon

There are a lot of places one can explore in Goa in monsoon. The beaches are much calmer and are the best places for a walk with your shoes off. Waterfall, River Rafting, and trekking give you an adventurous experience. 

Following are some of the places you should not miss to visit in Goa in Monsoon.

Spice Garden

The Spice Garden is a popular tourist attraction in Goa. It is one of the best places to visit Goa in monsoon. The plantation grows spices and tropical fruits organically. These spice gardens are famous for their spice cultivation like Black pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, chillies, coriander, and betel nut palm. These gardens also grow tropical fruits like Custard apples, Papaya, Bananas, Pineapples, Citrus fruits, etc. 

• Savoi Spice Plantation

Savoi Spice Plantation is the oldest spice garden in Goa. It dates back to 200 years old. It is located in Savoi village in Ponda. It is almost 25 km from Panjim and 40 km from Calangute. 

This 100 Acer plantation has a pond as well which fetches the attraction of many birds. The plantation includes different kinds of spices, fruits, and medical herbs. A traditional Goan cuisine called ‘Saraswat’ is also served in traditional earthen pots and banana leaves. 

Location: Savoi village, Ponda, Goa 403401, India

Timing:  9:00 Am to 4:30 pm (All Days)

Entry Fee: Rs. 700/- per person. 

• Tropical Spice Plantation

Tropical Spice plantation is another great place to explore in Goa during the monsoon. It is not populated as it is on the remote side of Ponda, but they have one of the best Goan delicacies you can try. 

The Plantation is surrounded by coconut trees and many tropical trees like cashews, areca nut palm trees, star fruit, jackfruit, custard apple, bananas, papayas, pineapple, etc. 

The guide demonstrates how Feni (an alcoholic liquor made from coconut or the juice of the cashew apple, originating in Goa) is made. This plantation is a house for around 75+ bird species from around the world. 

Location: H. No. A- 14, Arla Bazar, Keri, Ponda, Goa 403401

Timing: 10:00 Am to 4:00 pm (All Days)

Entry Fee: Rs. 500/- per person

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• Pascoal Spice Village

Pascoal is one of the biggest plantations in Goa. They have a collection of many exotic spices and plants. The plantation is spread around 25 acres. Since their start they have won two awards, in 1992 they won the Best Farms Award and the Second Best Farm Award in 1998. 

They also rent places for ceremonies like pre-wedding ceremonies, weddings, parties, and birthdays. They have spacious halls which can easily accommodate a huge number of guests as well as a small Lawn. 

You can enjoy boating and also visit nearby places like Nehru Beach, the Church of Our Lady, etc.

Location:  Khandepar Belgaum Road, Opp. Nestle India, Khandepar, Ponda, Goa 403401

Timing: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm (All Days)

Entry Fee: Rs. Rs. 400/- per person

• Tanshikar Spice Farm

Tanshikar’s Working Spice Farm & Ecological Rest House is spread across 40 acres. The spice plants include Vanilla, Nutmeg without shell, Chili, Black, Green, and White Pepper, Coffee ( green coffee and roasted coffee beans), Raw Cocoa Powder, etc. 

Not only spices the garden is also famous for its accommodation in Tree House, Eco-Rest House, and Wooden Hourse. The food served here is mainly vegetarian.

Activities like cookery, jeep Safari, adventure park, Yoga, etc can be included in fun activities to do in Goa in monsoon. Honeybee farming is also one of the major attractions of the tourists. You can try honey from the honeybee farm as well. 

Location: Netravali, near Smriti Yoga, Sanguem, Goa 403704

Timing: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Entry Fee: Rs. 600/- per person

Waterfall

If we talk about Places To Visit Goa in Monsoon, beaches come to our mind. However, we should not forget that Goa in Monsoon has some of the best waterfalls tourists can visit. Naming some of the hidden gems.  

• Dudhsagar waterfall

One of the iconic places in the monsoon season to explore is the Dudhsagar waterfall. The fall is from a height of 310 meters and is located in Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary. The waterfall becomes more magnificent in monsoon and is a major tourist attraction, and is one of the best places to visit in Goa.

• Netravali Waterfalls

One of the hidden gems that glows during the monsoon in Goa is the Netravali waterfalls. It is located inside Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. To reach this waterfall you have to take an approximately 3 km trek from Netravali Wild Life Sanctuary. It is popularly known as  “Savari Falls”.  

• Kuskem Waterfalls

Situated in the village of Kuskem it is 20 km from Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. Kuskem waterfall is a must-visit waterfall while you are in Goa in Monsoon. 

• Hivrem waterfalls

Located in Goa’s Sattari Taluka, the waterfall is at a distance of approximately 75 Km from Panjim. For an avid trekker, it gives that adventure. The trekking is a little difficult. The trek span is about 7-8 km. It is a heaven for trekking enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, and those who are looking for an escape from the bustling of the city. 

Beaches To Visit Goa In Monsoon Season

Beaches to visit Goa in monsoon for a stroll or to enjoy and admire the scenery. Goa beaches during this time have rough seas and high tides with a hint of thunderstorms. Beaches are mostly not crowded during this period. 

As there are no water sports activities available during this time, visitors should check with the authorities for the same. The beaches carry soggy sand and blue ocean with a nimbus around it. However, it is advisable not to walk towards the sea because of the heavy tide during rain. 

Sanctuaries In Goa

Goa is a homeland of many species of birds, animals, trees, and plants. These sanctuaries are a home for many abandoned and endangered species of plants and trees. If you are visiting Goa in monsoon then Sanctuaries are not to be missed. Some of the sanctuaries include – 

• Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary – 

Spread across 211.05 km, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located in South-Eastern Goa. This Sanctuary is a home ground for many mammals like Indian Bison, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Leopard, Black Sloth Bear, etc. 

Birds like the Malayan Night Heron, Nilgiri wood Pigeon, Rufous Babbler, etc have been sighted many times in the Sanctuary. 

This Sanctuary is also famous for its waterfall Sarvi. It is accessible by trekking, it is roughly 2 km inside the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary – 

One of the famous sanctuaries in Goa is originally an estuarine mangrove forest, which is declared as a Bird sanctuary. It is located on the island of Charoa and is accessible through ferry services. 

Around 440 acres of land are covered by this sanctuary. Several species of birds are encountered in this sanctuary including Striated Heron, Western Reef Heron, Little Bittern, Jack Snipe, and Pied Avocet. 

You will also encounter a three-story watch tower that has been built for the bird watcher.

• Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary – 

This sanctuary is surrounded by dense forest. The best time to visit the sanctuary is dawn and dusk when animals are most likely to come out of the hide. It has an observation deck which is on a 25m tall tree. 

This deck is built to explore an uninterpreted view of the watering hole, where the animals come during dawn or dusk to slake their thirst. 

Things To Do In Goa In Monsoon

There are a lot of fun activities to do in Goa in monsoon. Goa is not just confined to its shore. The unexplored Goa is in the interior.

• River Rafting 

River Rafting at the Mhadei River and Valpoi River are some of the unskippable things to do in Goa in monsoon. It is a major attraction for tourists/ visitors searching for adventure. Surrounded by lush green forests of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. The river is around 45 Km from the capital city. 

The rafting is 10 Km long which usually takes 2-3 hours. There are two time slots – 9:30 am and 2:30 pm. It is advisable to carry your ID proof with you. The approximate cost of the rappelling in Mhadei River is Rs. 1,589/- and Valpoi River is Rs. 1799/- 

Children below 12 years, drunk visitors, and women who are pregnant are not allowed for river rafting.

Festival in Monsoon

Festivals are a huge contributor to any culture. In Goa, many festivals are celebrated with huge pomp and grandeur in monsoon. So, out of many things to do in Goa in monsoon giving a visit during the festival can be one of the major fun activities to do in Goa in monsoon. 

• Chikal Kalo

The Chikhal Kalo is a traditional mud festival that celebrates Lord Krishna’s childhood. The festival happens in the Devki Krishna temple in Marcel, Ponda Taluka in the North Goa District of the Indian state of Goa. 

In this festival, the people play with mud just like Lord Krishna used to play during his childhood. It is celebrated on the 11th day of the fourth month of Ashadh in the Hindu calendar

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• Sao Joao

San Juanv or São João is an annual Catholic religious festival celebrated on 24th June in Goa. According to tradition, after attending Mass, people leap into and swim in local wells, streams, and ponds as a tribute to Saint John The Baptise. 

St John was the son of St Elizabeth, a relative of Mother Mary. The Angel Gabriel told Mother Mary she would bear a son St Elizabeth was already six months pregnant with St John. Mother Mary visited Elizebeth when she greeted Elizabeth the son inside Elizebeth ‘leaped’. The Annunciation occurs nine months before Christmas, the feast of Jesus’ birth.

Jumping in wells and ponds is symbolic of the baby leaping in the womb however, the festival is not just about jumping and swimming in the well it is more about praying for a good monsoon. 

‘Feni’(an alcoholic Beverage Produced in Goa) is overflowed, therefore if you see someone a little bit drunk don’t creep out, instead go with the flow and enjoy the flow of the festival. 

• Ponsachem Fest

Ponsachem Fest is also known as Jackfruit Festivle. Along with Sao Joao, it is celebrated on 24th June. At this festival, people of the north Goa villages come together to celebrate this festival. 

Many dishes are made from Jackfruit and everything of the fruit is used in making these delicacies. Some of the dishes made from jackfruit include many traditional Goan dishes, Saatth, and a delicious snack out of roasted and boiled Jackfruit seeds.

Best Restaurants To Visit Goa in Monsoon

Goa in monsoon is beyond beaches. You might not find the same old Beach Shakes as during monsoon in Goa they are mostly closed. However, restaurants in the state will be open.  

If you are visiting Goa in June and July please try to avoid Seafood, as fishing is banned during this time. The ban is imposed annually in the coastal state to facilitate sufficient time for fish breeding. You might be served with the seafood of cold storage, which might not be fresh. 

Some of the best restaurants to visit Goa in monsoon include – 

1. Cantare

2. Olive Goa

3. Artjuna

4. Cantina Bodega

5. Pousada By The Beach

6. Baba Au Rhum

7. Hideaway

Frequently Asked Questions