What clothes to take to goa. What to bring to Goa (India): tips and personal experience

Friends who have gathered in India for the first time often ask what things to take with them. The country is quite exotic, truly unpredictable. From our three years of experience, we are claiming some experience :))), so we undertook to compile this important list that will affect the comfort of travelers throughout the trip.
So, what to put in a backpack, so that later it would not be excruciatingly painful not to experience discomfort while wandering around Indian soil.

Documentation
1. Foreign Passport + its photocopy + scanned copy to e-mail
2. Air tickets in several copies + confirmation letters from ashrams or hotels for accommodation + printouts of railway tickets
3. Driver's license (license) or a high-quality color copy laminated to look like the original
4. Money in cash dollars + bank cards with money on them (minimum 2). Access to money on the card must be open specifically for withdrawal or use in India.
5. Passport size photos of yourself - 2-3 pcs.
6. Ksivnik is such a small bag for documents and money, which is worn around the neck or on the belt under clothes
7. Contact addresses in India with a visa application form (you need to fill out migration cards on the plane and indicate them there)
8. Two pens with a notepad
9. Guide or printouts from sites + map of India

Medicines and hygiene
1. Medicines:
A. Hydrogen peroxide, iodine (pack a bottle well, as iodine vapors spoil clothes, books, etc.), cotton wool, bandage, gauze, bactericidal plaster, tea tree oil.
B. activated charcoal, levomycetin, imodium or loperamide, enzymatic and digestive aids (festal or mezim, smecta)
B. antipyretic (aspirin), pain reliever (no-shpa)
D. Individual medications
2. Wet wipes and/or hand sanitizer
3. Dry wipes (3-4 packs)
4. Soap + shampoo in a small tube
5. Towel
6. Toothbrush, paste
7. Razor
8. Pads + tampons
9. Toilet paper
10. Skin moisturizer
11. Sunscreen high degree protection + sunburn cream. Especially relevant for the South of India: Goa, Kerala and the Himalayas
12. Mosquito repellent
13. Comb + mirror
14. Washing powder

economy
1. Padlock small size(they close the doors in hotels and chain bags under benches on the train)
2. Bicycle lock
3. Flashlight
4. Candle
5. Boiler
6. Mug, spoon, knife, plate (if there is a light camping one, if not, then a few plastic plates)
7. Lighter, matches
8. Needles, threads, scissors, nail file
9. Tourist seat
10. Rope
11. Clothespins
12.Wide tape
13. Two sheets that you don’t mind wiping and throwing away at the end of the road
14. Sleeping bag(if the bag is a blanket, and not a cocoon, then, probably, one for two can be)
15. Small lightweight backpack for outings around the city
16. Tee
17. Inflatable pillow for sleeping on an airplane

Cloth
1. Two pairs of pants (one for myself, one in reserve)
2. Long shorts or breeches (for sea ​​resorts India)
3. Cotton shirt with long sleeves + 2-3 T-shirts with closed shoulders + underwear
4. Warm jacket (fleece). If you go north, then a scarf + hat
5. Windbreaker from rain and wind or jacket (for the north)
6. Raincoat or umbrella
6. Cotton socks 2-3 pairs + warm woolen socks 1 pair + tights (for the north)
7. Swimming trunks, swimsuit + goggles
8. Sunglasses
9. Panama / sun hat.
In India, clothes are inexpensive and can be purchased locally.

Shoes
1. Boots / sneakers and / or sports sandals (depending on the region and season)
2. Flip flops (cheapest)

Technology and leisure
1. Camera + charger + flash drives
2. Camcorder + charger + flash drives
3. Mobile phone + charger for it
4. Card reader
5. Player + headphones
6. Laptop + charger for it + flash drives + bag-case + USB cable
7. Dictionary / Phrasebook of English
8. For evening pastime: books / cards / chess / checkers / tamagocchi / condoms and so on.

Food
1. 0.5 kg of various nuts, raisins, dried fruits.
2. Tea
3. Chocolate

When compiling the list, the experience of other travelers from the site was also used.

It is necessary to think over in detail the list of all the necessary things that you must have at hand if you go on a trip. All fees can be conditionally divided into three stages - we will tell you step by step what you should take with you in order to feel confident and comfortable in any situation.

Step 1: pre-preparation

Of course, the very first thing that must be present in your travel suitcase is the documents, among which will be:

  1. International passport. For an Indian visa, it must have two blank pages, it is also necessary to ensure that the passport remains active 3 months after your return from a trip.
  2. Copies of a foreign passport (in case the main document is lost).
  3. Tour package. documents.
  4. Indian visa.

Step 2: Not too much time left before departure

So, you are already mentally basking on the golden sand in Goa, but you should not forget about the things that you will definitely need on the road. So don't forget to take:

  1. Medicines. One of the most important items of things that you must have with you. It is not always possible to buy medicines in any stall in Goa, so take care in advance that you have at hand:
  • brilliant green;
  • plasters;
  • bandages;
  • proven insect repellents;
  • peroxide;
  • painkillers;
  • medicines for motion sickness;
  • means to improve the functioning of the digestive tract;
  • any antipyretic tablets;
  • sunscreen spray or cream (in India there are a lot of mosquitoes and other insects that are carriers of various infections).
  1. Take with you credit cards, money. If you plan to take more than 10 thousand dollars on vacation, you must declare them in advance.
  2. Insurance policy.
  3. International driver license(It is worth remembering that Goa has left-hand traffic). Many people prefer to take a personal driver for their own safety.
  4. Don't forget to bring hats for yourself and the kids.
  5. Phone chargers, cameras, camcorders - and don't forget chargers for them.
  6. A small guide to Goa that will help you navigate the area.
  7. Phrasebook - English-Russian is quite suitable. Despite the fact that there are a large number of people in India who know Russian tolerably well, you should be fully prepared. To take lunch in a cafe, buy souvenirs - knowledge of the language is required, so if you have difficulty with English, it is better to prepare in advance so as not to buy a phrasebook on the spot at an incredible price.
  8. Flashlight. Already at 6 pm the sun begins to set in Goa, and if you consider yourself a lover of night walks, you should take this device with you.
  9. Bed linen and towels (at least a clean sheet). Whatever experts say, India is one of the dirtiest countries in the world. Therefore, it is better to take personal items in order not to catch the infection.

Step 3: final readiness

Goa is one of the smallest states in India. Here you can have an unforgettable time, both for newlyweds and couples with children, even companies of young people will find entertainment to their liking. Economical shopping, fun parties, exciting walks - all this awaits you on vacation, but in order for the trip not to be overshadowed by unforeseen incidents, you should definitely take all of the above things with you.

At the airport, be sure to make sure that you have all the suitcases with you, the documents are in place, and their copies are in separate pockets. Think carefully about whether you forgot some of the important items, if there was still an omission - it is better to buy the missing items while you are on your native land.

After that, you can finally relax and tune in to the positive - you are flying to one of the most wonderful, picturesque, unforgettable places on the whole Earth!

I recently wrote, in the same article, I promised to prepare a small memo for independent travelers, which should make it a little easier to pack and live in Goa. It's time to keep the promise.

I want to start by saying that it is correct to speak in Goa, since it is a state, not an island, surprisingly, not everyone knows this. Thus, I advise you to get rid of the grammatically incorrect “holiday in Goa” as soon as possible, and boldly go to this curious area. Northern part Goa is a very inhabited tourist area, with a mass of Russian-speaking tourists, winterers, long-stayers and businessmen. Local Indians (Goans) already understand Russian quite well in markets, shops, cafes and the beach, so you shouldn't worry too much. When you need it, you will be understood.

I met a lot of similar articles on the Internet, and they really turned out to be useful, unfortunately, many were written quite a long time ago and have partially lost their relevance. However, trusting them, we rather "overdid it", so that they did not bring harm. On the other hand, I did not find a single complete manual, as a result I had to work with many sources, the information in which is also duplicated. Therefore, I will try to cover the most important issues related to the trip to Goa as much as possible, but at the same time I will write concisely and to the point.

A general article on all the necessary aspects of a vacation for a traveler going to India may also come in handy:

Packing bags for India in Goa 2016

I want to start with what it is possible and desirable to prepare at home in order to less overshadow my long-awaited and so:

  • Backpack. Or something similar, with which it will be convenient to ride a bike for shopping, take things to the beach. A practical and useful thing in Goa, and throughout Asia, if you prefer to travel on a two-wheeled vehicle without a trunk, well, it’s more convenient not to carry your belongings in your hands
  • Copies of documents for a trip to Goa. Be sure to make a few copies of the civil and Indian visa, driver's license, travel insurance, if you decide to buy it, electronic tickets. Carry one copy with you, including in, in case you lose your main luggage. You can take photos of these documents on your smartphone, at least with a driver's license from the local police it's quite good, as long as you have an open category A (a motorcycle is drawn). By the way, we were advised to simply paint a motorcycle in Photoshop to the image of our rights, and the police in Goa to say that the original is at home and we are afraid to lose it.
  • Travel insurance to India. Safety and health are above all, so do not save on insurance. An insurance policy bought on time will allow you to receive compensation for a vacation spoiled due to a non-departure or loss of luggage, will help you return the funds spent on treatment and will keep it like a real talisman. Before submitting documents for Indian visa we took out insurance in case of refusal, because we had already bought tickets by that time. Therefore, I recommend not to save on security.
  • Photos. Most likely, after that you will have photos, so you can take them with you, do them separately - there is not much sense. Since they were not useful to us, but the circumstances are different, they are needed to purchase a tourist SIM card, as well as some copies of documents, but this is easily bypassed, more on that later.
  • First aid kit on the road. WITH pack away, with a focus on antibacterials and digestive aids. If you are afraid of malaria, then a week before the trip and throughout the trip, as well as one to two weeks after, you can drink one tablet of doxycycline per day. This is a weak antibiotic that will not cause much harm to health (if you drink it with any probiotic), but it will help malaria bypass you. Although, when traveling to high season in GOA you are unlikely to face this disease. In any case, before taking antibiotics, consult your doctor. In India, by the way, a lot of medicines are produced, the prices for which will pleasantly surprise you., so, perhaps, it’s not worth typing a lot from expensive Russia, but on the contrary, it makes sense to think about.
  • Cosmetics and means of protection. In general, all this can be bought on the spot, but in order to immediately run to the sea upon arrival, it makes sense to take a sunblock with a protection of at least 25, well, and a small cosmetic bag to make up in the evening. Although very soon imbued with the spirit of Goa, the need for all this will disappear. Cosmetics, again, are much cheaper in India, and the quality is on top, so don't stuff your suitcase.
  • Insect repellent in Goa. You don’t need to bring in large quantities, since India has its own good tools, which, at times, work better than proven domestic ones, but for the first time you can buy it. However, the remedy for termites and ants will have to be bought on the spot almost immediately upon arrival.
  • Flashlight. The road from the beach, and in many places in Goa, at least in the northern part, is dark and unlit, so to save your legs, it is best to have a small LED flashlight and a supply of batteries or accumulators. In addition, illuminating your path, you can safely miss each other with all sorts of unpleasant little animals, which are not desirable to step on.
  • A trifle on the road. Be sure to prepare some dollars in small bills, they will come in handy both on the plane if you want to buy lunch during the flight, and when changing at the airport upon arrival, at a predatory rate, on the way to your vacation destination in Goa.
  • Padlock (like barn). The door locking system in India at first struck me a little, but it is easily explained, because. allows you to lock the house with your own lock, and the owners do not have to change the keys after each vacationer. As they say, both the sheep are full and the wolves are safe, or vice versa, here someone feels like someone.
  • Foods Missed in Goa. Officially, the import of meat and dairy products, as well as cereals to India, must be declared, but no one does this. But many tourists, especially winterers, bring delicacies: cheese, sausage, seeds, herring, caviar, buckwheat, chocolate, vermicelli - i.e. those products that cannot be found here in the daytime with fire in the usual quality and at affordable prices
  • Things and suitcases. Usually people come with empty bags and take home trunks, including clothes. So take the most necessary or very favorite, still buy a lot of things. If you grab a large empty suitcase, then you will have something to carry gifts back. You can also buy it on the spot - I remember the story of one of my comrades, how he bargained for two days in Goa for one roomy suitcase - well, this is also an element of exoticism.
  • Women's clothing. India is a country of strict views, it is not customary to bare legs and shoulders much, therefore, out of respect for a foreign culture, do not pick up miniskirts, shorts and any tight underwear if you want a good attitude towards yourself. Short clothing, not safe for riding a bike in the heat and generally not practical. In Goa, of course, people are more accustomed to the sight of tourists, but if you are going to experience the spirit of India, then you should not irritate its inhabitants, of course they will be silent, but at best they will write you down in the category of women of easy virtue.
  • Other little things. Shampoos, oils, soaps, gels, powders, etc. there is a large amount of local production, natural and cheap, so you need a maximum supply for the first day or two
  • money in goa. The Indian Rupee has a relatively stable exchange rate against the dollar, so if there is no confidence in the sharp growth of the ruble or, on the contrary, there is fear for its further fall, then it is better to immediately exchange dollars and go with a pre-calculated budget. By the way, the ruble traditionally grows in the spring, so we took the minimum amount of cash.
  • Plastic cards. This is the best replacement for the grief of cash, a relatively safe and profitable means of storing money. The main thing is to set the limits correctly, and have several cards of different banks and payment systems. The question has its relevance in Goa, it is always relevant: with a stable ruble exchange rate (when was this?), cash dollars are profitable, even with double conversion, but right now a card is more profitable for me. By the way, this and the previous paragraph can block all the others, because it is very easy to relax lightly with money. On the other hand, I know several examples where people in India managed with practically no money, and here who goes for what.
  • spare phone. If you come for the whole season, then it makes sense to use a cheap old mobile phone, because due to humidity and sand, not every smartphone can survive in Goa for six months. In addition, you should not shine unnecessarily with expensive equipment in front of poor Indians

Instead of ending

Perhaps this is the end of the first part. I really hope that I have not forgotten something especially important and worthy of attention, in extreme cases I will add it. In addition, there is a place in the comments, not only for questions, but also for forgotten answers. best advice from the comments I will supplement this article or prepare a separate one if there is enough material. When using this memo, do not forget that in it I draw conclusions based on own experience, including writing about what I myself forgot during the training camp and regretted upon arrival in Goa. I hope my mistakes will become a science to someone. In general, we pack our bags and take a bold step to India, and what awaits upon arrival, I will tell you in the near future. Success and good luck on your trips, perhaps India will not scare you either, at least the prices are very pleasant, both for accommodation and for the road, but check it out yourself.

Things to collect in India very carefully, so as not to take too much and not to forget what you will not find in India by day with fire.

My backpack weighed 7.5 kg, but I went to the north of India and took warm clothes and trekking boots. I tried to collect such a backpack so that they let me on the plane with it - Aeroflot allows you to take up to 10 kg into the cabin. If you go to warmer climes, then it is quite possible to assemble a backpack and a smaller one - weighing 4-5 kg.

Here is a rough list of things to take with you to India. Something can be subtracted, but something, on the contrary, can be added

Documents and money

1. Passport with Indian visa. You need to have copies of your passport and tickets with you and store them separately. You can also scan your passport and store the scan in your email. If you lose your passport, having a copy can speed up getting a new one.

2. Air ticket + its photocopy (also in case of loss).

3. Cash (US dollars or euros). Not accepted everywhere in India bank cards so it's better to have cash. Cards are needed to pay for tickets via the Internet.

4. Photos 3x4, may be useful for permits and additional visas (if you are going to the border areas).

5. Body bag for documents and money.

6. A guide to India, for example, from Lonely Planet (you can buy it in bookstores or order online) or buy it already in India - you saw it there in Delhi and in small towns, you can buy a new or used one. Something almost essential. Without it, I would have spent much more money and time. It is better, of course, to buy it in advance so that you can read it before the trip.

Medicines and hygiene products

1. A small first aid kit in case of minor injuries (iodine, bandage, plaster, etc.).

2. Medication in violation of the digestive tract: enterosgel or activated charcoal, lactobacterin, immodium, etc. I took only charcoal, it was not useful to me. Coal on the basis that during illness (for example, diarrhea) you need to take 5-7 tablets (at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of your weight) 3-4 times a day.

3. From a headache - citromone, ketanov, etc.

4. If you are taking any medications, bring a supply with you.

5. In many states where malaria is prevalent, malaria prophylaxis must be taken.

7. From mosquitoes means that are applied to the body and for premises (but there are no mosquitoes in the mountains)

8. Hygienic lipstick.

9. Drops or eye tetracycline ointment for conjunctivitis - may come in handy, the tube weighs quite a bit.

10. Personal hygiene products (female pads are sold everywhere in India, it is more problematic with tampons and thin pads for every day).

11. Wet wipes, preferably antibacterial (can be bought locally).

12. Sunglasses if you use them.

13. Soap (but you can buy on arrival), shampoo.

14. Potassium permanganate (for washing hands and fruits).

15. Sunblock - It's pretty easy to get burned. You can also buy on the spot.

Clothes, shoes, etc.

1. Two sheets or one duvet cover. Bed linen in hotels is often of dubious appearance, unless, of course, it is the Imperial Hotel. You can also buy on the spot.

2. Clothes for hot weather. Women need to cover their shoulders, do not wear tight-fitting T-shirts (the exception is Goa). In other parts of India, customs are still strict, not even every T-shirt can be worn here. Dresses, blouses with and without embroidery can be bought in Delhi, they cost 100-300 rubles, natural cotton. By the way, Indians look very approvingly if foreigners walk around India in local clothes.

3. If you are going to the mountains, it is worth taking clothes for cool weather, but these can be bought cheaply on the spot. But trekking boots are better to take with you.

4. Cape from the rain (when hiking in the mountains in some months).

5. Sneakers, Velcro sandals.

6. A small backpack for a camera, water, etc., with which you will walk every day. If the gifts bought in India do not fit into the backpack with which you arrived, you can buy a large and roomy bag made in China cheaply on the spot.

Necessary little things

1. Knife (easy to buy on the spot, as they won’t let you on the plane with it, you have to check it in your luggage). Needed, for example, to peel or cut fruit.

2. A small padlock (they close the doors in hotels and chain bags under benches on the train) - but this is not necessary. I didn’t have a lock with me, it’s easy to buy in India.

3. Flashlight, LED is better. There are frequent power outages in some parts of India.

4. Boiler (boil water for tea or mouthwash when brushing your teeth).

6. A metal mug (you can boil water in it).

7. Needles, threads, scissors (again, scissors will have to be checked in as luggage).

8. Tee - if you have a lot of equipment that needs recharging. Rooms often have only one outlet. Easy to buy locally.

Well, friends, as I understand it, the tickets have already been bought from you, the visa has been made, so today we will pack our bags! :) And let's talk about what you should take with you, and what (this is important! :)) - you shouldn't! :) So that it doesn’t work out for you, like my friend did: We were going to the Rope training in the forest (!), and she painted and did her hair for about an hour, in the end I subtly remarked to her: Of course, the main thing at the training in the forest is to be beautiful! :))

Well, as they say in Russia, with God!


Of course, I would love to reduce this entire post to one sentence: do not take anything - buy everything here! :) And to some extent I would be right, because everything here is cheap and practically (!) Everything is there.

However, I understand that some of you will not go to Goa for the whole season, but for a couple of weeks, and every day will be dear to them, so spending precious time looking for what you need will not be entirely smart :)

So let's start with...
Clothing and footwear
I remind you that we are talking about the season - Season (October-March). During this period in Goa - warm and hot! :) The temperature is +30, but it is completely different +30 than in Moscow or in the south of Belarus, here at +30 you can breathe, walk and live! :)

Let's go through the list:
- shorts,
- T-shirts / T-shirts (I remind males that topless riding in Goa is prohibited by the police, and I know cases when they stopped and took money for contemplating a beautiful torso - please note: they didn’t pay, but charged! :)),
- cotton pants (if you are going to some very serious temple, it is better to replace shorts with pants),
- T-shirt with long sleeves (for girls, also for the temple),
- "shawl" (you can cover her shoulders when visiting the temple),
- sweatshirt (for riding a scooter in the evening and at night),
- flip flops,
- sandals (if you suddenly decide to walk in the mountains, along the valleys),
- panama/cap/bandana,
- bathing suit:)

In addition, remember - everything here is easy and simple here: no one flaunts outfits, and sparkles in the sun does not shine :) Therefore, I would also think about evening or cocktail dresses. Although - again - met ...

Most people come to parties in almost the same clothes they were wearing a couple of hours ago on the beach :) Somehow it happened historically, from the time of the hippies :)

Cosmetics and hygiene
I will leave this to your discretion, because everyone has their own personal list of these funds.

I just want to draw your attention to a few things:
- Eau de Toilette there is, but I'm not sure about it at all :) On the other hand, few people use it :)
- cotton pads are expensive here (compared to Moscow), so take enough of them with you,
- the choice of tampons is limited,
- as well as the choice of pads, including daily ones,
- sunscreen(in my opinion, it is also more expensive here ...),
- include sunglasses in this section,
- also, if you have glasses with transparent glasses - take them: for riding a scooter in the evening and at night - so that midges do not get into your eyes.

In general, almost all types of cosmetics are present here and I always bring everything I need from here to another country. I especially love Dabur Red toothpaste - try it: it's great to wake up in the morning under it - sooooo refreshing! :)

Medicine
I repeat: Indian medicine is one of the best in the world. In addition, it is also one of the cheapest! Therefore, there are no problems with good medicines and excellent doctors.

However, for those traveling to Goa for the first time, I recommend purchasing health insurance. I used the Renaissance insurance company - everything is fine: the doctor came to the house twice! :)
Why do you need insurance? First of all, the "newcomers" to Goa usually "catch" something like food poisoning. The disease, I confess to you, is not pleasant ... And it is sometimes inevitable: it's not just bad food or dirty hands before eating, maybe it's just the clean hands of the waiter serving you a glass and leaving an Indian bacterium on it. Moreover, I even recommend that you get sick with this disease, because, as my Russian-speaking doctor said, "After it, you can eat even in the dirtiest local eatery - no problem! Because your body has developed immunity, and a real Indian has settled in it, already harmless bacterium!
And another quote from my doctor: "Indian diseases should be treated with Indian medicines!" Therefore, you can not strain with Smecta and Activated charcoal - this does not help! :)

Include your personal medications that you take on your medication list. I remind you: it is better to transport medicines in two places - in luggage (main part) and in hand luggage(two week supply). This way, if you lose your luggage, you have two weeks to deal with the problem with the medicines you need.

Separately, I want to say about vaccinations: they are an independent decision for everyone. Personally, I have never been vaccinated. However, before Indonesia, I want to get myself all the necessary vaccinations here in India. Because it is high quality and cheap.
Important: some vaccinations need to be done long before the trip, so be careful!

Equipment
Of course, this is also at the discretion of everyone. However, it will be easier if you have here:
- mobile phone and charging to it,
- a camera, a charger for it, a sufficient memory card and wires to transport photos from a memory card to a computer,
- a player and charging to it (I liked to ride a scooter with a player),
- a video camera, charging, a memory card and wires (this is if you do something later with the captured video, otherwise we know the stories of many home cameras :)),
- laptop and charging to it (also optional),
- a flashlight - in case of a power outage (this happens often with us :))

In addition, one of the problems in Goa is the lack of information :) Because there is no TV here, you will also use the Internet not so often (if you eat on short term), we have lost the habit of reading newspapers for a long time ... Therefore, take a couple of books with you and upload a couple of films to your hard drive - they will "inform" you :)

And don't forget a small padlock - it will help you keep inviolable not only your new home, but also your backpack on the train/bus :)

For those who are not yet completely at odds with English: grab a pocket phrase book and a pocket Russian-English dictionary and vice versa - they will help you communicate and clarify everyday and vital issues! :)

Bon Voyage!

Next time I'll tell you about How to search and rent housing in Goa (oh-ho-ho!) :)

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