Everything about Goa tour with Family/Infant/6 months old/in flight

With comparatively cheaper air flights from Delhi to Goa, and otherwise, Goa is a perfect week long holiday destination for beach lovers. This is my third visit to Goa, the first one was with friends, the second one was a conference cum holiday tour with my husband, the third one was with my 6 months old daughter. I would suggest you to choose October/ November to visit Goa when the weather is pleasant. With friends, however, one can choose to go in monsoons too as it is green everywhere and the scooty rides are exciting. But, there won't be water sports and any other water activities in monsoons. they do not even allow to swim in sea in monsoons. From March to September, the weather is quite hot and humid. I went once in February end to first week of March and I could not bear the humidity. best months, according to me are October to January. December, however, would cost you much due to Christmas and New Year Celebrations.

Things to keep in mind before going to Goa with an infant:
1) Book your flight, preferably the front seats, Or 10th row or the 14th row as these are comparatively bigger and hence comfortable and if the female seats near the window side, it is easier for her to feed her baby. I am sure about the front seats, please confirm of the other two from the booking counter.

2) Start feeding your baby while take off and landing so that the baby is not discomforted by the air pressure.

3) Take some toys with you to keep the baby busy. show him/her/it other people in the flight so that the baby is distracted.


4) Book your hotels beforehand. I would suggest Treebo hotels which offer very good service especially to families. This ranges from 1300 to 2500 according to the availability and the duration of your stay. if you stay for a day, it would cost more. so decide beforehand whether you want to change hotels or stay in one hotel for 2/3 days. Another option is that one can take a one BHK apartment/homestay where a family or two can stay together for 1800 to 2200 rupees. In such apartments, one gets some utensils to cook, tea bags, milk powder, fully automatic washing machine, AC, Fridge etc. I would suggest Sarika's apartment in Arpora which was 3 kms from Baga beach, or Goa Fiesta, Agua Grandiosa, Treebo Rainforest all in Aropra. (I am in no way advertising Treebo. It is that I went with my infant and I was treated quite well here.) Booking from Booking.com or OYO is the best option, second comes makemytrip.com.


5) Do not forget to take your driving licence with you. If it is a week long holiday, one must book a two wheeler or a car (as per need and handling ability) to enjoy more and save lots of money. Buy a hat for the baby asap as you arrive in Goa. If travelling in the first and second week of October, one needs to carry an umbrella too.(I am writing this for those who are willing to travel from October to February only).

6) Whatever one takes with her, she feels the need to shop in Goa. I would suggest 'Curves' in Candolim for stylish and a bit expensive clothes (1500 to 3500) and Arpora Saturday Night market for cheaper but quality products. Here one would find anything from Black jaggery to cashew nuts to Goan sweet named Bibinca to accessories and clothes.

7) Take slippers/sandals strong enough to walk on beaches and sand. No shoes or fancy sandals. The 'Pure' chappals which cost 200 in Sarojini or Batla house market or any cheaper market are the best. otherwise one can go for crocs.

8)One shoulder bag should be enough to carry essentials of the baby and the mother along with the camera to go for the beach. other luggage (i would suggest only one more bigger bag or a suitcase from hometown to Goa while travelling with baby. Unnecessary things should be avoided as it can be tiring to carry the baby always and some luggage simultaneously) should be kept at the hotel.

9) The baby bag should contain a diaper, wipes, clothes, a water bottle, hand sanitizer, a bowl and spoon (one can get this from hotel too), napkins, bananas (easy to mash and feed the baby asap), very few toys, a thermos bottle (which again one can get at the hotel).

10) Do not be charmed by hotels near the beach or sea facing ones if you are on a budget. Anyways one is here for the beaches. Who stays at the rooms? I would suggest to take rooms in Calangute or Baga or Candolim or Arpora if one is willing to visit North Goa first. Spend two days here, then head for the south. Here one can stay near colva beach or Palolem beach. Then keep one day for Churches in Old Goa. THIS WAY IT CAN BE ADVENTUROUS EVEN WITH FAMILY/INFANT.

Staying at one hotel and hiring taxi from North to South Goa and then from North to Old Goa is boring and would cost much too. the taxi takes 2500 from North to South Goa and 2200 from North to Old Goa. A two wheeler would cost 250 to 400 per day depending upon how do you bargain. they generally give very less petrol. so first and foremost get some fuel from the nearest petrol pump or any shop keeper selling petrol in bottles in the way. But you do not need to fill it completely. I would suggest to take petrol of Rs 100 and it will last 2 days. This will easily cover Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Vagator, Anjuna (one can skip), Aguada fort and Chapora Fort.

[Candolim beach]

Personally, I liked Vagator beach the most. Calangute and Baga are crowded. Candolim is peaceful and pleasant. In South, I liked Agonda. Colva is not so crowded. Hence one can swim freely. Among Churches, Church of OLd Lady of Immaculate Conception is great. Here, Dilwale movie of Shahrukh and Kajol was shot. It is in Panaji. Dona Paula beach where Ek Duuje ke Liye film was shot is nearby. one goes to this beach for its sun set sight. in the way there is Miramar beach which looks like a river. One gets a dolphin ride here. I chose to skip all water activities due to my 6 months old daughter.

[Vagator beach in north Goa]

[Church of the Old Lady of Immaculate Conception]


Other beaches in my opinion can be skipped for a calm and soothing holiday in Goa. Try not to book rooms under Rs 1000 because you cannot take risk while travelling with a baby. Go for hotels with swimming pool as babies enjoy swimming pool the most. one more thing, on the last day, one can book hotel near the airport. I would suggest Auslyn Guest house or any guest house near Bogmalo beach. these guest houses are pretty decent and one can cover one more beach. yes, the Bogmalo beach is at walking distance. Here, you can get good food again at walking distance.

[Bogmalo beach near airport]

There are so many eateries. One should try prawn curry and Tuna fish/tuna fish salad for sure. Go for PINK CHILLIES restaurant for sure. You are sure to like the theme based interior.

[Complimentary breakfast at Treebo hotel]

Beauty parlours like Neomis at Calangute and Awesome salon and Spa near Baga are the best. Besides, there are n number of massage parlours too where i did not go. One can get to know of these from the big hoardings everywhere. Last, but not the least...Taxis from Airport to Candolim will charge Rs 1200 and higher to rest areas. This information is displayed in details on the prepaid taxi counter outside the airport, right side of the exit.