- Use Google Maps, save Goa offline for quick access. Jio works everywhere.
- Buy hats. Goa is hot and humid (between Feb to Dec).
- If you reach Madgaon by train and want to go to North Goa, take an auto to the Madgaon Bus stand (around Rs. 120). Book a ticket for the non-stop express bus to the Panjim Bus stand. At Panjim Bus stand, take a KTC prepaid taxi to North Goa.
- A nice place to homestay is Joe and Marietta's guesthouse, Calangute Goa. They have all amenities like AC, fridge, hot water, wifi... It's very near to KFC. They will provide numbers to cab and bike services too. But do NOT buy petrol from them even if the lady insists. They charged Rs. 80/ltr when the petrol price in Goa was Rs. 52/ltr on the day. There are petrol pumps everywhere. One can stay in North Goa and visit Old Goa + Panjim by bike.
- Autos and cabs will cost you dearly. Hire a bike for a few days (~Rs. 300/day for Honda Activa). No Uber or Ola, thanks to govt. regulations.
- You can cover North Goa in a day on bike (including a 3 hr bath in any beach) if you start at 10 AM. The Aguada fort is worth a single visit and Reis Magos can be safely omitted. However, if you are on a bike you will definitely enjoy the thrilling ride on the road by the Mandovi from Reis Magos to Aguada.
- Beaches: Calangute and Baga are popular but extremely loud beaches with drunkards and empty wine bottles everywhere in the evening. In our experience Colva in South Goa is the best beach; very peaceful and natural. You can hear the waves. It's flat and good for non-swimmers. Swimmers can break large waves around 250 mtrs from the shore. Para-gliding is available as well. Colva from Madgaon Railway Station takes Rs. 150/200 by auto. Benaulim is even more beautiful but comes second because of conveyance issues. Benaulim can be reached on foot from Colva if you keep walking by the shore (< 2 KM). Travel light and start around afternoon (no heat and you can enjoy the awesome breeze) to enjoy a walk you will rememebr for a long time. Miramar in Panjim is a beautiful beach too if you want a long quiet walk in the evening. Candolim is relatively far from the main road and Anjuna is remotely located.
- De Candolim Deck Restaurant & Bar near Candolim beach is a costly but good place to enjoy sea food. Food in Goan restaurants is costly in general.
- McDonald's on Calangute-Baga Road is an extremely affordable place if you don't want to experiment with food.
- For tasty veg North/South Indian food in South Goa try the Tulsi veg restaurant near Colva beach.
- Pakiza is a great homemade non-veg restaurant in Panjim.
Finally, remember that Goa is a heavily commercialized place and locals charge unbelievably more for services. Choose your options wisely and always check the price before availing a service.