Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Acid, ecstasy, cocaine, charas (hashish), marijuana and all other forms of recreational
drugs are illegal in India (though still very much available in Goa), and purchasing or car-
rying drugs is fraught with danger. Goa's Fort Aguada jail is filled with prisoners, includ-
ing some foreigners, serving lengthy sentences for drug offences, and being caught in pos-
session of even a small quantity of illegal substances can mean a 10-year stretch in a
cockroach-infested cell.
Information
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC; www.goa-tourism.com ) , also known as Goa Tour-
ism, provides maps and information, operates average hotels throughout the state and runs
a host of one-day and multiday tours. Its main office is in Panaji, but you can book tours
and get a simple map of Goa at any of its hotel branches. Panaji's Indiatourism ( Click
here ) office also has information on Goa.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation prices in Goa are generally higher than in most other states of India and
vary wildly depending on the season. High-season prices, often more than twice the mid-
season rates, run from early December to early February, while prices climb higher to a
peak rate during the crowded Christmas and New Year period (around 22 December to 3
January). Mid-season runs from the mid-October through November (when most beach
shacks are just being built) and from February to April, and low season runs through the
rainy season (April to October). All accommodation rates listed are for the high season -
not the peak Christmas period, when you'll almost certainly have to book ahead anyway.
Prices can still fluctuate from year to year, and some hotels may bump up their high-sea-
son tariffs more than others depending on demand. Always call ahead for rates. Most ac-
commodation options have a standard noon checkout, except in Panaji, where many hotels
cruelly demand you depart at 9am or earlier.
Getting There & Away
AIR
Goa's sole and diminutive airport, Dabolim, is 29km south of Panaji, 30km north of Mar-
gao and an easy taxi ride from any of the state's beaches. Few international flights go here
directly; those that do are package-holiday charters, mostly from Russia, Europe and Bri-
tain. Independent travellers from the UK could check Thomson ( www.thomsonfly.com ) , and from
Germany, Condor ( www.condor.com ) ; both offer direct flight-only fares. Generally, the quickest
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