Any travel tips for Goa? I can't seem to find rental cars. Is everything pretty much taxis or rickshaws there?

I notice that the airport appears to be quite a distance from the actual city. No problems getting there, I suppose. I'm going to be staying at Ft. Aguada (hope I spelled that right).

I assume that you can hire a car and driver for the day? What is a reasonable rate for this? Any good cultural recommendations for sites to see around Goa?

I know that's a lot of questions, and I appreciate in advance any feedback.

Thanks.

Didn't even think about renting a car in Goa in April. Hiring a driver for an 8-hour day was never more than 1000 Rs. ($21 US). [I also always bought the driver lunch, which apparently was not expected.]

Anyplace you are staying in Goa should be happy to arrange a driver to collect you at the airport. If for any reason this cannot be arranged, there will be taxis waiting at the airport.

Taxis will work for all-day or from town-to-town. Within towns you will use autorickshaws, which are usually called "autos" or sometimes "tuk-tuks."

I was there for the parade of saints and relics in Old Goa and this was a spectacular sight. I'd recommend a visit to Old Goa in any case. For an excellent guide seek out the tall, skinny fellow outside of the cathedral. I'm really sorry I can't recall his name. He's a Hindu with a physical disability, extremely knowledgeable about everything and unlike some guides with prepared speeches quite happy to answer your questions and adjust a tour to your specific interests.

If travelling to Old Goa from Panjim enjoy lunch or dinner at the Star Bar en route. This was an excellent "authentic" experience with great food in huge portions, al fresco with ore freighters chugging by.

You're going to have a great time. I wish I was going back.

See here for additional information on Goa

I just hire a car with a driver for the day. My key suggestion is to go when the weather is good, and the best weather that works for me is mid-January to mid-March.

The beaches in the southern part of the state are nicer in that they may well be significantly less busy and cleaner. The downside is that there can be little around for entertainment other than on-hotel/resort premises without quite a drive.

You can't rent a car in India yet. You have to hire it with a driver and it is quite inexpensive considering that the driver can be available for up to 18-20 hours, if you want. Driver are always willing to help you in anyway they can. Treat him well, give good meals, a nice tip Rs. 500 ($12-14) and he be willing do almost anything for you.

If you are more adventurous try the Motorcycle on rent. You can either rent it or get a driver to give you a ride.

There are some real old churches in Goa which you might wanna see. If you are devout Christian then body of Saint Francis is kept in one of the Churches and is still in a very good preserved state. There are also some very old temples in Goa (the ones which could survive the onslaught of Portuguese). You can see them too. Aprt from these there are some forts and a lot of beaches.

Goanese cuisine is quite popular for its sea food and curries. Being a vegetarian I haven't really tried it much but "Vindaloo" is supposed to be great.

I would also recommend winter months when weather is quite pleasant except December when everything is fully booked and prices are 2-3 times the usual rates.

If you are a female except southern beaches, at all other places dress casually and wear lose cotton cloths that keep you cool and don't show too much skin and you should be fine.

Agree with AA25 on everything.....

On the food since I am a non-veg -- try the Goanese curry with the seafood such as shrimp, crab and so forth..amazing...

the fish will be fresh...at night along the beaches...there are restaurants that catch the fish during the day and sell it on the beach at night...go there (negotaiate HARD) and they will cook it up the way you want it for approx $10-15 ....

Its "Goan", not "Goanese"

Who cares as long as you can understand it !!!

Thanks everyone. I'm going to be there from the 9th-11th of December, as part of a larger trip to Delhi. The Goa side trip is a 'side-trip' from that, since my original reservation on the Palace on Wheels 'mysteriously' got cancelled.

I'm a male and used to travelling alone, so that shouldn't be a problem. I'll probably contact the resort and ask them to have a car meet my flight into Goa. Since the entire flight is intra-India (Jaipur-Mumbai-Goa) and return, I assume formalities will not be unlike a flight within the US (If I'm wrong, please let me know).

I've always liked Indian food, so I think it should be good. I've had various 'degrees' of Vindaloo. Some easy to eat, some painful 18-24 hours later (well, you get the picture).

loads of info and advice here

Went to Goa on my honeymoon....Stayed at the Ft. Aguada...make sure you are getting a cottage.,...I was picked up from the airport by Taj...let them know you are coming...

NEVER RENT A CAR IN INDIA !!!! that is all I have to say...hire a driver....peace of mind...

Goa is know for its seafood....I have never done the cultural activites since usually I stay with my relatives...

Since you mentioned in your OP that you will be staying at Fort Aguada, they have a complimentary pick up from the airport. Their travel desk can arrange taxis for you. If you head out to the street and hail a cab, it could save you a few hundred rupees (depends on you whether u want to deal with the craziness of peak tourist season haggling or not). Also, just outside the Ft Aguada, there is a place that rents scooters - when it gets crowded in Goa, scooters are very handy to get around.

Also, about food - the restaurants at the Taj are good - but expensive. If you take a nice walk north along the beach (about 7 kms from Sinquerim to Calangute), there is a fantastic beachside restaurant called "Souza Lobo" -- do try their Goan Masala Rawa Fried Fish with a beer - .... all the goan dishes at SL are excellent, so have fun trying out the xacuti, vindaloo, sorpatel.. oh YUM!

I concur ^ ^

I am one of those people who will be staying in Goa over New Year's Eve. 12/29 - 1/2. We worked with a travel agent for all other parts of our trip, but he didn't provide us with any suggestions we liked, so be booked something through Orbitz. I found it quite difficult to find anything online when we were looking over the summer.

Now, I am concerned since the place we are staying got a terrible review last month on TripAdvisor. Is it too late to book something in Goa? If not, how do I do this, especially for smaller, cheaper places?

I am booking for 4 people, our preferred rate would be $125 USD or less per room per night. Any advice would be appreciated, we feel like we are flying blind.

good thing I read this thread. Got a lot of good information. I'll be in Goa from the 29th to the 2nd for New Year's too. Although my friend from India is arranging everything... So I don't know where I'll be staying or how I'll be getting there...