Frequently Asked Questions

You won’t be entitled to any compensation, as the reason for the holiday not continuing is outside the control of us, the Tour Operator. 

Generally take clothes that are comfortable and loose fitting, preferably cotton or linen; we also recommend a hat as protection against the strong midday sun. When visiting temples in Goa, it is important that your shoulders and legs should be covered. Although dress is not formal, in the evenings most hotels and restaurants require gentlemen to wear shirts and long trousers or dress shorts. A jumper or cardigan may come in handy on some evenings.

You can find more information in our Guide to Goa for first time visitors and in our Packing tips blog post

As a developing country, hotels, service levels and gradings in India cannot be compared to those in European destinations, although the top end of the market is world class. We have therefore created our own rating system to grade our hotels, illustrated by a lotus flower. 

A few hotels do not have a grading attributed to them. We consider these properties to have unique features and hard to classify despite offering comfortable accommodation.

We are also pleased to offer a number of ‘Exclusive to Us’ hotels within our programme. These are hotels that no other UK operator features in their brochure.

We provide detailed information on our hotel pages with further details on our website to help you make the right choice. Our dedicated reservations team will be happy to discuss in more detail which hotel best suits your requirements.

Goa is an ideal winter sun destination. It enjoys almost uninterrupted sunshine and virtually no rainfall during the months of November to March. Daytime temperatures are on average 30˚C, and in the evening the temperature cools off nicely.

From April until June, the heat and humidity starts to build, leading to the arrival of the monsoon. It is not until October that the skies start to clear again and the humidity gradually dissipates. 

Goa’s is blessed with 105km of coastline and some of the most picturesque beaches in India. Dependant on which region you visit, determines the beach experience you will have. To learn more about the beaches in Goa, see our beach guide.

The Goan calendar is filled with all kinds of festivals and events - both Hindu and Christian in origin. Visit our festival page to learn more. 

During festivals and local bank holidays, hotels may organise special entertainment and live music to celebrate the occasion. Events can be impromptu and we are unable to advise that these will be going on at the time of booking. 

Due to government regulation, many hotels in Goa are not able to build directly on the beach. Hotels will normally have gardens, extensive grounds or even golf courses between the main hotel building and the protected coastline. Therefore, when a room is classed as having a sea view in Goa, these views are often over the gardens and out towards the Arabian Sea.

Many beach resorts in Goa have water sports available and equipment for hire. Please take caution when taking part in water sports however as the Health & Safety standards are not as stringent as they are in Europe.

The currency in Goa is the Indian Rupee (INR). Due to limits on the amount of Rupees coming in and out of India we recommend that you exchange your money in resort. We do not recommend exchanging currency at the airport on arrival as the exchange rate is usually very poor and queues are common. You can exchange money either in the hotels or for an even better rate in shops in most resort areas. The exchange rate as of November 2023 is INR 102 to £1.

We offer an extensive programme of excursions and tours through our agent Sita, which can be booked in Goa through your representative. See a full list of excursions. Payment can be made in £’s, by Visa or Mastercard, the surcharge is 1.5%, however this can be subject to change without notice.

Although elephant rides are sometimes available in Goa, The Goa Experience does not recommend taking part in such rides. As elephants are wild animals, it is difficult to provide the appropriate conditions for them in captivity which may lead to the animals being poorly treated. Unethical training is also sometimes carried out on elephants for them to become compliant.

The state language of Goa is Konkani with a soft song sounds. The Indian national language is Hindi but the Indian official language for education and commerce is English. Therefore English is widely spoken.

Although Goa is a very small state, due to narrow winding roads and occasional traffic congestion, short distances can take longer than expected. As a tourist it is not advisable to hire cars or motorbikes whilst on holiday. The rules of the road are very different to what we are accustomed to in the UK and can be challenging to navigate and in a poor condition.

Taxis are readily available in tourist areas and often of a good standard however always make sure that you agree on the fare before you set off.

Although inoculations are not compulsory for entry from the EU, certain medication, including Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Yellow Fever vaccinations are usually advised. Other inoculations and anti-malarial tablets may also be advised for travellers considered high risk. Please ensure you consult your GP or health clinic prior to travel, who will advise on recommended inoculations. Children and pregnant women may require special vaccination procedures.

Any prescribed medication should be carried in your hand luggage with a Doctor’s prescription. We would advise that you take medicines to treat dehydration, small ailments, stomach upsets, insect bites and cuts, along with mosquito repellent and sun tan creams. A practice which should be avoided in any hot climate is drinking very cold drinks straight after coming out of the hot sun as this can cause stomach upsets. Bottled water can be bought in most hotels and supermarkets at a reasonable price. A Department of Health leaflet (Ref T7.1) "Health Advice to Travellers" is available from your GP, Travel Agent or online.  

The medical facilities in Goa are not up to the standard that we have come to expect in the UK. If you need medical treatment whilst in Goa, we would recommend visiting a private clinic. Your representative will be able to recommend an appropriate clinic for you.

The time difference between the UK and Goa is +5.30 hours. During British summertime this changes to +4.30 hours.

The flight to Goa is around 9 hours 30 minutes. On the return, the flight can be longer due to prevailing winds.

Please ask first as not everyone likes to be photographed and you may be asked for payment in return. Uniformed personnel such as the police, military and government organisations generally will not accept photos being taken.

In 2000 Goa introduced a smoking ban in public places which includes enclosed restaurants, bars and hotel reception areas. 

As well as a full British passport valid for at least 6 months after the planned date of return from your holiday, all British citizens are required to have a visa when travelling to India. For more information, please visit https://www.goaexperience.co.uk/visa-requirements 

Many hotels in Goa have Wi-Fi access, usually in the reception area although some do have access in the rooms. There may be a charge locally for this access. 

In main resorts such as Colva, Candolim, Calangute and Baga, there is a wide range of dining options offering both Goan, Indian and International cuisine. Goa is also famous for its beach shacks where you can sample some of the local cuisine with views of the Arabian Sea.

Goa is a popular destination for weddings and events for the domestic market. On occasion hotels may organise special entertainment and live music to celebrate these occasions. Events can be impromptu and we are unable to advise whether these will be going on during your stay unless the hotels advise us.

Many hotels situated in the busier resorts of Goa only offer a 'Bed & Breakfast' or ‘Half Board’ board basis, due to the affordability of meals and drinks, plus the wide variety of restaurants available. At The Goa Experience, we encourage clients to support the local economy as part of our commitment to Sustainable Tourism where possible, although some hotels do offer an all-inclusive option.  Buffet style dining is generally available, often with the added benefit of choosing from the à la carte menus at an additional cost, varying your meal options.

The Arabian Sea can be deceiving and often has strong currents and undertows. On many beaches, there are trained lifeguards and flag systems in place but please observe caution when swimming in the sea and do not swim out of your depth.

We are working with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to do all we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Their website at: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo is packed with essential tips, travel advice and up-to-date country specific information.

Transfers are included if you have booked a package holiday with us. Private transfers can also be arranged from £25pp return. Please note we do not provide transfer vouchers in your ticket pack for standard transfers, however it will be displayed on your confirmation invoice. 

The average transfer takes around 1 hour depending on the drop off and collection point. The longest transfer is about 1 hour 40 minutes.

All airlines are required to collect Advance Passenger Information from all customers (including infants) travelling to and from the UK by air in advance of issuing tickets.

What information is needed per passenger?

• Full name, as per your passport including any middle names.
• Your date of birth.
• The travel document 'type' e.g. passport.
• Your nationality.
• Passport Country of Issue.
• Passport number, issue date and expiry date.

When is the information required by?

• If we require this before issuing your tickets, this will be requested at the time of booking or at least 7 days before travel in order for your tickets to be processed in time.
   
• If your ticket is issued as an e-ticket by the airline, you may be invited to enter this information directly into the airline website in order to complete online check-in and generate boarding passes.
  Information on this will be included with your travel documents.

How can I provide this information?

• You can enter passport information securely online under Manage My Booking or call our Admin Team on 01489 866987 with your passport details.

• We advise that you do not email this information for security reasons.

What if I book late?

• Our website will not allow a booking within 7 days of travel, unless API details are input at the time of booking.

We shall be pleased to pass on your request to the airline or hotel, however we cannot guarantee that they will be met. If you have any special requests for your accommodation or flights, please ensure they are requested at the time of booking as procedures for flight requests vary from airline to airline and they require as much notice as possible. Airlines tend to require at least 5 days’ notice for any dietary requirements.

Any amendments will be subject to availability and will incur amendment charges in addition to any difference in costs. This is in addition to any carriers' amendment or cancellation fees. Further details can be obtained from our Administration department on 01489 866987 or via email at admin@goaexperience.co.uk. Amendments within 14 days of travel are not always possible and cancellation changes will apply.

Your travel documents will be sent by email 2 weeks prior to your date of travel. Your flight timings will be those shown in your travel documents email, please check them carefully as soon as you receive them as the airline may have changed these since the time of booking.

Occasionally, despite the best efforts of all concerned, flights are delayed for reasons beyond our personal control. If a long delay occurs, we will always do our best to provide a snack or meal when appropriate and in the case of an overnight delay, suitable accommodation. If we are made aware of a potential delay we will do our very best to advise you. 

Please note that the choice of accommodation for flight delays is made by the airline and is not part of your original package holiday.

If you test positive in your destination before you’re due to return home to the UK, you’ll need to inform your representative,  your insurance company and your hotel as soon as possible. You’ll then need to follow the specific guidance given to you by your insurance company, which may include the need to self-isolate in a medical facility or your hotel room and our resort team will be on hand to assist you.

There is no dedicated one for India or Goa however the European ones are listed as covering India

There have been a small number of cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus report in India.  You should follow the advice of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, particularly if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and seek guidance from a health professional if you have any further questions or concerns.  

The vast majority of British nationals visiting Goa do so without any problems. Take particular care of your bags and purses, and avoid unlit and remote beaches after dark. Keep your passport and other valuables safe. You should follow warnings posted at beaches and instructions issued by lifeguards.

For more information please visit the website of the Foreign travel advice office 

Bank transfers

• Account name: Serenity Holidays
• Account number: 06019129
• Sort code: 60-18-46

Please quote your GA******* booking reference number on all bank transfer transactions

Credit and Debit cards (no handling charge, unless a business credit card is used when a 1.6% charge will apply)

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Visa Electron
• Delta

Unfortunately, we are not able to accept Solo or American Express cards

Cheques

Please make payable to Goa Experience and add your holiday reference to the reverse of the cheque along with your name and address.

Our deposit is £150pp, which needs to be paid at the time of confirming your holiday. Your balance will be detailed on your invoice and must be paid in full no later than 12 weeks before your departure.

As of 01/12/15, the Indian government will refuse non-readable passports for non-Indian nationals seeking entry into the country.