Visitng Goa during off-season

Tourist season is when everything in Goa is in full swing. Most shacks hotels and discos shut down for the monsoon, and re-open for the season. But recent years have seen these places open throughout the year to cater to the tourists who now visit all year round.

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Off-season is the best time to visit Goa as it's the monsoons, and everything is green and fresh. You get to see Goa in all her splendour, gushing waterfalls, serene and verdant landscapes. It's also the best time to get some discounts on your stay. Hotels generally have special off-season prices, and traveling around is also cheaper because fewer people visit at this time. Bus, train and air tickets also go for low, nearly rock-bottom prices during this period, but return to normal, come November.

The rains in Goa are what bring this place alive. After the first rains everything appears cleaner and greener than before. But if you thought touring during the rains meant sitting indoors all day, think again. You can sign up with a tour operator, or find yourself a tour guide. If you're the adventurous sort, wanting more than the regular tourist route, strike out on your own. But a word of advice here: be prepared. Only those with special outdoors skills, a trusty compass and a good sense of direction should try this. Goa may not look it, but it's quite easy to get lost out there in its wilderness. If you're unsure about your outdoor skills but still want to get a piece of the wildlife action, sign up for an overnight stay at any of Goa 's many forest department-run camps. These camps are generally located right within the wildlife sanctuaries and most of them include a trek or drive through the park.

For the tamer ones among you, who don't like getting your feet wet, you can sign up with a tour operator or charter a bus to take you around Goa. It is better to plan these excursions with the help of a local, or at least consult a map if you intend doing it yourself. Most tourist destinations are far-flung, and you could find yourself traveling from north to south, with no concrete plan of action.

If you've checked into a star hotel or signed up for an organized tour, rest assured that everything has been taken care of. Along with special rates and discounts, tour operators and hotels offer you a wide range of activities to choose from. From spa treatments and massages to hikes and nature walks, you can take your pick. And if it's sightseeing you want to do, then work it out with the person in charge, so that you only visit the places that are of interest to you.

There are fewer tourists around at this time of the year, so you can amble along the beach or take in a nice dinner at any of the restaurants, without being jostled and crowded. All-in-all, it's a very restful time to be seeing Goa.

But no matter how calm it may appear, the sea at this time of the year is harsh and unforgiving. A dip in the sea at any time of the year is a gamble, but during the monsoons, it's especially dangerous, because even when it appears calm, there are strong under-currents that can pull a person deep out to sea. And by the time the poor victim has time to react, he is too far in to be rescued. While locals know not to venture out into the sea in foul weather, some tourists seem to pay no heed to the warnings posted on all the beaches. Many a vacation has ended in tragedy because of this, so when you visit, be sure to check with the locals or the lifeguards, before entering the water.

Getting about Goa can at times be daunting, as public transport isn't like what you find in big cities. But that's a part of the charm. If you have signed up for an organized tour, you're set, but if you plan on making your own road, it would be advisable to hire/rent a vehicle to take you around. If you prefer to drive yourself, then renting a car, or a bike, for that matter, is quite easy. Monsoons notwithstanding, a bike is still the best way to get around and see Goa. Just follow all the traffic rules and regulations and drive safely, you'll survive your Great Goan Trip. And oh, it's NOT cool to drive drunk. Try not to test out your 'driving under the influence' trick here. I assure you, it won't work. The cops here will smell you coming a mile off, and then there's also the matter of putting other drivers at risk.

Towards the end of the monsoons is when the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi comes around and the schools have a week off. No loud crackers or blasting music, just a time for family and friends to get together and worship the beloved elephant-headed god. Except for the first few weeks of the monsoons when there's a ban on fishing, the supply of fish in the markets is good and, as usual, fresh. Drop in at any restaurant and ask for a seafood dish of your choice, or if you can't decide from the wide variety available, go in for a fish platter. It's got about five to six types of fish served up, fried, roasted or cooked. It's delicious, and it's the best way to sample all that fish.

Goa is a nature-driven place. While parts of it have a city feel, you only have to turn your head to find a green space, even in the heart of Panjim (the capital). And the best time to see nature in all its glory is the monsoons. Its reputation as a premier party destination for most yuppies notwithstanding, this place has still managed to retain its old world charm, harking back to when the Portuguese still ruled here.

Being as they are, Goans love having fun and are always game for a good party. With the inflow of tourists reduced, this is the time for Goans to let their hair down. Though the peak party season is still over Christmas and New Year, most days have at least one party going on. Whether it's a jazz festival or a hard rock night at the pub, recent years have seen an increase in the number of parties being held at this time of the year. If anyone knows how to throw a party, it's the Goans. Goa is happening all year round. You get to choose from a wide variety of events. From plays and performances to nature walks, hikes and outdoors camps. And as always, there's something for everyone.