A reasonable question on the eve of a vacation, which is asked by many tourists: "Which country to choose, India, going to GOA, or to Sri Lanka, to visit the sights and soak up the clean sand?" Which of these destinations is better to choose for a winter holiday.
In this article, we will try to find the answer.
First, let's decide with you what we want from a vacation.
Despite the fact that the resorts of Sri Lanka and GOA are in approximately the same price category for the cost of the tour (Sri Lanka is slightly more expensive, but not significantly), and even despite the fact that they are quite close to each other geographically , nevertheless, it must be said that these are two different types of recreation directions.
Holiday price comparison
GOA - if you don't already know, is one of the states of India, whose inhabitants are not too rich, hence the correct conclusions - housing and food prices are cheaper here than in Sri Lanka. In addition, there are other nuances. For example, in GOA you will not 100% find such a variety of fruits and vegetables. The author of the article, who was there, was under the impression that the fruits simply do not grow in India, or they are too expensive to be popular. For example, it’s commonplace to buy a watermelon, you won’t succeed in GOA, if they are, then literally in one shop for the whole village, while they are very lethargic and not tasty. In Sri Lanka, leaving any hotel, you will find just a huge abundance of all kinds of exotic fruits.
Food
Personally, I really like Indian cuisine, it is not in vain that it is considered the best in the world in taste. The ability of Hindus to use seasonings, changing the taste of literally everything, has not yet been surpassed by anyone. At the same time, despite the rather limited initial products, they manage to greatly diversify the number of dishes. (I ate shish kebab, it really tastes like fried meat, but softer, then it turned out that it was fried cheese with spices). In Sri Lanka, the cuisine is much less refined, mostly fresh seafood is cooked, which, I don’t know how, but I quickly get bored. By the way, fish is very expensive in GOA, 2 times more expensive than in Sri Lanka, and there is a very small selection of it. If you are a fan of adding alcohol to a hearty table, then again, GOA is the leader. Alcohol in Sri Lanka is 7 times more expensive than in GOA.
Beaches
Sri Lanka definitely has more beautiful beaches. On the beaches of the southwestern part of the island, you will find "bounty beaches", with palm trees curved towards the water's edge, gentle sea and deserted beaches. At the same time, the coast is not too wide, but in combination with huge palm trees hanging to the very water, you get both coolness and shade. The beaches in GOA are huge. The width of the sand strip is from 50 m and wider. The beaches are also clean, but there are very few palm trees, the views are completely different. In a word, the beaches here are more like a typical swimming place in the seas of our Motherland in warm weather. It should be noted that if you travel with children, GOA is much more suitable for swimming than Sri Lanka. Very strong currents, as well as real ocean waves on the beaches of Sri Lanka, combined with a rather steep approach, make even adults refuse to swim. In Goa, the surf is very light, the waves are small, the beaches are very shallow, it’s nice to splash around and you don’t have to worry about the children that they will be pulled into the water or picked up by the current.
People
As for me, Asians are the nicest people. Not aggressive, not intrusive. In Sri Lanka, the society is more evenly educated, there are no beggars, and there are far fewer people. In GOA, especially if you are a sender to the north, on the beach you will constantly get souvenir traders on the beach. On the south side, they are practically non-existent. In Sri Lanka pestered no. Another interesting feature of India is that on Friday and Saturday, the beaches will great amount people who come from the interior states of India, "swell" for the weekend.
For reference: In India, alcohol is banned in all states except GOA, so a bunch of drunken youth will be somewhat annoying on Friday and Saturday evenings. On Sunday they will all leave.
When is the best time to rest
In both resorts, the ideal season is from December to April. So here no one runs ahead of the other.
Cultural program, excursions
Don't get me wrong, GOA is freedom, there is nothing there, no one wants to sell you something, there is nowhere to go, but you can go wherever your eyes look. There is nothing to see there, there are no particularly interesting excursions either, in general - freedom, fresh air, excellent sea, booze and great cheap food. What else is needed for life? Sri Lanka is a huge heritage of the Vedic civilization, the oldest architectural monuments, many of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. If you count all the available excursions in Sri Lanka, with an overview of the main attractions, then you will not have enough 2 weeks physically to visit all of them.
conclusions
If you are a supporter of passive pastime - and eat exclusively for a beach holiday, with children, if you like to eat well, drink and sleep - you are better off in GOA. If you are interested in getting in touch with one of the most ancient civilizations on Earth, if you are drawn to the thirst for cultural enrichment during your vacation, choose Sri Lanka. However, if you are an ostentatious person, and you don’t care about piles of stones, if your main goal is to update your contact profile, you are on the beaches of south Ceylon. You will find colorful decorations and romantic sunsets there.
I also recommend that newlyweds go to Sri Lanka, there are many, however, for money, all sorts of sentimental events that are so characteristic of young people starting a life together. For example, to release a little turtle into the sea, to pet a wounded animal, to listen to the tearful story of a lonely heron - all this is well staged here and only awaits your consent.
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Truly the best hotel rates
There are many wonderful places to visit on our planet. Spending time there is tantamount to getting an unforgettable pleasure. The list of such places can be quite large, but in our review we will focus on some of the most popular among European tourists - Thailand, Sri Lanka and Goa. What is remarkable about these resorts, what features do each of them have?
What is good about Sri Lanka
The island of Ceylon, or, is known to the whole world not only for its wonderful tea, but also for the numerous resorts that have filled almost the entire coast of the country. Comfort and quality of service are at their best here, as the local leisure industry has a very long history. The beaches of Sri Lanka are washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. They have all the conditions for recreation for tourists.
The nature of the island of Sri Lanka is a countless number of species of animals and plants, some of which are endemic, that is, living only here. Local butterflies are of particular beauty - there are two and a half hundred species of them. Local rivers, lakes and coastal waters are simply teeming with a variety of inhabitants, which creates excellent conditions for diving.
Elephants are one of the symbols of Sri Lanka. A date with these gigantic and highly intelligent animals will make a big impression, especially for those traveling with children.
The best vacation in Goa
Goa is one of the Indian provinces that has gained fame as a magnificent world resort. Here you will find a huge number of attractions that take tourists to different periods of India's development. But the real gem of Goa is the local beaches. They are really magnificent - fine white sand, turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea and a sea of \u200b\u200bgreenery - this is exactly the picture that tourists who come to rest see. The weather in Goa has significant differences throughout the year, but the best time to visit the state is from July to September.
In addition to the wonderful beaches, it is worth taking the time to inspect various religious buildings - Christian churches and much more ancient Buddhist temples. You should also pay attention and go on excursions to nature reserves, tea and tobacco plantations.
Why is Thailand better?
What a place where you can spend time does not need any additional advertising - this is Thailand. Where, where, and here tourists will find entertainment for every taste, color and age category. Local resorts, located both on the mainland and on the islands, offer quality holidays in a large price range. For those who are eager to plunge into the world of round-the-clock entertainment, you should think about a trip to Phuket or Pattaya, for those who want to relax calmly with children, a trip to Koh Samui would be a great idea.
In addition to traditional recreation, Thailand is also interesting in terms of shopping, because there are a huge number of shops here, ranging from small shops to huge shopping centers in Bangkok.
The only thing that can interfere with a holiday in Thailand is the rainy season, during which the weather is hot and stuffy.
Thailand, Sri Lanka or Goa?
So let's sum up our review. As can be seen from it, each of the above countries has its own unique features, interesting places and attractions. Exotic lovers should go to Goa or Sri Lanka, and lovers of bright colors and entertainment should go straight to Thailand.
👁 Do we always book a hotel on Booking? In the world, not only Booking exists (🙈 for a high percentage of hotels - we pay!). I have been using Rumguru for a long time, it is really more profitable 💰💰 Booking.
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There is no other popular resort area in Asia that is as similar to Sri Lanka as Goa. India by its nature is the closest country to Sri Lanka. Where to go on vacation: to Sri Lanka or to Goa? What is better for young people or families with children? Where is cheaper to go? If you are asking any of these questions, then this article will help you find the answer.
Weather
On the popular southwest coast of Sri Lanka, the peak season is from January to March. Good weather usually also occurs in December and April. In Goa, the holiday season lasts from November to May. At the same time, the amount of precipitation in Goa at this time of the year is noticeably lower than in Sri Lanka. However, in Sri Lanka you can also relax between June and October. Even on the southwest coast, where the southwest monsoon dominates at this time, the weather is not very bad, and on the east coast of the island dry and sunny weather reigns. In Goa, at this time of the year, there are heavy rains that almost never stop. You can’t even think about any beach vacation in such conditions. So for holidays in June, July, August and September, of course, Sri Lanka is the most suitable. Between October and May, more sunny and drier weather is observed in Goa. If you plan to go on vacation between December and April, you can choose any place, but the weather in Goa will still be a little drier.Tours
Tours to Goa are noticeably cheaper than tours to Sri Lanka. Firstly, this is due to the fact that in Goa there are many very cheap hotels with 1 and 2 stars. In terms of comfort and amenities, these hotels may disappoint you, but the cost of living in them is very low. Secondly, Goa offers direct charter flights from some major cities in Russia, while Sri Lanka has to fly mainly on regular flights. At the same time, the duration of the flight to Goa is slightly less than the flight time to Sri Lanka. The cost of air tickets for direct charter flights to Goa is noticeably lower than the cost of regular air tickets to Sri Lanka. This greatly affects the cost of tours. In addition, sometimes there are last-minute tours to Goa.In general, a trip to Goa will cost you less if you compare tours to hotels of a similar level.
Hotels
In both cases, you will not have a shortage of hotels to choose from. By their nature, hotels in Goa and Sri Lanka are quite similar, but there are not many good hotels in Goa located a stone's throw from the beach. Even luxury 5-star hotels in this resort area are often located away from the beach. So if the location of the hotel near the beach is important to you, then Sri Lanka is probably more suitable for you. There are many all-inclusive hotels on the first line on this island, and many tourists prefer to relax in such hotels.In Goa you will find many interesting hotels decorated in different styles. Often there are hotels, which are a complex of bungalows.
Excursions
Both locations offer interesting excursions, but personally I like Sri Lanka more in this regard. Here in a relatively small area there are many amazing places. In Goa, the sights are generally more modest, but from here you can go to the most interesting sights of India, which are known all over the world. For example, the Taj Mahal.If you want to see a lot of interesting things during your vacation, we advise you to first study the sights and excursions in Goa and Sri Lanka, and only then think carefully about where excursions that are more interesting for you are offered.
Beaches
The beaches of Sri Lanka and Goa are very similar. The beaches in Goa are generally wider and longer, and the water around these beaches is calmer. In Sri Lanka, there are several pretty beautiful beaches located in bays. For example, these are the beaches of Unawatuna, Weligama and Arugam Bay. The beaches of Goa are more suitable for swimming, and the beaches of Sri Lanka are more suitable for surfing.
For young people
Although young people are different, in most cases, Goa is a more suitable option for young people. Some of the beaches in this resort area have clubs and bars. The beaches of North Goa are crowded with young people, but there are enough young people in South Goa as well. Another reason for the popularity of Goa among young people is cheaper tours to this resort area of India. It is no secret that young people are trying to choose what is cheaper.In Sri Lanka, only one resort can offer a relatively interesting nightlife. This resort is Hikkaduwa.
For kids
For families with children, Goa looks like a more attractive option. Here are safer beaches for swimming, which do not have such strong waves and currents as on the beaches of Sri Lanka. In addition, in hotels in Goa, the probability of meeting other Russian-speaking children is much higher than in hotels in Sri Lanka. Decent hotels in Goa often have some kind of facilities for children, such as water slides, a kids club or a playground.Outcome
In most cases, tourists choose to holiday goa, but Sri Lanka's popularity has been on the rise in recent years. If the same large number of charter flights were offered to this island as to Goa, then, most likely, he would be able to overtake the famous resort area of India in popularity.Sri Lanka is more suitable for lovers of relaxation in all-inclusive hotels located right next to the beach. In addition, this island will appeal to lovers of history, culture and animals. Goa is more suitable for those tourists who do not like to spend a lot of time in a hotel, but prefer to relax on the beaches, walk, spend time in cafes and bars. This resort area, in my opinion, is better suited for families with children and young people.
The issue is quite controversial, because wherever you go, you will find yourself in an exotic resort and you need to be prepared for all the difficulties associated with this trip. Before you make a choice, go to your pediatrician and consult with him about the advisability of this trip. If you do decide to travel, there are several factors to consider.
If we talk about the cost of rest, then in Sri Lanka, rest is a little more expensive. Although Goa is a tourist Indian state, the population there cannot boast of large incomes, therefore the prices for holidays are lower. In terms of nutrition, too, not everything is clear. On the one hand, the choice of fruits in Sri Lanka is much larger. It will be problematic to find even an elementary watermelon in Goa, and if you find it, then its taste will not be the best. In Sri Lanka, fruits are sold almost everywhere, and their appearance almost always corresponds to the quality. At the same time, the main cuisine is better in India, where the choice of dishes is much larger and they are cooked tastier. Meat, various side dishes are deliciously prepared in Goa, and the cuisine of Sri Lanka is based on seafood, which will become boring by the end of the holiday and not all children will like such food. With fish in Goa it is much more difficult, there is much less of it and it costs at least twice as much. I understand that you are going on vacation with a child, but please note that in Goa alcohol is more than five times cheaper than in Sri Lanka.
When choosing, in any case, you will pay attention to the beaches, as this is one of the main components of the holiday. In Sri Lanka, the beaches are more picturesque and beautiful, but the width of the beach line is much inferior to the beaches of Goa, where the width of the beach strip is 50 meters or more. Despite the beauty of the beaches of Sri Lanka, it is better to go to Goa with a child, as there are no such strong waves and currents as in Sri Lanka. But if you are not going to swim, then it is better to go to Sri Lanka. The reason is that on weekends a huge number of local residents gather on the beaches of Goa, who come to rest from different parts of the country.
The population of Sri Lanka is more friendly and less intrusive, there are much fewer beggars, and in terms of cleanliness, these two places should not even be compared. Everyone is well aware of the problems with cleanliness in Goa. On the beaches of Goa, you can often meet locals who will beg you for money or offer various goods.
If you have plans to visit excursions, then you have a direct road to Sri Lanka, as there are much more opportunities for this. For children there are also a number of good entertainment.
Each resort has its pros and cons, but generally speaking, Sri Lanka is more suitable for relaxing with a child, as it is much safer, cleaner and more comfortable there. As for Goa, I would think three times.
When choosing a country for a vacation, you are torn between India and Sri Lanka, where it is better to go, where it is cheaper, food is tastier, etc. We will try to deal with the main issues that concern tourists when choosing a vacation spot. In fact, the purpose of the article: comparison beach holiday in selected countries. With regards to India, it is reasonable to make a reservation here that in comparison we will only talk about the resorts of GOA and Keralla - the two southern Indian states that are the most popular and in demand among tourists.
Sri Lanka and India on the map.
Airfare to Sri Lanka and India.
When wondering where it is cheaper to fly to Ceylon, the state of Goa, or the state of Kerala, it is safe to say that the tickets will practically be the same price. There is absolutely no difference, for example, in Goa, a ticket can be 20 dollars cheaper than in Sri Lanka, and even then not always. So, in the matter of the flight and the score India - Sri Lanka 0:0.
As for the question: how long will the flight take, not taking into account the time of connecting flights at transfer airports, then on average you will be on board, in the sky, from 9 to 11 hours, depending on the chosen one. The score remains tied as long as the two countries go hand in hand.
Comparison of house prices.
The search for housing, both in the resorts of India and on the beaches of Sri Lanka, is best done upon arrival. For budget tourists, we advise you to look for guest houses a little further from the ocean, say, on the second or third line. There you will always find apartments for 10-20 dollars, depending on the level of comfort. Sometimes, if you try hard, then for 5 c.u. you can stay, but this is not recommended, the conditions will be the most terrible.
As for 5-star hotels, then there is rather a plus for Sri Lanka. On the island, there are separate beaches, for example, where only good hotels are located, the entire infrastructure works for maintenance, the Sri Lankans try their best to do their job.
The price of alcohol.
Sri Lankan local alcohol is called cashew nut moonshine, the most popular strong drink. The price is around 6-7 dollars. Lion beer, very good quality, priced at $1.50. In India, the price of alcohol is 2 times cheaper. The famous Old Monk - 2.5-3 USD is a 60-proof coconut rum, and the local beer costs less than a dollar, tastes smooth and quite good.
Beaches of Sri Lanka and India.
In practice, it is very difficult to compare the beaches of these two countries, since in Goa it is the sea, and in Kerala and Sri Lanka it is the ocean. Here, who likes what more, and who goes to rest for what.
So, if you want to swim calmly, then India is your choice. There are no "bounty" beaches, you will not take beautiful photos. The beach here is wide, the coast is sandy, the color of the sand is golden. Coconut palms and tropical thickets grow far from the water's edge. The water in the sea is calm, without any predators, or sea urchins, or sharp corals, is always very warm, 27-29 degrees. But there are no azure lagoons, just as there are no picturesque landscapes.
Purity.
In terms of cleanliness, the palm can be safely given to Sri Lanka, there are trash cans and local people somehow try not to spoil at every turn. Here, too, there is the concept of organized export of waste products. India, on the other hand, is something, solid, unorganized garbage collectors, Indians throw candy wrappers and bottles right under their feet, no one cleans anything, it seems that it should somehow dissolve itself.
Transport.
There is no such thrill in India. To get from North Goa to South Goa, you need to make more than one transfer, spend a lot of time and nerves. It is easier to hire a taxi, gather a company of 4 people, which was cheaper, and move around by car. And to the sights, which in fact are few here, the path is not close, since they are located in the neighboring state of Karnataka, in the city of Hampi. You can get there by train, spending one light day of your rest, and you still need to have time to settle.
conclusions
For ease of comparison between the two countries, the main information is presented in tabular form.
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Sri Lanka |
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Airfare prices |
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5 star hotels |
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Wellness centers |
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Food prices |
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Seafood |
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The price of alcohol |
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Transport |
