• Traveling to India with a small child. India with children: what you need to know before traveling? Holidays in Goa with a small child

    29.06.2022

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    Which resort to choose for a holiday with a child

    By far the most popular destination beach holiday in India, the state of Goa. Fans of package tours usually choose the southern part of the state. There are hotels with swimming pools, animators and playgrounds, you can find a cafe with a children's menu, kindergartens and Russian nannies. Tourists with children should pay attention to the beaches of Varka, Utorda, Majorda, Betalbatim.

    North Goa is more of a party area. But there are also many tourists with children. For example, a company of Russian mothers with children gathers on Arambol beach every winter. Accordingly, there are also nannies, kindergartens and cafes with Russian cuisine. Mandrem is a quiet and calm beach, not overloaded with tourists. There is no night entertainment on it, but for families with children - that's it. Morjim is the most Russian beach in Goa. Our compatriots began to settle in it twenty years ago, and today there are many Russian cafes and restaurants, there is even a Russian kindergarten. The sea near this beach is shallow, it will take a long time to walk to the depth. But with children, this is even a plus. Where the Chapora River flows into the sea, there are strong waves and dangerous undercurrents, but in the central and northern parts of the beach, the water is usually calm. The southern side of the beach is a protected area inhabited by red-listed olive turtles.

    #IMPORTANT

    During a beach holiday, reverse currents pose a danger, which can drag a child or adult away from the shore. To avoid trouble, you need to swim in trusted places and carefully monitor the children. You should not especially count on Indian rescuers. It is possible that they cannot swim.

    Another place for family vacation, the state of Kerala. It has clean sandy beaches and calm seas. In the resort of Kovalam you can find playgrounds and kindergartens. The cuisine of Kerala is milder compared to the rest of India.

    What to visit with a child in Goa

    water parks

    If the whole ocean is not enough for a child, he will surely like water slides and other attractions in water parks. There are three of them in Goa. The largest of them - Froggyland - was opened in 2015. It has many children's and several adult slides, a wave pool, a "lazy river", zorbing and other entertainment. Splashdown Park has five pools, many speed slides and a children's area. The most modest water park is Blue Whale. It has one pool and only six slides: one spiral and five straight.

    Where to go with a child in Goa

    reserves

    But the most interesting thing in India is, of course, the rich flora and fauna. So it is necessary to include visits to nature reserves in the trip plan. There are four of them in the state of Goa alone.

    In addition, there are sea snakes in the water, which can be encountered if you swim far enough. Sometimes they can be seen on the beach: fishermen pull them out along with their catch and throw them out as unnecessary. You can’t touch them, in some species even the scales are poisonous. But according to Parmendar Singh, cases of snakebite in Goa are extremely rare and are usually associated with the fact that tourists were specifically looking for reptiles and somehow provoked them.

    Dangerous animals can be found not only on land, but also in water. After storms in Goa, an invasion of jellyfish may occur. Now there is just such a situation, stung children and adults turn to doctors. Dr. Parmendar Singh told what to do in such a case:

    It is necessary to anoint the bite with lemon juice or vinegar, apply something cold, immediately drink Suprastin and painkillers. Then you need to see a doctor. In general, this is not dangerous, but in rare cases there are complications.

    #IMPORTANT

    To avoid an unpleasant acquaintance with stinging jellyfish, after storms it is worth swimming in clothes: leggings and long-sleeved shirts. By the way, the Indians themselves, if they enter the water, then only in this form.

    A bite from any of these animals is an insured event.

    Animal bite assistance is included in the basic package of options for standard insurance of any company presented on the site.

    Attention attention!

    One of the features of Indian holidays is increased attention to tourists, especially to small ones. Locals often take pictures with visitors, children are treated, they can hug, kiss, pick up or pat on the cheek. On the one hand, all this is done very kindly. On the other hand, a small person may be completely unimpressed with such close and sometimes intrusive contact from strangers.

    All children are different. Some people rejoice at the increased attention, others quickly figure out how to monetize it, taking pictures only for a tasty reward. And for others, the constant invasion of personal space will become a real stress. Some travelers say that their children in India did not even want to leave the house so that they would not be touched once again. In such a situation, parents will have to very strictly protect the personal space of the child.

    Why is it necessary?

    Traveling with a child is always parental anxieties and worries. But on the other side of the scale are vivid impressions and memories that the baby will keep for life.

    There are many things to do in Goa with children. photo Anatoly Nechaev

    Goa is not a place for families with children. Many parents think so and thus deprive their daughters and sons of cool holidays, new spectacles and adventures. How safe is a holiday in Goa with children, what to do here and what entertainment awaits children and adults, we will find out right now.

    North Goa with children is better than south Goa.

    For a family holiday, the south of the state is considered the best place (read about South Goa with children). It is warm, clean and the locals do not interfere. But there is more entertainment in the north. North Goa is constantly celebrating something and having a festival, which is exactly what children like. So, if the choice arose where it is better to relax in Goa with children, definitely head for the northern beaches.

    In order not to spend the whole vacation hugging an umbrella, you need to go to Goa from November to April. during these months it is sunny, hot and without rain, the sea is calm, the water is warm.

    Where to go in 2019-2020 and what is the best beach for children in Goa? Getting to know tourist places.

    Ashvem is a quiet little village with a deserted clean beach - ideal for building castles, cakes and various sand figures. There are no attractions and other activities here, neither are athletes, which means there is no risk that a surfer who has not coped with the wave will run into a child. The bottom of the sea is clean sandy, without holes, stones and corals.

    Suitable for families with small children, who, for happiness, have enough to flounder in the water with the same booties, which, by the way, are full here.

    Another thing is the noisy party Arambol. Children five, six, seven, eight years old and older will like it here. There are many shops, there is a market, which is convenient if you cook yourself. There is also a pharmacy, so you do not have to travel far for medicines. And they will certainly come in handy - even if you have done all the vaccinations and made friends with the local cuisine, no one canceled a short acclimatization.

    The beach in Arambol is sandy, with a flat bottom. There are no sharp cliffs and drops in the sea, the depth begins far from the coast. Some performances, dances, ceremonies, rituals of seeing off the sun are constantly held on the beach. Everyone dances, sings, masters exotic instruments and merges in holiday ecstasy. Children are also happy to participate in all this madness, leading round dances around fires and dancing chunga-changa.

    Immediately after Arambol, Mandrem begins, but it is much calmer here. Nearby there are many shops and sheks with fruits, juices, ice cream, pizza, soups. So in local cafes it is quite possible to eat with children. There are few people on the beach, the sand is clean, the sea is shallow - the very thing is to swim and play on the shore for days on end. You can learn yoga and introduce the younger generation to it, which is what many mothers do, judging by the photos below.

    The best beaches in Goa consistently include Morjim. He was chosen by parents with nurseries and preschool children. During low tides, deep puddles form in the sand, where the baby can splash and take "mud" baths. The village has a play area with inflatable slides, trampolines and animators, master classes and creative classes are often held, so five-year-olds and older will also find something to do.

    Entertainment for children: excursions, trips, kindergartens, holidays.

    The main entertainment in Goa for children and youth is, of course, the beaches. But what to do with a fidget who is tired of sand with molds and sea baths? The best way out is short excursions for children, for example, a boat trip. Kindergarteners will love the zoo or the Pond Butterfly Park.

    What will definitely delight both preschoolers and teenagers - catching crabs. But here, who cares. Often hunters return with a catch, not all young crab anglers can patiently wait for prey, but those who are dexterous and attentive will definitely leave with prey.

    An interesting excursion to Goa with a child of 7 years and older will be a trip to the waterfalls or a safari through the rainforest. And if the little tracker craves adventure in the spirit of Indiana Jones - welcome to " Call of the Jungle". This is a hike through the forest, swimming in the lake at the foot of the waterfall, visiting an ancient Hindu temple and plantations with spices. And during the break, you can ride a swing made of real vines, which was done by one of the participants - the heroine of our next photo.


    It’s easier with teenagers, you can go on sightseeing tours with them and see the coolest places« Goa in one day» . These are Hindu shrines, reserves, mountains, temples and monuments. And also jeeps, elephant rides, monkey feeding and much more.

    For example, the Tiger Trail tour. There is nothing to do with small children on it, for them such entertainment will be torture - 2 days in the cities and towns of Goa, in the heat, without rest and games. But for the rest, the tour will be a real adventure. The program includes ancient city Mundeshwar, old Hare Krishna temple, elephant orphanage, Shivamoga nature reserve, zoo and waterfalls.

    Most of the entertainment is designed for schoolchildren and teenagers, and these are perhaps the only disadvantages of relaxing here. And what to do in Goa with young children? For example, go to the Holi festival in March. This is when crowds of children and adults rush through the streets and sprinkle each other with paint.

    How tourists like it can be judged from the photo below. Here we see two small participants in this action, smeared with multi-colored paints. And no less grimy dad, who seems to have participated in the fun more actively than the kids and looks no less pleased.

    Goa with a child: reviews of tourists.

    "We rested in January of this year. Both the children and we are simply delighted. Stunning bungalows, a minute to the beach! The child splashed in the sea all day long, you can't pull it off the water))). Don't be afraid to go, it's really great here! They say ", the main danger is food. But who's stopping you from taking your usual pizza and not buying local dishes? And there will be no health problems."

    "There were 2 times, both with two small children. I liked everything, especially nature - palm trees, flowers, greenery everywhere. We drove purely to the sea and the beach, dined on the beach in shacks, dined in restaurants in the village. The children really liked the ice cream, except they ate only fruits, sometimes they took cakes, noodle soup, but in the heat I don’t really want to eat. And there were no problems with the stomach and getting used to the climate, although we took out insurance for every firefighter)."

    “We decided to go to North Goa with the children after reading the reviews, and never regretted it. The youngest kinder was 6 years old at the time of the rest, but we saw with our own eyes on the beaches very little ones who had just learned to walk. The beaches are clean, the sand is also small in it with pleasure swarms and plays. The water is warm, housing is inexpensive, you can relax at least all winter. "

    "We were in the north of Goa last year, went with my son - a 10-year-old blockhead. Not only managed to swim and get a tan, but also hit the road on several excursions - to an elephant nursery and to waterfalls. We were surprised when we saw very young children on the beach. Although, as we heard, they even give birth here, and nature and climate itself ordered to relax with children.So, dear mothers, Goa - good resort for children of any age, verified by real experience."

    Goa: tours with children and for the whole family.

    Fun to relax in Goa with a child 5-8 years old - fantastic? Nothing like this! Especially if you know where to go, how to have fun and what to save on. When traveling with children, the easiest way is to buy a package tour. An independent vacation will cost less, but for the first time, an all-inclusive package is more suitable. And you can save money by simply buying tours online.

    Goa is a vacation without borders, even with small children. Many hotels provide babysitting, and popular resorts have kindergartens with Russian staff and playgrounds with animators. While the child frolics with peers, you can go on an excursion or relax in the bar.

    Here you can relax for months on end, which, by the way, is what many lucky people do: it is quite possible to radically change your lifestyle, find a job and stay here for a long time. And it all starts with the usual purchase of the tour.

    Especially for India-Goa.Today
    photo: Marina Belikova Alexandra Bozhko

    Goa is a great place for a family vacation: the warm waters of the Arabian Sea, picturesque sandy beaches, gentle sun are ideal conditions for a vacation with kids. The main thing is to choose a suitable resort with a developed infrastructure, a safe coastline, a calm atmosphere and an adequate audience.

    For example, the cities of North Goa are clearly not the best option: endless parties and ubiquitous crowds of strange characters are unlikely to allow you to relax, and it’s a bit tight here with comfortable housing. But in the south it is quite possible to find a cozy place where it will be good for both parents and children.

    The trip should be planned for the period from October to March: there is no rain, the sea is serene, warm during the day, but not hot, fresh at night, but not cold. In April and May it is too stuffy and humid, and from June to September the weather is cool.

    Goa for the little ones

    Toddlers do not have to mess around in the sand and splash in the sea for days on end: excursions to nature reserves and fun in water parks will give vivid impressions and diversify their leisure time.

    Beaches

    One of the best beaches in the state for children is Om: the coast is clean, the bottom is safe, the depth grows smoothly, the water is almost always warm and calm. In Majorda and Mandrem, the entrance to the sea is also gentle, the coast is covered with yellowish-white sand and framed by emerald palm groves. It does not hurt to look at Putnam - calm, not crowded, with a wide coastal strip and well-established infrastructure.

    Vainiginim Beach is small but very beautiful: the sand is golden yellow and the water is dazzling turquoise. It is always quiet in the bay, but it is better to look after the kids: the farther from the shore, the stronger the current.

    Families with children have a good time on Bogmalo beach with amenities, sunbeds and umbrellas. It is relatively clean here, there are cafes and restaurants, the only caveat is that waves often run ashore, so you should swim with caution. And if you get bored of lying on the sand, you can rent a boat and go to the sea to admire the dolphins.

    Wealthy tourists prefer the elite Cavelossim: on the wide sandy beaches, graceful silence reigns so rare for Goa.

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    reserves

    Perhaps the best idea for an excursion with a child is to get to know wildlife: kids are delighted with outdoor walks and encounters with outlandish animals. Fortunately, in Goa there are enough reserves with pristine landscapes and diverse flora and fauna. The largest is "Bhagwan Mahavir": 240 sq. km of lush vegetation at the foot of the Western Ghats, 53 km from Panaji. Sika deer, giant squirrels, marsh lynx, macaques, porcupines, elephants and bears live here, as well as all kinds of birds, reptiles and insects.

    Leopards and panthers are also found in the open spaces of Bhagwan Mahavir, but meeting them is a rare success.

    If the baby is not yet ready for such long walks, you can take him to the Bandla nature reserve with an area of ​​​​8 square meters. km. For little guests, there is complete expanse: they are ride on a mini-engine, entertained in the game room, introduced to peacocks and squirrels, and even put on their backs with friendly elephants. Predators also live in the reserve, but only in fenced areas - safety is paramount.

    Pond has a Butterfly Park with endemic plants and picturesque streams.

    Kotigao, 12 km from Palolem, is home to colorful tropical birds and bizarre insects, and here you can also feed curious monkeys with bananas. In "Salim Ali" on the island of Chorao, there are also many birds: kingfishers, storks, herons and ducks, adjacent to otters and crocodiles. And Bengal tigers live in Mkhadey Wildlife near Valpoy - it's a pity that they are rarely shown to visitors.

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    water parks

    Waterpark Splashdown Goa (off. site in English) on the outskirts of Anjuna - a whole complex of pools, water slides and other attractions for visitors of all ages. Extremal people will be bored, kids - just right: no dizzying heights and crazy turns, but absolutely safe.

    After the rides, you can dance at the water disco, relax on a sun lounger or have a bite to eat in a cafe.

    Blue Whale Water Park between Baga and Arpora is much more compact: there is a single pool with one large slide and 4 small ones. For the youngest visitors there is a separate recreation area and the Finding Nemo trampoline castle, for adults there is a cocktail bar and a cafe, which become venues for noisy parties at dusk.

    The largest amusement park in Goa is Froggyland (official site in English), opened in 2015 in Nuveme. More than 10 slides of different difficulty levels, a wave pool, a hall for dancing under the "rain", a "lazy river" that goes around the entire territory - there will obviously be a lot of splashes. On land, you can go rock climbing, ride a zipline, ride a mechanical bull or jump on trampolines.

    Goa for older kids

    The history of Goa may well captivate older children, especially if it is told in the right scenery: in the middle of powerful fortress walls, where it is so easy to feel like a brave conqueror or a dashing pirate. We recommend continuing the fascinating hunt for knowledge in a few, but very unusual museums.

    medieval forts

    The most famous fortress in Goa is Aguada on the outskirts of Candolim Beach. Built in the 17th century to protect the Old City and store fresh water, today it has become a museum, open next to the current prison.

    Fort Korjum in the vicinity of Aldona was built by the Portuguese a century later, and it has been preserved quite well: the loopholes, the coat of arms over the main entrance and the Catholic altar still keep the secrets of the past. Fort Chapora near Vagator Beach was much less fortunate: only ruins remind of its former grandeur, but the view of the ocean is amazing.

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    Museums

    Curious boys should definitely be taken to the Museum of Naval Aviation (off site in English), located near Bogmalo Beach. Airplanes, helicopters, fighters, amphibians, torpedoes, air bombs, uniforms of Indian pilots - dozens of interesting exhibits are exhibited in the open air and in a small building, many of which come from the USSR.

    In Old Goa, not far from the Basilica of Bon Jesus, the Wax World Museum has been opened (official site in English). There are more than 20 wax "twins" of simple Hindus, ancient deities and famous personalities: Mahatma Gandhi, Sai Baba, Francis Xavier. The most impressive work of the master Shrija Bhashkaran is the 7-meter composition "The Last Supper".

    Goa Chitra (off. site in English) is a carefully recreated Goan village with traditional houses and unique artifacts: from dishes to agricultural tools that have served the indigenous people for centuries. A nice addition to the tour are costumed shows and folk music concerts. You can also learn more about the life of the natives in the Big Foot ethnographic museum with realistic sculptures staging the everyday life of the Goans.

    Lilia Sokotun with her husband and children (11 months and 3 years old) travels along the Pamir Highway and goes to the tracks around Annapurna. We asked Lilia to talk about holidays in India with children and the main questions that arise before the trip. We recommend to subscribe to Lilia's Instagram - @bring_baby_abroad.

    India is a very interesting and contrasting country, which causes an ambiguous reaction among people. India attracts some like a magnet, while others would not agree to go there even for money.

    When we told friends and parents that we were going to India with our two children (oldest - three years old, youngest - 11 months), many were frankly surprised, because there are many prejudices and fears about this amazing country. Many of them are true, and many are fiction.

    We spent two months in India, of which we spent a little more than a week in Goa, and I can say with full confidence that it is possible to travel around India with children!

    In this article, I will talk about our trip: what to expect and what to mentally and physically prepare for your trip to be a success.

    What vaccinations should you take before traveling to India?

    Before going to India, we went to the vaccination center in our city, and this is what the doctors recommended we get vaccinated against:

    • Typhoid.
    • Cholera.
    • Hepatitis A.
    • Diphtheria (have already been vaccinated).
    • Tetanus (have already been vaccinated).
    • Japanese encephalitis (refused).

    Malaria. We decided not to do prophylaxis, since this is a big stress for the body and the medication works only in 50% of cases. But we got a prescription for pills to take in case of malaria if we can't get to the hospital right away.

    Unsanitary conditions - reality or fears?

    Perhaps one of the most striking associations with India is terrible unsanitary conditions. I have not yet met a person who has not heard about this problem, and many even refuse to travel around the country because of this.

    My subjective opinion is this: there is unsanitary conditions in India, but everything is not as bad as I pictured in my imagination.

    In two months of active travel, we have never been poisoned by food. I would like to note, however, that we are very careful in this plan.

    Thar Desert

    Here are our rules, which we always follow and which have not failed us yet:

      Drink only purchased bottled water. Even if restaurants bring a glass or a bucket of water - do not drink! Keep in mind that water bottles can be counterfeited, so be careful that the bottle is new and the cap has not been opened before you.

      No drinks with ice. Actually, never and nowhere.

      Avoid freshly squeezed juices on the street. If you look at the hands that cut fruit, you will feel like it anyway. But I advise you to avoid freshly squeezed juices on the street for another reason: the juicer and the fruits themselves are washed with unknown water. Don't take risks.

      Avoid carts of chopped fruit.

      Store-bought fruits should always be washed and dried before consumption.

      Avoid meat dishes in cities where meat is a delicacy. I usually conclude this: if it's hard to find a restaurant that has meat dishes, then you shouldn't mess with it at all.

      If the dish tastes strange - feel free to return it to the waiter.

      Remember: a very expensive restaurant does not mean a good one. Eat where there are people, and it is better if these people are local.

      Regarding street food: the main rule is that they cook in front of you. Never buy anything that is already cooked.

      Well, of course, wash your hands before eating or use wet wipes and an antiseptic.

    Nevertheless, despite all the warnings, different things can happen, so it’s best to always have medicines for indigestion or poisoning with you.

    Availability of children's goods

    Much to my surprise, in India, things are bad with baby supplies.

    Diapers. You can buy in any store. Pack of two! But the choice is very small. And yes, these are panty diapers, you still need to get used to them.

    Mixture. If the child is not breastfed, I would advise you to bring all your own or postpone the trip to India altogether. Firstly, you will not find it in every store, and secondly, there is no good choice. The most common brand I have seen is Nutrilon.

    Cereal porridge. It is very difficult to find, and even those that are on the shelves are not of very good quality - not porridge, but solid sugar.

    Puree in jars. Missing.

    Wet wipes, creams, bottles. It's all there, but not in every store.

    The difficulty is that in India a supermarket is a rarity. Everything is sold on small stalls, where everything is piled up and it is not always possible to see all the goods. Behind the counter is the seller, and you have to ask him everything.

    Leisure with children in India

    Playgrounds, amusement parks, theaters are simply not to be found here. We haven't even seen the playground in two months. In fact, the very trip to India is entertainment for both children and adults.

    Children in India, or How to cope with increased attention

    Families traveling with children in India are a rarity. So get ready for increased attention to both your children and yourself.

    Indians are very fond of children, and this has its advantages. To be honest, all parents like it when your child is treated kindly. In addition, you don’t have to blush if your baby starts crying on the bus or in a restaurant - no one will look in your direction and make a remark.

    On the other hand, increased attention is very tiring. In addition, in India the concept of personal space is different from ours, and for an Indian to come up on the street, pat on the cheek, pick up someone else's child and kiss him - in the order of things. But not all kids like it. Our eldest, and she is three years old, does not like such liberties at all. Therefore, so that the child does not get upset, we always have to be on the alert. Plus, Indians generously share cookies, sweets and other sweets with children, so if you are strict with this, keep an eye on the children.

    In a word, if you are traveling in India with children, be prepared for unpredictable goodwill from the local population. It will be a plus or a minus - you decide.

    Housing in India with children

    Children under six years old stay free of charge, and in some hotels - up to 12! But still, in order not to get into an unpleasant situation, before booking, always pay attention to the policy of hotels regarding children.

    Indian cuisine and children

    Indian food is spicy, and even if you ask for it to be mild, chances are good that it will still be spicy. For the kids, it was a real challenge. We got out of the situation as follows: for breakfast - porridge with milk; for lunch - omelettes with vegetables; for dinner - noodles with vegetables or dishes with paneer, if they were not spicy. As well as a lot of fruit, yogurt and milk.

    In tourist places, restaurants prepare European dishes, so you can find dishes that are not spicy and familiar to a child.

    Paloleme beach

    Beach holidays with children in Goa

    A beach holiday with children in Goa deserves a separate description, since Goa is a completely different India, more comfortable and closer to Western standards.

    The state of Goa is relatively small, and if you wish, you can go around it from north to south, stopping at different beaches, in a week.

    Goa is conditionally divided into north and south, where the south is more calm, and the north is more hippy and cheerful.

    Famous beaches in the north: Arambol, Vagator, Mandrem, Anjuna, and in the south - Palolem, Agonda, Cola, Varca. In general, there are a lot of beaches, and from the photo they are all insanely beautiful. The beaches that I indicated were selected by me in the process of planning our holiday. This is what I liked the most and between what we chose.

    We agreed on Palolem, as the beach is unusually beautiful, suitable for families with children (the absence of strong waves and a gentle entrance to the sea), great amount bungalows on the beach overlooking the ocean and hotels for every taste and color, many restaurants and cafes, as well as a large selection of all kinds of yoga, master classes, massages and so on.

    Food in Goa

    There are no problems with food in Goa. If Indian cuisine is not to your liking, there are plenty of non-spicy European dishes in restaurants. In the evenings, restaurants serve fresh fish and seafood. You yourself choose any fish you like, and it is immediately, in front of you, fried on the grill.

    Goa is a real fruit paradise: apples, tangerines, oranges, bananas, watermelons, melons, pineapples, papaya, coconuts. Depending on the season, some more and some less. All fruits are fresh, juicy and tasty.

    If you are a dairy lover, this is no problem either. In almost any store you will find milk and yogurt (without additives), which is a relative rarity in Asia.

    Separately, I want to note that the menu is dubbed into Russian and many employees of restaurants and hotels speak basic Russian. I don't even know whether to be happy or cry.

    The average check for lunch for two + a child is 600 rupees (525 rubles, $10).
    One dish on average - 150-250 rupees, plus juice, coffee, bread - 140-233 rubles, 2.3-4 dollars).
    BBQ fish - 700–1,200 rupees (650–1,115 rubles, $11–18).

    For parents:
    Beer in a restaurant on the beach - 120 rupees (1.8 dollars, 120 rubles), in a store - 70 rupees (65 rubles, 1.1 dollars).
    Cocktails - 220-340 rupees (204-315 rubles, 3.4-5.2 dollars). In the evening Happy Hour in all restaurants - two cocktails for the price of one.

    Indian food is slightly cheaper, and if the restaurant is not on the beach, then the price tag is 20-30% lower.

    Accommodation in Goa

    Housing in Goa is diverse, as are prices. On the big beaches like Arambol, Agonda or Palolem, there is a lot of competition, and therefore quite acceptable options can be found.

    Simple bungalows with sea views - from $ 23 (1,350 rubles).
    A simple bungalow without a sea view - from $12 (715 rubles).
    An average room in the middle of the village - from $ 20 (1,165 rubles).

    Well, of course, there are more expensive hotels, where the price per day can be $ 100 or more.

    Keep in mind that prices increase seasonally (which is new year holidays and Christmas) and only from mid-January begin to gradually fall.

    Family holidays in Goa

    In general, Goa is ideal for a family holiday: warm clear sea, beautiful beaches, fresh fruits and vegetables, well-established infrastructure, affordable prices.

    Goa has a thriving Russian-speaking community. Many come for the winter or live permanently. There are groups on Facebook where you can meet other families or get up-to-date information on any issue.

    So, if you are still tormented by doubts whether it is worth going to Goa, make up your mind! This is a great place for a family beach holiday.

    Pros and cons of traveling with kids in India

    Pros:

    • Different climatic zones: from subequatorial and tropical in the south to temperate and alpine in the north. You can always go to that part of India where you feel most comfortable.
    • Fresh fragrant fruits and vegetables all year round.
    • Friendly attitude towards children.
    • For children under six years old, hotels, transport and visits to the main attractions are free. This significantly saves the budget.
    • The emotions and experience gained in India will leave a lasting impression on your child. And not only on him.

    Minuses:

    • Unsanitary conditions are a real thing, and one must always be careful.
    • Indian cuisine is quite spicy, and not all children like it.
    • Increased attention to children can be very tiring.
    • If you want to see India, get ready to spend many hours in transport. For some parents, this can be a challenge.
    • With a stroller in India, you can only go to Goa. In other parts of India, the stroller and the road are mutually exclusive, so if the children are small, bring ergo backpacks with you.

    One of the most important steps in planning a trip to Goa with a child is the choice of area of ​​residence. There are several beaches in Goa that are great for relaxing with young children. The main thing when choosing a vacation spot in Goa with a child is to make sure that it will be a calm area with a clean and safe beach and developed infrastructure.

    The best beaches for families with children in South Goa

    Most of Goa's family-friendly resorts are located in the southern part of the state. Hotels here are oriented just for European families with children and often have children's pools, playgrounds, a children's menu in a restaurant on their territory, and can offer a wide range of services, including babysitting services.

    Palolem beach. This sandy beach is located in a small quiet bay, protected from waves and winds, and has a gradual increase in depth, which creates comfortable conditions for families with small children.

    Cavelossim beach. This sandy beach is very popular with wealthy tourists who come to relax with children. Cavelossim is quiet city with developed infrastructure and lack of active nightlife.

    Benaulim beach. It has a gradual set of depth and a calm atmosphere.

    The best hotels in South Goa for families with children

    Northern beaches of Goa for families with children

    North Goa also has good beaches, but they are more suitable for tourists who are planning "an independent vacation in Goa with savage children." There are much fewer good hotels with a developed infrastructure than in the southern part of the state, and the infrastructure outside the hotel is focused mainly on budget vacations for young people.

    Morjim. This beach has a convenient entry into the water and is very popular with tourists from Russia who come to relax with children. The locals nicknamed this beach "Moscow B each". The beach has a developed infrastructure with many small inexpensive hotels, villas and restaurants of Russian cuisine.

    Mandrem. The beach has a developed infrastructure with bars, restaurants, yoga centers and good choice housing. The beach has natural seawater pools that children love to play in. The sand on the beach has a natural grayish tint.

    Candolim. The resort has a developed infrastructure and a calm atmosphere, more typical for southern Goa. This is one of the best places for a family vacation in the upstate.

    The best North Goa hotels for families with children

    How to feed a child in Goa

    It all depends on where you plan to live and how old your child is. If you choose a good hotel in South Goa for a holiday with a child, then there will most likely be a restaurant with European cuisine on its territory. If you choose a hotel in North Goa or plan to live in a rented house or villa, then it is better to cook your own food or look for a nearby restaurant with European cuisine, there are not so few such restaurants in the tourist areas of the state, there are even restaurants with Russian cuisine. Separately, it is worth recalling the huge selection of exotic fruits and freshly squeezed juices. Of course, children really like them, but you need to give them to your child a little at first, as new fruits can cause allergies in a child.

    How to entertain a child in Goa

    There are many interesting discoveries waiting for children in Goa. Children will be able to feed the monkeys, see the elephant show, visit the Bondla and Kotigao reserves, which are home to many species of exotic animals and birds, visit the botanical garden, and admire the beauty of the waterfalls and beaches of Goa. There is a water park in the northern part of the state. With school-age children, you can visit the Museum of Naval Aviation and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi.

    When is the best time to visit Goa with kids?

    One of the advantages of a holiday in Goa compared to many other resorts is the predictable climate. If you come during the high season, you can be sure that dry and sunny weather with warm sea awaits you.

    What to bring for a child in Goa

    diapers
    medicines
    children food
    good sunscreen with high protection and water resistant
    children's things and favorite toys

    If the child is small, then it does not hurt to take a cane stroller on a trip, it is compact and perfect for traveling.

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