A lot of people avoid traveling in the rain. I however believe that spending the monsoons in Goa is one of the most enriching experiences. Sure, you don’t have the parties and the beach. Well… Let me rephrase that. You still have the beach but the experience at the beach is different. Swimming isn’t advisable and the red flags are probably up but the fury of nature is something that needs to be experienced to truly understand it.
Are The Monsoons A Good Time To Visit Goa?
The beach isn’t the only place to enjoy the monsoons in Goa. As you wander through the villages, you will find that everything has turned bright green which is a treat for the eyes. If you do head down, the question of what to pack for the monsoons in Goa quickly arises.
I think understanding the fact that the weather is going to be different is part of the journey. Expect the clouds to burst open and the wind to shake the trees in fury. Water is everywhere but luckily it isn’t dirty water like in Bangalore.
When it isn’t raining, the sun beats down on the ground and it gets extremely hot and humid. Which brings up the conundrum: What’s better, the rain or the sun? All things said and done, the lack of tourists, the cooler weather and the chill vibe that Goa emits during the monsoons makes it my favorite time of year to be at home.
When Is The Monsoon Season In Goa?
The monsoon season in Goa is usually between June and September. The last few years however the start of the monsoons has swung widely. Some years we have had showers in early May while in some the rains have been delayed to mid/end June!
What To Pack For The Monsoons In Goa?
Now that you know what to expect weather wise, let’s start talking about what you should pack for the monsoons in Goa. The question you need to ask yourself is what kind of a vacation in Goa are you planning? Are you going to spend your days indoors in a luxury hotel or will you head out and enjoy the weather? Both the options are perfectly acceptable and trust me, sitting indoors with a hot cup of tea is something that we all love to do when the rains hit. Here are a couple of things that you should consider taking.
1. RAINWEAR: Umbrella versus Raincoat
It goes without saying that when you pack for the monsoons in Goa, you have to pack rainwear. The question however is what kind of rainwear should you pack? Well it depends. If you plan to rent a bike and head out then using a raincoat is a must. Don’t expect to remain dry with just a jacket. Make sure you have one that covers your legs too.
If you choose to use a car, then you probably want to carry an umbrella. I do have to warn you that when it bows, the umbrella may not protect you completely. I still remember the times we tried to combine a raincoat and an umbrella to keep ourselves dry. We looked extremely foolish but hey if it works, it works right?
2. USE THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR
Since we are talking about rainwear, I have to talk about footwear too. As I mentioned before, the rain comes pouring down frequently which makes the streets wet and full of puddles. Over time, you will find that a lot of places get slippery. The constant water is sure to spoil your other shoes while simultaneously making them wet and uncomfortable. Wear shoes that are meant for the rain and that do not trap water. Also ensure that they have a firm grip at the base.
I personally love crocs because of the grip that they have. If you don’t like the bulkier and clunkier versions, there are some really pretty alternatives that have recently been released.
3. DRY BAG
Carrying a dry bag when you probably won’t be heading to the beach much sounds counterintuitive right? I believe however that it is one of those things that you just have to pack for the monsoons in Goa. I assume you will be carrying your phone and camera around with you and the dry bag will give you peace of mind. You won’t believe how many people have had their mobiles conk out on them just because they got wet.
4. CLOTHES
Now that we have finished talking about how to keep dry, let’s talk about what kind of clothes you should pack for the monsoons in Goa. Quick dry clothes are definitely the best. Not just because they wash and dry well but because they drive up fast in case you do get wet. That means you won’t run out of clothes to wear and you won’t fall ill because you were trapped wearing wet clothes because you were out and couldn’t change. Definitely ditch the denim.
Another great tip is not to wear anything that reaches your ankles because it is bound to get wet. Three quarter trousers, skirts and shorts definitely are the way to go. Just be advised to dress decently if you expect to head into any of the religious monuments or at least carry a sarong to wrap around your waist.
5. MOSQUITO REPELLENT
Expect mosquitoes. They are everywhere especially at dusk and at night. While your restaurant and your hotel may attempt to help you get rid of the nasty little buggers, they will seek you out whenever they can. Carry a mosquito repellent that you are comfortable with and that does not cause any allergies. If you do forget to carry one, head to the local pharmacies where you can get one. Keeping the mosquitoes at bay is important not just because they are an annoyance but because of diseases like dengue and malaria which they are a vector for.
6. POWER BANK
You probably have a confused look on your face at the moment. Why would I include a power bank in my list of things to pack for the monsoons in Goa? The reason is power outages. Every year a couple of trees fall and take the power lines down with them. This means that the power can take a while to be restored. Keeping your power bank fully charged is a great way to ensure that you can keep your mobile going even when the power has gone.
7. CAMERA
Don’t leave your camera at home. You will definitely want to click photographs of the dramatic landscape accentuated by the thunderous clouds. This is where the dry bag will definitely come in useful. While the current trend is to carry a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, think about taking a GoPro with you. You can attach it to your rental bike and get some pretty amazing footage. A big bonus is that it can withstand the rain, so you don’t have to worry about it getting spoilt.
Are you looking forward to travelling in the monsoon or dreading it? What are you going to pack for the monsoons in Goa? Let us know what we have missed in the comments below.
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