From roughly November to February, Goa is at its busiest. The weather is dry, the shacks are open, and the roads around the popular beaches slow right down, especially in the evening and over Christmas and New Year week. None of that is a reason not to drive. It just means planning the day a little differently from a quiet monsoon trip.
In one line
Do beaches early, do sightseeing in the afternoon, stay off the Calangute and Baga roads around sunset, and park once instead of hunting for a spot outside every stop.
Where the Traffic Builds Up
The worst of it is in the North Goa beach belt. The roads into Calangute and Baga are narrow, lined with shops and shacks, and carry cars, scooters, buses and people walking all at once. Evenings are slowest, when everyone heads out for dinner and nightlife at the same time.
The approach roads to Anjuna and Vagator get busy too, more so on Wednesday when the Anjuna flea market is on. The Saturday night market at Arpora, the Friday market in Mapusa and the market area in Panjim all slow the roads around them. South Goa is calmer, but the roads near Colva and Palolem fill up on weekends.
Time Your Day Around It
- Beaches before 10 am. Parking is easier, the sand is cooler and the water sports queues are shorter.
- Inland sights after lunch. Old Goa, Ponda's temples and spice farms, and the Chandor houses are a good way to spend the hot, crowded middle of the day away from the coast.
- Get to your sunset spot early. If you want sunset at a fort or a beach, arrive an hour ahead and stay put for dinner nearby rather than driving across the beach belt at 7 pm.
- Mid week is easier than weekends for the popular spots, especially for South Goa beaches that fill up with day trippers.
Parking Without the Stress
Parking near popular beaches is scarce in season. A few habits help:
- Use proper parking areas, even if it means a five minute walk. Cars left on the edge of narrow lanes block buses and other drivers, and you may come back to find yours boxed in.
- Never leave bags, phones or documents visible inside the car. Lock it, every time.
- In Panjim, park once and walk the Fontainhas lanes and the riverside on foot. The one way streets make driving between stops slow.
- A smaller car is much easier to fit into tight spots near Calangute, Baga and Anjuna.
Which Car Works Best in Season
For a couple, a compact hatchback such as a Swift or i20 is the easiest car in season traffic and parking. If you are not used to clutch work in stop start traffic, an automatic makes a big difference; we have automatic Swift, Creta, Venue and Thar. Families with luggage will want a Creta, Venue or 7 seater, and should plan stops where parking is easier. A Thar is fun on the quieter roads of South Goa and the hills up to Chapora, but think twice before taking it into central Calangute on a December evening.
Night Driving Tips
- Many village roads are narrow and poorly lit. Drive slower than you would at home, and use main roads after dark where you can.
- Watch for scooters without lights, people walking on the road edge, and cattle or dogs resting on the tarmac.
- Map apps sometimes route you through tight village lanes. If a road looks like someone's driveway, it probably is; turn back to the main road.
- Drink driving is illegal. If the plan is a night out in Baga or Anjuna, leave the car at the hotel and take a cab back. Our taxi service can pick you up.
Before You Set Out Each Day
- Keep your driving licence and the car papers in the car, not at the hotel.
- Fill up before long days to South Goa or Dudhsagar. Petrol pumps can be far apart in the far south and inland.
- Save our help line, 70289 55080, in your phone. It is answered 24 x 7.
Planning the days themselves? See our guide to things to do in Goa with a self drive car.
