Goa: Still a Paradise or a Fading Dream??

Goa and fun go together, at least for Indians. It’s like an emotion, a vibe, a dream vacation that everyone either has had, plans to have or forever regrets not having. Ask any Indian, and there’s a high chance they’ll have a Goa story — either about the trip they took, the one they are planning, or the one that got cancelled at the last minute.

From the golden beaches to the buzzing nightlife, from the laid-back susegad lifestyle to the endless seafood feasts, Goa has been the go-to escape for decades. But lately, there’s been chatter — whispers in travel circles, rants on social media — about how Goa is losing its charm. Has the party ended?

This write-up is about my Goa story and my take on tourism. My first-ever Goa experience happened just recently, in December 2024, in my mid-30s. We went there to celebrate our son’s birthday, which falls just before New Year’s Eve — an expensive time to celebrate! But travelling on his birthday has become our little ritual, and this year, Goa was the destination of choice. After making all the bookings two months in advance, we immediately had second thoughts — thanks to the rising costs, anticipated crowds, and endless social media complaints about the place. Nonetheless, we decided to go with minimal expectations.

Our plan was simple: three nights in South Goa followed by three nights in North Goa, with a rough itinerary covering beaches, forts, museums, shopping, and churches.

South Goa — as millions have already said in different words — is a paradise worth retiring in, at least in my eyes. After just two days there, we were convinced that we wanted a small cottage of our own someday :). Our three days involved exploring historical ruins, museums and waterfalls, followed by evenings spent dining on the beach. I have been to multiple beach destinations, but Goa just hits differently. It’s like stepping into a parallel universe where everyone has left their worries at the shore, embracing nothing but happy vibes — no stress, no judgments, just pure, carefree joy.

Just when we had fully settled into the tranquillity of South Goa, it was time to head north. On the way, we stopped at Old Goa and had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, a revered Catholic saint and missionary.

North Goa — It truly felt like the polar opposite of South — an insane crowd, deafening music blasting from beach shacks, and beaches that…