Best Time to Visit Goa

Geographical location

Goa is located in the southwest of India and, with an area of 2300 square miles and a population of around 1.5 million, is India’s smallest federal state. The population density is about twice as high as in Germany, with an average of 394 people living on an area of one square kilometre.

The capital of Goa is Panaji, also called Nova Goa by the Portuguese. For about 450 years Goa was a Portuguese colony, and even today the influences in architecture and culture cannot be denied. Especially the church”Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception” is an impressive testimony of colonial history, many locals in the region around Goa are Catholics.

Goa has large forests, which cover about 40 percent of the total area and are predominant, especially in the highlands. In the lowlands on the coasts, the vegetation had to give way to heavy settlement, yet the region is considered comparatively natural and is still a retreat for many rare animal species.

Besides more than 400 different bird species, various mammals are also native to the west coast of India. In the forests around Goa live several species of cats (for example Zibet) and various species of monkeys (especially Langurs). Sambar deer, sloth bears and porcupines can also be observed in denser forest areas of the region with a little luck.

Goa is one of the most important tourist destinations in India, tourism developed especially at the end of the 1960s through a distinct hippie movement. The term “Goa-Party” is still a catchphrase, but a completely normal seaside tourism has developed along the coast for a long time, high class hotels and resorts are available today for a relaxing beach holiday.

Climate in Goa

The Indian Goa has a tropical climate that is dominated by the monsoon. The rainy season in the region is from June to September. During this period, over 98.43 in of rain falls, and in July alone, up to 36.3 in of rain fall within just 31 days. In the mountain regions, precipitation can even triple during the rainy season.

During this time, temperatures range between 28 °C to 32 °C. At the end of September the rainy season usually ends slowly, the weather becomes drier and more pleasant. Another decisive factor is the considerable drop in air humidity, which then settles at around 60% at an elevated but tolerable level. However, the first half of October remains changeable for most years.

From the end of October to April follows the dry season in Goa. Temperatures rise up to 34 °C. As a rule, no precipitation occurs during this period. The hottest month is May with average daily temperatures between 33 °C to 35 °C in the shade. Towards the middle of the month, the sharp rise in humidity announces the change to monsoon season (from June).