Goa in Monsoon 2025

Date: September 7, 2025 | Reading Time: 12 min | Author: Vishesh Tripathi

This was a bleisure trip for me - business first, but I was determined to squeeze in some exploration of North Goa whenever possible. The combination of work and leisure worked out perfectly, and I discovered that Goa in monsoon season is truly special.

Day 1 - August 25th, 2025: The Journey Begins

Caught the morning flight from Delhi to Goa, landing by 11:00 AM! Quick travel tip for fellow Terminal 1 users: while everyone queues up for the first-floor lounge, check out the Encalm Lounge on the ground floor of IGI Terminal 1D. It's way more spacious and peaceful, though they only serve snacks. Still totally worth it for the quiet atmosphere.

Flight view to Goa Goa Airport View

The journey begins - flight view and arriving at Goa airport

The moment I stepped out of the Goa airport, the difference was incredible. The air felt so fresh and clean compared to Delhi's pollution. The coastal breeze immediately puts you in vacation mode, even when you're here for work.

This was a bleisure trip for me - business first, but I was determined to squeeze in some exploration of North Goa whenever possible. Had some crucial meetings right after landing, but thankfully they went well.

For lunch, I discovered Ankita Restaurant and their authentic Goa thali. Man, what a meal! The flavors were so rich and different from what you get in Delhi. It's these little local gems that make traveling worthwhile.

Authentic Goa Thali at Ankita Restaurant

The incredible authentic Goa thali at Ankita Restaurant - rich flavors you can't get in Delhi

Checked into Casa de Katson in North Goa - a decent hotel, nothing fancy but comfortable enough. The best part? Baga Beach is just 6 km away. Spent the evening catching up on work, had a good dinner at the hotel, and called it a night. Tomorrow will be my first real day of exploration.

Goa Morning View Day 1

The peaceful morning view from my room - the greenery and cool breeze I miss everyday

Day 2 - August 26th, 2025: Beach Vibes and Monsoon Magic

Woke up to the sound of light showers - there's something so peaceful about monsoon mornings in Goa. The view from my balcony was really good. I miss it everyday now, the greenery all around, and the cool breeze. After a hearty breakfast, I rented a scooty for 400 rupees per day. Best decision ever! Nothing beats the freedom of exploring Goa on two wheels.

The ride to Baga Beach took about 25 minutes, though being solo meant frequent Google Maps checks. The roads were a bit slippery from the rain, but the scenic route made up for it.

Scenic view on way to Baga Beach

The beautiful scenic route to Baga Beach - worth every slippery moment

Baga Beach was almost empty - maybe 20 people max. In monsoon season, you get the beaches almost to yourself, which is magical. I found a quiet spot and just sat there for about 20 minutes, watching the waves. That feeling when the water rushes up to touch your feet and then retreats - it's pure therapy. The sound of waves mixed with the overcast sky created this perfect moody atmosphere.

Baga Beach Day 2 Baga Beach Empty in Monsoon

Baga Beach in monsoon - almost empty and absolutely magical

After soaking in the beach vibes for an hour, I headed to Purple Martini near Anjuna Beach. What an incredible find! This cafe is literally perched above the sea, offering stunning views with every sip. The food was fantastic, drinks were spot-on, and the ambiance was unbeatable. You can sit there for hours just watching the waves crash below.

Purple Martini Cafe View Purple Martini Cafe Interior

Purple Martini - literally perched above the sea with unbeatable ambiance

On the way, I discovered a road that reminded me of the iconic cycling scene from Dear Zindagi, where Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan were cycling. The place itself has this healing quality that reminds you of different aspects of life - the simple joy of movement, the beauty of the journey, and how sometimes the most profound moments come from the simplest experiences. There's something magical about those Goan roads that makes you reflect on life's deeper meanings.

Dear Zindagi Road in Goa

The healing road that reminded me of Dear Zindagi - where life's simple moments become profound

Explored some nearby viewpoints, but the monsoon clouds had other plans. The rain started getting heavier, so I rushed back to the hotel. Spent the evening working and had another good dinner. Day two was exactly what I needed - the perfect mix of work and relaxation.

Day 3 - August 27th, 2025: Business and Cultural Immersion

Most of today was dedicated to business meetings in South Goa. The work side of the trip was going really well, which meant I could enjoy the leisure parts even more.

The highlight was lunch at a friend's house - authentic homemade Goan cuisine that you simply can't get in restaurants. There's something special about eating a meal prepared with local love and traditional recipes. The flavors were so much more intense and authentic than anything I'd had so far.

Got a wonderful bonus experience - I happened to be there during Ganesh Visarjan celebrations and was invited to participate in the evening aarti. Being part of the local festivities gave me a deeper connection to Goan culture. The energy, devotion, and community spirit were incredible to witness firsthand.

South Goa Flyover View

The perfect blend of business and leisure - South Goa flyover view during the trip

Day 4 - August 28th, 2025: Friendship and Sunshine

One of my friends from Bangalore managed to find some time and decided to join me.

The first thing we got for him, once he landed there was a raincoat. As there are constant light showers, and we can't stop exploring Goa. We started our day around noon and headed straight to Artjuna Cafe near Anjuna Beach. This place deserves all the hype - their pancakes are seriously good. I'd recommend them to anyone visiting Goa. We took our time with lunch, just catching up and enjoying the relaxed vibe.

Artjuna Cafe Interior Artjuna Cafe Food

Artjuna Cafe - deserves all the hype with seriously good pancakes

Anjuna Beach turned out to be completely different from Baga. Instead of sand, there are these coastal rocks where you can watch powerful waves crash against them. It's more rugged and scenic, perfect for those Instagram-worthy shots.

Anjuna Beach Coastal Rocks Anjuna Beach Waves

Anjuna Beach - rugged coastal rocks where powerful waves crash, perfect for Instagram shots

After days of cloudy, rainy weather, the sun finally decided to make an appearance! The whole beach transformed under the golden light. We spent the entire evening there, just walking along the lines. These are the moments that make travel memorable.

The evening brought us to this amazing Japanese restaurant Yaku Zuchi - their ramen was absolutely outstanding. It's funny how you can find such diverse, quality cuisine in Goa. The restaurant had great ambiance too, perfect for ending an active day.

Yaku Zuchi Ramen Yaku Zuchi Dessert

Yaku Zuchi - outstanding ramen and amazing desserts in Goa

Day 5 - August 29th, 2025: Heritage and Final Moments

Our last full day started with a visit to Fontainhas, the Latin Quarter of Panaji. It's not exactly a typical tourist spot, but that's what makes it special. The area is filled with beautiful Portuguese-style homes painted in vibrant colors, narrow winding streets, and cozy cafes tucked into corners.

Fontainhas Latin Quarter Fontainhas Portuguese Style Homes

Fontainhas - the charming Latin Quarter with beautiful Portuguese-style homes

Important note for fellow travelers: please don't take photos in front of people's homes. These are real residences, and we should respect the privacy of locals who live there.

We discovered Meu Lar by Barista - such a charming cafe with old-world vibes. The colonial architecture combined with the coffee shop atmosphere created this perfect blend of history and modern comfort. We spent a good hour there just enjoying our drinks and the ambiance.

Meu Lar Cafe Interior Meu Lar Cafe Ambiance

Meu Lar by Barista - charming cafe with perfect blend of colonial architecture and modern comfort

Did some souvenir shopping for family and friends back home. Goa has some unique local crafts and spices that make for great gifts.

Goa Souvenir Shopping Souvenir Shopping with Church View

Souvenir shopping in Goa - unique local crafts and spices for family and friends

Our final stop was Miramar Beach. Honestly, it was a bit disappointing compared to the other beaches we'd visited. The crowd was different, and it lacked the charm of Baga or the dramatic beauty of Anjuna. You could probably skip this one if you're short on time.

My friend had to catch his flight in the evening, so we said our goodbyes. It was great having company for those two days - sometimes the best travel memories are made with good friends.

Day 6 - August 30th, 2025: Wrapping Up

Spent most of the final day wrapping up work commitments. The business side of the trip had been successful, which made the whole bleisure concept feel perfectly balanced.

Final Thoughts

Goa in monsoon season is truly special. Yes, you might get caught in sudden showers, and the beaches aren't as crowded, but that's exactly what makes it magical. The lush green landscape, fewer tourists, and that fresh post-rain smell create an atmosphere you won't find during peak season.

The combination of work and leisure worked out perfectly. Having those business meetings gave structure to the trip, while the exploration time helped me truly disconnect and recharge.

I really needed this trip, and I'm so glad I went. It healed me and gave me some time to relax and enjoy the beauty of Nature.

Would I recommend monsoon Goa? Absolutely! Just pack a good waterproof raincoat, embrace the unpredictable weather, and be ready for a different but equally beautiful version of this coastal paradise.

Baga Beach Concluding View Concluding Quote View

The magic of monsoon Goa - a different but equally beautiful version of this coastal paradise

Travel Tips for Monsoon Goa:

  • Rent a scooty for maximum flexibility (400 rupees/day)
  • Try local restaurants like Ankita for authentic thalis
  • Don't miss Purple Martini and Artjuna Cafe
  • Respect local communities, especially in residential areas like Fontainhas
  • Pack rain gear but be ready to get wet anyway, get a raincoat and keep exploring
  • Embrace the quieter, more contemplative side of Goa

My next time Goa wishlist:

  • Staying in a private beach resort like ITC Goa, St Regis etc.
  • Exploring South Goa beaches and markets
  • Night Life of Goa

💳 Credit Card Tips

Use Portals like HDFC SmartBuy / Axis TravelEdge for best flight prices, if you have eligible cards and earn accelerated rewards.

Use GoaMiles app if using Cabs in Goa.

You can redeem points for the best hotels of Accor, Marriot, ITC or Taj in Goa.

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