Direct flights from Moscow to Goa are carried out by Royal Flight, Rossiya and Island Air Express, etc. A direct flight lasts about 7 hours. Ticket prices start from 565 USD in both directions. Most of the routes from St. Petersburg involve two transfers, but you can get by with one if you fly on Qatar planes via Doha. The price of such a one-way ticket starts from 793 USD in both directions.
From airport to city
It is easier to take a taxi from the airport to Colva – there are no direct buses, it is not easy to understand Indian transport out of habit. The taxi stand is located at the exit of the airport, a trip to Colva will take half an hour and will cost 900-1100 INR.
By public transport, you first need to get to Margao. The bus station is located at Swatanta Path, Vaddem, New Vaddem, Vasco da Gama, Goa, 403802; the ticket costs 45 INR. Then take a bus to Colva (the ticket costs 20-35 INR and is paid by the driver) or hire a rickshaw.
Transportation
According to Clothesbliss, public transport in Colva is represented by buses. This vibrant experience will cost between 16 and 20 INR and will include loud music, the unique driving style of local drivers and an extremely close acquaintance with the crowd of Indians in a cramped cabin space. Finding the right stop isn’t always easy, but most city buses can be stopped in the middle of the road with a wave of your hand. Payment is made at the conductor. Buses run from 6:00 to 22:00.
Local taxis are divided into two types: traditional cars and rickshaws. There are many parking lots in the city, you can catch a taxi driver in the middle of the road. Rickshaw even more. They will find a tourist anywhere in Colva and offer enticing prices. No matter how friendly the Indian taxi driver is, it is necessary to agree on a price before the start of the trip.
An 8-hour trip to the surrounding beaches and attractions will cost 1900 INR. For a 10-kilometer ride on a rickshaw, you will have to pay from 200 INR.
Rent a car, bike or scooter
Renting a bike, scooter or car in Goa is a popular way to get around. But it should be borne in mind that this requires strong nerves and skill. Firstly, the traffic is left-handed, and secondly, it is dense, and the driving style of local residents is, to put it mildly, chaotic. Police officers on the roads will try to find a reason to find fault with the tourist and lighten his wallet.
You can rent a scooter at the taxi rank or in front of the Vincent Hotel. Rent will cost about 250-300 INR per day, 4500-5500 INR per month. The price can vary greatly depending on the model, the age of the scooter, the season and how successful the auction is. The most popular motorcycle model – Royal Enfield – will be asked for it from 500 INR per day, 6,000 INR – per month. The helmet is included in the rental price.
Gasoline is sold in bottles of Bisleri in a small house behind Menino Jesus College, not far from Williams Resort – this is the only gas station in Colva. Gasoline costs 66.16 INR per liter.
Another option is to rent a car with a driver – you can arrange a full-day tour of the surrounding beaches. For pleasure, you will have to pay from 1000 INR for the car and another 100 INR for the driver for every hour of downtime on the beaches. However, those who know how to bargain can negotiate a more attractive price.
Colva Hotels
Colva has a huge choice of accommodations: from luxurious chalets with swimming pools to budget guesthouses. Most high-end and mid-range hotels are located along and just beyond Main Beach Road. The simpler hotels are located on the north side of the resort, in Ward No. 4. It is easily accessible by the path going north from the Johnny Cools restaurant or by the road west from Main Colva – Vasco Road.
Guesthouse prices start at INR 500 if rented locally. When ordering online, the price will be higher. A normal room with a decent refurbishment will cost an average of 2300 INR per night. Prices in the “fives” can exceed 5300 INR per day.
Another option is thatched bungalows near the beach. Facilities are often located on the street, but the price is attractive, the room has a bed and a fan, and right from the house you can admire the sunset sea. With a short-term rental, a night in such a bungalow will cost about 1100 INR, with a long-term price per night, half as much.
It is best to rent a bungalow right on the spot – as a rule, the owner of such a house works in the nearest neck. You probably won’t even have to look for it. Seeing a tourist near the bungalow, the Indians themselves rush to offer services.
Beach
The beach is the main reason why people go to Colva. It is large and relatively clean, covered with fine silvery sand, the entrance to the water is gentle, the sea is quite calm. Colva is popular not only among European, but also among Indian tourists, so on weekends the beach is filled with locals who come from Margao and other nearby cities. Traditionally, locals rest on the central part, and the left and right are given to visiting tourists.
For those who prefer a more secluded holiday, the left side of the beach is more suitable. There are almost no not only vacationers, but also beach restaurants. The right side is more populated, with numerous necks and water activities. The Boomerang shake is especially famous, where you can exchange currency and visit a massage session. And you can get a sunbed for free in any neck, if you order some food or drink in it.
The beach is watched by rescue workers, and the owners of the shakes look after their sites. So tourists do not even have to worry about the things left behind.
