Goa packing guide for women

Understand the Goa mood

North Goa is for beach shacks, parties and markets. South Goa is quieter, with long beaches and cafes. In both, loose, light and colourful rule. Fabric matters more than brand. Pick cotton, linen and viscose. Nobody dresses up for the beach. At night, a simple dress with sandals is enough.

• Day: shorts, sundress or kaftan with sandals.
• Night: a slip dress, a co-ord or a crop top with a skirt.
• Churches in Old Goa expect covered shoulders and knees.
• Carry a light shawl for church visits and breezy evenings.

Outfit formulas

Each includes footwear and one accessory.

Packing list by trip length

Three days: two sundresses, one kaftan, one co-ord, two swimsuits, one pair of shorts, sandals, slides. Five days: add a linen shirt, a second co-ord, one night dress and a light jacket. Seven days: add a skirt, a third swimsuit and a hat. Wear your heaviest items on the plane.

• Three days: seven or eight items, one small bag.
• Five days: ten or eleven items, one cabin bag.
• Seven days: twelve to fourteen items. Laundry is cheap in Goa.
• Pack one sarong. It serves as a towel, a cover-up and a scarf.

Modesty and respect

Goa is relaxed, but it still has limits. Beachwear belongs at the beach, so cover up with a sarong or a kaftan when you walk into town. Churches, such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus, ask for covered shoulders and knees. Temples ask you to remove shoes and cover the legs. In small villages, locals prefer modest clothes. You will also feel more comfortable, since sun and mosquitoes love bare legs at dusk. Carry a light scarf. It covers shoulders in a church, shields your neck from the sun, and keeps you warm on the scooter at night.

• Wear a cover-up on a scooter. Helmets are mandatory too.
• Carry a light scarf in your bag.
• Keep beachwear for the beach and the resort.
• Mosquito repellent is a better accessory than another bracelet.

On the plane

Wear loose trousers, a light shirt or tee, and sneakers or slip-ons. Tie a light shawl at the waist. You will land in humid heat, so avoid jeans.

Fabric guide

Choose cotton, linen, viscose and rayon. These breathe. Avoid polyester in the heat. Avoid heavy denim and silk. Salt air is hard on delicate fabric.

Climate note

The best weather is November to February. It is warm and dry. March to May is hot and humid. June to September is monsoon, with heavy rain and many closed shacks. Pack a rain jacket and quick-dry fabric in monsoon.

What to stop buying for Goa

Stop buying white linen you cannot keep clean. Stop buying heavy heels. Stop buying a bag of outfits for photos only. Buy shoes you can walk in sand with, and one dress that you love.

Questions

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