What to Pack for Goa- Complete Packing List for Men & Women

What to pack for Goa? This question might be on your mind if you are planning to visit Goa soon. Making a list of things to carry for Goa is an important step in the preparation of your trip. This way you won’t forget the essentials and avoid wasting money on buying new ones in Goa.

Things to pack for Goa will depend on a number of factors including the time of the year as well as the visitor attractions you intend to cover. Once you are aware of these things, you will be able to form the perfect packing list.

Goa is one of my favourite beach destinations. From beautiful beaches to river cruises and from old churches to spice plantations, I love it all. Based on my multiple visits to this beautiful state, I will tell you why and what to pack for Goa. In the current blog, I intend to guide you in forming this perfect packing list for Goa. You can take a quick look at the 9 essential things that you must pack for Goa in this short video:

What to Pack for Goa?

Preparing a packing list forms a very important part of my travel preparation. The list is more important if I am visiting the place for the first time. I have been caught in a couple of situations when I was in a new place and wasn’t packed well. First, I had to go around finding what I needed and then ended up buying extra of what I could have carried along from home.

Therefore, if you don’t want to make the same mistake, I would suggest you make a packing list for Goa in advance. Before I go into the details of things to pack for Goa, here is a quick overview.

I would highly recommend you include  10 things in your packing list for Goa. These include – Camera, Driving Licence & ID proof, Sunscreen lotion, first aid kit, bag, swimwear, sunglasses, mosquito repellant, slippers and power bank.

In order to make things simple for you, I have divided the things to pack for Goa into 5 categories- Clothes, Essentials, Footwear, Toiletries and accessories. Let me get into each one of these ones by one.

What Clothes to Pack for Goa?

Goa is a tropical state and it remains hot almost all the year-round. Therefore, there are only a few things that will vary from one season to another.

11 Things that every Woman needs to pack for Goa

1. Dresses– Depending on the length of your stay in Goa, pack as many dresses as you can. The best options are Boho dresses, sundresses and maxi dresses. Dresses are the most comfortable and stylish piece of clothing for this season. You can wear these dresses when you are out exploring the towns and cities of Goa and on the beaches.

2. Shorts – Shorts are a must-have for your Goa trip. No piece of clothing is as useful as shorts. You can pair them up with tank tops, crop tops or spaghetti tops. They are not only comfortable but they also give you the ease of movement. So, whether you wish to indulge in some water sports, go to a club or pub, or just want to visit the forts of Goa, they are a perfect choice.

3. Skirts – Skirts are a pretty good choice too. Again, these can be paired with tank tops, spaghetti tops, t-shirts, etc. If you plan to visit places of worship, pack a long skirt

4. T-Shirts and Tank Tops – T-shirts are a must carry. Pair your favourite t-shirts with shorts or pants or skirts. My personal favourite are the boyfriend T-shirts. They are not only comfortable but also look really cool with almost everything- skirts, shorts, trousers. Other than T-shirts, you could also carry some tank tops and other tops. Carry the ones that are light and preferably cotton.

5. Swim Wear – If you wish to take a swim, make sure you carry your swimwear. You can wear any type of swimsuit at the beaches in Goa, be it monokinis, bikinis or the really cool tankinis for the shy ones.  If you are not comfortable, go in for some good old shorts and a tank top.

6. Sarong/kaftan/ Cover-up Dress – If you are planning to wear a swimsuit, carry a Sarong, kaftan or a cover-up dress.  Wear them over your swimsuits and you are good to chill on the beach. I personally recommend the tasselled cover-up dresses. They are light, airy, comfortable and look really nice.

7. Palazzos – There is nothing more comfortable than these. You can wear them anywhere. You can wear them to the beaches, for churches, when you go shopping around Goa, basically everywhere. These are a very comfortable option for exploring Goa. They are airy and light and look great too. The best part is that you can wear them with t-shirts, crop tops or tank tops.

8. Loose Pants – You can also choose to wear some loose cotton pants. There are a number of options available- from classic baggy pants to dhoti pants. Pick the style that suits you the best and you are the most comfortable with.

9. Scarf – Carry a couple of scarves. These really come handy in all weather conditions. You can use them to protect yourself from the sun and also use it to cover up if you visit some religious places.

10. Light Zipper/ Shrug- Although Goa doesn’t get as cold as north India, I always make it a point to carry a thin shrug or zipper. Keeping a thin zipper or shrug will protect you from the harsh sun during your day expeditions.

11. Innerwear – Depending on the length of your trip, pack appropriate sets of innerwear.

6 Cool Outfits that Men can take for their Goa Holiday

1. Shorts – It can get annoying to constantly pull your trousers up at the beach. Shorts are a pretty great option. Therefore, get a pair or two of shorts. Wear them with tank tops, shirts or t-shirts. Go for lighter colours since they look the best on the beaches. You can also wear them when you are out exploring the towns. Avoid wearing shorts to temples and churches.

2. Shirts – Shirts go pretty well with shorts. Choose shirts that are a little loose. Printed shirts look the best with plain Bermuda shorts. Choose natural fabrics like linen, cotton, etc.

3. T-shirts & Tank Tops – Along with the shirts, take along a few T-shirts and tank tops. Cotton and linen fabrics are the best and most comfortable options.

4. Swimming Trunks/ Shorts –If you plan to do so, make sure you carry proper swimwear i.e. swimming shorts or swimming trunks. These are usually made up of nylon or polyester and therefore dry up quickly.

5. Loose Fitting Pants – Get some loose-fitting pants. You can wear these for exploring Goa, visiting places of worship, etc. Goa is the place to experiment. So, you can also try some offbeat options such as classic baggy pants to dhoti pants. Pick the style that suits you the best.

6. Trousers – If you plan to visit some of the casinos or high-end clubs in Goa, you need to follow a dress code. Make sure you pack a pair of trousers.

Some of the essentials I took to my last Goa trip. My camera, a 10000 mAH Mi power bank, sunglasses, a cap and Aadhar Card.

7 Essentials to Pack for Goa

1. ID Card – This is a must carry. It is mandatory to produce identification proof confirming a booking at all the stays in Goa. Also, make sure that you carry your driving lucence. I can vouch for the fact that there is no better way to explore Goa than on a two-wheeler.

2. Power Bank- Carry a power bank of at least 10000 mAH. I have been using a Mi power bank for some time now and it has been very useful. Power cuts are frequent in Goa, therefore make sure you carry your Power bank if you are a heavy phone user.

3. Torchlight –Coming back to power cuts, a torchlight might come in handy. Although most people use their phones, I prefer torchlight. I bought a torchlight a few months back and it has worked great for me.

4. Camera – If you are a passionate photographer, you will absolutely love Goa. There is so much you can capture. Pack your camera and lenses.

5. Sunglasses – Make sure you buy some good sunglasses to protect your eyes from the Goa heat. They needn’t be super expensive; they just need to do the job well. Choose a pair of sunglasses that are big, comfortable and offer 100% UV protection (both UVA and UVB). I found these pretty good sunglasses online. They look stylish, are UV protected and are pretty much on budget.

6. Day Bag – You need to carry a bag for all your day to day travel needs.  The bag should be big enough to hold your essentials like sunscreen, lip balm, water bottle, mobile phone, etc. Tote bags are a great choice. For guys, I would suggest messenger bags.

7. Sun Hat/ Cap – Carry a cap or sun hat. Broad rimmed hats are really helpful in protecting against the harsh sun. You can carry your own or get one of the straw hats at the beach itself.

What Footwear to pack for Goa- Are Flip flops enough?

• Flip Flops/ Sandals – Pair your favourite dresses, shorts or swimsuits with a pair of flip flops or open sandals. Avoid wearing leather or suede flip flops, as the sand and water can stain them. This goes for men as well as women.
• Sneakers/ Comfortable Shoes – Other than slippers carry a pair of comfortable shoes or sneakers. These are needed if you plan to indulge in some local sightseeing or wish to go for some hikes. Walking around in flip flops gets tiring at times. So, you need comfortable footwear.

These are some of the most important toiletries you need to carry for your Goa Trip. Two most important things in this are the Sun Block lotion and mosquito repellant lotion/cream. Apart from these, carry your own face wash, moisturiser, etc. 

Toiletries to pack for Goa

Mosquito Repellant – Mosquitoes have given me sleepless nights in Goa. Make sure you carry a mosquito repellant.  Trust me, you will need it.

Calamine Lotion – I always carry a calamine lotion with me. In case of an insect bite or minor allergy apply it to the skin. It relieves itchiness and soothes the skin.

Sunscreen Lotion – You must apply sunscreen to your exposed skin. Apply a good sunscreen lotion with an SPF of at least 40. Also, make sure you reapply for me every few hours.  Wash your face or simply wipe it off with a wet tissue and reapply the sunscreen.

Lip Balm – Your lips need protection from the sun too. The sun can be harsh on your lips. Choose a UV lip balm to keep your lips hydrated and protected from the sun. I have tried a lot of lip balms, over the years but I like the SPF 15 Nivea lip balms the best, they are lightly tinted with a mild fragrance. Men can opt for the untinted lip balms.

Wet Tissues – Goa can get really hot during the day. Although you can always buy them in Goa itself, sometimes a supermarket is a little far. Therefore, I always keep a few packs of wet tissues in my bag.  Carry it in your bag while you are out exploring Goa.

First Aid Kit – Carry a small first aid travel kit. Pack some band-aids, over the counter medicines for common ailments like headache, fever or stomach ache.

Hand Sanitiser – This doesn’t need any explanation. Carry a small hand sanitiser.

Moisturiser – If you are planning to stay at a hostel or one of the budget guest houses in Goa, you might not get your own toiletries, make sure you carry your own moisturiser.

Facewash, Shampoo, Soap & Conditioner – As I said earlier, not all budget accommodations in Goa will provide you with basic toiletries, so, it’s better to carry your own.

Towel, Hair Brush, Dental care and Menstrual hygiene products. 

Accessories to pack for Goa

You can carry some light pieces of jewellery if you want like pendants, bracelets etc. However, I would recommend buying it from Goa itself. The markets of Goa are really fun to shop and you can pick some really cool funky jewellery.

What to Pack for Goa in Summers?

Summers in Goa typically last from Mach to May. Summer is not the best time to be in Goa. The mercury levels are through the roof, On the positive side there would be lesser crowds and you can easily find budget accommodations in Goa.

So, in case you are wondering what to pack for Goa in march or what to pack for Goa in May, here is a quick checklist.

• Sunscreen
• Hat or Cap
• Tote Bag/ Messenger Bag
• A pair of sunglasses
• Comfortable shoes or flats
• Flip flops
• T-shirts
• Shirts
• Shorts (men & women)
• Dresses (women)
• Long skirts (women)
• Scarf
• Tops (women)
• Loose fitted pants (men and women)
• Trousers
• Light shrug/ Zipper
• Innerwear
• Swimsuit and Sarong (for women) 
• swimming shorts (for men)
• Toiletries
• Medical Kit
• Power Bank

What to pack for Goa in Monsoons?

Monsoons in Goa start from June and last up till September. Although not one of the busiest months in Goa, off late more and more people have started exploring Goa during monsoons. Visiting Goa in monsoons has its own set of pros and cons. You can enjoy the green Goa during monsoons and find the places less crowded.  Also, you can find several budget accommodations in Goa during this time.

The main disadvantage is that sometimes it can rain for hours on a stretch. Therefore, if you want to just be lazy at the beach, the monsoon is not a good time. Also, the sea is rough and you cannot go for a swim. Also, I feel that despite the rains, it feels hotter than

If you are keen to explore Goa in the monsoon and are thinking of what to pack for Goa in June, one thing is a must carry- a raincoat. You will need it. I have been using this Quechua raincoat since the last year and I would recommend you to buy this unless you already have one.

Here is a list of things to carry while travelling to goa in the monsoon:

• Raincoat
• Power Bank
• Sunscreen
• Tote Bag/ Messenger Bag
• A pair of sunglasses
• Comfortable shoes or flats
• Flip flops
• T-shirts (carry 1-2 extra)
• Shirts
• Shorts (men & women)
• Dresses (women)
• Scarf
• Tops (women)
• Loose fitted pants (men and women)
• Trousers
• Shrug/ Zipper
• Innerwear
• Toiletries
• Medical Kit

Things to pack for Goa in Winters

October to February is considered to be the best time to be in Goa. The weather is pleasant, the sea is calm and all the fun activities start. This is the time when crowds from all over the world start to pour in. On the downside, this also happens to be the most expensive time to visit Goa.

Here’s what to pack for Goa during winters:

• Sunscreen

• Hat or Cap
• Tote Bag/ Messenger Bag
• A pair of sunglasses
• Comfortable shoes or flats
• Flip flops
• T-shirts
• Shirts
• Shorts (men & women)
• Dresses (women)
• Scarf
• Tops (women)
• Loose fitted pants (men and women)
• Trousers
• Shrug/ Zipper
• Innerwear
• Swimsuit and Sarong (for women) 
• swimming shorts (for men)
• Toiletries
• Medical Kit

8 Goa Packing Tips that’ll make your trip super smooth

Here are a few quick packing tips for Goa.

Packing Checklist for Goa trip

Before finishing the blog, here is a quick checklist for Goa for both men and women.

Packing Checklist for Goa Trip for Men

• ID Card & Driving Licence
• Beachwear
• Other outfits
• Slippers & Comfortable Footwear
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Medical Kit
• Toiletries (see above)
• Power Bank
• Camera
• Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer
• Innerwear

Packing Checklist for Goa trip for Women

• ID Card & Driving Licence
• Beachwear
• Other outfits
• Slippers & Comfortable Footwear
• Camera
• Power bank
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear & Sarong
• Scarves
• Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer
• Menstrual Hygiene
• Innerwear

Goa is a wonderful place for a holiday and I hope I helped you in packing your bags for this lovely destination. If you have any questions or suggestions or you would like to add something, please feel free to write them in the comment section. I will be more than happy to engage.

Happy Wayfaring 🙂