What to wear in Goa in February? If you are planning to visit Goa in February, this question might be lingering on your mind. Although February marks the end of the peak tourist season in Goa, it is certainly not dull. February is the most colourful time of the year.
Your outfit choice in Goa in February would depend primarily on two things – weather and destination. There is a lot to explore in Goa, and depending on where you are going, you might have to choose different outfits.
Goa happens to be one of my favourite travel destinations. The vibe of this place is different than any other beach destination. Therefore, I make it a point to visit the place whenever I can. Since I have been in Goa in almost all kinds of weather and season, in the current blog, I will help you choose the best outfits for your Goa visit in February.
Although beaches are the most sought after attractions of Goa, they are not the only points of interest. There is a lot more to explore in Goa. What to wear in Goa, would depend on what places you intend to visit on your Goa trip.
What to wear in Goa in February: An Overview
November to February is considered to be the peak tourist season in Goa. By the end of February, the crowds start to vanish. Therefore, the beaches are relatively empty and you have a fair chance of finding budget accommodation in Goa close to your favourite beach. The best part about Goa in February is the Goa Carnival (Feb 22- Feb 25, 2020). It is the time when the whole of Goa is colourful.
By the end of February, the weather in Goa starts getting hotter, but this is still much better than the summers. Therefore, you can plan to visit during this time.
Before I go into the details of what to wear in Goa in February, here is a quick overview:
| Weather Conditions in Goa during January
Hot and Dry Average Day Temperature- 32 degrees Celsius Average Night Temperature- 24 degrees Celsius |
| What to Wear in Goa in February for Women?
Dresses Full-length pants/ palazzo Swimwear Cotton Shorts/Skirts Tops Flip flops/ Crocs Scarf |
| What to Wear in Goa in February for Men?
Swimming shorts/ trunks Shorts/ Bermudas Cotton Shirts T-Shirts/ Tank tops Flip flops/ Crocs |
Goa Dressing Tips for February
Goa is quite liberal when it comes to dressing and you can choose from a number of options. I will be discussing what to wear in goa in February, in the paragraphs below. However, before I go into those details, there are certain other dressing tips for Goa in February that you need to be aware of.
| Go for Natural Fibre
When in Goa, try to wear only natural fibre fabrics such as Jute, Cotton, Linen, etc., which are derived from plants. They are comfortable in the hot and sunny weather of Goa in February. |
| Ditch the makeup
You don’t need makeup in Goa, especially near the beaches. Ladies, you don’t want your makeup to smudge all over. Wear sunscreen and your moisturizer. That and a hat is all you need. |
| Sunscreen is a must
The midday sun can be harsh in Goa. Make sure you carry a good sunscreen with a high SPF in your bag all the time. Make sure you reapply it after every few hours. |
| Let the Denims be
We all love our denim. Jeans might sound comfortable but they aren’t really a good choice for Goa. The heat will make you sweat underneath your favourite jeans. Therefore, I would suggest you avoid wearing any types of denim, especially those skinny jeans. |
| Leather? Not a good idea
There is no place for leather clothing in Goa. Leather can make you sweat really bad! Goa gets really hot during day time, and wearing any type of leather will just make it worse. Ditch all the leather jackets, shorts or skirts. |
| Get Proper Swimwear
Innerwear is not swimwear! If you do plan to go swimming, buy proper swimwear. Please don’t wear your innerwear for taking a swim. That is just awkward for the onlookers as well. Your swimwear need not be fancy or expensive. Depending on your budget and what you are comfortable with, you can choose from several options. This goes for men as well as women. |
| Let go of the Heels!
Ladies, don’t even think of carrying those heels. You don’t need them in Goa. Even if you plan to go to a club for parties, no one expects you to be in stilettos. If you do love them so much and insist on carrying one, carry the low height wedges.` |
Outfit Ideas for Goa in February
February is an amazing time to be in Goa. It’s the end of the overcrowded tourist season. This means lower-priced accommodations and relatively less crowded beaches. However, this in no way means that the place is going to be dull. You can enjoy parties, and adventure sports. To top it all is the Goa carnival that happens around the end of February.
Goa weather in February is good too. The skies remain clear, the sea is calm and the sun isn’t as hot as the upcoming summers. Although as you progress towards the end of the month, the temperatures begin to sore.
What to wear in Goa in February depends on where you are going. If you are going to the beach, your attire is going to be different than what you will wear when exploring Goa’s other attractions.
Here are some of my outfit recommendations for Goa based on locations:
What to wear on Goa Beaches in February – Men & Women
February is a good time to be around the best beaches in Goa. The day temperatures are quite tolerable and you can spend a beautiful day by the beach. You can even go swimming or indulge in some water sports at the beach. Evenings are even better and nothing feels better than taking a stroll by the beach.
Here are my recommendations for what to wear at Goa beaches in February:
For Women:
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. You can also wear them as party outfits.
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.
Skirts – Skirts are a pretty good choice too. Again, these can be paired with tank tops, spaghetti tops, t-shirts, etc.
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.
Swim Wear – February is one of the best times to take a dip in the sea. The sea is calm and the water remains warm. Therefore, make sure you carry your swimsuits. 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. Note that cotton shorts are not a good option for the sea. Choose a polyester or nylon blended material.
Tip: Please make sure to keep those Bikinis strictly to the beaches. Avoid wearing revealing outfits outside of beaches to avoid unwanted attention.
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.
Tip: Instead of buying them beforehand, you can pick up a few at the beach markets in Goa. Bargain to get the best price
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.
A sun hat is a must if you wish to spend your day at the best beaches in Goa. You can buy these at the beach markets.
For Men:
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.
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.
T shirts & Tank Tops – Along with the shirts, take along a few T-shirts and tank tops. Cotton and linen fabric are the best and most comfortable option.
Swimming Trunks/ Shorts – February is the perfect time to take a dip in the sea. 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.
Flip Flops/ Sandals – Avoid wearing any kind of closed shoes such as sneakers, boat shoes at the beaches. Flip flops and sandals are the best options for footwear at the beaches in Goa. They go well with all your attire. Avoid wearing leather or suede flip flops, as the sand and saltwater can stain them.
What to wear when exploring Goa in February- For Men & Women
Goa has so much to explore beyond beaches. You can visit many famous temples, churches, fort and villages. While there is no dress code as such for most places, but some places may require you to dress more modestly. Make sure that you are dressed modestly especially when visiting the churches and temples in Goa.
Here are some of my recommendations:
For Women:
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.
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.
Shorts – As I said before, nothing is more useful in Goa than a pair of shorts. You can choose to wear cotton shorts paired with T-shirts for exploring Goa. However, make sure the shorts are of decent length. By decent, I mean at least mid-thigh. Booty shorts or hot pants is not really a good idea. Also, avoid wearing shorts when visiting churches and temples.
Dresses – Dresses are a good option as well. However, if you are planning to go hiking or want to indulge in some adventure sports, stick to pants or shorts. Also, make sure that the dresses are not too revealing or inappropriate. The “knee rule” is a go-to rule while packing bags for Goa.
Scarf – Carry a couple of scarves. These really come in 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.
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.
Light Zipper/ Shrug- Goa doesn’t get as cold as northern India, not even close. Therefore, you need not carry any sweaters or jackets to Goa even in January. However, 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.
For Men:
Loose Pants – Get some loose-fitting pants. You can wear these for exploring Goa. There are a number of offbeat options available as well- from classic baggy pants to dhoti pants. Goa is the place to experiment. Pick the style that suits you the best.
Shorts – Shorts are possibly the best piece of clothing that you must have for Goa. You can wear cotton shorts paired with T-shirts or shirts for exploring Goa. Avoid wearing shorts to temples and churches.
Shirts – Shirts make for a comfortable choice when travelling around Goa. I would recommend cotton shirts over synthetic fibres.
T-shirts & Tank Tops – Along with the shirts, take along a few T-shirts and tank tops. Cotton and linen fabric is the best and most comfortable option.
Sneakers/ Comfortable Shoes – Wear comfortable shoes or sneakers if you plan to indulge in some local sightseeing or wish to go for some hike. Walking around in flip flops gets tiring, so you need comfortable footwear.
The sun gets really harsh in Goa. Therefore, sunglasses are an absolute must-have for your Goa trip. This is one thing that you must buy before your trip. Get a decent pair of sunglasses that block all kind of UV rays.
What to wear in Goa in February- Other Essentials and Accessories
There are certain other things that are a must when visiting Goa. While some of these are optional, others are absolute must-haves.
Must-Have Things in Goa in February
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 pretty much in budget.
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.
Sunscreen Lotion – You must apply sunscreen on your exposed skin. Apply a good sunscreen lotion with an SPF of at least 50. Also, make sure you reapply me every few hours. Wash your face or simply wipe off with a wet tissue and reapply the sunscreen.
Sun Hat – Broad rimmed hats are really helpful in protecting against the harsh sun. You can get one of the straw hats at the beach itself.
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.
I hope this blog helped answer your question of what to wear in Goa in February. If you have any questions, other recommendations, please feel free to drop them in the comment section below. I will be happy to hear from you.
Happy Wayfaring