A Complete Guide to What to Wear in Goa in November

traveller Divya

What to wear in Goa in November is a relevant question to ask if you are visiting Goa during that time. November is the time when the skies remain clear and rains are rare. This makes it a good time to visit this beach destination without having to worry about rains and humidity.

Your choice of clothing in Goa during November has to be in sync with the weather conditions. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish. You need to pick the right combination of trendy and comfy when visiting Goa in November.

Goa is one of those places where you want to go again and again. Goa is one of my favourite travel destinations and I have been lucky enough to visit it multiple times. In the current blog, I will assist you with choosing the best outfits for your visit to Goa in November.

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Your choice of outfit in Goa depends on where you are in Goa. While the beaches in Goa are quite open to all kinds of outfits, you need to be a little careful elsewhere. Make sure you aren’t wearing revealing outfits at other places in Goa.

What to wear in Goa in November?

November is the beginning of the busy season in Goa. However, since this is only the beginning of the peak season, you can still find some quiet corners and cheaper accommodations in Goa when compared to December and January.

Weather-wise, Goa is going to be hot and dry during November. With low humidity and a calmer sea, the month is perfect for a beach vacation.

Before I  go into the details of what to wear in Goa in November, here’s a brief overview:

Weather Conditions in Goa during November

Hot and Dry

Average Day Temperature- 32 degrees Celsius

Average Night Temperature- 24 degrees Celsius

Must Carry Items for Women

Dresses

Full-length pants/ palazzo

Swimwear

Cotton Shorts

Tops

Flip flops/ Crocs

Scarf

Must Carry Items for Men

Swimming shorts/ trunks

Shorts/ Bermudas

Cotton Shirts

T Shirts

What to Wear in Goa in November? Outfit Recommendations

November is a great time to be in Goa. The crowds start to pour but it still is not as crowded as January or December. This is also a great time to explore Goa without being sweaty all the time or worrying about the rain or excessive crowds.

What to wear in Goa in November depends on where you are going. If you are going to the beach, your attire is going to be different from what you will wear when exploring Goa’s other attractions.

Below are some of my outfit recommendations for Goa based on locations:

Outfit Recommendations for Goa Beaches in November

Goa has some of the best beaches in the country. Also, there is no dress code for the beaches here and you are free to wear what you want to. Here are some outfit suggestions for the beaches in Goa:

For Women:

Dresses– November is the time to flaunt your favourite dresses. Carry a few dresses including sundresses, boho and maxi dresses. You can also wear these dresses when you are out exploring the towns and cities of Goa.

Shorts – Shorts are the best piece of clothing for hot weather. They are not only comfortable but they also give you the ease of movement. So, whether you wish to indulge in some water sports or just want to visit the forts of Goa, they are a perfect choice. You can wear them with T-shirts, crop tops, tank tops, etc.

T-Shirts and Tank Tops – Bring your favourite T-shirts, tank tops and spaghetti tops to the beaches. You can wear them with shorts, palazzos and skirts. I would suggest you carry light cotton or linen Tshirts as they are more breathable.

Swim Wear – In November the sea is calm and water temperature remains between 28 to 29 degrees. This is great for people who wish to take a dip in the sea. Therefore, make sure you carry your swimsuits. You can wear any type of swimsuit on the beaches in Goa. If you are not comfortable with the less revealing options like tankinis. Otherwise, go in for some good old shorts and a tank top. Cotton shorts are not a good option for the sea. Choose a polyester or nylon blended material.

Tip: Keep those Bikinis strictly to the beaches. Wearing revealing clothes elsewhere will only invite unwanted attention.

Sarong/kaftan/ Cover-up Dress – Sarong, kaftans and cover-up dresses are the perfect cover-up for your swimwear.  Wear them over your swimsuits and you are good to chill on the beach. My favourite are the tasseled cover-up dresses. They are light, airy, comfortable and look really nice. 

Tip: Instead of carrying the kaftans and cover-up dresses, you could also buy really cool ones at the flea markets.

For Men:

Shorts – Men can choose to wear shorts on the beaches. Top them with a tank top, shirt or t-shirt. Light coloured Bermuda shorts look the best around beaches. Colourful printed shorts look really cool too.

Shirts – Pack a few shirts to go along with your shorts. Choose shirts that are a little loose. Printed shirts look the best with plain Bermuda shorts.  Avoid wearing any synthetic fabrics, cotton is your best.

T-shirts & Tank Tops – Pack a few T-shirts and tank tops. Again, cotton is the best for hot weather in November.

Swimming Trunks/ Shorts – If you plan to get into the water make sure you carry your swimming trunks or shorts. These are usually made up of nylon or polyester and therefore dry up quickly. Wearing innerwear as beachwear is just a little awkward for yourself and the onlookers

What to wear when exploring Goa in November- For Men & Women

There is more to Goa than just beaches. There are churches, forts and temples, and many small and beautiful villages that you can explore. While there is no dress code for most places in Goa, some places may require you to cover up a little. Also, when visiting the lesser-known places in Goa such as villages or offbeat locales, avoid wearing revealing outfits.  People in such places can be slightly conservative when it comes to clothing.

Another important point is that make sure you don’t wear revealing outfits or beachwear when out on the streets.  That might attract some unwanted attention.

These are some of my recommendations for what to wear in Goa in November when visiting attractions other than the beaches:

Palazzos – These are my absolute favourites. Other than looking stylish, they also give you the comfort of pajamas. If you plan to explore other attractions in Goa such as forts, temples, churches, etc. these are a great option. You can wear them with t-shirts, crop tops or tank tops.

Loose Fitted Pants – If palazzos are not your thing, get 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. Both men and women can choose this option.

Shorts – You can also choose to wear cotton shorts paired with T-shirts for exploring Goa. 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. Men can also wear shorts too.

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. For visiting churches and temples, wear dresses that are knee-length at least.

what to wear in goa in nov

Flip flops are a must-have for the beach in Goa. You can either pack them or buy some cool ones at the beach markets in Goa

What to Wear in Goa in October – Footwear?

When in Goa you would want to explore the beaches and other attractions. Therefore, it is important to wear the right kind of footwear.

For Women

Flip flops – For the beaches, these are a must. Wearing any kind of ballet shoes or sneakers is a bad idea. You need to wear something which is open and can be cleaned off the sand easily.

Sneakers/ Comfortable Shoes – There is more to Goa than beaches. If you plan to indulge in some local sightseeing or wish to go for some hikes or spend your time exploring in places other than beaches, I would suggest you wear some sneakers or some comfortable footwear. Walking around in flip flops can get tiring at times.

For Men

Flip Flops – Flip flops are a must for the beach. It is either these or some kind of open sandals. Just don’t wear anything suede. 

Sneakers – If you plan to explore more than beaches, I would suggest you wear some sneakers or some comfortable footwear. Flip flops and sandals can get tiring when you plan to walk a lot.

What to wear in Goa in November- 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 November

Sunglasses – This is not an optional accessory. Sunglasses are a must-have for your Goa visit. Therefore, I suggest you buy a pair of good sunglasses. 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 – Sunscreen Lotion is a must-have. Apply a good sunscreen lotion with an SPF of at least 50. 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.

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 November 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, but I like the SPF 15 Nivea lip balms the best, they are lightly tinted with a mild fragrance. Men can opt for untinted lip balms.

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Get one of these sun hats at any of the beaches in Goa. These are a must if you want to save your face and neck from the sun.

Accessories you can wear in Goa in November

Funky Jewelry

Pair up your attire with some funky jewellery like pendants, anklets, bracelets, etc.  You always have the option of buying some boho and funky jewellery in Goa itself.

Goa Dressing Tips for November

Other than the recommendations above, there are certainly other tips that will help you in choosing what to wear in Goa in November. Here are a few:  

Go  Natural

When in Goa, wear only natural fabrics like Jute, Cotton, Linen, Silk etc. They are comfortable in the hot and dry weather of Goa in November. These will allow your skin to breathe.

Ditch the makeup

Goa gets really hot during the afternoon. Ladies, you don’t want your makeup to smudge in that weather. Wear sunscreen and your moisturizer. That and a hat is all you need. If you plan to go for some evening parties, carry your Kajal and Foundation/ Compact powder. 

Sunscreen is a must

The sun can be very harsh in Goa, make sure you carry a good sunscreen with a high SPF. Also, make sure you reapply it after every few hours.

Keep the jeans at home

Jeans might sound comfortable but they aren’t really a good choice for Goa. The humidity will make you sweat underneath your favourite jeans.

Leather- No, not really

Wearing leather in humid weather is a really bad idea. Be it leather jackets, shorts or skirts, there is no place for those in Goa.

Innerwear is not Swimwear

If you do plan to go swimming, buy proper swimwear. Wearing innerwear on the beaches is cringeworthy. The swimwear need not be too 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.

In fact, in some places with pools you are actually required to have “proper swimwear”.

Heels? Spare your feet and the shoes!

Ladies unpack those heels. You don’t need them here.  Even if you plan to go to a club for parties, no one expects you to be in stilettos. If you can’t live without them, low heel wedges are a much better option

I hope this blog helped you in packing your bags for Goa and also gave you some interesting outfit ideas. If you have any more questions, or you have some tips to share, do share them with me in the comments section. I will be happy to hear.

Happy Wayfaring 🙂

THIS POST IS AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF BUDGET WAYFARERS. ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ASSOCIATION INDULGING IN PLAGIARISM WILL BE DEALT WITH STRICTLY . IF YOU WANT TO USE INFORMATION FROM THE ARTICLE ABOVE, KINDLY QUOTE THE SOURCE.

Divya Sarjolta

I am a die-hard traveller. Academically, I am a Gold Medalist and PhD in Economics. I hail from the beautiful town of Shimla and am a Himachali by birth. I enjoy exploring life to the fullest and have pursued quite a lot of backpacking trips around India, Two things I crave more than anything else is good food and travel. I try to lead my life by my favourite lines from Game of Thrones. As Oberyn Martell puts it, “It is a big and beautiful world. Most of us live and die in the same corner where we were born and never get to see any of it. I don’t want to be most of us.” So, explore while you can.