If you’re planning your first trip to Goa or wondering what those first few days in India really feel like, here’s an honest look at our first 72 hours. As a world travelling family settling into Goa for a few months, we experienced a little bit of everything: beach calm, scooter chaos, incredible food, friendly locals… and yes, even a cow encounter.
This guide shares exactly what to expect, what surprised us, and what we wish we knew for those first 72 hours in Goa.
Arriving in Goa: First Impressions
We spent a month in Goa 10 years ago – pre-Jai in those days of partying and living life to the fullest! This time around things are different. We’re parents, we have an 8 year old and we’ve enrolled Jai in a world school hub here in Goa.
This means we needed to feel healthy, safe and not surrounded by the party scenes we remember from years ago…..
We arrived in Goa feeling that classic mix of exhaustion and adrenaline after a long flight from Kuala Lumpur. Landing in Goa immediately wakes up all your senses. The warm, humid air, the sound of scooters weaving through traffic, and the colourful people all set the tone for what life here feels like.
The drive to our guesthouse was exactly what we expected… and not at all what we expected. Scooters everywhere, bright paint on crumbling buildings, palm trees leaning into the road, and cows casually strolling like they own the place (and honestly, they kind of do).
By the time we arrived it was nearly 11pm, we were so exhausted we just brushed our teeth and fell asleep….
A few things you can expect as soon as you arrive:
- Busy roads filled with scooters, cars, dogs, and cows
- Friendly locals and relaxed energy
- Affordable, delicious food everywhere
- Tropical weather that hits you instantly
A Very Goan Welcome: The Cow Encounter
Our second day began with a sunrise breakfast on the beach…and meeting the locals – the cows that is!
Yes, cows wander Goa freely. Yes, they have their own rules. And yes, I learned that first-hand.
Cows are sacred here in India, and are free to wander the streets. We learned they are usually owned by someone but are not kept on land as they are in UK or other parts of the world, but are able to go where they please. That usually means roads, shops, restaurants, markets and wherever else they find themselves! Cosw are often the cause of road blockages and traffic jams as they really don’t care about bikes or cars and are happy to take their sweet time getting out of the way!
I did have a scary experience in the market – I got a bit too close to a cow with my camera as I was filming, and it took a dislike to me – chasing me and trying to ram me! Luckily I was able to run behind a parked car and a local lady chased it off with a stick but it was a good reminder to give them respect and a bit of a wide berth!
If you’re new to India, this is part of the experience, and honestly, it made us laugh (after I recovered with a much-needed chai).
Beach Life + Finding Food We Love
Once we’d finished laughing about “the cow situation,” we started exploring our neighbourhood properly. Goa has this laid-back, slightly chaotic energy that just feels right for us.
We found:
- A fruit stall we now visit daily
- The local supermarket – not quite Aldi but definitely cheaper
- The best chai shop in the world – and only 15 rupees for a samosa!
- Amazing paneer dishes at tiny restaurants
- Affordable meals everywhere – perfect for budget-conscious travellers
We’re mainly vegetarian here, and honestly, Goa makes it easy. Everything is full of flavour, and there’s always a veggie option that’s not an afterthought.
If you plan to cook while in Goa, local markets are full of fresh produce, spices, coconut, and herbs, all at great prices. We now have a kitchen in our accommodation with a gas hob and a blender which is all you really need to make incredible cheap meals with the produce we buy in the markets.
Meeting New People & Helping Jai Settle Into Worldschool
One of the reasons Goa is popular among travelling families is its sense of community. Within a day we’d made friends, and our son Jai found kids to play with on the beach.
He also started “school”. We signed him up for a worldschool hub “Barefoot Souls” which is more like a laid-back meetup/play session with optional structured daily activities. He was a bit nervous… but he loved it. After weeks of travel transitions, seeing him laughing and chatting with new friends was a huge relief.
He started a laid-back “worldschooling” meet-up on day three, and it helped him settle quickly after weeks of travel transitions.
If you’re coming to Goa with kids, know this:
It’s easy to build a community here.
Scooters, Heat & Our First Proper Wander
In the first 72 hours in Goa, we were ready to really explore. Jeff confidently hopped on the scooter like he’d lived here for years. Exploring Goa by scooter is both practical and fun, but also a little chaotic if you’re new.
We rode through colourful villages, dodging potholes, dogs, cows, and the occasional “overtake-from-nowhere” scooter rider. Honestly? It was fun.
We ended the day swimming at the beach, salty and tired, feeling like the Goan sun had officially melted us into island life.
Here’s what we learned fast:
- Scooters overtake from all directions
- Potholes appear out of nowhere
- You share the road with cows, dogs, and sometimes people carrying entire cupboards
- Helmets are non-negotiable
Slowing Down + Planning What’s Next
By the end of the third day, we started to feel settled. We learned where to buy groceries, how to navigate the neighbourhood, and where to find the best chai.
We:
- Found our favourite sunset spot
- Started planning the videos we want to film for our YouTube channel
- Figured out where the best chai is (this is VERY important)
- Stocked up on local groceries so we can start cooking again
- Took a slow walk along the beach as the sun dipped behind the fishing boats
It’s amazing how fast a new place can start to feel familiar.
Goa definitely grows on you fast.
Your first three days in Goa will probably feel a bit like ours:
- Warm, lively, colourful
- A blend of calm beaches and unpredictable roads
- Friendly locals and delicious food
- A chance to slow down and settle in
- A few surprises (like cows who claim the footpath!)
- A sense that you’re somewhere special
Whether you’re a family travelling long-term, a couple on holiday, or a solo backpacker, your first 72 hours in Goa will be memorable, chaotic, and surprisingly peaceful all at once.
And honestly? We’re already in love with this place.
Goa is colourful, warm, loud, peaceful, chaotic, and welcoming, all at once. Our first 72 hours have been full of tiny moments that already feel like memories: dodging the cows, sweating in the midday heat, finding new favourite foods, and watching Jai settle into yet another new chapter.
If the first three days have been this full… we can’t wait to see what the next few months bring.
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