6 Offbeat Goan Experiences To Have As Picked By The Locals 

When one mentions Goa, there is quite the stereotypical image 바카라� beaches, shacks, nightlife, and local beers. Come to think of it, the idea of a snooze holiday for most people in the landlocked parts of the country is Goa. It is almost difficult to put a finger on any one particular reason for the state바카라�s popularity 바카라� whether it is the laid back vibe or the plenty of the sandy beaches. However, an alternative approach to experiencing the state lies in its nooks and crannies. There is much to do in Goa beyond its sandy beaches, shacks and boozy evenings. We got in touch with some locals to find out the best experiences for you to have while in the coastal state: 

Ecotours

With the increasing number of environment conscious travellers, ecotours in Goa are now well up to speed with their counterparts. Exploring small hamlets within the state as well as discovering tiny, local eateries are becoming increasingly common in Goa. Samarth Kholkar, 43, says, 바카라�Tourists have started enjoying the simplicity that Goa has to offer, and hence ecotours are becoming popular. People now rent cycles and e-bikes to explore the interiors of Goa.바카라� Kholkar is a part of the community and runs many such experiences in the state that can be availed via Airbnb, or his venture, Blive. For those who wish to experience the state beyond the crowds, via the eyes of locals, these ecotours are a great way. 바카라�Whether your focus is culture, nature, or simply food and lifestyle, tours can easily be curated accordingly,바카라� says Kholkar. 

Hiking and Trekking

While trekking is commonly associated with summits in the northern part of the country, with snow-laden mountains as companions, the coastal state is not far behind when it comes to offering treks. As soon as the monsoon hits Goa there are numerous waterfalls that appear offering ample opportunities to undertake a trek. For Karen Tewari, founder and director of Kidventure Camps, 바카라�Goa has a whole different vibe during the monsoon, waterfalls suddenly appear everywhere. Hiking on the plateaus has always been a favourite.바카라� She also adds, 바카라�Sometimes the kids will take their cycles during the day and wander inland close to home, discovering new plateaus, lakes and creeks.바카라� Cheryl Gonsalves, a software engineer by profession and an Airbnb host by passion, says, 바카라� Many waterfalls in Goa come to life when it rains. One of them is the Shiva waterfall, offering a jacuzzi like experience as it is nestled amongst rocks that lead to the main beach in Cabo de rama. Just like club hopping in Goa, waterfall hopping is a new trend that has emerged since the lockdown during the rains. The trek to Mhadei Wildlife sanctuary, traversing the locally made bridge and leading to the beautiful Jalavane waterfall is another beautiful escapade in Goa.바카라� Both Cheryl and Karen strongly advise to keep the surroundings clean and carrying back all the trash. 

Boat ride to the Mangroves 

Adventure sports at the beaches in Goa are not unheard of. Right from parasailing to jet-skiing to a banana boat ride, the options are aplenty. But if you바카라�re looking for a serene experience to absorb Goa바카라�s tranquillity, then a boat ride through the mangroves is a must. 바카라�A boat ride at the mangroves in Chorao island is the most therapeutic experience to witness in Goa,바카라� says Gonsalves. Apart from this, during shorter weekends Karen and her family and friends prefer taking a boat or a kayak upriver, 바카라�to explore untouched, quiet spots, or drive out into the wilderness to explore the forests.바카라�

Visit Cashew Distilleries
Goa bound travellers have extremely high hopes when it comes to alcohol. Some would even say that a Goan holiday is incomplete without overflowing alcohol. While many enjoy the local feni,only a few would venture to visit a distillery. One such experience in Goa is Fazenda Cazulo, by Hansel who created Cazulo Premium Feni. 바카라�To get there, you must make a prior appointment with them and only then will they reveal the location to where you need to go. The experience includes a tour of their charming centuries old traditional feni distillery, a feni tasting and an eclectic food pairing accompanied by cocktails which are served outdoors,바카라� shares Karen.

Spice Garden Visits
Seasoned travellers and food connoisseurs will bear testimony to the fact that authentic Goan cuisine is rich, flavourful and a perfect blend of spices. If you바카라�re the one to cherish these spices and are constantly on the lookout for them, then Karen recommends touring a spice garden. 바카라�There are many tours in Goa to choose from and most will serve an authentic Goan meal as part of the tour,바카라� she says. She also recommends visiting Mystic Farm, which along with a spice farm is a fossil museum and a butterfly park. 바카라�Earlier it was just a private space but now they offer a guided tour of their butterfly sanctuary and farm with a unique insight on how they live in harmony with nature,바카라� she says. 

Observe Marine Life 

One of the simple pleasures of being in Goa is the proximity to nature and the marine biodiversity. With a vast stretching coastline, there are plenty of mesmerising moments that are created simply by observing. Talking about Goa바카라�s beauty Karen says, 바카라�Goa has a whole different vibe during the monsoon 바카라� everything turns green, the sunsets are spectacular and the nights are cool and filled with the songs of frogs and crickets and lit with millions of fireflies. We drive out to sit on a beach or by a river to soak up nature in all its abundant glory. There are two regulated, turtle nesting beaches 바카라� Galgibag and its neighbouring Talpona, which are far south. You won't find bright lights and loud music here, and very few shacks. They're less crowded and chaotic, but because there is less human disturbance in the water, the sea-life here is abundant, with the low tide rocks thriving with colourful marine animals and dolphins swimming just offshore.바카라� Samarth on the other hand derives utmost joy at the second largest island of Goa 바카라� Divar. 바카라�One of my favourite things to do over there is watching the otters swim,바카라� he says.