India Travel Tips Visas An Indian Visa is required from your departure country before you board your plane. 6-month “tourist visas” are available from your local Indian consulate or embassy. Your visa will start from the date it is issued not from the date of your departure. International Driver's License We strongly suggest that you bring an "International Driver's License" with you. Goan police issue fines to tourists who drive without one. Getting to Goa Goa is on the South West coast of India. The local airport is Goa-Dabolim, which serves International charter flights from some European countries, as well as Domestic airlines from gateway cities in India.  Domestic airlines fly from New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai (Bombay), to name a few.  Mumbai is the closest airport to Goa (a 1-hour flight). It's possible to take trains or buses to Goa from within India. There is an overnight night train to Goa from Mumbai. Please contact a travel agent or visit the nearest train station to get further information. We do not have specific information regarding times or prices. From the Airport You can hire a taxi at the Goa-Dabolim Airport for between 750-900 Rupees one way. You can change money at the airport on arrival. Pay the driver when you arrive at your destination. Don't Buy Leather (Skin) Products Please be compassionate toward animals by not buying leather (skin) products (ie, belt, wallets, shoes, bags, etc.). Every time you buy something made of leather, more animals will suffer as a direct result. More than one BILLION animals are slaughtered and suffer unimaginable pain because of the leather industry. You can watch this video from PETA, about the leather-industry (mainly India), and make a conscious decision for yourself. Support International Animal Rescue (IAR) www.iar.co.uk Please help us support IAR, a remarkable organization making profound changes, not only in Goa, but throughout India, Asia, and the world to help reduce the suffering of animals. You can take a guided tour of the facilities and learn about the positive changes they're making in the quality of the lives of animals in Goa. IAR needs volunteers to help walk dogs and give attention to the puppies and kittens. Your donations are deeply appreciated and go directly toward the ongoing sterilization program and treatment of sick and injured animals. Thank you.

Travel Agents in Goa Maria at "Connexion Travel" Phone: +91-0832-227-4439 Phone: +91-0832-227-4347 email: connexion23@hotmail.com *We highly recommend Maria for your travel arrangements. She is intelligent, efficient and has made changes to even the most "un-changeable" tickets. Joseph at "Bethany Inn" Phone: +91-0832-227-3973 Phone: +91-0832-227-3731 email: bethanyinn@hotmail.com *Joseph is a great person and someone we trust. He is honest, dependable and smart.   Vaccinations You may visit your GP or a travel health clinic 4 to 8 weeks before your departure to India. Recommended vaccinations often include hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus and polio.  We recommend that you do your own research regarding vaccinations and make your own decision. Goa is not a high-risk area for malaria and we, personally, do not take the the prophylactic tablets. Bring your yoga mat You can purchase yoga mats in Goa at “Oxford Shop” in Vagator. The quality is OK, not great. We do have a few mats to loan, but it's better you bring your own. Plastic Bottles and Drinking Water Plastic is a BIG problem in Goa. To learn more about the devastating impact of plastic bags on the environment and how you can be part of the solution, click on this link: The dangers of plastic bags. NO More Plastic Bags Please say "NO" to plastic bags. Bring your own canvas bag for shopping. Plastic bags do not bio-degrade and thus end up either in rivers or oceans. Sadly, cows often eat them along with the garbage causing the plastic bags lodge in their intestines. This creates a blockage and they get sick and die. We thank you for your help in making Goa a safer place for cows. Conserve Water Water is a precious resource. Here, in Goa, the tourist season puts a heavy strain on local water supplies. So please conserve water when you shower, brush your teeth and wash your dishes. Thank you for being conscious. Minimize your impact on the environment: Buy 5-liter “Bisleri” bottles.  You pay a small bottle deposit that will be refunded to you when you return the empty bottle back to the store. Refill your used/empty bottles for a few Rupees at restaurants, like “Bean Me Up”, that have water filters. You can recycle your plastic bottles, and EVERYTHING PLASTIC, METAL OR GLASS at any of the many RECYCLING CENTERS in Goa. Recycling Center Locations In Arpora on the main Road (near our old shala). There are several on the road from Arpora to Mapusa,. There is one on the road from Calangute toward Mapusa (right side). For those staying longer in Goa: Buy your drinking water in re-useable, 5-gallon bottles.  You can purchase inexpensive stands for these bottles to make pouring the water easier. Or purchase a “water filter” container from Mapusa Market at one of the metal shops on the left side of the main “Friday Market”road.  These are metal, cylindrical containers with ceramic filters inside.  A 12-liter container with filters is about 800 Rupees.  Boil your water for 5 minutes, let it cool to room temperature, then pour into the upper container.  It will gravity feed into the lower container and is then safe to drink.