Goa in January
The Guide for Visiting Goa in January
Goa in January is a wonderful idea. It is the peak tourist season and the weather is beautiful. You will have long sunny days but the temperature is always pleasantly moderate. There is hardly any rain, so you can plan a full day of sightseeing or spend long hours on the beach. The seawater won’t be choppy as there is no rain. Many Goa beaches have water sports. The full menu of activities is available. You can even visit Grande Island on a boat trip and enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving safely. There are lifeguards on the most popular beaches, so you can swim without any worry.
Start the New Year with a bang! Visit Goa in January and enjoy a fabulous holiday. Spend long hours on the beach, enjoying swimming and water sports. Away from the beach too, there is a lot to see and do. Visit Old Goa and see many of its UNESCO World Heritage sites. You will have to walk a bit, which will be easier in January, as this is the coldest month of the year. You can also visit the Latin Quarter of Panaji. It is fantastic.
All the beach shacks and nightclubs will be open in January. It is the party season. Goa in January is costlier than the other months. But it’s a small price to pay considering you are at one of Asia’s finest beach destinations in the best season together with November and December. Find your own private villa in Goa and enjoy a super holiday in Goa in January.
January Gallery
Luxury villa with direct access to the beach. 5* star service. Prime location of North Goa.
Villa for rent from 19 000 Rs. per night
Quick Overview
| Weather | Coldest month of the year, but it is still very mild as the temperature never drops too much in Goa. The average temperature is 31°C. There is just a 1.2%-1.6% chance of rain. The humidity is low too. 11 hours of sunshine daily. |
| Beach | Fewer tourists than December, so less crowd. North Goa beaches are busier than the ones in the South. Cafes, massage, restaurants, and vendors on the beach, especially in the North. |
| Sea | Nice and calm as there is almost no rain. Pleasant water temperature. Safe for swimming. |
| Parties | Many parties at Baga, Candolim, Calangute, Anjuna, and the nightclubs throughout Goa. There are beach parties as well. |
| Water sports | Plenty of water sports activities to choose from, including scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing. |
| Shacks | The beach shacks are all open, serving their food and drinks. Sun beds and umbrellas are free. Great for relaxation. Many beach shacks hosts parties after dark. |
| Festivals | Goa Tribal Festival, Tattoo Festival, Sunsplash, and the Zatrotsav of Shantadurga. |
| Prices | January is a peak season so almost everything will cost more. |
Weather in January
Usually, January is the coldest month of the year. But the weather in January is very comfortable – it never gets too cold, so you will not need woolens, and there is very little rain. The average temperature is around 25.5°C in the beginning, and it goes down by a little bit as the month progresses. The average daytime high is 31°C, while after dark it drops to around 20°C. By the month end, the daytime average is down to 30°C, and the night time average is 19°C. The early part of the month is the mildest, but it never gets too cold in Goa. It rarely goes above 33°C or falls below 16°C in January.
January is also the driest month. Goa receives just 0.2mm rainfall in an average year in January. It may rain for just 1 day this month, which is the same as December. But the December average rainfall is 17mm. The probability of rain ranges between 1.6% at the beginning and 1.2% by the last week. Even when it rains, it is usually just a drizzle.
Goa gets an average 11 hours of sunshine daily this month, which is an hour more than December. The sea temperature is around 27°C, which is very pleasant. The median cloud coverage is also low. It is 6% in the first few days of the month, and goes down to just 4% by the end of January. You don’t have to carry an umbrella this month.
| Climate in Goa | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high, °C | 31,6 | 31,5 | 32,0 | 33,0 | 33,0 | 30,3 | 28,9 | 28,8 | 29,5 | 31,6 | 32,8 | 32,4 | 31,3 |
| Average low, °C | 19,6 | 20,5 | 23,2 | 25,6 | 26,3 | 24,7 | 24,1 | 24,0 | 23,8 | 23,8 | 22,3 | 20,6 | 23,2 |
| Average precipitation mm | 0,2 | 0,1 | 1,2 | 11,8 | 112,7 | 868,2 | 994,8 | 512,7 | 251,9 | 124,8 | 30,9 | 16,7 | 2926 |
With a lot of sunshine, no clouds, and a pleasant sea, you can surely spend a lot of time in the beach and water. But the sun can still beat down strong between 11 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon.
The humidity is between 34%, which is comfortable and 85%, which is very humid. It rarely goes below 24% or reaches the high of 100%. Historically, the air has been the driest around January 29th, while it is the most humid around January 5th.
Pros and Cons of Visiting Goa in January
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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The Weather – January is the coldest month of the year in Goa. But it never gets too cold, even after dark. It is always pleasant. January is also the driest month of the year. It rains just 1 day in the month and a mere 0.2mm. Even when it rains, it will be just a light drizzle at the most. |
Prices – Expect to pay a lot more in January for everything as this is the peak season in Goa. Accommodation, restaurants, bars, pubs, night clubs, car/bike rentals, water sports and everything else will cost more. |
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Beach & the Water – With a mild sun and pleasant water temperature, you can spend long hours at the beach and the Arabian Sea. Play beach soccer/volleyball, or just relax in a lounger. In fact, many spend the entire day in the beach. Get a drink or snacks. Go for a swim in the sea. Just make sure to get shade between 11 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. |
Crowded – Expect a lot more tourists in January, both Indians and foreigner. There are charter flights from many countries that bring a lot of foreign tourists. The streets and the beaches may thus be crowded and dirty, though they try to keep them clean. There is little privacy too. South Goa is more serene and quiet, though, as there are fewer people here. |
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Water Sports – There are plenty of water sports activities throughout Goa at the beaches, backwaters and rivers. Choose from speed boats, banana boats, parasailing, kayaking, water skiing, wakeboarding, white water rafting, cruises, snorkeling, scuba diving, and more. |
Long Queues – The restaurants, bars, and pubs will have long queues, particularly close to the dinner time. So you will have to wait. In fact, the waiting time can be as long as 30 to 40 minutes in many of the popular places. The waiting can be even longer on weekends. |
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Festivals and Events – There are many of them in January, like the Zatrotsav of Shantadurga, Flower Chariot, Procession of the Deity on Ambari, Feast of Three Kings, Tattoo Festival, Kite Festival, and the Tribal Festival. Plus, there are public and private parties at the beach shacks, bars, and night clubs. |
Noisy – With a lot more people in January, Goa can become noisy, particularly the busy streets and beaches of the North. Kids running around, families having a good time, and the sound and smoke coming from those speed boats. But there are plenty of beaches that are not as busy. You can still find a cozy corner. |
Top 7 Things To Do In Goa In January
Spend a Lot of Time on the Beach – The Goa beaches are always the main attraction. Spend a large portion of your day in the beach in January, when there is no rain and the weather is mild. Choose one to your liking – the busy and happening Baga, Candolim, Calangute or Colva, or the more serene and empty Vagator, Palolem, Benaulim, or Cavelossim. There are many others you can choose from. Each beach has its own attractions.
Water Sports – Another major attraction of Goa. Try those speed boat or banana boat rides on the Arabian Sea. There is water skiing, wakeboarding and parasailing as well. Go on a backwater cruise or kayaking trip to see a lot of birds and bats. There are dolphin watching and deep sea fishing trips as well. Just off the coast of Grande Island, you can do snorkeling, and scuba diving.
The Sea – The average sea temperature in January is 27°C. It is mild and perfect for swimming. The waves are not as high as the monsoon. Most of the beaches in Goa are safe for swimming, but some of them have rocks and riptides. Check at your villa or with the coast guards before venturing into the water.
Party and Fun – The party season is still on. Head to Baga, Candolim and Calangute for the wildest parties. There are parties at Anjuna, Vagator and other beaches too. Try the shacks or the nightclubs. Many parties start late in the night and go on till the early hours of the morning.
The Greens – There is the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on the Charao Island, which is a must-visit for ornithologists and nature lovers. You will see a lot of migratory birds in January. There is also the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. You may also visit the spectacular Dudhsagar Waterfalls. Another option is to go on a trekking expedition to the Western Ghats.
History and Culture – Visit Old Goa and see the Latin Quarter. Don’t miss the UNESCO World Heritage Site Basilica de Bom Jesus, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Se Cathedral, Church of St Cajetan, and the St. Francis of Assisi Church.
The Markets – Your Goa visit isn’t complete unless you have gone to the Arpora Saturday Night Market, the flea market at Anjuna, and Mackie’s Night Bazaar in Baga. Enjoy the shows, try authentic Goanese food, and buy your souvenirs here.
Festivals in January
There are festivals throughout the year in Goa. But, January is a particularly busy time as the month is packed with many festivals. Here are the major ones –
Goa Tribal Festival – The tribal festival was first started by the Adivasi Sangatna of Quepem Village. It is now organized by the Goa government together with the people to preserve Goa’s tribal culture, traditions, and heritage through craftsmanship, food, and folklore. You can see unique tribal clothing, handicrafts and try local delicacies. Many tribal communities participate in this festival, dressing up in their traditional clothing and selling homemade products. Stalls display traditional weaving techniques. You will also find stalls with tribal games, such as Gillidanda, Ton Barani, and Logoreani. The tribal festival is held at Quepem, close to Margao, on January 7th and 8th.
Tattoo Festival – The Goa Tattoo Festival is held at Anjuna between January 13th and 15th. It has been held annually since 2016. You will find many tattoo artists from Goa, elsewhere in India, and also from other countries at this festival. There are competitions and exhibitions. There is live music, live art stalls, and even an art gallery. It’s a unique festival.
Sunsplash – Sunsplash is India’s biggest reggae and hip-hop festival. It is held for two days in Anjuna or Mandrem on January 14th and 15th. Reggae artists from around the world come here to participate. There are handcrafted Jamaican sound systems. Events are held till 10 PM at the outdoor stage, after which, it moves to indoor dancehalls.
Feast of the Three Kings – Most of the locals in Goa are Christians. Feast of Three Kings is organized to respect the statue of the Virgin Mary holding infant Jesus. The Goans believe “Our Lady of The Mount” protects the people. They salute the Three Wise Men by decorating the statue with ornate flowers and jewelry. They will exchange gifts. There are grand feasts with music and dancing. It is held on January 12th.
Zatrotsav of Shantadurga – There are three major Shantadurga temples in Goa. Two of them are in North Goa and one is in the South. This annual festival is held over six days at the temple of Kuncoliencarin in Fatorpa near Betul Beach in South Goa. There are chariot processions and fairs.
International Kite Festival – Goa celebrates kite flying every year on January 14th and 15th. You will see hundreds of kites taking to the skies. They are in different colors, sizes, designs, and even shapes. Many participants are from other countries as well.
Republic Day – The Republic Day of India is celebrated on January 26th. It is celebrated in all the state capitals including Goa with parades and colorful displays. It is a spectacle. The Republic Day is a National Holiday in India.
Hotels in Goa in January
Alila Hotels
Many hotels of different sizes and categories available in Goa in January! They are fully staffed and fully operational in January as this is a peak tourist month. But you need to book early, sometimes months in advance, especially the more popular hotels and resorts, or those located in prime locations. There are home stays as well, apart from luxury and budget hotels and resorts. Prices will be on the higher side because of the increased demand for hotel rooms in January. Even budget properties will charge more.
Rent a Villa in Goa
Spend your January holiday at Goa at a luxury villa for a memorable vacation. Choose a private villa with a swimming pool right on the beach. The entire villa will be for you and your group. Many of the villas you will find in our website are waterfront properties. Some of them are an easy walk from the sea, while others are located in a quiet street in green neighborhoods. Stay in North Goa if you want to be close to the nightclubs, parties, and beach activities. The South has them too, but it is more serene, quiet. The beaches are cleaner. You will have more privacy in the South because there are fewer people. We have 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and larger villas.
Villas for rent in January:
Luxury 3-bedroom villa with its own private pool. Great river view and centrally located! From 18 000 Rs. per night |
Beachfront 7-bedroom villa private pool villa. Prime location. 5* service. From 30 000 Rs. per night |
Luxury villa with direct access to the beach. 5* star service. Prime location of North Goa. From 19 000 Rs. per night |
* Price depends on arrival dates and duration of stay.
Check out each villa. Look at their pictures and read the descriptions. Many villas are modern properties, while others are old Portuguese structures that have been restored and modernized. In the villas, you will find large comfortable beds, antique furniture, objects of art, modern bathrooms with separate showers, air conditioning, large screen television with cable, fully equipped kitchen, DVD player, coffee machines, juicers, housekeeping, maid service, security, parking, barbecue, a private swimming pool with loungers, garden, and much more.
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