5 Times I Got Lost in Goa and Didn’t Regret It (Mostly)
“Sossegado” – that’s what the locals say. Chill, relax, and let Goa happen to you. And trust me, it did. I went off-course, off-Google Maps, and sometimes even off my own sanity. But every time I got lost in Goa, I found something unexpectedly awesome. Here are five totally unplanned detours that made my trip even better (well, mostly!).
1. That Time I Ended Up at Chapora Fort Goa… at Sunrise
I was actually trying to reach Vagator Beach, but my scooty had other plans (and a questionable fuel gauge). A few wrong turns and some “bhaiya left ya right?” later, I landed up at Chapora Fort Goa. No crowd, no noise—just me, the rising sun, and Dil Chahta Hai feels. Honestly? Zero regrets. And bonus—met a chaiwala named Tony who called me “boss” and made the best cutting chai ever.
2. Missed My Resort, Found the Golden Tulip Goa
I’d booked a cheap homestay, but I got super confused with lane-after-lane of lookalike villas. I ended up near Golden Tulip Goa—a fancy place I had no business being near, but the staff was so sweet, they let me chill at their cafe till I figured my life out. Pro tip: if you ever wanna feel rich without spending, walk confidently into a plush lobby like you belong!
3. When South Goa Took Me Hostage (With Beauty)
I wanted to explore some flea markets, but my scooter GPS went rogue. Instead of heading to North Goa, I somehow cruised into South Goa. And whoa—cleaner beaches, lush palm roads, fewer crowds. I spent the day at Palolem and even joined a random beach volleyball game with locals. Got sunburnt. Still worth it.
4. The Hidden Shack Behind the Best Places to Visit in Goa
While trying to locate “the best places to visit in Goa” (as per every blog ever), I ended up in an alley behind a church in Saligao. There was this secret shack with no signboard, no Insta presence, but it served bomb vindaloo and Feni. The aunty there laughed when I tried to pay by card. “Beta, cash chhod gaya kya?” she giggled. Humbling and heartwarming.
5. Goa Holiday Packages Didn’t Prepare Me for This Jungle Detour
On my last day, I decided to trust the Goa holiday packages map given by my hotel. Big mistake. Took a “shortcut” through the forest path near the back of Candolim. Got mildly chased by a cow and overly stared at by a goat. But I did find a quiet spice plantation where the guide spoke Konkani and English in the same sentence—and gave me free kokum juice. Lost? Sure. Regret? Nah.
Final Thoughts
Goa tourism is about more than just shacks and selfies. Whether you’re chilling at Chapora Fort Goa or accidentally walking into Golden Tulip Goa looking for a loo (yep, did that too), Goa always gives you stories. So next time, ditch the map. Lose yourself. Goa knows how to take care of you—even when you’re clueless.
From North Goa’s chaos to South Goa’s charm, every wrong turn was a right one. Mostly.
