Goa or Kerala: which coastal gem in India should travelers choose?

Thinking about a winter escape in South India? Explore how two writers advocate for their chosen state.

As you journey toward India’s southern edge, the warmth increases, beaches stretch out, and the cuisine becomes spicier—prompting the question of where to unwind and relax.

You can’t go wrong with a long stay in two of South India’s most enchanting states, Goa and Kerala. But if you had to choose just one, what would it be? To help, we invited two writers to argue for their favored destination. A winter adventure in the subcontinent awaits.

Visit Goa

Joanna Lobo, a proud Goan who has spent most of her life in the state, is dedicated to promoting her homeland and revealing its beauty beyond Instagram highlights and clichés.

In 2020, with the coronavirus crisis forcing Indians indoors, many sought an escape to a serene, beautiful, and affordable place. Their destination? Goa, India’s beloved getaway in the post-pandemic era.

Tourists flock to Kerala for vacations, but they come to Goa searching for a place to call home.

This small state is a complete getaway, offering something for everyone—making it a beloved destination long before 2020. Couples visit for romantic honeymoons, families for quality bonding time, young adults for quick escapes from parental scrutiny, and singles for lively bachelor and bachelorette parties. Across India, the phrase “Goa chalte hain” (“let’s go to Goa”) is a popular catchphrase for those planning a trip.

Good things often come in small packages. Although Goa is much smaller than Kerala, it offers an abundance of experiences. The state honors tradition while embracing modernity, with a rich colonial history from Portuguese rule for 451 years that infuses its cuisine, architecture, clothing, and music with a distinctly European charm.

Goa's highlight reel is so extensive it could be a feature film. (Think of this as the teaser.) Explore history, stunning architecture, and even a miracle at the heritage site of Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, which houses the remains of St Francis Xavier. Goa’s temples and forts, like Fort Aguada, are architecturally impressive. Discover the rich tropical biodiversity at Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Don’t miss the quirky museums, including the boat-shaped Houses of Goa. Marvel at the milky-white Dudhsagar Falls, the second tallest in India, and enjoy the internationally renowned beaches with their soft sands, clear waters, and gentle waves perfect for novice surfers.

North Goa is known for its flea markets, lively party scenes, and casinos, while South Goa offers a more traditional vibe with serene beaches and largely preserved forests.

Goa’s culinary scene makes it a true gastronomic powerhouse. The flavors here are distinct from typical Indian cuisine; Goa has embraced the best of Portuguese influences, creating its own unique dishes. Curries are rich and flavorful, bread is taken seriously, and desserts are indulgent yet not overly sweet. The staple meal, fish-curry-rice, is best enjoyed at small thali eateries. In recent years, the food culture has flourished, paired with a vibrant cocktail scene. While Keralites cultivate cashews for their nuts, Goans craft artisanal spirits like feni and urrak from cashew juice.

Goa’s attractions inspire a variety of content creators. It's no wonder influencers flock here to create #OffbeatGoa content! You can capture stories (or film Reels) featuring Goa’s motorcycle taxi pilots, the translucent oyster-shell windows of historic homes, festivals where participants get buried underground, or the village that floods each year only to emerge again in the summer.

The Danes have hygge, while Goa boasts susegaad. It embodies a sense of tranquility and satisfaction unique to this state.

Why consider anywhere else?

Stick with Kerala

Luke Waterson spent a month exploring Kerala, indulging in its tranquility from Ayurvedic retreats along the coast to tea tastings on the scenic hills of Munnar.

The story behind this cornerstone of backwater boating, the heart of Ayurvedic healing, and a giant in South India's tea cultivation is a captivating one. Unlike Goa’s charming yet somewhat predictable beach resorts, Kerala enthralls you with experiences unlike anything you've ever encountered.

Kerala is a place rich in rituals—and that’s what I adore most about it. The mesmerizing dance form of kathakali, where performers depict Hindu folk tales in stunning costumes, originates here. This is also the birthplace of Ayurveda, one of the oldest and most renowned holistic healing systems. The southern part of Kerala is dotted with Ayurveda retreats offering detox programs, plant-based meals, and the simple pleasure of relaxation in serene surroundings. This Ayurvedic legacy has also made Kerala one of the most vegetarian-friendly destinations worldwide. Additionally, Kerala hosts extravagant festivals like Onam, featuring parades of elaborately decorated elephants, kathakali performances, and vibrant flower petal carpets arranged in intricate designs.

Visit Goa for a party; come to Kerala to broaden your horizons and immerse yourself in its rich culture.

Kerala truly embodies the essence of “backwater.” The intricate network of channels, lakes, and inlets stretching from Alappuzha covers about 1000km (621 miles). This remarkable wetland habitat, composed of both fresh and brackish water, supports a stunning array of wildlife. A houseboat journey through these waterways—spotting turtles, rice paddies, and the tranquil life of local villages—is a must-do experience in India.

Equally breathtaking in a more mountainous sense is the Munnar region, where rolling hills of vibrant green host some of South India’s key tea plantations. Towering above Munnar are the national parks of Eravikulam, Anamudi Shola, and Pampadum Shola (for context, Goa has only one national park in total), preserving vast stretches of high-altitude tropical shola forests that are home to endangered species like Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri martens, leopards, and tigers.

Other lesser-known attractions highlight Kerala’s unique charm: the petroglyph-adorned Edakkal Caves and the mountainous Thirunelly Temple, one of the oldest in the subcontinent. If you seek pristine beaches, the state boasts plenty: explore Varkala, near Thiruvananthapuram (famous for its Ayurvedic wellness centers), or the tranquil Marari Beach. Ultimately, Kerala is a lush, green paradise where you can unwind, find peace, and recharge in a way that's hard to replicate elsewhere in India.

Kerala offers a diversity of landscapes and character that party-centric Goa simply cannot match. Here’s one memory that perfectly encapsulates why Kerala deserves to be your next major destination.

Just returned from the coast north of Alappuzha, I remember arriving as the last rays of sunlight faded at a homestay, spotting a weathered old boat tied up by the shore and impulsively deciding to paddle through the shaded lagoon, which was already shrouded in evening darkness. Suddenly, around a bend, a breathtaking stretch of sandy beach lined with palm trees appeared. Unlike Goa’s polished shores, this beach was not pristine—but it was lively with a small group of locals practicing yoga, all illuminated by the vibrant red glow of the setting sun.

This truly captured the essence of a perfect Kerala adventure.