TIPS FOR TOURISTS :
 
Safety Tips for Foreigners,Tourists and Visitors to Goa
 

The Goa Police Department would like to make your visit to our beautiful State as pleasant and safe as possible. You can help us further by following these simple tips while travelling around Goa.

  • Carry your wallet in an inside jacket pocket or side trouser pocket, never in the rear pocket.
  • Carry pocketbooks in the bend of your elbow, held close to your body. If there is a long strap, wrap it around the bag. Carry credit cards and cash in your pockets.
  • Keep pocketbooks on your lap when dining out, not dangling over the back of a chair. Avoid placing pocketbooks on hooks on the back of a fitting room or bathroom door, where someone can easily reach over and removed them.
  • Leave valuables and important papers, such as jewelry and passports, secured in your hotel's safe deposit box. Never leave these items unattended in your room or carry large sums of cash on your person.
  • Be wary of unexpected persons coming to your hotel room. Never open the door to unsolicited room service or maintenance people. Contact the front desk if you have any doubts.
  • If you schedule a meeting with a potential client, research the company and the individual with whom you are meeting. Meet in a public place, such as a restaurant.
  • Make sure that luggage is only given to a member of the hotel's bell staff and a receipt is issued for stored luggage. Never leave luggage or other expensive items, unattended at airports or taxi stands.
  • Public Smoking is an offence in Goa. Smoking is permitted only in designated smoking zones.
  • Consumption of Alcohol is not permitted at Public places. Violators are liable to be prosecuted.
  • No littering, spitting in public place, beaches, Parks and in Public transport.
  • Always throw litter, leftovers in the dustbin.
  • Cooking in the open places is not advisable. It is not only unhygienic but unsafe as well.
  • No urination or defecation in the public is permitted. Make use of Public Toilets/washrooms.Use Sulabh Shouchalayas (Public pay toilets) available at most of the important places.
  • Loud music in the open areas after 10.00 p.m. is not permitted.
  • Tourists must wear helmet while riding two wheelers in the interest of their own safety.
  • Do not use Mobile phones while driving. It is not only dangerous but a traffic violation as well.
  • Park your vehicle only at designated parking places.
  • Wear seat belt while driving four wheelers. Always follow lane driving.
  • Use of plastics is banned in Goa. Any violation may invite penalty.
  • Beware of inducement of touts, always do business with authorized persons/agents.
  • Do not buy or sell drugs, you may land into trouble. Provisions of NDPS Act are very stringent.
  • No squatting is allowed on footpaths. You may be prosecuted for causing obstruction.
  • Respect local customs and traditions in the interest of public Harmony.
  • Eve-teasing or stalking may invite legal trouble.
  • It is indecent to dry your clothes in public places. Apart from risk of being stolen, it interferes with overall ambience of the place.
  • Do not venture into sea during night time especially after consumption of alcohol.
  • Always follow instructions of ‘Drishti life guards' and Tourist Police with regard to designated bathing zone.
  • In the event of any dispute with taxi operator, tour operators, do not indulge in quarrel. Instead inform Police Control Room (100)
  • In the event of any medical emergency dial 108.
  • Do not drink on beaches as it is banned and punishable with fine is found breaking empty glass bottles and throwing on the beach.
  • Do not encourage beggars. Begging is offence in Goa.
  • In case you see drug peddler, please inform nearest Police Station. Information given will be kept confidential. Trafficking and possession of drugs narcotics is a very serious offence.
  • Do not indulge in permissive sex as you run risk of being afflicted by disease of AIDS.
  • Treat children with respect. Paedophilia is an offence pinishable under the law in Goa. Do not indulge in pardophilia.
  • Keep your valuables in hotel lockers/bank's deposit vaults.
  • Exhibitionism should be avoided in residential areas.
  • Obeserve decency and decorum in dress when visiting religios places such as Temples,Churches, Mosque etc., Nudity on beaches and public places is forbidden and punishable under the law.
  • Do not leave your belongings unattended.
  • Do not drive any vehicle on the beach. It is prohibited.

 

For additional information with regards to tourism in Goa, visit the Goa Toursim website at  http://www.goatourism.gov.in