Caution
Panaji in May
Goa, India
Very hot and humid. Pre-monsoon thunderstorms. Off-season.
Why May scores 2/5
Weather
Very hot and humid. Pre-monsoon thunderstorms. Off-season.
Roads & Access
self drive: Easy. Scooter rental ₹300-500/day.. road condition: Excellent NH66 and state roads.. public transport: Kadamba buses, river ferries, taxis. No Uber/Ola — use GoaMiles app.. from nearest city: Dabolim Airport 30km (45min), Mopa Airport 45km (1hr). Mumbai 12hrs by road.. last km difficulty: easy
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 5/5. helpline: 100. ambulance: 108. police station: Panaji Police Station, Azad Maidan. nearest hospital: Goa Medical College & Hospital (9km). Private: Manipal, Healthway
Network
VI: Yes, JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. Full 4G/5G across Panaji.
Kids
Kid-friendly (4/5) — Walkable city, River cruises, Ice cream shops everywhere, Safe tourist area
Elevation
7m — Low altitude, no issues
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Families with children
- ✓Remote workers (network available)
Who should think twice
- ✗Those with flexible dates — better months exist
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5/5 | Perfect weather 22-32°C. Fontainhas walking ideal. Post-holiday calm. |
| February | 5/5 | Carnival month — Goa's Mardi Gras street festival. Best time for Panaji. |
| March | 4/5 | Warming up. Shigmo festival (Goan Holi). Still comfortable. |
| April | 3/5 | Hot and humid 30-35°C. Pre-monsoon. Manageable with AC. |
| Mayviewing | 2/5 | Very hot and humid. Pre-monsoon thunderstorms. Off-season. |
| June | 2/5 | Monsoon arrives. Mandovi River swells. Fontainhas atmospheric but wet. |
| July | 1/5 | Heavy monsoon. Many restaurants close. River can flood low areas. |
| August | 1/5 | Peak monsoon. Limited activities. Sao Joao festival if you're here. |
| September | 2/5 | Monsoon receding. Green city. Few tourists. |
| October | 4/5 | Post-monsoon — pleasant weather returns. Tourist season begins. |
| November | 5/5 | Excellent weather. Diwali celebrations. Season picks up. |
| December | 5/5 | Peak season — Christmas markets, church services, casino boats buzzing. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Dabolim Airport 30km (45min), Mopa Airport 45km (1hr). Mumbai 12hrs by road.. Roads: Excellent NH66 and state roads.. Self-drive: Easy. Scooter rental ₹300-500/day.. Public transport: Kadamba buses, river ferries, taxis. No Uber/Ola — use GoaMiles app.. Last stretch: easy
Elevation
7m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
mid-range
The Window — every Sunday
Best score this week, the honest skip, road intel, and what changed. Free. No spam.
One email per Sunday. Unsubscribe anytime.