UMOJA's Guide to Goa

www.umoja.in

INTRO
Yeshwant Holkar
Founder & CEO
Benjamin Musgrave
Co-founder &
Chief Accessibility/
Operations Officer
FOREWORD
Everyone loves Goa. What’s not
to love? Sun, sand, butter garlic
prawns... Goa has something
for everyone. One can spend
a lazy afternoon reading a
book, or explore its famous
Portuguese architecture, or
even delve into its notorious
nightlife. The UMOJA guide is
an attempt to bring the Goan
experience to everyone, and the
Best of Wheelchair Accessibility
is just a start. We’ve spent
many a rainy day exploring this
stunning destination to discover
that delicious restaurant with
an accessible bathroom, or
the budget hotel with a rollin
shower, or the museum
with ramp access. This guide
highlights the best of what we’ve
found, but we realize that none
of these places are perfectly
accessible. Nonetheless, we
hope you find it useful, and
that through this guide you’re
able to come and experience all
that this incredible destination
has to offer. We look forward
to helping you plan your great,
accessible getaway in Goa.
- Ben & Yeshwant
ABOUT
UMOJA
UMOJA is an online travel
platform that helps travellers
with disabilities plan their
accessible vacations with
ease. Our mission is to unlock
the world of travel for over
1.1 billion people with disabilities
worldwide. And we do that by
providing information on how to
get around, where to stay, and
what to do. Having had more than
a decade of experience working
in the accessibility sector, we’ve
realised that there’s a definite
need for a platform like UMOJA,
and huge potential to create
positive change.
For more information visit: www.umoja.in

SAI’S GOA
GETAWAY
Meet Sai Kaustav Dasgupta, a young
wheelchair user from Puttaparthi
in Andhra Pradesh. Having won
UMOJA’s #WheelchairWanderlust
contest in July 2016, he got the
chance to go on his dream accessible
holiday to Goa. The story of Sai’s
holiday was shared with thousands
of wheelchair users across the globe,
proving that fun, convenient, and
comfortable wheelchair-accessible
travel is not just a possibility in India,
it’s a reality! Here are a few highlights
from Sai’s trip.
Sai’s full holiday blog www.umoja.in/SaiGoaBlog

MAP OF GOA
Best of accessibility
Eat
Sleep
Places to visit
Joecon’s Beach Resort,
Benaulim, South Goa
Things to do
Airport
Train station
For the full version of the map, visit
www.umoja.in/GoaMap

In this
edition
Getting to Goa
Sleeping
Eating & drinking
Places to visit
Things to do
Festivals/events
The accessible
weekend: Itinerary
06
07
09
11
13
14
15
ICONS
EXPLANATIONS
Ramp access
The location is either step-free or has
ramp access to all key areas
Few steps
Shower seat
Less than five steps to key
areas but no ramp
Roll-in shower and shower chair
for transfer from a wheelchair
Roll-in shower
Accessible
washroom
Non-accessible
washroom
Roll-in shower for a wheelchair
but no shower chair
At a minimum the washroom will have an
entrance door of 80cm or wider, step free
entrance, and grab rails by the latrine
Not accessible for a wheelchair
user to access independently
Narrow door
Door under 80cm wide
Important note
See location’s AccessProfile on
UMOJA.in for important info

GETTING TO GOA
India’s smallest state is well
connected via air and rail.
And within Goa, there is now an
accessible way of getting around.
Accessible transport
By Air
If you’re planning to fly down,
Dabolim International Airport
(GOI) is the destination you’ll
have to select while booking
your flight. For domestic travel,
it is well connected to all metros
with frequent daily flights.
Internationally, it is connected
via direct flights from select
countries including Russia,
Qatar, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia,
Kazakhstan, UK, and Ukraine,
among others. This
newly-constructed airport has
step-free access to all key areas
as well as accessible bathrooms
at various locations. The airport
is also equipped with aerobridge
facility. However, some airliners
board and deboard passengers
via ground transfers. So do
call them or check with your
travel agent to make special
arrangements for your transfer.
Via Rail
Travelling via train? Most trains stop at the main station
located in Margao (aka Madgaon or MAO) in the South Goa
district. The station is equipped with ramp access right at the
exit/entrance. However, there’s limited wheelchair access
inside the station as two steep steps followed by a very steep
ramp lead to the platform bridge. Strangely enough, as per
the signboard, there is a designated accessible bathroom
although it surely doesn’t qualify as one.
So, train travellers, you’ll need company to navigate
around the station. There’s also Thivim Station in North Goa,
Karmali Station close to Old Goa, and Vasco Da Gama station
close to the airport. Accessibility information for these is
coming up soon on www.umoja.in.
For more information visit: www.umoja.in

Getting Around In Goa
Via Cab: Freedom Cab
+91 9637895808
www.umoja.in/GoaFreedomCab
Goa lacks accessible public
transport. And the fact that
you’ll definitely need a cab from
the airport or train station to
your accommodation got us
thinking. So we worked with
a local taxi operator, along
with FerroEquip, to bring Goa’s
first wheelchair accessible taxi
service. Especially for you.
They are also available for
sight-seeing drives. You don’t
need to be transferred from
your chair for a cab ride
anymore. What’s more, UMOJA
cardholders can save 15% on
their cab fare with Freedom Cab.
(Skip to the last page for more
information.)
SLEEPING
UMOJA has curated a list of
the 14 most accessible hotels in
Goa available on our website.
Our top 03 recommendations
Goa Marriott Resort and Spa, Miramar
+91 832 2463333
www.umoja.in/GoaMarriott
Situated on the banks of
Mandovi River, right where
it meets the sea, is this
impressive five star hotel.
A five minute drive away from
Panaji city, Goa Marriott Resort
and Spa has one designated
accessible room and four
restaurants, all with wheelchair
access. Getting to the beach,
however, can be problematic
considering the steep steps
that lead down to it. You
can soak in equally stunning
sunsets while sipping cocktails
by the pool.
06 | 07

Photo courtesy: ynotgoa.com
Joecon’s Beach Resort, Benaulim, South Goa
+91 832 6723333 www.umoja.in/JoeconsBenaulim
Most great things happen by accident. For
instance, while hunting for a lunch joint in
Benaulim, we stumbled upon a place that
not only serves a great Goan prawn curry,
but is wheelchair accessible as well. With ramps
throughout the property, Joecon’s is equipped
with two accessible rooms complete with wide
doors and bathroom grab rails.
Azzure by Spree, Calangute Goa
+91 832 2267900
www.umoja.in/GoaAzzure
Moving on to the bustling beach
belt of North Goa, Azzure by
Spree in Calangute is centrally
located and is equidistant
from both Baga and Candolim
beaches (3 miles/5 kilometres).
This property not only has a
fresh and cheerful look, but is
affordable as well. Here you’ll
find wheelchair access from the
lobby to the room, restaurants,
and pool area. The in-room
accessibility isn’t bad either.
The bathrooms have grab bars
by the toilet and shower. The
doors, on the other hand, are
70cm wide which may be too
narrow for some.
For more information visit: www.umoja.in

EATING &
DRINKING
Goa is a foodie’s paradise. With hundreds
of eateries to choose from, you’ll find some
of the accessible ones on our website.
Our top 03 recommendations
Go with the Flow
Average meal (3 course) for one: 1,500
+91 7507771556 / 7507771557
Brazilian & world cuisine
www.umoja.in/GoWithTheFlow
Right where the Baga River
meets the sea, lies a lovely
restaurant aptly named
Go with the Flow. Its luxuriousyet-comforting
ambience does
absolute justice to the name.
At the same time, its world-class
kitchen specialising in subtly
flavoured yet beautifully plated
Brazilian offerings make for a
perfect fine dining experience.
With dining areas set up on
various levels for views you’re
unlikely to experience anywhere
in Baga; even the sky-dining
area on level two has wheelchair
access. Furthermore, one
designated accessible washroom
equipped with grab rails makes
it the most accessible restaurant
we’ve come across in Goa.
08 | 09

Tito’s Club, Baga
Average meal for one: 800
Multi-cuisine
+91 9822765002 / 9923586659
www.umoja.in/TitosBaga
Tito’s. The name itself is just as
popular in Goa as it’s catchy.
Established in 1971, this major
Goan landmark is a multi-cuisine
restaurant by day and a nightclub
by night. In fact, it has an entire lane
named after it in Baga, which is also
where it’s located.
Photo courtesy: goawire.com
Apart from being a good choice for
live music and dancing, the venue is
widely accessible via wheelchair as
the entrance is on the same level as
the road. The two levels it has are
also connected via an accessible
ramp. Unfortunately, the venue
doesn’t have an accessible toilet,
and the way to the inaccessible
one has steps.
Foodhall at Caculo Mall
Average meal for one: 400
Multi-cuisine & fast-food
+91 832 2222068 / 69
www.umoja.in/CaculoFoodhall
Doesn’t matter if you want
fast-food, or simply want your
food fast, the food court on
the second floor of Caculo Mall
is the place to be. The first
thing you’ll see, even before
entering the mall, is a reserved
parking spot for people with
disability, followed by a ramp
for wheelchair accessibility.
Inside, you’ll find spacious
elevators that’ll take you right
up to the food court. However,
the designated accessible toilet
on that floor is being used as
a storeroom, and lacks grab
rails. But the fact that it’s
heavy on variety yet light on
your pocket is sure to amaze
you. From dosas to desserts,
from Chinese to chaat, from
kathi rolls to kebabs; and even
excellent coffee–they’ve got
it all covered.
For more information visit: www.umoja.in

PLACES
TO VISIT
With beauty at almost every sight,
Goa is full of places to visit. And to
make it easy for you, we have listed
some accessible ones on our website.
03 Places you just can’t miss
Basilica of Bom Jesus
+91 832 2285790
www.umoja.in/GoaBomJesus
Old Goa, the former capital
of the Portuguese empire in
India, houses an architectural
marvel that’s over 400 years
old. Basilica of Bom Jesus or
Bom Basilica is a UNESCO World
Heritage site and should definitely
be on your itinerary. Bom Basilica
is known across the globe to host
St. Francis Xavier’s relics every
10 years. The site is equipped
with portable ramps installed for
wheelchair access to public spaces,
and an accessible bathroom to
the left of the building.
10 | 11

Museum of Goa, Bardez
+91 7722089666
www.umoja.in/MuseumOfGoa
Admission Fee:
Indian nationals: 100
Foreign nationals: 300
Children/students: 50
Subodh Kerkar, critically and
globally acclaimed mix media
artist and sculptor, has set
up an incredible space with
the objective to take art to
the masses. Consisting of
galleries, an art store, a café,
an auditorium and art studios;
MOG is located on a hill
between a vast green patch
on one side and the Pilerne
industrial estate on the other.
What’s even more impressive
is how they’ve made art more
accessible with a ramp at the
entrance, large circulation
space in the galleries, and
the use of braille signage in
the lifts. Having said that, the
lift door is only 65cm wide
making the galleries on the
first floor inaccessible for
wheelchair users.
Goa Science Centre, Miramar, Panaji
+91 832 2463426
www.umoja.in/GoaScienceCentre
Situated in the beach
village of Miramar (Panaji)
is the impressive Science
Centre and Planetarium.
Goa Science Centre
has wheelchair access
to its main areas with
accessible ramps, wide
passageway, and
a designated accessible
bathroom. If you’re
interested in the Science
Centre, there’s an
accessible path leading
to it via the Planetarium.
For more information visit: www.umoja.in

There are so many fun
things to do in Goa. So we
too thought of collating
some accessible activities.
Visit our website to find out.
03 Things you must do
Mackie’s Night Bazaar in Baga
+91 9822143661
www.umoja.in/GoaNightBazaar
Mackie’s Night Bazaar in
Baga, apart from being
the oldest night market in
the state, is also the place
to be for a whole lot of
shopping, foodie trails, and
live entertainment. Open
exclusively on Saturday
nights during season time
(October-March), the market
is built on the same level as
the road and can be easily
accessed via wheelchair. The
not-so-good part, however,
is that it lacks accessible
toilets. Go with the Flow,
a wheelchair accessible
Brazilian restaurant situated
down the road, has an
accessible toilet just in case.
Fatorda Football Stadium
www.umoja.in/FatordaStadium
Football is like a religion in Goa, and
there’s no better place to experience
live football action than Fatorda
Stadium in Margao (South Goa).
Shared by Dempo S.C., Salgaocar
S.C., and Sporting Clube de Goa;
it also happens to be the home
ground of current ISL (Indian Super
League) runner-up FC Goa.
There is ramp access to pitch level
seats (we recommend you call and
request in advance) and lifts to get
to the VIP seating area on the first
floor. With India hosting the FIFA
U17 World Cup in 2017, there’s
hope that the stadium will have
wheelchair accessibility in the
non-VIP zones as well.
12 | 13

Kala Academy, Panaji
+91 832 2420450
www.umoja.in/KalaAcademy
Doesn’t matter if you’re into
theatre or not, there’s no reason
why you shouldn’t watch a play
at Kala Academy. Apart from
featuring Konkani Tiatr along with
Marathi and English plays, Kala
Academy also hosts some of the
biggest cultural festivals in the
state. Run by the Government
of Goa, Kala Academy is an
apex body to promote music,
dance, theatre, fine art, folk art,
and literature. The building has
wheelchair access in its main
areas including a designated
parking bay and a clearly
marked accessible entrance into
the compound and theatres.
The venue is equipped with
a designated accessible
bathroom as well. However,
don’t rely on the information
available online as it’s
inadequate and outdated.
FESTIVALS
& EVENTS
If you’re lucky, your vacation dates may
coincide with some in the calendar
below. Here are dates for some of Goa’s
most talked-of festivals and events.
Month Festival Location
FEB
Jazz music festival
Kala Academy
APR
Easter
Basilica of Bom Jesus
NOV
Konkani drama festival
Kala Academy
NOV
Marathi drama festival
Kala Academy
NOV
Tiatr festival
Kala Academy
DEC
Feast of St. Francis
Basilica of Bom Jesus
DEC
Christmas day
Basilica of Bom Jesus
For more information visit: www.umoja.in

THE ACCESSIBLE WEEKEND: ITINERARY
If you’re coming down for just a weekend, we have
it all mapped out for you. Here’s a detailed itinerary
for an accessible weekend getaway in Goa.
DAY-1
When Which Place What to do Where
Arrival Goa Dabolim Airport Take a Freedom Cab
Vasco Da Gama
Check-In
Goa Marriott
Resort and Spa
Joecon’s
Beach Resort
Relax, feel the wind,
take a power nap
Miramar, Panaji,
North Goa
Benaulim,
South Goa
Afternoon
Thalassa:
The Greek Tavern
Greek lunch, cocktails,
watch the sunset
Vagator,
North Goa
Joecon’s
Beach Resort
Goan lunch, cocktails,
unwind
Benaulim,
South Goa
Early
Evening
Mackie’s
Night Market
Wander around, shop
Baga,
North Goa
Late
Evening
Mackie’s
Night Market
Enjoy live entertainment,
street food
Baga,
North Goa
Bedtime
DAY-2
Goa Marriott
Resort and Spa
Joecon’s
Beach Resort
Have some tea,
sleep tight
Miramar, Panaji,
North Goa
Benaulim,
South Goa
Morning Basilica of Bom Jesus 9:15 am – Konkani mass
Old Goa
10:15 am – English mass
Noon
Vivanta by Taj
- Fort Aguada
Have a delicious lunch,
view stunning sunset by the sea
Candolim,
North Goa
Afternoon Museum of Goa Experience rich artworks, old
Pilerne,
and new, curated by Subodh Kerkar North Goa
Evening Go with the Flow Sample some delightful
Brazilian food and caipirinha
Baga,
North Goa
Bedtime
DAY-3
Goa Marriott
Resort and Spa
Joecon’s
Beach Resort
Sleep before the post
holiday blues kick in
Miramar, Panaji,
North Goa
Benaulim,
South Goa
Morning Goa Science Centre Have a fun and insightful
morning at this planetarium
Miramar, Panaji,
North Goa
Departure Dabolim Airport Shop for some souvenirs,
Vasco Da Gama,
travel safe
South Goa
14 | 15

RESOURCES
Accessible toilet locations
www.umoja.in/ToiletMap
Health
www.umoja.in/Hospitals
List of Goa Police Stations
www.umoja.in/PoliceStations
Transportation
Freedom Cab (accessible taxi)
www.umoja.in/FreedomCab
Indian railways
www.umoja.in/IndianRailways
Wheelchair accessible
shopping centres
Delfinos Calangute
www.umoja.in/DelfinosCalangute
Caculo
www.umoja.in/CaculoFoodhall
OFFER
Goa Wanderlust Offer
Discounted offers for hotel
and flight packages from our
accommodation partners
and IndiGo airlines, specially
designed for Wheelchair
Wanderers. Goa has never
been more accessible!
These discounts are only
available for the first 100
packages, so log on to
www.umoja.in/GoaOffer and
submit an enquiry before it’s
too late!
UMOJA Card
Sign up for the UMOJA
membership card, and avail
fantastic discounts and offers
from wheelchair accessible
restaurants, museums, freedom
Cab, and others.
For further information and
to get your card today,
visit www.umoja.in/UMOJAcard
We’re constantly working to find
you more and better offers,
so visit www.umoja.in/GoaOffer
info@umoja.in +91 022 24900494
www.umoja.in @UmojaTravel @UmojaTravels