Mint ·
Goa needn't aspire to become the next Bali—but it should do more to live up to its potential
Goa isn’t far behind Bali in its natural appeal as a holiday destination but attracted less than one foreign visitor for every 13 Bali did in 2025. Four largely man-made problems stand in the way of Goa’s success.
On separate trips to Bali undertaken by each of us, we could not help comparing it to Goa—as blessed in terms of beachlines, forests, culture, cuisine and waterfalls as Bali is. Yet, our experience as tourists was markedly different.
In Bali, we could summon a Grab, know what it would cost and follow it on our phones. In Goa, with Uber and Ola kept out, finding a taxi meant either a semi-effective app or a negotiation over an exorbitant fare.
Waterfalls in Bali had well managed parking lots, ticket counters, paved access, railings, toilets, changing facilities and small cafés. None of these things cost a fortune, but together they turned a beautiful waterfall into a pleasant half-day excursion.
