How Goa taught me to love my body

Research suggests that spending time in nature can help heal body image issues, and it’s no coincidence that an increasing number of domestic female travellers are participating in nature-based activities across Goa. “Being in the wild allows people to let go of performance—of how they should look, behave or feel,” explains Shradha Binani, founder of Amaraanth, a wellness boutique hotel in Varca. At Cabo Serai, an eco-resort in Cabo De Rama, over 60% of female guests now book forest baths, nature walks, biodiversity excursions and waterfall treks. At Kaia, a boutique property in Ashwem that also offers outdoor experiences, around 40% of its weekday bookings during off-season come from women travelling either solo or with female friends. This indicates a perceptible shift towards getaways that reacquaint women with their bodies—a conscious step away from blackout weekends at HillTop or Shiva Valley.

For Miloni Vikram, a software engineer from Indore, learning to surf in Goa became more than a new hobby. Once shamed for her petite physique, getting on a surfboard felt like her way of claiming space in a world that, until then, had underestimated her. “People assumed I was weak, until surfing showed them just how wrong they were.” She credits the state’s refreshingly inclusive surfing community. “Watching women of all sizes and age groups from across the country take to the waves inspired me to do the same. I watched mothers teach their kids and women paddle out with their dogs.”

For Rachna Dhondiyal, a mountain biker from Nainital, riding a scooty in Goa alongside women wearing tank tops and bermuda shorts felt more freeing than scaling the Himalayas. “It was a moment of ease I had rarely experienced coming from an industry that’s still quite male-dominated.”

Diana D’Souza, a marketeer and frequent traveller from Kochi, has a controversial take. “I hate to admit it, but what makes the difference is being around locals vs being around international tourists,” she says. “Areas like Morjim, Ashwem and Agonda are known to attract visitors from overseas. Over time, these places draw in people with creative and liberal mindsets, and ultimately become more inviting to female travellers from India because they feel safer.”

As Goa continues to grapple with overcrowding, rising costs, unreliable public transport and tourist scams, one thing is clear: it is no utopia. Yet, for women like me, it’s where self-love and quiet transformations become possible—whether it’s to steal a breather from the judgment back home or to discover a lasting love for yourself.