While the vast majority of visitors to Goa never encounter any
trouble , tourism-related crime is definitely more prevalent than in other parts of the country.
Theft is the most common problem - usually of articles left unattended on the beach. Don't assume your valuables are safe in a padlocked house or hotel room, either. Break-ins, particularly on party nights, are on the increase. The most secure solution is to rent a deposit box in a bank, which costs around Rs100, or to opt for one of the few guesthouses with lockers.
The other eventuality to avoid, at all costs, is getting on the wrong side of the law. Drugs are the most common cause of serious trouble. Many travellers imagine that, because of Goa's free-and-easy reputation, drug use is legal: it isn't. Possession of even a small amount of cannabis is a criminal offence, punishable by large fines or prison sentences of up to ten years. Arrests, however, rarely result in court appearances. The Goan police tend to ensure that offenders are given the opportunity of leaving the country first, having relieved them of nearly all their spare cash and valuables. That said, Fort Aguada prison had, at the last count, half-a-dozen foreigners serving long sentences for drugs offences.
Though violent crime is rare, women should think twice before wandering down deserted beaches and dark tracks on their own. Sexual harassment usually takes the form of unsubtle ogling, but there have also been several incidents of rape in recent years. Wherever you're staying, therefore, take the same common-sense precautions as you would at home: keep to the main roads when travelling on foot or by bicycle, avoid dirt tracks and unfrequented beaches (particularly on party nights) unless you're in a group, and when you're in your house after dark, ensure that all windows and doors are locked.
Finally, remember that nudism is prohibited. In case tourists miss the "NO NUDISM" signs posted at the entrances to most beaches, police regularly patrol the busier resorts to ensure that decorum is maintained. If you are tempted to drop your togs, check that there are no families within eyeshot. No one is likely to object openly, but when you consider that wet Y-fronts and saris are about as risquι as beachwear gets for most Indians, you'll understand why men in G-strings and topless women cause such a stir.
