Tropical Spice Plantation

The basics

Visits to the plantation typically start with walking tours, where you can see everything from cinnamon and vanilla to black pepper and cardamom right where it's grown. After your stroll, you can sit down to an al fresco lunch of vegetarian or non-vegetarian dishes that incorporate some of the spices grown on the farm.

The Tropical Spice Plantation is a popular stop on day tours and shore excursions in Goa. Many visitors visit the nearby 17th-century churches of Old Goa before heading to the plantation for lunch and a farm tour. Some cultural tours that focus on a mix of churches and temples also stop at the plantation.

Things to know before you go

• The Tropical Spice Plantation is a must-see for travelers interested in food and/or gardening.
• Birdwatchers take note: More than 75 species of birds are regularly spotted at the plantation.
• Bring comfortable shoes and sun protection to explore the plantation’s pathways.
• Food at the plantation is served on banana leaves, and many people opt to eat with their hands. If you’re not comfortable, it’s totally fine to ask for a fork or spoon.

How to get there

The Tropical Spice Plantation is located near the village of Keri, about an hour's drive from Vasco de Gama and half an hour from Old Goa. To get there, you can either rent a car or motorbike and drive yourself, hire a taxi, or sign up for a tour that includes transportation from your hotel or cruise ship.

When to get there

The Tropical Spice Plantation is open daily from morning until late afternoon, but many people—especially those on guided tours—opt to come in the early afternoon to enjoy lunch. If you don’t plan to dine and want to avoid crowds, arrive right when they open or before closing time when there will likely be fewer groups.

The Churches of Old Goa (Goa Velha)

The Tropical Spice Plantation is often visited in conjunction with the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Goa. Once the Portuguese built the capital of Goa, much of this historic area in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Highlights include the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a sandstone structure that houses the tomb of St. Francis Xavier (Goa's Patron Saint), and St. Catherine’s Cathedral (Sé Cathedral), built in the Portuguese Gothic style.