About Goa
Goa the most famous sea side resorts in India Goa, a tiny emerald land on the west coast of India , a place of sun sand and see, squeezed between the seas and the lush forested hills. It offers glistening sands, swaying coconut palms, and ultra fresh seafood. with its natural scenic beauty, abundant greenery, attractive beaches and temples, churches & even mosques with a distinctive style of architecture, colorful and lively feasts, festivals& above all, hospitable people with a rich cultural milieu, has an ideal tourist profile.
Fast Facts about Goa
- Main languages Konkani, Marathi, English and Hindi
- Telephone code 0832
- Area 3701 sq km
- Population 1.34 million
- Capital Panaji(Panjim)
- When to go
Weather :
The average temperature varies between 25 ? C - 30 ? C (67.96F - 81.56F Approx). The average rainfall is approximately 325cms, the average daily hours of sunshine is nine to ten hours in summer and three to five hours during the monsoon.
The best time to visit Goa is during winter season, from November to March. This is decidedly the peak tourist season of the state.
I love this season and most of my visit to Goa is during this season.
The weather, at this time is at its mild, pleasantest best, to enjoy yourself on beaches.
Goa Carnival festival is celebrated in the month of February. Christmas and New Year is also celebrated with full of colors and excitement in Goa.
You will find Night Parties everywhere on beaches and hotels during this period.
So, plan early and block dates in advance - but be ready to expect crowds and to shell out premium amounts for accommodation, round trips, nights out, and
Goa in Summer
Spend sweltering, sultry days if you land up in summer at this lazy-daisy destination - a good time though for a budget holiday. The heat will probably keep you off the beaches and you may find yourself engaged in peaceful siestas in the afternoons, but expect heavy off-season discounts as far as accommodation and sightseeing, dinner and drinks are concerned.Besides beaches, options like a visit to wildlife sanctuaries and spice plantations could offer slight respite from the heat. Evenings are pleasant.
Goa in Monsoon
The monotony of the warm, moderately warm and humid phases throughout the year is broken by the onset of the monsoons in June.The monsoon, which begins in June, comes as a relief for local people after the hot, dry months of early summer, bringing welcome rain and lower temperatures. Goa can be at its most beautiful at this time of year, with the vivid green of newly sprouting rice in place of the bare red earth and parched vegetation of the dry season.
Most tourists in India and abroad are yet to wake up to the charms of a wet Goa. Discover a unique Goa with overflowing rivers, trees dancing to the tune of the winds, hills and vast expanses of fields covered with lush verdant vegetation. The rivers criss-crossing Goa swell with rainwater and flow with gusto in blue-green billows.
The Arabian Sea, all along the Goan coastline, looks wild and choppy, and swimming is out, with rainstorms ravaging the beaches. It's just about the best time for a quiet rural holiday in the interiors.
Explore ecotourism, spice plantations and other lesser-known remote options to make the most of this time.
Cloudy skies and heavy rain, however, are a powerful deterrent to most visitors. Rainfall is at its heaviest in July when Goa receives up to 90cm (36in) of rain in a single month.
Traveling within India generally becomes more difficult during the rainy season and Goa is no exception. Road, rail and air travel schedules are prone to disruption. Strong winds and high seas also put most beaches off limits at this time of year.
Getting around
Air : Goa 's international airport is 29 km from Panjim at Dabolim.
Rail : Goa has two main stations at Margao and Vasco da Gama. The 760 km long Konkan Railway project between Mangalore (Karnataka) and Mumbai has given a major boost to train travel to Goa
Road : There are interstate bus services to Mumbai (16 hrs), Mangalore, Bangalore, Pune, Londa, Hubli, Hampi and Hospet.
Car
Self-drive car hire is not worth the trouble, especially since it's more expensive than a chauffeur-driven car.
Bus
The state-run Kadamba bus company is the main operator of public buses, although there are also private companies running more comfortable buses to Mumbai, Hampi, Bengaluru and several other interstate destinations. Local buses are cheap, services are frequent and they run to just about everywhere, eventually. Express buses run between Panaji and Mapusa, and Panaji and Margao.
Places To Visit
Keri Beach
Those who yearn for peace and want to de-stress, should head to Keri Beach, the perfect place to be in. It is one of the least frequented beaches on the northernmost extreme of Goa's coast.
Arambol Beach
The Arambol beach is just a walking distance from the Keri beach. The Portuguese interpretation of the name of the village "Hamal" gave Arambol its present name. Apart from the usual run of activities, the beach provides options like body painting, t'ai chi and yoga.
Ashwem Beach
Down to the south from Arambol beach is the stretch of three beaches in Pernem taluka. Immediately down, south to Arambol is Ashwem. Unlike other Goa beaches in the south this beach is quiet and an ideal place to relax. The wind-touch, white sandy stretch adds to the beach`s charm.
Mandrem Beach
Compared to Morjim and Ashwem, Mandrem is the most captivating beach and offers the best option to spend the night. However, during high tide, access to the beach is difficult. So, hoteliers around the area have constructed a makeshift bamboo bridge to reach the beach.
Morjim Beach
Morjim, located in Pernem, is the southernmost beach of the taluka. Interestingly, the beach is a natural choice for Olive Ridley turtles for breeding. The hatchlings can be spotted easily during the nesting season, which lasts from November to March. It is an unusual sight to see the tiny hatchlings make their way from their nests to the sea. Local authorities, however, want to avoid a stampede of tourists and visitors which could affect the turtles' breeding.
Vagator Beach
The beach, crowned by the Chapora Fort, is skirted by Anjuna Beach to the south. Vagator is divided into three beaches, North Vagator, Ozrant Beach and Tel Aviv Beach. The three beaches cater to a large number of Israeli and British tourists.
Anjuna Beach
The sheer beauty of the beach is indescribable. With its rocky crescent and swaying palms, it's a delight to be here. Visit the beach to have a first-hand experience of how pleasurable it can be. Going to the Flea Market can be fun. For revelers, beach parties on the full moon are a must. In a time zone of their own, such parties throb with life and effortlessly convert night to day.
Baga Beach
Miles and miles of sand, dotted with sun decks, is what this beach is all about. It is the perfect sun strip for holidaymakers. From the Baga-Anjuna Hill, the view of Baga Beach is amazing. The Baga River flows to the north of the beach. Numerous hotels and restaurants are lined up on the beach coast.
Calangute Beach
Famous as the "Queen of the Goa beaches”. Calangute is thronged by visitors. The beach is a 7-km-long coastal stretch. Calangute is Goa at its best, you name it, it's there - the beach, nightspots, restaurants, night-markets, t'ai chi, yoga sessions and adventure sports. And the most unusual of them all are the village vaddos, or traditional village wards.
Candolim Beach
Candolim Beach, in Bardez taluka, is lined with shacks and bars. The beach is adjacent to Fort Aguada. This is one clean and straight stretch of sand in North Goa. Candolim is said to be the native village of the famous Abbe Faria, one of the founding fathers of the science of hypnotism.
Sinquerim Beach
The battlements of the Portuguese Aguada Fort overlook this beach. A beautiful beach, it's the venue of Fort Aguada Beach Resort, the Taj Holiday Village and Hermitage. The lighthouse has a fine vantage point and gives a bird's-eye view of the area. You can walk down the hillock to where the waves crash against the coral rocks. Or climb down to find a cave dug in by the waves.
Miramar Beach
Often regarded as the Marine Drive of Goa, the Miramar Beach is close to the heart of Panaji. Located at the place where Mandovi merges into the sea, it is considered the city's leisure zone. It is particularly crowded on evenings and on Sundays. During mid-May, many women visit this beach to take what is called the sea cure by bathing in its salty waters. It is believed that during high tide, if you can brave the crashing waves on your back, you will be cured of arthritis and joint pains.
Dona Paula Beach
Legend has it that this beach was named after Dona Paula de Menzes who threw herself off the cliff because her love for a poor fisherman could not be realized. The story has been debated and contested. However, the beach gives a great view of Mormugao Harbour and the Arabian Sea. Its beauty has made it a perfect location for Indian filmmakers.
South Goa Beaches
Bogmalo to Galjibaga Beach
Bogmalo Beach
The Bogmalo Beach, a small and sandy stretch, is surrounded by three hills, lush with greenery. Unlike other beaches in Goa, this attractive beach is clean and less crowded. The Bogmalo Beach Resort is huge and dominates the beach.
Velsao Beach
The fact that this seaside village was short listed as a venue for the Inter-national Film Festival of India speaks volume about this place. The beach here is quiet and peaceful.
Arossim Beach
Just to the south of Velsao Beach is the beautiful stretch of Arossim Beach. Arossim is home to the family of Tristao Braganza Cunha, a pioneer of Goa's freedom struggle and one who advocated nationalism.
Utorda Beach
To the south of Majorda and north of Colva is the Utorda beach, which has some resorts on the beachfront. A decided plus is the exotic seafood sold in local restaurants and beach shacks.
Majorda Beach
Majorda Beach, unlike other famous beaches of Goa, is not crowded. The fact that the village has few places to accommodate visitors helps to keep the beach quiet and serene.
Colva Beach
Colva beach, in south Goa, is a hit with tourists looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of other beaches. It remains quiet and uncluttered for most parts of the year. However, in October it gets overcrowded because of a mountain influx of pilgrims visiting Colva Church to pay obeisance to infant Jesus.
Benaulim Beach
Benaulim is a lovely beach. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Parasuram's arrow landed at Benaulim when he shot it into the sea and Goa got extended further into the sea.
Sernabatim Beach
The Sernabatim Beach, which is quiet and secluded, is near Colva. It's a perfect time for visitors to spend some time by themselves.
Varca Beach
Varca has one of the longest stretches among the beaches in Salcette. The vast expanse of white sand is ideal for those seeking peace and quiet. The only ones to intrude are local vendors selling their wares. The place is often referred to as two beaches - Varca and Fatrade.
Mobor-Cavelossim Beach
The Sal River forms the Mobor Peninsula when it merges with the Arabian Sea. Earlier, this was a lonely stretch of sand, with only the Cavelossim Village and a few huts of fishermen. Now there are luxury resorts, bustling with tourists. Mobor is towards the south of Colva, at the southern end of the Salcette coastline, where Sal meets the Arabian Sea.
Betul Beach
The Betul hillock rises on the opposite bank from where the Mobor sandbank ends. Witnessing the sunset from the beach is an exhilarating experience. With fruit trees surrounding the beach, it makes for a beautiful sight - one that is not to be missed.
Agonda Beach
With very few tourists visiting the three-kilometer-long Agonda Beach, it is peaceful and quiet here. Agonda is 10km north of Palolem, on the Canacona coast. Agonda Beach is an almost completely untouched 3km stretch of white sand.
Palolem Beach
Palolem is the beach in Canacona, the southernmost town of Goa. The market town of Canacona is also known as Chaudi. This mile-long beach is very picturesque, with shady palm trees and silvery sand. At the far end is an island-like promontory and you can walk to it during low tide. During evenings, the beach is beautifully lit. There are colourful lampshades in shacks made of rice straw, jute, bamboo, papier mache or plain cloth. The shacks lend colour to the coastline at night.
