Traveller: Goa Tourism

Goa is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast. Goa is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole. It was ranked the best placed state by the Eleventh Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on the 12 Indicators.

Panaji is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The historic city of Margao still exhibits the cultural influence of the Portuguese, who first landed in the early 16th century as merchants, and conquered it soon thereafter. The Portuguese overseas territory of Portuguese India existed for about 450 years, until it was annexed by India in 1961.

Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot.

Goa is famous for its beaches, churches, nightlife, festival, shopping, casinos etc.

How to Reach Goa

By Road: Goa's public transport largely consists of privately operated buses linking the major towns to rural areas. Government-run buses, maintained by the Kadamba Transport Corporation, links both major routes (like the Panjim–Margao route) and some remote parts of the state. In large towns such as Panjim and Margao, intra-city buses ply. However, public transport in Goa is less developed, and residents depend heavily on their own transport, usually motorised two-wheelers. Goa has two National Highways passing through it. NH-17 runs along India's west coast and links Goa to Mumbai in the north and Mangalore to the south. NH-4A running across the state connects the capital Panjim to Belgaum in east, linking Goa to cities in the Deccan. The NH-17A connects NH-17 to Mormugao Harbour from Cortalim, and the new NH-17B, is a four lane highway connecting Mormugao Harbour to NH-17 at another location, Verna, via Dabolim airport. Goa has a total of 224 km (139 mi) of National highway, 232 km (144 mi) of state highway and 815 km of district highway. Hired forms of transport include unmetered taxis, and, in urban areas, auto rickshaws. A unique form of transport in Goa is the Motorcycle taxi, operated by drivers who are locally called "pilots". These vehicles transport a single pillion rider, at fares that are usually negotiated. River crossings in Goa are serviced by flat-bottomed ferry boats, operated by the river navigation departments.

By Rail: Goa has two rail lines—one run by the South Western Railway and the other by the Konkan Railway. The line run by the South Western Railway was built during the colonial era linking the port town of Vasco da Gama, Goa with Hubli, Karnataka via Margao. The Konkan Railway line, which was built during the 1990s, runs parallel to the coast connecting major cities on the western coast.

By Air: Goa's sole airport, the Dabolim Airport, is both a military and civilian airport catering to domestic and international airlines that stop en route to other Indian destinations. The airport also handles a large number of chartered flights. Goa receives international flights from Qatar, Dubai, Sharjah and Kuwait in the Middle East and from Britain, Germany, Netherlands and Russia during the charter flight tourist season. Dabolim Airport is serviced by the following carriers – Air Arabia, Indian Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines, Go Air, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways, besides charter flights from the UK, Netherlands, Russia, Germany operated by Thomas Cook, Condor, Arkefly, Monarch Airlines etc.

By Sea: The Mormugao harbour near the city of Vasco handles mineral ore, petroleum, coal and international containers. Much of the shipments consist of minerals and ores from Goa's hinterland. Panjim, which is situated on the banks of the Mandovi, also has a minor port, which used to handle passenger steamers between Goa and Mumbai till the late 1980s. There was also a short-lived catamaran service linking Mumbai and Panaji operated by Damania Shipping in the 1990s.

Goa Map

Beaches in Goa

Beaches in North Goa

Arambol Beach

Arambol Beach is located approximately a one hour drive from the Darbolim Airport (GOI) within the Pernem administrative region of northern Goa, India. The beach attracts many international tourists, mainly during the winter season between November and March. Arambol has a distinct bohemian feel which is no longer found in other areas, such as Calangute and this inevitably attracts many alternative travellers.

Currently no major hotels exist in this area due to local pressure. Room rates are available at reasonable rates when compared to tourist laden beaches such as Baga and Candolim. Arambol beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa, amongst many other popular locations including Vagator, Anjuna and Palolem.

A short walk north off the main beach is a smaller beach with a "fresh water lake" close to the sea. The water here is a mixture of fresh water and sea water. The jungle valley, enclosed between low hills hide a spectacular Banyan tree. Adjoining the banyan tree there is a stone sculpture created by an American Conceptual and Land art artist Jacek Tylicki Give if you can - Take if you have to also called The Money Stone. It has become a pilgrimage destination.

Vagator Beach

Vagator Beach is the northernmost beach of Bardez Taluka, Goa. It is located on the opposite bank of the Chapora River from Morjim in Pernem. To the south of Vagator is Anjuna, one of the first hippy haunts of Goa.

Vagator Beach has dramatic red cliffs looking down on the shore and two fresh water springs within a stone's throw of the sea. But Vagator has little by way of seaside accommodation.

Vagator Beach is split into two main beaches by a seaside headland which holds the car park and lots of stalls selling trinkets, clothes, soft drinks and snacks. As you face the sea, on your right is North Vagator Beach (Big Vagator)and on your left Ozran Beach, more commonly known as Little Vagator Beach.

There are a number of places playing to a dance & trance crowd during the tourist season. These include: Nine Bar located just above Little Vagator, Hilltop (a little back from Little Vagator) and Primrose back towards Big Vagator beach, they play different types of trance and psychedelic music from different DJ's from around the world.

Also there are a number of Mediterranean and Indian Cafes/Hotels serving a variety of food and drink. The tourist traffic is predominantly Western backpackers, however it has also become popular with Indian tourists, who particularly come to watch the sunset from the rocks.

Candolim Beach

The Candolim Beach is one tourist destination that is far from the madding crowds of the other beaches in the Beach Capital of India Goa. The quiet resort is charming with the bountiful beauty of nature. The white sandy beach is a major draw now though earlier it used to be the hangout of the few travelers.

The captivating Candolim beach is well connected with the rest of the places. The Dabolim airport provides the connectivity through air. For road transport there are plenty of buses that ply between Panaji, Calangute via Sinquerim.

Dona Paula

Dona Paula is a former village, and tourist destination, in the suburbs of Panaji, Goa, India. It is today home to the National Institute of Oceanography, and just alongside it lie the Goa University and the International Centre Goa. It is also home to a number of hotels, small and large, and the luxury Cidade de Goa is situated in the area.

Baga

Baga is a beach town in the state of Goa, India. It comes under the jurisdiction of Calangute, which is 2 km south. Baga is known for its brown sands, and creek, the Baga Creek. It is visited by thousands of tourists annually.

Baga is also famous for its water sports and Dolphin cruises.

Beaches in South Goa

Bogmalo Beach

Bogmalo is a small beach-side village in Goa, India. Despite its small size, Bogmalo has a range of accommodation and places to eat. It is situated in a small bay, with around a mile of curving sandy beach, which is generally very quiet. It benefits from some beautiful sunsets.

The beach is located about 4 kilometres from Dabolim airport and 9 kilometres from the port town of Vasco da Gama. Thanks to its location almost exactly half way along Goa's coast, Bogmalo is an ideal base for exploring the whole state.

Colva

Colva is a white sand beach in the South Goa district of Goa, India. Colva beach is one of the longest in the world (24 km). On the weekend, the crowd explodes with locals as well. The beach also gets particularly busy in October, when hoards of pilgrims come and visit Colva Church. The area is well developed with plenty of budget hotels, beach shacks, food stalls, and small restaurants and bars. However, the development hasn't been extended to nightlife, which is minimal apart from a few places. The beach is constantly monitored by the lifeguards and the swimming area is flagged with colored flags.

Location: South Goa, 8 kilometers (5 miles) from Marago and 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Panaji. The closest railway station is in Margao.

Varca Beach

Varca is renowned for it beaches, hence it has become a popular destination for tourists. The row of wooden fishing boats seen on the beach belong to the Christian fishing community. Popular beach resorts in Varca include the Radisson White Sands Resort, and the Club Mahindra Varca Beach Resort.

Palolem Beach

The beach is largely unspoiled and is inhabited by both local fishermen and by foreign tourists who live in shacks along the shore or in the main village itself. It is about one mile (approximately 1.61 km) long and is crescent-shaped - one can view the whole beach from either end. Both ends of the beach consist of rocks jutting out into the sea. The depth of the sea increases gradually, it being shallowest at the northern ends of the beach, making it safe for average swimmers, and the currents are not fast.

The beach is featured as the Indian residence of Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) in the film The Bourne Supremacy (2004). The initial footage in the movie gives a good idea of the natural beauty of the beach - the distinctive tree covered rocks at one end (known locally as Monkey Island - to which tours are run) and beach shacks.

At the top of the island adjoining Palolem beach there is a stone sculpture created by an American Conceptual and Land art artist Jacek Tylicki called "Give if you can - Take if you have to" also called "the Money stone".

It became a pilgrimage destination. At the low tide it is a tough jungle walk. People can leave or take money at will at the Monkey stone.

Churches in Goa

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim, Goa is one of the oldest churches in Goa, which existed from the year 1540.

Church of St. Anne, Talaulim

The Church of St. Anne is a religious monument located in Santana, Goa, India. It is an example of baroque architecture.

Majestically nestled in the verdant hills of Santana, Talaulim, the Church of Anne was declared a "national monument" during the Portuguese era per Government Portario No. 1360 of 31/3/31. In that Portario – studded like priceless diamonds – were also the Bom Jesus Basilica, the Se Cathedral, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the Convent of Santa Monica and the Church of St. Cajetan. Each of these, monumental in their architectural splendor, and all of them huddled in the former Portuguese capital of Old Goa, Goa.

St. Michael's Church, Anjuna

St. Michael's Church, Anjuna, in Goa, is one of the oldest churches in Goa, built in 1613.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

The Basilica of Bom Jesus or Basilica of Good Jesus is located in Goa, India, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. The church is located in Old Goa, which was the capital of Goa in the early days of Portuguese rule.

'Bom Jesus' (literally, 'Good (or Holy) Jesus') is the name used for the infant Jesus. The Jesuit church is India’s first minor basilica, and is considered to be one of the best examples of baroque architecture in India.

Adventure Sports in Goa

Popular adventure sports in Goa are Fishing, Jet Skiing, Wind Surfing, Scuba Diving, Parasailing & Water Skiing.

Casinos in Goa

Some popular casinos in Goa are:

Casino Goa
Casino Royale
Las Vegas at the Leela
Chances at Vainguinim Valley Resort
Winners at the Goa Marriot Resort
Mint Club Casino - Rivera De Goa Resort