Goa, a tiny emerald land was once a Portuguese colony and now one of the most relaxed places in India. The most important attractions are the beaches. They are as beaches should be: made of white sand and lined with palm trees. Goa is a perfect mix of east-west with its beaches and syncretic culture that attracts an officially-estimated two million visitors each year. Good food and wine grace the humblest of tables. The life is full of song, dance and merriment. Goa is a place for holidaymaker who seeks sun and sand, food and wine and even old forts, churches and temples. You can also enjoy beach volleyball, water polo, parasailing, jet-skiing and windsurfing. Goa is divided into three districts; north, south and central Goa. State capital Panaji (Panajim) is in North Goa.
Main Languages: Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and English
Capital: Panaji (Panajim)
City Telephone Code/ STD Code: 0832
Best time to visit: October to March
Tourist Information: Goa Tourism Development Corporation (PH: 2427972, 2420779, 2436666) and Private tour operators.
Distance from Panaji other cities: Ahmedabad – 1068, Kolkatta – 2187, Bangalore – 592, Chennai – 923,
Delhi – 1912, Hyderabad – 747, Mumbai – 593,
Trivandrum - 1001
GPS points ( 15deg35’00.83”N 73deg44’33.19”E )
Getting there and away
By Air: Goa has a domestic airport (Dabolim) 29 Km from Panaji and well connected with the rest of country.
By Rail: Konkan Railway connects Goa with rest of the country and Madgaon in Margoa is major station and 35 KM from Panaji.
By Road: The state run Kadamba Transport Corporation is the main operator of public buses and connects most of the places in Goa and the neighboring states. Also private operators have extensive network to the neighboring states.
Getting Around
By Bus: The state run buses and private operators with their extensive network connect important places and tourist attractions, with a good frequency.
By Motorcycle: Motorcycles are a licensed form of taxi in Goa and are easy to find.
Apart from the local buses and Motorcycle, you may also avail the services of taxis, autos, boats, and bicycles.
Attractions in Goa
BEACHES
Anjuna: Anjuna beach is located about 18 KM from Panaji in Bardez taluk. It is the part of a 30 KM extended beach coastline along the west coast of Goa. Anjuna is nestled between the Arabian Sea and the Hill overlooking the beach. The beach is famous for its stunning natural beauty with swaying palms trees and soft powered white sands and the calm sea, which is ideal for enjoying swimming or the allure of a sunset. The beach is also marked by unusual rocky formation overlying a bay of white sand and black rock that protrude out into the Sea. Anjuna beach was the popular hang for hippies who introduced the now famous rave beach parties along with the trance music. These parties are held especially during the full moon nights and have become the characteristics features of Goan beaches. Another major attraction of the Anjuna beach is the flea market, held every Wednesday; here tourist can buy just about anything, right from swim suits, water-sports equipments, Gujarti, Kashmiri and Tibetan handicrafts, second hand bikes, cameras to various knick-knacks that can be taken away as souvenir.
Calangute Beach: One of Goa's most popular beaches, Calangute beach extends for 7 kilometers along the coast of North Goa. Known for its fine stretches of golden sand, Calangute beach attracts tourist all ages. Food and trinket stalls near the beach enhance its tourist appeal.
Sinquerim Beach: Sinquerim beach has clean, white sand, and is close to the historic Fort Aguada, the early 17th century Portuguese fort that was built by the Portuguese to control the entry into River Mandovi and to protect old Goa from enemy attack. You can take a long walk from Sinquerim beach all the way up to Candolim beach, which continues all the way north to Baga.
Baga Beach: Baga is a small fishing beach with a grove of shady palms close to the water’s edge. There are few buses that come all the way to the beach's edge, but none after dark. Baga is really an extension of Calangute beach. But unlike Calangute, which is crowded, steep and marred by dangerous undercurrents, the beach at Baga is flat, safe for swimming, and has clean, white sand.
Agonda Beach: Agonda is a virgin stretch of beach 12 KM from Palolem and until recently, was undiscovered by tourists. It is sometimes frequented by day picnickers. The waters are crystal clear and it’s easy to see the bottom of the shore while swimming. Watch out for the sharp barnacles if you decide to climb any of the rocks there.
Dona Paula Beach: 7 KM from Panaji is Dona Paula Beach, also known as Lovers Paradise, Dona Paula Beach is a named after the daughter of a Portuguese official who is who is said to have killed herself when she was unable to marry the man she loved. The attractions of Dona Paula beach include water sports such as windsurfing, water-skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, harpoon fishing, yachting, kayaking, water-scooter rides and motorboat rides.
These are only some of the beach attractions of Goa. There are around 40 beaches where you can enjoy a beach holiday on your tailor-made journey to Goa along with other attractions of Goa.