Goa India

Goa, the tropical paradise, is a small state halfway down the west coast of India in the coastal belt of Konkan. Goa is unique in many ways. The state was a Portuguese colony until 1961 and an intriguing fusion of colonial Portugal and modern India is distinctly visible here; in the culture, religion, language, foods and festivals.  The ancient churches, the magnificent scenic beauty, the spicy Indo-European romance in Goan cuisine, the laid-back atmosphere, the peerless blend of old and new are sure to mesmerize your senses.

Best time to visit: Goa is blessed with coastal climate. A close vicinity to the Arabian Sea makes the Goan weather and climate a moderate one. During summer (March-June), the temperature in Goa varies between 25°C and 35 °C, though it may climb up to 45 °C at times. Since tourists tend to avoid a Goa trip during summer, it’s an ideal time for budget holidays. The temperature ranges from 20°C to 30°C during the monsoon (June-September) along with the annual rainfall of 2500mm to 3500mm. Those who enjoy rain washed shores and gentle breeze coddling the face, monsoon is the season to be in Goa. But the best time to visit Goa is during the winter (October-March). The temperature ranges from 15°C to 25°C. A barefoot walk across the sandy beaches, the picture perfect blue skies with white clouds strewn here and there makes the stay more colorful and memorable.

International Flights: Goa is well connected with the rest of the country with Dabolim Airport at Dabolim, near Vasco da Gama. The international gateway for Goa is Mumbai. The Dabolim airport is one of the best airports in India that conforms to international norms. There are both scheduled and chartered flights to reach Goa. The tourists need to re-confirm all flights 24 hours prior to departure. Online booking of air tickets are relatively more time saving and reliable. The flights to and from Goa, however, tends to fill up early between December and February.

Accommodation: Goa offers a number of accommodation options. As per the budget and requirement, the tourists can choose from cottages, hotels, beach resorts and lodges in Goa. A good number of Indian hotel chains offer stylish and comfortable accommodation. The beach resorts offer the ideal accommodation for tourists interested to spend their vacation near the sea beach. Along with the luxury hotels and beach resorts, there are several budget hotels and cottages in Goa. But a tourist can surely expect a warm hospitality from any and every accommodation alternative.

Popular Tourist Spots:

1. Anjuna Beach: Tourists from across the globe love to flock at Anjuna Beach. The swaying coconut palms and the soft white sand add to the holiday mood on the shore of the Arabian Sea. It is safe as the sea is calm. Sun bathing is the most favored activity of the sun starved European tourists. The more adventurous of you may even try out bungee jumping. Besides enjoying the natural at its best at the Anjuna beach you may even check out the monumental Mascarenhas Mansion. The Mansion is a must visit owing to its woodwork and the finest floral etchings on glass. The Anjuna Flea Market is now more commercial with a broad range of goods on sale. You may take your pick from the Tibetan, Kashmiri and Gujarati trinkets and handicrafts. The beach market offers everything that your heart may desire. The Wednesday Flea Market is a must visit for every tourist.

2. Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary: Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary is spread in the area of 240 sq. kms. It is the largest wildlife preserve of Goa. Located at the foot of the Western Ghats near Molem village, the sanctuary is 53 kms away from Panaji, the state capital. The evergreen forests and lush green trees surround the sanctuary.

3. Dudhsagar Waterfalls: With the most meaningful name, ‘The Sea of Milk’, the Dudhsagar Waterfalls are located on the Goa and Karnataka border. It is at a distance of 60 kms from Panaji. Water in large amounts falls from the height of hundreds feet and forms for one of the most picturesque natural phenomena. It is a Goa’s popular destination for nature lovers, hikers and trekkers.

4. Mahadev Temple of Tambdi Surla: The most ancient temple in the all of Goa is located at Tambdi Surla. This well-preserved structure from the Kadamba dynasty was built in Jain style in the 12th C. The Kadamba dynasty ruled Goa between the 10th and 14th centuries.

5. Old Goa: Old Goa was founded in the 15th century; the city was surrounded by a moat and contained the Shah’s palace, his mosques and temples. From 1510 to 1961, the city of Goa was under Portuguese rule. It was the administrative seat of Portuguese India until 1843. Old Goa was a prosperous and thriving city. The city’s decline came about due to a series of … More >epidemics which ravaged the city in the 17th century.

6. Basilica of Bom Jesus: The Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous for housing the tomb of St Francis Xavier. St Francis Xavier began his journey to spread Christianity among the Portuguese colonies in 1541. The remains of St Francis are kept in a silver casket in a three tiered tomb made of marble. Bronze plaques depict the life of St Francis.

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