Sq. Area : 3,702 sq Km
Population 1.3 million
Avg Rain : 325 cms
Avg Temp: Summer 26°C to 33°C,
Winter 20°C to 31°C
Airport : Dabolim International Airport
Bus Stand: Kadama Bus Stand
Mandovi bridge
Bus Stand (Private Bus Stand)
Goa Train Stations : Panjim South Center Railway, Vasco Railway
Station, Margao Railway Station, Konkan
Railway Stations : Karmali and Thivam
Goa Tel. Area Code : (91) (0832)
Languages : Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, and English
Best Time to Visit Goa : Oct thru Feb (peak season is in Dec)
Goa the one time Portugese enclave, is to the Indian tourist what Hawaii is to the Western. A spot to relax and replenish life's vitality. Goa has a character quite distinct from the rest of India.
Roman Catholicism remains a major religion in Goa. Over the last twenty years five-star hotels have moved in to cater to the increasing flow of both Indian and International tourist. In the process some of the old world Portuguese flavour has been diluted.
Loutolim, a sleepy little village on the way to Ponda, about thirty kilometres south of Panaji is a maze of narrow road winding through houses that nestle among flowering shrubs and clusters of jackfruit, mango, coconut, guava and banana trees. The open spaces are lush green paddy fields by the river. Four and a half centuries of Portuguese rule has not changed the distinct character of this village - the architecture and lifestyle showing a unique blend of Indian and
European influence.
Goa WeatherGoa Weather, When to Visit Though Goa is beautiful anytime, the Goa tourism season begins in early September and extends to March. Goa weather during these months is a perfect balance between warm and pleasantly cool. Throughout the year light summer clothing is fine in Goa but some woolens things are required during December and January and rainwear in the Monsoons which is in June.
HistoryGoa has been a key destination for Christian Pilgrimage tours in India. Goa was a part of the Mauryan Empire, around 3rd century BC. The Satvahanas of Kolhapur, and later the Chalukyas of Badami, took over the governance. Other dynasties followed, including a short-lived Muslim invasion, until the Vijaynagar Empire established itself for almost a century. This era, too, ended with the arrival of the Sultans of Gulbarga, from whom the rule passed on to the Adil Shah of Bijapur. Soon, the Dutch, English, French and Portuguese, all began struggling for its possession. Ultimately, in 1510, the Portuguese conquered Goa, with Alfonso de Albuquerque leading the invasion. Having ruled for around four centuries, in 1961, fourteen years after the country's independence, the Portuguese had to leave Goa.
Beaches of Goa-
Anjuna BeachReflecting its reputation as the favorite place for long-term renters, Anjuna has some of the best
options for good value apartment hotels in Goa. Laguna Anjuna is a deluxe Goa hotel that offers spacious apartments in cottages. Don Joao Resorts is a friendly, cheap Goa hotel offers large rooms with attached kitchenettes & balconies.
- Arambol BeachTypical beach Goa accommodation here often means seaside huts. A few basic guesthouses close to the beach and higher up on the rocky hills offer a cheap Goa holiday, both financially and figuratively. But a few better hotels should be up and running by fall, 2003.
- Baga BeachNilaya Hermitage is gorgeous, exclusive Goa
resort, 3 km inland in secluded woodland overlooking the headland of
Baga. The all-inclusive Goa Sun Village is one of the most popular
deluxe Goa hotel resorts. Many budget options with good facilities
are also available here. For instance, Villa Fatima is an excellent
‘good & cheap’ Goa hotel, perfect for backpackers;
Baga Queen Beach Resort is right on this interesting Goa beach.
-
Benaulim BeachTaj Exotica, Goa is one of the best beach
resort hotels in Goa or India. It’s beautifully designed and
offers a plethora of luxuries including sea facing rooms, varied
restaurants, large pool, health club, 9-hole golf and lush gardens
(Taj’s three other Goa beach resorts are at Fort Aguada). Royal
Palms is one of the leading partly timeshare apartment hotels in
Goa, it also offers villas.
- Colva Beach7 km
south from the center of Panaji, Vainquinim is known around the
world for Cidade de Goa, one of the best designed, and leading
resort hotels in Goa and India. Such are its facilities that
visitors who enjoy a luxury Goa holiday in Cidade de Goa always want
to come back for more. The resort stands in front of Tiswadi, a
highly productive agricultural land, which used to be supervised by
the Jesuits during the Portuguese rule.
- Bogmalo
BeachRight in the middle of the north and south groups of
Goa beaches, Bogmalo is one of the more exclusive beaches of Goa.
The presence of two deluxe Goa hotel resorts attracts the well
heeled, and the limited choice of cheaper options keeps the
backpackers away. The beach itself is a small, palm fringed beauty,
with ideal conditions for water-sports. it features some of the best
water-sports facilities on any beach of Goa or India.
-
Calangute BeachFor those looking for a midrange or a budget
/ cheap Goa hotel, there’s plenty of excellent choices on, and
close to the busiest beach for Goa tourism. Ondas Do Mar is a
popular deluxe Goa hotel, with beachfront location and excellent
facilities. Paradise Village is one of the leading midrange hotels
of Goa, which along with many others in the same range offer
excellent facilities that include restaurant, pool and Internet.
-
Palolem BeachThe three Taj super luxurious to deluxe Goa
resorts are all exceptional. Of these, the Aguada Hermitage is the
most exclusive Taj Goa resort, and Holiday Village, the lowest
priced (Taj’s fourth Goa beach resort is Taj Exotica Goa, at
Banaulim). Apart from these, a few midrange and cheap Goa hotels are
also available close to this ‘exclusive’ beach of Goa.
-
Vagator BeachVagator is one of the most beautiful beaches
of Goa, and India, laying on inviting sandy coves, between coconut
palm shaded rocky headlands.
Generally
peaceful, in peak season it attracts day-trippers, and during the
night typically boisterous Goa beach parties are a regular feature,
especially at Disco Valley between Vagator and Little Vagator, and
at Banyan Tree, east of Vagator.
- Dona Paula Beaches7
km south from the center of Panaji, Vainquinim is known around the
world for Cidade de Goa, one of the best designed, and leading
resort hotels in Goa and India. Such are its facilities that
visitors who enjoy a luxury Goa holiday in Cidade de Goa always want
to come back for more.
Goa Festivals and ArtsAnother
thing Goa is famous for is its colorful Carnivals; it’s a non
stop three day festival of song dance and music which attracts all,
irrespective of age caste creed and religion. Other Goa things to do
and attractions include Shigmo, a festival of colors celebrated in
the month of March. This festival of colors is celebrated under
different names throughout the country. In Goa it is celebrated by
the masses as a farewell to winter on full moon day in March. Goa is
very rich when it comes to performing arts. Theirs is a perfect mix
of east and the west, leading to a number of forms of art. Music is
still predominant in rural areas in Goa, while the urban folks are
more into modern music styles.
Goa ShoppingGoa
shopping is predominantly for the traditional and indigenous things.
There is a variety of stuff to be bought in Goa ranging from
traditional pottery and terracotta to brass metal ware, wooden
laquerware, Goan embroidery, bamboo craft, fiber craft, jute craft,
coconut mask carving and most importantly the sea shell crafts.
