Goa Tourism And Travel Guide

Also known as India’s Party Capital, Goa brings varied images to the mind. From its pristine beaches, to its casinos, from the loud neon-lit clubs to the crumbling remains of Portuguese settlements, from its vibrant Technicolor markets to its upscale fine dine restaurants, tourism in Goa is truly a mixed bag of experiences with something for everyone.

While North Goa is the hive of activities with its numerous bars, vibrant markets, thrilling water sports and countless upscale restaurants, life tends to slow down in South Goa. Here you would find Caribbean style white sand beaches with coconut groves and luxurious resorts and hotels. Yet again the UNESCO heritage areas of Old Goa will transport you to the Mediterranean. Its distinctively colonial architecture with Portuguese churches will take you back to Portuguese India of the 16^th century. Here's a travel guide to Goa for your holiday planning.

Goa is well connected to all of India via air, rail and roads. Being a coveted destination with tourists flocking to the state from all parts of the world, the transport systems and roadways are very well maintained.

By Air:

The Dabolim International airport has daily flights from all major megalopolises in India. Furthermore, it also caters to international flights with over 90% of chartered flights in India landing at Dabolim. All major domestic carriers have numerous daily flights. Among international carriers, Air Asia, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Singapore Airlines, etc. have regular flights to Goa.

By Rail:

Arguably the most scenic train route in India, it is a pleasure and a life time experience to travel from Mumbai to Goa via train. In case that is not your route, we recommend taking a detour for this one. The vast network of the Indian Railways connects Goa to most major metros in India like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi, etc. The trains will usually take you to Madgaon in South Goa; you can alternatively choose to alight at Thivim in North Goa.

By Road:

Many private operators operate buses from Goa to neighbouring states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. However, the busiest route would be from Mumbai to Goa and Pune to Goa. Being the Party capital, students and young adults flock to the state all year round. Overnight buses ply daily from Mumbai, Pune Bengaluru, Chennai, etc. State run buses exist but are not very comfortable. These buses can be booked at Kadamba Bus Terminus in Goa. If you’re driving to Goa, NH4A, NH17, NH17A, NH17B and NH748 are the highways you should opt for depending on your place of origin.

Goa has warm summers and pleasant winters with a distinct monsoon season. Despite this, you will always find the place full of tourists. In fact some fall in love with the place and even settle down in Goa. The best time to visit Goa is from mid-November to mid-February. The temperatures aren’t too high and the weather is pleasant for sightseeing. If you wish to avoid rains and enjoy the various water sports, avoid the wet months of June to early September.

Beaches and Shacks:

With a large number of beaches in Goa, you will definitely be spoiled for choice. However, our quick guide here will help you decide which the one to pick. Among the most popular (thereby crowded, noisy and dirty) are Calangute and Baga Beaches with their famous shacks that attract a large number of tourists. The nightlife here is rocking with the shacks and discos operating round the clock. They are closely followed by Candolim, Anjuna and Vagator beaches which are slowly gaining more popularity among travellers but are still more quaint and cleaner in comparison. The shallower Morjim Beach is mostly frequented by Russians and is popular among kitesurfers. It has a vibrant nightlife and many restaurants also offer Russian cuisine. If you are looking to spend some time alone with the sun, sand and waves in Goa, you should head to the Avsem, Mandrem or Patnem beaches.

Casinos and Discos:

Feeling rich? Let’s get gambling at the Deltin Royale Casino. Among others, there’s Las Vegas and Casino Pride that are famous for their ambience and Bollywood style performances. Goa also offers casino cruises on the luxury ship MV Caravela. For the party people, club Tito’s lane is the place to be. The most popular night clubs of Goa are lined up together to create a lifetime experience. With good music and crazy cocktails in different clubs, this is the place to begin your night with some pub-hopping. For a different experience, you could choose to go on a night long party cruise on the Solita luxury yacht. If loud music is not your scene, you could head to the Silent Noise parties that happen every Saturday near Palolem beach.

Flea Market:

The Arpora Saturday Night Flea Market is an experience in itself with something to cater to every person. Be it shopping, food or drinks, the place has it all. From the cheap hand-made local stuff in the Lower field, to the high end branded and couture in the Upper Field, you will get it all here. The Central Field will quench your thirst and fill that belly with the most delicious food and drinks. Boutique House Bar in this Section will slay you with their crazy cocktails.