Goa - A Place For Beaches, Sunsets And Crazy Nights:- Mostly related with touristy beaches, a happening nightlife and over 300-year old Portuguese architecture. A state that is neatly tucked into the Western coast of India is Goa.
Referred to as the city of churches by many, the culture of Goa has the lingering effect of being a Portugal colony. Goa has characteristic colorful houses, lush green fields and a soothing languidness in the atmosphere that is visibly different from the rest of the country. The charming villages of Goa are ideal for a laid back morning walk or an aimless evening stroll.
North and South regions of the place are strikingly different - the former is a cultural hub with traditional eateries and markets, while the latter makes for an idyllic vacation with its 5-star hotels, private beaches and a mix of white sand and clean blue water. Under the star-laden skies, each festivity becomes more alive.
For a nature lover, the goa greens and wildlife make an ideal hotspot. If you are a food adventurer, you may want to visit the gorgeous spice gardens and try a glassful of cashew feni. Not just for the tourists on an appointment with nature, Goa provides a relief for crazy parties and a vivacious night-life . The ultimate tourist destination of India, Goa promises to be something special for all types of travelers.
How To Reach Goa
With over 2 million tourists coming in every year, Goa has to be well connected and accessible. Goa is easily accessible by road, rail and air. Being such a popular holiday destination, there are various alternative commute options to reach here.
From different parts of the world, the nearest major entry point to Goa is Mumbai International Airport or Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Mumbai being the major city is easily accessible to Goa via flights, railways, and roadways.
- By Air
Goa International Airport is located at Dabolim, approximately 30 km away from Panaji. Multiple domestic airlines provide daily flights from major cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad. Most international flights to Goa arrive via Mumbai. In case your hotel offers free pickups, you do not need to worry about the commute from the airport. Otherwise, pre-paid taxi is a good option.
From Mumbai
There are connected International flights between Mumbai and Goa. Therefore, while booking your flight tickets to Goa, you can choose the one which stops at Mumbai Airport so that you can take your TVOA and then further move to Goa in the same one.
- By Car
A great option to goa is a road trip. Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune are some popular places people drive down from. There are three national highways which pass through the state - NH 4A, NH 17, NH 17A. The roads are good and the view is amazing, making the drive worth it. You can hire a cab or if you are going in a group with multiple experienced drivers, you can take your own car. Apart from the fuel/cab charges, you will have to pay the toll tax.
- By Road
Several luxury and budget buses run from major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, New Delhi to Goa. State-run bus service, Kadamba Transport is also a good option. Other state bus services - Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh - also have daily buses going to Goa. Various private players also run buses connecting many cities to Goa. For comfortable rides, super deluxe AC and Volvo buses would be the better options. These would generally cost between Rs 1500 - Rs 2500 depending on the distance and type of bus.
From Mumbai
It takes 10h 20 minutes for you to reach Goa from International Terminal of Mumbai Airport. You can take a private taxi or a Volvo to reach your destination.
- By Train
Goa has six railway stations. In South Goa, people usually get down at Madgaon or Vasco-da-Gama and in North Goa at Thivim. The train ride to Goa is worth the journey just for the view. The picturesque scenery of the Konkan region makes for an amazing sight. Train is also the cheapest option apart from being fast and comfortable.
From Mumbai
If you are flying to Mumbai so that you get your TVOA, you can also book tickets for the train in order to commute between Mumbai and Goa. To name a few: Ganpati Special, Mandovi Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, and Mangalore Express
- Commuting Within Goa
In Goa, the beaches are far apart and it stretches more than 100 km from north to south. Bus connectivity is good for popular areas of Goa and fares are low and still gives you a great view of the city. But buses are not a great option if you are looking for beach hopping or going to hang around til late night. You could rent a motorcycle or a scooter if you have a valid license. The rent starts from 250 per day per bike like Honda Activa or around 400 per day for Royal Enfield bikes. This excludes petrol costs. Riding on bikes is the most popular way of commuting in Goa for young tourists, including foreigners.
You can also hire a cab, with or without a chauffeur to roam around. It starts from Rs.1000 per day for a simple hatchback. However, finding parking spots close to all beaches could be a problem whereas bikes give you the flexibility of going pretty close to the beach to park.
Top 5 Places To Visit In Goa
1) Baga Beach
This is a most popular beach of Goa for Indian tourists. It is a picturesque beach with parties, music, beach shacks, karaoke, good food, water sports, good accommodation facilities, and is easily the most happening place in Goa.
How To Reach Baga Beach
If you staying at Calangute, a wise decision would be to just have a calm and relaxing walk south of Calangute beach toward Baga which is only 2km from there. Located 16 km from Panaji. A taxi or a hired bike/ scooter is a good option if you are to reach Baga all the way from Panaji.
Activities At Baga Beach
Well known for its happening shacks and parties through the night. Millions of tourists are attracted every year. It is a hub for many adventure water sports. The famous water sports are jet skiing, parasailing, banana ride and boating.
Other Nearby Attractions
Being the hub of tourist activities in Goa, Baga has a lot of attractions and activities nearby. These include:
- Mackie's Saturday night bazaar
- Calangute beach
- Anjuna Market
- Tibetan market
- Atlantis water sport
- Blue whale water park
2) Calangute Beach
The Calangute beach is just adjacent to Baga beach. It has water sports, markets, restaurants, good food, lots of accommodation options. It is a crowded yet beautiful sea beach. Famous for its nightlife and the famous pubs of Goa. It includes the Tito’s and others on the Tito’s lane are located closeby. Calangute beach is located 16 km north of Panaji and 2 km from Baga.
How To Reach Calangute Beach
The best way to reach the beach is by pre-paid taxi or you may also take a bus, depending upon your location. Another option is to hire a car or bike or a scooter to make most of your visit.
Calangute Trivia
Although the beach has amazing clubs, its nightlife is restricted to 10:00 PM after which the clubs and bars close.
Nearby Attractions
- Baga Beach
- Condolim beach
- Aguada Fort
- Church of St. Alex.
Tips
1. Visit during Christmas and New Year to get the real feel of the beach.
2. You can easily get accommodation facility near the beach.
3. Avoid traveling the place between June and September as the sea is rough, although during monsoon the place has its own charm.
4. Do not miss the night clubs at the beach.
3) Palolem Beach
Palolem beach is one of the most stunning and beautiful beaches of India. There are nightlife opportunities around like the Silent Noise Parties which do not hamper the tranquillity of the shore. Palolem is located 38 km south of Margao. Palolem definitely ranks among the best beach in Goa.
How To Reach Palolem beach
Reaching Palolem is a quite easy. Most popular options of transportation are Mopeds or bicycles. One can easily find a taxi or an auto-rickshaw off the main street or through a travel agency. Once reached Palolem, exploration on foot is a best option.
Attractions Nearby to Palolem Beach
Agonda Beach, Colva Beach, Colom Beach and Patnem Beach
Tips
Carry your swimwear, sunscreen lotion and sun glasses with you. Make sure to stay away from water during monsoon season and follow all the given guidelines by the authority.
4) Anjuna Beach
Because of its night parties, Curlies and other good eating joints, this is one of the most popular sea beaches among foreigners in Goa. Moreover, it has got peaceful seashore, western seafood with chilled beer and good music in nearby restaurants and flea markets. Anjuna is situated 21 km north of Panaji and 7 km from Baga.
Best Time To Visit Anjuna Beach
The best time to visit the Anjuna Beach is between early November and March. The area is crowded especially during the Christmas and New Year time when people from all over the country and world gather here to enjoy the vibrant beach parties.
How To Reach Anjuna Beach
Most popular options of transportation are Mopeds or bicycles. One can easily find a taxi or an auto-rickshaw off the main street or through a travel agency. Exploration on foot is the best option, on reaching Goa.
Anjuna Trivia
Than the nearby beaches, the beach is safer for bathing, especially towards the southern end, where the sea keeps calm.
The visit to Anjuna becomes all the more exhilarating with bungee jumping from a 80ft tower and other water sports like paragliding and windsurfing.
Tips
1. Do not stroll around the area alone after dark as some cases of robbery have been registered.
2. Traffic at times can be quite heavy and chaotic in the area, especially during the peak season.
3. Carry your swimwear, sunscreen lotion, and sunglasses with you. Make sure to stay away from water during monsoon season and follow all the given guidelines by the authority.
5) Basilica of Bom Jesus
This historic church is located in Goa and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Basilica of Bom Jesus houses the tomb and remains of St. Francis Xavier. The Basilica of Bom Jesus church is known for its exemplary artistic style architecture. This church coincides with the beginning of Christianity in India.
How to Reach Basilica of Bom Jesus
Air: Goa’s international airport - Dabolim Airport welcomes many national and international flights. The church is 24.1 kilometers from the airport. A taxi can be hired from the airport to reach the church.
Rail: The easiest way to reach Goa is via Madgaon Railway Station, from where the distance to the church is 35.1 kilometers. Taxis and buses are easily available outside the station.
Road: If one is traveling from Mumbai or Pune, one can reach the church by covering a distance of approximately 500 kilometers.
Open Time: Monday - Thursday 09:00 AM - 06:30 PM
Sunday 10:30 AM - 06:30 PM
SUPRAJA
