Index:
- Introduction
- About Goa
- Places to visit in Goa
- Things to do in Goa
- Beautiful Places to stay in Goa
Introduction:
The vacation season is here. December end is near, and we all have our Christmas and new years celebration plans already in our mind. All the bachelors are ready to party hard, the couple prepared to celebrate love, and families ready to go on a family trip as the kids have their winter vacations in school. The most celebrated place during new year’s eve in India is Goa. This article will help you to plan your holiday in Goa better.
About Goa
Goa is a southwestern state, also known as Konkan. The state has a long coastline formed by the Arabian Sea, thus making it a popular holiday destination. Goa is the smallest Indian state by area and 4th smallest by population. Panaji and Vasco Da Gama are two of its biggest cities. Goa is separated into two districts, one called South Goa, and the other called North Goa. Panaji is the capital of Goa and is located in North Goa. Goa has an International Airport located in Dabolim near Vasco Da Gama Goa.
To reach Goa there are four means of transportation, Goa has an International Airport, Railway Stations, Roadway buses and Seaports, giving tourists multiple options for means of transportation. Although the connectivity of public transport is excellent in Goa, tourists prefer to rent a car on vacation in Goa. Renting a car gives Freedom of traveling, and it is quite affordable in Goa. Car rental in Goa costs around INR 3k to INR 5k, and petrol prices in Goa are around INR 65.5 per liter of petrol and diesel.
Goa weather is coastal because of its long coastline aligned with the Arabian Sea. Most of the year, the weather in Goa is humid and warm. The temperature in Goa ranges from 20-30 degrees, making Goa temperature humid. From July to August there are heavy rains which sometimes forces governments to close beaches for public safety. The best time to holiday in Goa is between October to March. The weather is breezy, and the rains go. Tourists can visit every location as there are no hindrances such as rain.
Along with beautiful beaches, Goa has a Shipyard known as Goa Shipyard. GSL is an Indian Government ship manufacturing company. GSL is located at Vasco Da Gama South Goa.
Places to visit in Goa
As earlier stated, Goa is divided into two districts: North Goa and South Goa. While North Goa is famous for its beaches, South Goa is renowned for its churches. Goa beaches are the major attraction of Goa, making it a holiday destination. North Goa beaches are mesmerizing because of their liveliness. Apart from beaches, there are beautiful churches which are some of the places to visit in South Goa. The count of tourist places in Goa is uncountable, so let’s take a look at must-go tourist places of Goa.
1. North Goa
Anjuna Beach
Anjuna beach is located at Anjuna village, which is 18 km from Goa capital Panaji. The beach is famous for its flea market, which is hosted every Wednesday and every Sunday. The flea market has items from all over the world, ranging from clothes to gadgets. Anjuna Beach is also famous for its shacks and trance parties, which are frequently organized there.
Baga Beach
Baga Beach is a popular tourist attraction located in North Goa. The beach is part of the which starts from Sinquerim and ends at Baga beach. The beach is famous for its adventure sports like parasailing and banana rides.
Calangute Beach
Calangute beach is the largest beach in Goa. Thousands of tourists arrive at Calangute during Christmas and New Year’s. The beach provides adventure sports such as parasailing. To enjoy the beach is from October to march. During rainy season swimming in the ocean is prohibited on this beach.
Aguada Fort
Aguada Fort is a seventeenth-century Portuguese fort located in North Goa, Sinquerim Beach. The fort is well preserved. The fort is famous for its lighthouse.
Sinquerim Beach
Sinquerim beach is the right place for adventure sports enthusiasts. It offers water sports like scuba diving, water skiing, windsurfing. The beach is located in the town of Candolim, and it is the starting point of the long continuous stretch of beach in North Goa.
Vagator Beach
Vagator beach is famous for hosting the Sunburn music festival in Goa. Sunburn Goa is a three-day-long musical festival, which is the attraction of Vagator beach. The rocky hill beach is secluded most the year except Sunburn Goa.
Candolim Beach
Candolim Beach is a calm and serene beach. There are no commercial activities on the beach. No shacks, no markets. If you want to experience peace, Candolim beach is the right place for you.
Mandrem Beach
Mandrem Beach is another less crowded beach located in North Goa. The beach is famous for its bonfire parties. The beach has white sand and clean water, a hub for fishermen. The high tide season is the best to visit this beach. It is an excellent place for friend groups or couples visiting Goa.
Chapora fort
Chapora fort was a Portuguese fort made to protect them from the sea attacks. The ruins of the fort give an excellent view of Anjuna and Calangute Beach. The view from the hill is mesmerizing and a great tourist attraction.
Bom Jesus Basilica
It is a popular tourist attraction due to its magnificent architecture and well-preserved condition. The Basilica of Bom holds the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier.
The church of Mae De Deus
The white architecture of The Church of Mae De Deus is breathtaking. It was built in 1873 and is in a well-preserved condition. The best view of the church is at night when all the lights are illuminated on the church. It is located in Saligao, Goa.
2. South Goa
Butterfly Beach
Butterfly Beach Goa is the best place to sight fauna in Goa. The beach is famous for its thousands of exotic butterflies and Dolphin sightings. The beach is renowned for its semicircular arch. The sunset view is best seen from the hills around the beach. The marine life of Butterfly beach is healthy and sea urchins, sea cucumbers are frequent sightings.
Colva Beach
Colva beach is famous for its party and crowd. The beach is not a place for peace seekers; although traveling a little North or South, the beach becomes less crowded and peaceful. The beach gives a fierce competition to Calangute beach.
Bogmalo Beach
Bogmalo Beach is not far from Dabolim airport, making it a beach for tourists who have two or three hours to spare before their flights. The beach is small and famous for scuba diving. It has the best Scuba diving instructors in Goa.
Arossim Beach
Arossim Beach is famous for its calm and peace. The has beautiful resorts and spas. The place is famous for its less crowded and peaceful environment. A great place if you like silence.
Majorda Beach
Majorda beach is famous for its shacks and food. You can discover some excellent bakeries in the with most exquisite cakes and cookies. Majorda is known to be the first place where European bread baking was introduced.
Colomb Beach
The beach is famous for its Neptune point where silent headphone parties are organized. The beach is serene and calm. Best place for people who want to contemplate in peace.
Things to do in Goa
1. Scuba Diving in Goa
Scuba Diving is an experience that every Goa tourist should experience. Goa is known for its beautiful marine life. Some beaches are famous for dolphins sightings. There are many places to go for scuba diving in Goa. Grande Island, Pigeon Island, Malvan are the best three places to experience scuba diving. The range of scuba diving packages is from INR 2000 onwards, depending on the time of diving.
2. Casinos in Goa
Deltin Casino Royale
Deltin Casino is a ship known to be a gamers paradise. The place is known for its one of a kind gaming ambiance. Deltin is famous for its gourmet served to guests. The entry fees of the casino are 2000 per person, which comes with unlimited beverages and food.
Deltin Jaqk Casino
It is yet another casino by the Deltin group. The casino is situated on a cruise ship and gives a five-star experience to its guests. There is an onboard children’s room so that no guest faces any inconvenience. Every guest is given a complimentary dinner buffet. The entry pass for the casino is 1500 per person.
Casino Pride
Casino Pride is a beautiful vessel floating in the waters of river Mandoli. The gorgeous gold roof of the casino is breathtaking. The casino has games for each age section. There is a children’s gaming zone with the latest games. The food and entertainment service is excellent on the ship. The entry pass per person ranges from 1000 to 2000 per person.
3. Goa to Mumbai Cruise
The 14-hour cruise is built on a Japanese ship that can accommodate around 400 guests. The vessel has a bar, swimming pool, and spa. The journey has various entertainment activities on board. The cruise cost ranges from INR 4000 to INR 8000, depending on the type of room selected. The cruise departs at 4 pm and reaches the destination at 9 am, letting you enjoy sunset and sunrise both.
Best places to stay in Goa
When it comes to staying in Goa, we have numerous options from Airbnb to Zostel’s trusted properties to beautiful resorts. Goa has a wide range of resorts to offer. Most of the Goa resorts are around or near a beach to give customers a satisfactory view.
1. Grand Hyatt Goa
Grand Hyatt Goa is located in Bambolim. The hotel has an area of 28 acres and watches over the waters of Bambolim. The hotel has various activities such as spa, parasailing in its packages. The beautiful suites of the resort make the stay comfortable. The resort has seven restaurants and bars consisting of world-famous cuisines in its menu.
Check their website here
2. Radisson Blu Goa
The resort is at Cavelossim Beach in South Goa. You get to experience a lovely stay because of the charming staff. The rooms range from INR 8500 to INR 10800 per night, depending on the type of room selected.
3. Taj Exotica Goa
The resort is a 40 min drive from the airport. The hotel has two parts a main hotel building and villas. The resort has award-winning spa facilities. It also has a nine-hole golf course. The attraction of the resort is its white sand beach. The price starts from INR 31000 per night.
4. Leela Goa
The Leela Goa is located in Mobor, Cavelossim. The Leela is a 75-acre beach facing property. The resort offers hotel suites along with villas to make your stay as memorable as possible. The food in the resort is exquisite.
5. Club Mahindra Goa
Club Mahindra has three magnificent resorts in Goa. The Acacia’s palms is a resort near Colva beach and one of the popular stay destination for tourists. Varca Beach resort offers spacious rooms with balcony views. Varca Beach resort is located at a 40 min drive from the airport. Emerald Palms is a villa with spacious rooms, giving you an authentic Portuguese feel.
6. Planet Hollywood Goa
Planet Hollywood Goa is a five-star hotel located at A8, Asconwaddo, Utorda Beach. The hotel provides valet parking, in-room movies, outdoor games, and wedding services. The hotel also offers live entertainment. The best part of the stay is affordable prices and top-notch hospitality of the staff.
