A Guide to GOA - The Pearl of the Orient

Tripoto
30th Dec 2017
Photo of A Guide to GOA - The Pearl of the Orient by Yoganand

The cost i have mentioned is what it will take from Hyderabad. I need to mention that i have visited Goa during New Year eve. During New years eve all flight rates/bus rates and hotel rates will be definitely inflated to their best. But we took another way to make our travel go in a budgeted way. We were three and the only inflated cost we spent was for the hotel room (you cant escape from hotel rooms inflated rates). You can go by your own vehicle (avoid carrying alcohol with you because there will be multiple checkposts or else you will be fined). Instead of going in direct flights/buses (bus rates are almost same as flights during new years eve) you can follow the below travel option.

Hyderabad ----> Hubli (by train) -----> Panaji, Goa (By bus) (1200 bucks approximately for each in total, travel time 15-16hrs)

Visiting GOA during new year's time is very scintillating and exhilarating. If you are a party person then North Goa suits you. If you want to chill and have a serene time in Goa then South Goa suits you. South goa is very pleasant(foreign travelers and travel bloggers prefer south goa than north goa) where as north goa is full of energy and party vibes.

The Goa Map

Photo of A Guide to GOA - The Pearl of the Orient 1/1 by Yoganand
Map of goa

We reached Panaji, you can find many members asking for car/bike rentals at bus stand. We bought a car there itself and started to North goa. As it is new years eve, we stayed at North goa. We want to experience the fireworks and party time in North goa beaches.

We opted to stay at Empire Guest house, during new years eve it is a bit costly but rest of the time it is very affordable. Owners are too too good and helpful. Breakfast is pretty nice.

Day 1

This was my first beach experience in my life, its in panaji, i was so excited to visit a beach in goa and got to this place before checking into the hotel

Miramar beach

Photo of Miramar Beach, Panaji, Goa, India by Yoganand

We had some rest and we right away visited The world famous Arpora Saturday night market. As our tour was only for four days we missed going to Anjuna Flea market which is open only during wednesdays. Arpora's market is no where lesser than Anjuna flea market, it is full of hippie stalls, continental food stalls, events and many more, its a street shoppers paradise.

The colorful Saturday Night market

Photo of Saturday Night Market, Arpora, Goa, India by Yoganand

After some shopping and tasting some food in the stalls, we went to Calangute, it was so good and colorful. Met people from different countries and i met this amazing Afghan guy who made a sand art in the beach. Amazed and had a conversation with him.

Photo of Calangute Beach, Calangute, Goa, India by Yoganand
Photo of Calangute Beach, Calangute, Goa, India by Yoganand
Photo of Calangute Beach, Calangute, Goa, India by Yoganand

Calangute Beach

Photo of Calangute Beach, Calangute, Goa, India by Yoganand

We had our dinner and drinks at the Baga beach, because the food in the shacks here were good when compared to calangute, Baga is just beside calangute there is no seperate entry for both, it will be single entry. If you visit during New years eve/christmas eve just dont opt going by car to these beaches because you will have parking problem (and parking is costly too during peak time). There is this shack with seperate huts and all. We booked a private hut, we need to pay extra bucks to get these huts btw. Baga was like a live wire. Amazing.

Photo of Baga Beach, Baga, Goa, India by Yoganand

Baga beach

Photo of Baga Beach, Baga, Goa, India by Yoganand
Day 2

Day 2 :

Photo of Aguada Fort, Fort Aguada Road, Aguada Fort Area, Candolim, Goa, India by Yoganand
Photo of Aguada Fort, Fort Aguada Road, Aguada Fort Area, Candolim, Goa, India by Yoganand

Aguada fort

Photo of Aguada Fort, Fort Aguada Road, Aguada Fort Area, Candolim, Goa, India by Yoganand

After visiting aguada fort, we directly went to Anjuna beach. The best and my personal favorite beach in North goa, you can have water sports at this place (even though there are many more beaches which have water sports which i will mention at the end of the trip itinerary).

Anjuna beach

Photo of Anjuna Beach, Goa by Yoganand
Photo of Anjuna Beach, Goa by Yoganand

A strange foreigner who liked my glasses and want to take his picture with those :D

Photo of Anjuna Beach, Goa by Yoganand
Photo of Anjuna Beach, Goa by Yoganand

For lunch, we opted this place near Anjuna, If you are a burger lover i will not suggest you to miss this place. Just have their burgers and indulge in that taste.

Photo of Burger Factory, Anjuna Mapusa Road, Soranto, Gumal Vaddo, Anjuna, Goa, India by Yoganand
Photo of Burger Factory, Anjuna Mapusa Road, Soranto, Gumal Vaddo, Anjuna, Goa, India by Yoganand

Burger factory, Anjuna

Photo of Burger Factory, Anjuna Mapusa Road, Soranto, Gumal Vaddo, Anjuna, Goa, India by Yoganand

After having belly full of burgers, we went to chapora fort. The famous fort which got more famous after "Dil Chahta hai" movie :P The view of vagator beach and goa from this fort is just amazing, we've spent about two hours at this place as we felt more pleasant and soothing here. The hike to fort is good, dont forget to carry water bottles with you.

A hike to chapora

Photo of Chapora Fort, Goa by Yoganand
Photo of Chapora Fort, Goa by Yoganand

Chapora fort

Photo of Chapora Fort, Goa by Yoganand

View of vagator beach from chapora fort

Photo of Chapora Fort, Goa by Yoganand

An amazing view of GOA

Photo of Chapora Fort, Goa by Yoganand
Photo of Chapora Fort, Goa by Yoganand

Recreating dil chahta hai moment with my friends :D

Photo of Chapora Fort, Goa by Yoganand

See my complete review here >> https://www.zomato.com/review/QpvlXv

Day 3

Day 3 :

Its new year and after watching the fireworks and having new year drinks at baga shacks, we went to candolim beach for late night dinner. It was so peaceful then, with subtle music not like baga which was so electrified and loud, we had a blissful and peaceful late night dinner, best new year in my life.

Dinner at candolim beach

Photo of Candolim Beach, Goa, Candolim, Goa, India by Yoganand

Later we are so exhausted after hefty schedule, we went to rooms to take some rest in order to experience the new year party vibe of goa in the night. In the evening we went to Baga (To watch the fireworks at new year time). Baga is so populated, so populated like i felt whole goa is present in that baga/calangute beach line.

The next day we started to visit the churches in Goa, Which is India's first minor basilica and best example for Baroque architecture in India. This place got the mortal remains of St.Francis Xavier.

Photo of Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa Road, Bainguinim, Goa, India by Yoganand

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Photo of Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa Road, Bainguinim, Goa, India by Yoganand
Photo of Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa Road, Bainguinim, Goa, India by Yoganand
Photo of Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa Road, Bainguinim, Goa, India by Yoganand
Photo of Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa Road, Bainguinim, Goa, India by Yoganand

Mortal Remains of St.Francis Xavier

Photo of Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa Road, Bainguinim, Goa, India by Yoganand

One of those places is Church of St.Francis of Assisi.

Church of St.Francis of Assisi

Photo of Church Of St. Francis Of Assisi, Velha Goa, Goa, India by Yoganand

A funny tree near the church.

Photo of Church Of St. Francis Of Assisi, Velha Goa, Goa, India by Yoganand

Even this place is nearby and walkable.

On our way to south goa, we went to this Latin colony called Fountainhas, You can see the influence of Portugal architecture on these old villas and you feel like as if you are in Europe. If you want to have a photoshoot, then this is the place for you to get great clicks of yours.

Fountainhas

Photo of Fontainhas, Altinho, Panaji, Goa, India by Yoganand

Later after having some clicks ;) we went to Majorda beach which is in south goa. The ride in south goa is total bliss. Greens everywhere, next time when i visit goa i bloody want to stay in south goa and roam the unexplored.

Trying to be a poser :P

Photo of Majorda Beach, Majorda, Goa by Yoganand
Photo of Majorda Beach, Majorda, Goa by Yoganand

Majorda Beach

Photo of Majorda Beach, Majorda, Goa by Yoganand

We want to have our lunch (time was almost 3-4pm then) at Mobor beach, this is one amazing beach i tell you. I just got lost here. The cool breezes, the sounds of waves, the hot rays, i just loved that experience. I so got lost like i quit visiting Palolem (considered as the BEST beach in GOA).

Photo of Mobor Beach, Goa, India by Yoganand
Photo of Mobor Beach, Goa, India by Yoganand

The Mobor beach

Photo of Mobor Beach, Goa, India by Yoganand

When you are in Beach, Beer is your best companion.

Photo of Mobor Beach, Goa, India by Yoganand

Kids playing at Mobor

Photo of Mobor Beach, Goa, India by Yoganand

There are two more tourist spots near this place which are walkable.

Day 4

We thought of visiting dudhsagar falls but we need to board the bus at 4pm in the evening, so we skipped that plan. Instead we want to explore the unexplored places, which are not so popular in Goa itineraries but i have some interest in those places. Pandava caves is one of those places.

Arvalem/Pandava Caves

Photo of Pandava Caves, Rudreshwar Colony, Arvalem, Goa, India by Yoganand
Day 3

Sunset at Mobor beach is so good that we cant take off our eyes watching that excellent view.

Photo of Mobor Beach, Goa, India by Yoganand
Photo of Mobor Beach, Goa, India by Yoganand
Photo of Mobor Beach, Goa, India by Yoganand

Rudreshwar Temple

Photo of Rudreshwar Temple, Rudreshwar Colony, Sanquelim, Goa, India by Yoganand

We called it a day and went back to our room at calangute.

Day 4 :

Day 4

The waterfalls and temple were just side by side. You can have darshan and visit waterfalls in that time.

Arvalem/Harvalem Waterfalls

Photo of Arvalem Waterfall, Rudreshwar Colony, Sanquelim, Goa, India by Yoganand

Finally we went back to the room, packed our bags and visited this dona paula view point. Quite good place.

Apart from the above itinerary there are some beautiful places to visit, mentioned below.

Dona Paula View Point

Photo of Dona Paula View Point, Goa, India by Yoganand
Photo of Dona Paula View Point, Goa, India by Yoganand

Dona Paula

Photo of Dona Paula View Point, Goa, India by Yoganand

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Watersports are available in the following beaches.

For quality scuba diving, you can opt below places. Google for more information.

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