A Quick Guide to Goa 

Tripoto
28th Jul 2017
Photo of A Quick Guide to Goa by Neha Chadha

Go Goa – Any Season, Any Time ‘365 Days on a Holiday’

Goa is supposed to be a place for everyone. You can never get bored of this destination ever. It is a state in western India with coastlines stretching along the Arabian Sea. Goa is about 600km from Mumbai. The destination is known for its beautiful beaches, lush green palms, happening clubs, delicious Goan delicacies and a number of luxurious resorts. The rich flora and fauna also makes it a must visit for everyone.

If you are planning for a short trip then do not skip Goa from your travelling list. This place has a its own charm and can be visited anytime during the year.

By Road: A Road trip from some of the popular places like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune is a great option. The roads are good and the view is amazing, making the drive worth. You can check the distance from each of these places on google maps. You can drive through; hire a taxi or a zoom car.

By Air: Goa InternationalAirportt is located at Dabolim which is about 30 km away from Panjim. Multiple domestic airlines provide daily flights from major cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad. You can enjoy buffet meals free lounges on the Airport just by showing your debit card that offers airport lounge access as one of its perks.Most international flights to Goa arrive via Mumbai.

You can ask your hotel to pre-book a pickup from the airport or directly take a pre paid taxi from the airport. Almost all the hotels offers pickups from the airport at a price between INR1000-1500 depending on the property/resort.

By Train:Goa has six railway stations. The most popular ones are Madgaon or Vasco-da-Gama in South Goa and Thivim in North Goa. You can enjoy a spectacular view of the hills and the palms while you are on the train. Furthermore, Train is also the cheapest option apart from being fast and comfortable.

Commuting within Goa:

Commuting within goa is too much of fun. You can easily rent a motorbike or a scooter if you have a valid license. The rent starts between 250-300 per day per bike like Honda Activa or around 400-450 per day for Royal Enfield bikes. This excludes petrol costs. You can also hire a cab, with or without a chauffeur to explore places. It car rental starts from Rs.1000 per day for a simple hatchback.

When to Visit:

June to October: June to October is monsoon in Goa. Rains make the place look even more beautiful. If you love the monsoon and the lush green countryside June to October is a great time to visit. Moreover, you can enjoy heavy discounts on Hotels/Resorts and flight tickets during this season. It is highly recommended to visit Goa during July-Sep once in your lifetime.

November to February: These are again the best months to visit the party capital owing to pleasant, cool and comfortable weather. It is a peak season for visitors, which makes the place quite expensive. December is the time when Goa witnesses one of its most popular festivals, Sunburn, besides extensive Christmas and New Year celebrations

Where to Stay:

North Goa: If you are looking for a happening atmosphere, crowded beaches, upbeat nightlife, lively shacks, great food and hippie markets, then you must stay in North Goa.

South Goa: If you wish to have a calm and a peaceful stay you can visit South Goa. There are fewer activities and not as many bars, clubs or restaurants, but overall the beaches of the south are cleaner, whiter than and not as crowded as those in the north

Recommended Hotels in North Goa:

4 & 5 Star

• Vivanta by Taj - Fort Aguada, Goa

• Taj Vivanta- Holiday Village, Sinquerim Beach

• Marriott Resort and Spa, Panaji

• W Hotel, Vagator Beach, Goa

• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Goa - Arpora – Baga

• Radisson Blu Goa, Candolim

• The Park, Calangute

• Whispering Palms Beach Resort Siquerim Beach, Candolim,

• Le Meridien Goa, Calangute

• Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort, Candolim

• Novotel Goa Shrem, Candolim

3 & 2 Star Hotels

• Pride Sun Village Resort and Spa, Arpora, North Goa, Goa

• Marquis Beach Resort, Near Kingfisher Villa, Dando, Candolim, Goa

• Estrela Do Mar Beach Resort, Calangute Beach

• Resort Rio, Arpora, Goa

• Montego Bay Beach Resort, Morjim beach, Goa

Recommended Hotels in South Goa:

4 & 5 Star

• The Leela Goa, Cavelossim, Goa

• Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Benaulim, Goa

• Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, Cansaulim, Goa

• The Zuri White Sands, Goa Resort & Casino, Varca, Goa

• Radisson Blu Resort Goa Cavelossim Beach

• Goa La Vida Varca A Sterling Holidays, Betalbatim, Goa

3 & 2 Star

• The Treehouse Blue, Majorda, Goa

• Neptune Point Premium Cottages, Canacona, Goa,

• San Joao Holiday Homes, Benaulim, Goa

• The HQ, Vasco da Gama, Goa

• Longuinhos Beach Resort, Colva, Goa

• Mango Hotels-Jasminn, Betalbatim, Goa

• The Golden Crown Hotel & Spa, Colva

Top Attractions: North and South Goa

• Church in Margao, South Goa

• Palolem Beach, Canacona and about 40 minutes’ drive from Margao

• Majorda Beach, South Goa- Filled with palm groves, the soft white sands complement the galleries of greenery.

• Betalbatim Beach, south Goa- Called the Sunset Beach, the view of the sunset from here is one of the most breathtaking amongst all South Goan beaches.

• Colva Beach, South Goa - amongst the oldest and most celebrated south Goan beaches.

• Goan Flee Markets - Famous shopping markets are the Wednesday Market at Anjuna and the Friday Market at Mapusa

• Beautiful picturesque forts – Fort Aguda (Don’t miss the view from the lighthouse)and Fort Chapora

• Visit the famous North Goa beaches – Baga Beach, Calangute beach, Anjuna Beach, Vagator Beach,Candolim Beach, Sinquerim Beach

• Early morning drive to a beach is one of the best relaxation you can get in Goa

Other Tourist Attractions:

• Scuba Diving at Grande Island

• Windsurfing at Dona Paula Bay

• Hot Air Ballooning

• Visit Casio’s – Deltin Royale Casino, Deltin Jaqk, Casino Palms, Grand 7 Casino

Best Places to Eat in Goa

Sunny Side Up, Candolim Beach, Candolim – Enjoy butter garlic Prawns, stuffed mushrooms, King Fish, Chicken Xacuti , Grilled Chicken

A Riverie, Calangute - Mushroom Risotto, Chicken Wings, Wasabi Prawns, Thai thali

Martins Corner, South Goa – A must visit for seafood lovers (Like everything is too good!!)

Mum's Kitchen, Panaji - Sea Food, Pork Vindaloo, Peri Peri Prawn, Prawn Curry, Fish Curry

Pousada on the Beach, Calangute – Crusty Prawns, Goan Crab, Sea Food Treasure

Britto's Bar & Restaurant, Baga - Sea Food Platter

Souza Lobo, Calangute - Goan Prawn Curry, Goan Fish Curry, Chilli Beef Fry, Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Cafreal

The Fisherman's Wharf, Cavelossim, Goa - Caesar Salad, Jumbo Prawns, Paneer Tikka

Pentagon, Majorda, Goa – Prawns Masala Fry, Prawn Spring rolls, Hot garlic mushroom, Pomfret Masala rawa fry

Goan Shacks- A must visit for all the tourists to try out he lip battering Goan cuisine.

Famous Drinks you should not miss:

Kings Beer – There is no way you can miss onto this one when you are in Goa

Cazulo Premium Feni- it is best enjoyed with chilled soda, lime and a pinch of salt to enhance the natural flavors -

Cabo White Rum With Coconut - Cabo is made using a blend of coconut extract and white rum, it has a sweet taste with a strong hit of coconut flavour and aroma.

Photo of A Quick Guide to Goa  1/7 by Neha Chadha
A view from Fort Aguda Jail
Photo of A Quick Guide to Goa  2/7 by Neha Chadha
Delicious Butter Garlic Prawns @ Sunny Side Up, Candolim Beach Goa
Photo of A Quick Guide to Goa  3/7 by Neha Chadha
Chicken Xacuti @Sunny Side Up
Photo of A Quick Guide to Goa  4/7 by Neha Chadha
Don't Forget this Place, when You are in Goa
Photo of A Quick Guide to Goa  5/7 by Neha Chadha
Delicious Prawns at Martins Corner
Photo of A Quick Guide to Goa  6/7 by Neha Chadha
Pick up what You Like , They will serve you Live!!
Photo of A Quick Guide to Goa  7/7 by Neha Chadha
You get an amazing Candolim Beach view when you dine @ this place