Goa Travel Guide

During the Napoleonic wars, Britishers had a brief occupation of Goa otherwise the Portuguese were masters of Goa till 1961 when they were finally driven out. Goa’s beaches are where much of the action is; some of the best beaches in India, these are the major reason why Goa attracts so many thousands of tourists- Indian and foreign- every year. The state’s beaches stretch all along the coastline, from the northern border with Maharashtra right down to the south, where peaceful stretches like Palolem are a godsend for anybody looking for an escape from the crowds. One of the things that make Goa unique, are the laws, a legacy that the Portuguese have left behind. The common civil code, confers equal status to all religions, it favors no particular religion. The law also accords equal legal status to both sexes, in all matters. Perhaps, this is why the local women and girls of Goa are not so shy and reclusive, in stark contrast to the rest of India. Most Goans ladies dress in western fashion dresses and skirts, rather than the more tradition (in India) Sari and Churidar. Of course being used to tourists from around the globe, and the European influence of the Portuguese are the main reasons for this. As part of the Indian subcontinent where conservatism is traditional, the Goans are flamboyant and out going. Golden beaches, fairy tale mansions and churches, wonderful food, friendly people and of course, feni - these are just a few of Goa's charms. And if you are the kind who likes company, you cannot go wrong in a land where hospitality is an established tradition. For travellers to Goa, the visit is not complete unless they take back a souvenir of their memorable sojourn in this magnificent paradise. Naturally, shopping should be a priority on the itinerary of every tourist, along with the sightseeing attractions.

The excellent local handicrafts of Goa are easily the most popular souvenir items and include brassware, terracotta, shell work, crochet, carved furniture, bamboo work, papier-mache, etc. These are available in the Government Emporia and also at shops and stalls near the popular tourist spots. Another item which is on the list of every traveller to Goa is a pack of the famed cashew nuts. These are available practically everywhere. There are shops specialising in selling only cashewnuts. The nuts are available in a wide variety of tastes ranging from plain, salted and masala. The prices vary based on the quality and flavour. a tiny emerald land on the west coast of India, with its natural scenic beauty, abundant greenery, attractive beaches and temples, churches & even mosques with a distinctive style of architecture, colorful and lively feasts, festivals& above all, hospitable people with a rich cultural milieu, has an ideal tourist profile. A full day’s drive takes in Goa’s Christian, Hindu, & Muslim past, traveling through stunningly beautiful lush hills, plantations, & paddies. A melting pot of eastern and western cultures, yet Portuguese influences pervade all aspects of life in Goa from church architecture and religious festivities to its cuisine One of the best-loved and indulged in activities in Goa is shopping at its local markets that are a riot of color, exotic products and activity, and attract tourists from all over the world. Goa offers exhausting shopping possibilities from cosmopolitan department stores and designer boutiques, to makeshift stalls that everything you can think of. Its bazaars are chaotic sites of busy activity where haggling and bargaining are the fun of the day!

Places of interest: Mapusa, Panaji, Ponda, Mormugao Harbour, Vasco-da-Gama, Margao, Aguada Fort, Anjuna Beach, Dona Paula Beach, Chapora Fort, Mayem Lake, Goa Carnival, Panjim

Festivals which are celebrated in goa: Bonderam Festival, Christmas, Diwali, Feast Of Three Kings, Food & Cultural Festival Of Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi, Goa Carnival, Good Friday/ Easter, Sao Joao Festival, Shigmotsav, St. Francis Day

Beahes of goa: Calangute, Colva, Dona Paula, Miramar, Anjuna, Palolem, Vagator, Arambol, Agonda.

Temples and Churces of goa: Shri Shantadurga (at Kavlem, Kunkoliemkarin and Dhargal), Shri Mangueshi, Shri Bhagavati (Pernem), Rudreshwar Temple at Harvalem, Shri Mahadeo Bhumika at Sal, Temple of Shri Mahadeva at Tambdi Surla, Shri Mahalaxmi, Shri Mahalsa, Shri Mallikarjuna, Shri Naguesh, Shri Navdurga Sausthan, Shri Navdurga at Madkai, Shri Ramnath, Shri Saptakoteshwar, Sapteshwar - Bhagvati Temple at Mandrem, Shri Vithal Mandir, Shri Sharvani, Shri Saunsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevotam Math, Shri Saunsthan Goudpadachrya Kavle Math.Bicholim, Morjaee temple at Morjim, Shri Bhagavati Temple at Parshem, Brahma Temple, Shri Chandranath, Shri Damodar, Shri Datta Mandir, Shri Devkikrishna - Ravalnath, Shri Gomanteshwar Devasthan at Brahmapuri, Shri Gopal Ganapati, Shri Kalikadevi, Shri Kamakshi Sausthan at Shiroda.

Access: Goa has a well-developed transport system connecting and providing easy access to all parts of the state, particularly the tourist spots. The main modes are road transport and water transport. Road transports include Two-Wheelers, Auto-Rickshaws, Cars, Taxis, Tourist Coaches and Buses. Small Launches are the principal mode of water transport inside Goa. Buses are by far the cheapest way to travel in Goa - they’re usually overcrowded, and rarely seem to follow any particular schedule, but they’re fine for short trips. For longer trips, Goa’s new national railway system will take you around the region and even as far as Bombay - but you may need to book well in advance. Black and yellow taxis run from official government ranks and have fixed prices; white taxis tend to be based outside hotels and restaurants, but they don’t always have set prices so it’s a good idea to agree a fare with them before you set off. If you want to do a lot of travelling in a short period of time, it may be cheaper and more convenient to hire a private taxi for a day or half-day. India's roads can be hazardous due to a combination of poorly maintained vehicles and bad drivers. If you do decide to hire a car please do so with caution, and take care at night, as many buses, lorries and bullock carts are unlit and not easy to spot in the dark.