GOOOOO GOA

Goa is all time favorite and hit place to visit .... doesn't matter your age and money ... it's convenient for all to visit and I am sure you will be refreshed. There are lots of places to stay as per your budget and convenience to travel. Eat fresh fish .... goan special cuisine ....enjoy adventures sports ..... hang out on beaches ... do party at night ..... lots of thing to do ....

Now here we go for places to visit 

          GOA            

Goa is a state in western India with coastlines stretching along the Arabian Sea. Its long history as a Portuguese colony prior to 1961 is evident in its preserved 16th-century churches and the area’s tropical spice plantations. Goa is also known for its beaches, ranging from popular stretches at Baga and Palolem to laid-back fishing villages such as Agonda.  

POINTS OF INTERESTS

BEACHES

THERE ARE TOTAL 19 PLUS BEACHES AROUND GOA ... SOME OF THEM ARE CROWDED AND SOME OF THEM ARE PRIVATELY OWNED AND CLEAN 

• CALANGUTE 

The beach is fringed with popular restaurants and hotels, including the Calangute Residency operated by GTDC. This long, seven-km sweep of sand located 15 kms from Panaji, is called the 'Queen of Beaches'.You can enjoy Parasailing at calangute beach

• BAGA

Compared to Calangute, Baga is quieter and also more isolated. The creek, the Retreat House perched on the hill, and fewer tourists, all contribute to its unique beauty. Want to enjoy the thrill of extreme water sports or go fishing in the sea? This is the beach for you!.

• VAGATOR

Adjoining Anjuna, Vagator is secluded, crescent shaped and situated on the Caisua bay along the Chapora river basin in the shadow of Chapora Fort. During the tourist season, it is a favorite venue for midnight parties.

This most photographed beach of Goa forms a bay that curves from the headland to the hillock crowned by the Chapora Fort.

This beautiful arc of sand is located about 22 kms from Panaji and is part of the 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa.

• ANJUNA

It is now famous for its weekly Flea Market, which draws legions of visitors every Wednesday and bargains can be had on apparel, footwear, jewellery, footwear, chess sets—and yak cheese.

• SINQUERIM

With its magnificent 17th century fort which has now been converted into a prison, Sinquerim is one of the finest beaches in Goa, offering international class facilities for water-skiing, parasailing, fishing, scuba-diving and wind-surfing. Sinquerim is located some 13 kms from Panaji. The uninterrupted stretch of firm sand stretches all the way north to Baga, offering visitors a temptingly long walk along the beach.Home to the Taj Hotel Group, which dominates the headland around the historic Fort Aguada.

• CANDOLIM

Candolim is the first beach that can be approached from the city of Panaji and is like a gateway to the other more famous beaches.

Though individual accommodation is available here, there are only a few hotels with restaurants attached.

• AGUADA

Aguada beach is almost synonymous with the top-notch Fort Aguada Hotel complex, a superb hotel that is built on the cliff, around the remnants of the early 17th century Portuguese fort.

Although access to the beach is not possible through the hotel grounds, which are private, you can walk along Aguada beach, for in India private beaches do not exist.

• MORJIM

The VIPs on this beach are the Olive Ridley turtles that come to nest here helped by a group of volunteers who guard the nests and help the hatchlings get into the sea. A favourite of Russian tourists, along with Ashwem beach close by, visitors will find signboards and menu cards in Russian!

• ARAMBOL

This is also a foreigners’ haunt with a large number of Tai Chi, non-permanent mehendi or henna, tattoo, yoga and meditation centres.

Harmal Beach is the one place you cannot drive on to, but there are narrow lanes that lead to the higher reaches of the coast. You have to walk down a slope to the beach itself.

• MIRAMAR

This beautiful ‘urban’ beach, akin to Chowpatty in Mumbai, is located just 3 kms from Panaji. It lies adjoining the estuary of the river Mandovi as it opens into the Arabian Sea.

It was originally known as ‘Gasper Dias Beach’, named after Gaspar Dias, a prosperous landlord and where a Portuguese fort once stood at the fag end of the 16th century.

From the beach across the river is an excellent view of Fort Aguada. With its proximity to Panaji, and located near educational institutions

Tourists love the familiar atmosphere. Numerous hotels, including the spacious and well laid out Miramar Residency run by GTDC, dot the area.

The beach is crowded with locals and tourists alike on most days. A memorial to Goa's first chief minister, the late Dayanand Bandodkar is located here.

• PALOLEM

Palolem is a cosy beach of white sand facing a blue bay between two headlands. The little wooded islands on the northern headland look alluring.

you could try and persuade one of the fishermen. this is also a fishing beach. to ferry you across. They also offer to take you out to spot dolphins.There are now beautiful beach huts and family rooms to choose from in Palolem. Further south is the cove of Colomb where you can enjoy peace and quiet.

• AGONDA

It also makes for a great day trip from Colva and Cavelossim. For a real adventure, hire a tent and camp for the night, listening to the crashing of the sea waves.

If you continue driving towards Panaji from Palolem, the next beach is Agonda. It’s long and lonely, fringed with palms and casuarinas and dominated by a large hill to the south.

It’s not safe to swim out too far on this beach. There are very few facilities available here and you are needed to carry all the essentials.

Agonda is a 3 km long beautiful cove of white sand, safely secluded in the palms. There are no tourists, no souvenir stalls, no restaurants—just peace and tranquility. Just the trees, the beach, the big beautiful ocean and you.

• VARCA

There are several food joints around the grand ‘Dona Sylvia’ resort offering a splendid repast at reasonable rates. There are also facilities for Dolphin watching up the River Sal.You can also hire taxis from Dabolim Airport (41 – 48 kms) to reach the beach resorts here. To move locally, use cycles and scooters that are available on hire.

• BETALBATIM

North of Colva is Betalbatim Beach which begins a long string of beaches with Majorda, Utorda, Arossim and Velsao at the north. It is a ten kilometre stretch of white sand which is not very crowded.

• COLVA

The Church of Our Lady Of Mercy in Colva is famous for its miracle statue of Menino Jesus. The busy road leading from the Church to the beach is where all the facilities are located.Tourists and locals frequent the beach for a dip or a walk for a change of air or to sunbathe on the golden sands. The trinket stalls and drink stands on the sands under the moonlight add to the aura of Colva Beach.

• MAJORDA

Legend has it that in the Goan version of the Ramayana, Lord Rama was kidnapped as a child and brought up at Majorda. Later, in pursuit of Sita, he camped at Cabo de Rama - a headland further south - where the stretch of developed beaches ends.

• BOGMALO

This beach, dominated by a 5-star hotel located right on its edge, is cut apart from both the North and South beach circuit. Just 4 kms from the airport at Dabolim, it is a favourite among the elite classes and has an air of exclusivity.

Although the resort hotel towers above the village, there are still a few smaller and appealing places to stay in. Windsurfing and water skiing facilities are available.

• BENAULIM

Less than 2 kms south of Colva is the more tranquil beach of Benaulim, is one of the few places in Goa where one can glimpse handicrafts typical to this area.

The best of the traditional rosewood furniture is made here. Also, mythically Benaulim is famous as the place where the legendary Parashuram's arrow landed by which Goa was created.

Among the more attractive aspects of Benaulim is that it is still rather undiscovered by domestic tourists even though it is a fishing beach. It gets fairly crowded in the evenings and on weekends with local visitors who get off buses about a kilometre away and pour onto the beach.The Church of St John the Baptist is situated on a hill beyond the village and worth a visit. On the arrival of the monsoon, the Feast of St John the Baptist (Sao Joao) is celebrated as thanksgiving.Young men wearing crowns of leaves and fruits tour the area singing for gifts. To commemorate the movement of St John in his mother’s womb and Mary’s visit, the young men of this village jump into the locals wells in celebration.

• BETUL

Beyond this secluded beach is the hill of Cabo De Rama where the Portuguese built a fort.From the fort, a great view of the sunset on the beach can be viewed. However, there are very few places to stay in Betul.

OTHER MUST VISIT POINTS

• Basilica of Bom Jesus

The Basilica of Bom Jesus or Borea Jezuchi Bajilika is located in Goa, India, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier.

• Dudhsagar Falls

600m-high waterfall on the Mandovi River. "It looks more beautiful in monsoon season."Dudhsagar Falls is a four-tiered waterfall located on the Mandovi River in the border of the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa

• Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada and its lighthouse is a well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguese fort standing in Goa, India, on Sinquerim Beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea.
Year built: 1612

• Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church,

The Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is located in Panjim, Goa, India. The Church conducts mass every day in English, Konkani, and Portuguese

• Se Cathedral

The Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral, is the cathedral of the Latin Rite Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the seat of the Patriarch of the East Indies. It is located in Old Goa, India. This is built by Portuguese in 16th-century

• Shantadurga Temple

Shri Shantadurga Temple is a large Hindu temple complex. 33 km from Panaji at the foothill of Kavalem village in Ponda Taluka, Goa. A small laterite mud shrine was built and the deity was installed here

• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is an estuarine mangrove habitat, which is declared as a bird sanctuary, and located on western tip of the Island of Chorao along the Mandovi River

BUILT : 1988

OPEN : 6 TO 6

• Goa Chitra Museum

The Goa Chitra is a museum based in the former Portuguese colony of Goa. It has a large collection -- over 4000 artefacts -- focusing on Goa's traditional agrarian technology and lifestyle.

 

• Mangueshi Temple

Shri Mangesh temple is located at Mangeshi Village in Priol, Ponda taluk, Goa. It is at a distance of 1 km from Mardol close to Nagueshi, 21 km from Panaji the capital of Goa, and 26 km from Margao

Year built: 1560

LAKES / WATERFALLS / HOT SPRING

POPULAR GOAN FOOD

Sorpotel


A Goan delicacy with pork as its main ingredient, Sorpotel is very spicy and is often called one of Goa's most famous foods. A must for meat-lovers!


Ambotik

A sour curry prepared with either EGG / fish/ meat. Very popular with travelers to the state.


Vindaloo

A spicy curry whose name is derived from the Portuguese term for garlic and wine (vinho e alho) marinade.


Sol Kadi

A flavorful spicy and sour coconut and kokum fruit concoction that is eaten along with food Like a curry or had as an appetizer. Usually served cold.


SAGOTI

Goan curry made with chicken or beef, cooked with roasted grated coconut and a variety of spices. The result is a mild curry with an amazing, distinctive flavor.


Cafreal

Usually made with chicken, the meat is marinated in a sauce of chilies, garlic and ginger and then shallow fried. The result is a dry and very fiery dish.


Fried Fish

Fish, most popularly the Pomfret, is fried with tons of spices and served hot.


Goan Curry

Accompanied by good old fashioned steamed rice, Goa's Prawn/Fish curry has a very distinct sour and spicy flavor. It is also traditionally made fiery hot so make sure you have some cold water at hand!

Bebinca

A wonderfully textured concoction made from layer upon layer of coconut pancake

Feni

A clear and potent brew, Feni is one local drink which deserves due respect. It is made from either coconut or the juice of the cashew apple. Fenny is a deceptive drink and one often doesn't feel its full force until it's too late!