Goa Tourism: Travel Guide to Goa
Where Sun, Sea and Surf come together
Goa often called as ‘the pearl of the east‘, is known for its gothic churches, age old ruins, palm fringed beaches, coconut groves, ferry rides, and bubbly folk music. Goa’s 80 mile long coastline is adorned by some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. In fact many people think of Goa as synonymous with beaches and sun and golden sand. Goa is an important destination in every tourist’s itinerary. Sun, sand, food, wine, old churches and sea being the major attractions.
It rises from the horizon, it’s pale fingers changing to fiery hues with the onset of day. It’s orange and red light casts a golden glow upon the land. And the once dark ocean shimmers with the light of a new born day. It continues its journey across the sky spreading it’s golden fingers over the entire landscape. Touching everything with a lazy magic.
The heat of the noon brings in it’s wake a sultry haziness and the fingers of the clock slowly wind their way towards a cool evening. It comes with surprising suddeness. A brilliant blaze of colour and the molten gold orb sinks behind an inky sea. And over the swaying of the palms and the faraway call of the barges and ships comes another sound. Of guitars and harmonious singing.
It mingles with the scent of the sea and the sound of the restless tide beating it’s age old rhythem against the silver shores. Goa. A forever enchantment. Where time moves to a different clock from the rest of the world. Where the past is but a mirror to a guilded present. Where the confluence of cultures meet and flow together in a single rapturous stream. Where the earth is at peace with itself and all those who walk that magical land called Goa.
A messenger from the Christian world came to these emerald shores to never leave again. The church where he rests to this day draws people from the corners of the world. They say the body of St. Francis Xavier is still the same, showing no decay after the passage of several centuries. And each year a procession is taken out and thousands of followers come to pay homage to a continuing miracle that has defied science and baffled sceptics.
Goa at once reminds you of silver sea beaches wetted by blue waters, the sky mirroring the sea below, the strumming guitars from distant taverns, white churches resting against green paddy fields and coconut groves, long starry nights spent over brewed feni, sun and sea. This is Goa the romantic land.
Goa Places to See Attractions
Calangute Beach
Calangute, known all over the world for its scenic beauty is located 16 Km from the capital. Goa’s most busiest and commercialized tourist spot. Though heavily developed by Goan standards, Calangute is not yet the high rise hell that many Asian resorts that have become in recent years.
Church Of St Francis Xavier, Old Goa
Church of Saint Francis Xavier situated in Old Goa is a 17th century pieces of religious art. A beautiful octagonal tabernacle richly decorated in an ornate style has two statues, one of Saint Francis Xavier and the other of Jesus on the Cross. Vows of poverty, humility and obedience of St. Francis Xavier’s are inscripted right below these two statues.
Goan Carnival
February heralds the carnival at Goa. For three days and nights, the legendary king Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with colour. The Carnival is a truly Goan celebration. That means it has a Portuguese flavour with continuous singing, dancing, loud music, lots to eat, floats and processions. The week long festivity marks the period February March before the beginning of the austerities of Lent.
Anjuna Beach
Anjuna was once the most celebrated of Goa′s many beaches, for this is where the european tourists would hang about. Their departure has done nothing to rob the wide shelf of sand of its beauty, and almost every visitor heads here, for it has gone on to become one of the most photographed of beaches.
Colva
Colva is on the northern end of this long, continuous strip of coastline. It′s broad and beautiful, has a stream coursing through it and is backed by palms. Sadly, its beauty has made it popular and its popularity has cheapened it its off-beach shops and restaurants, brightly lit and crowded, give it the feel of a funfair rather than a serene, unwinding beach.
Dona Paula
On the other side of this headland is the little bay and tiny beach of Dona Paula. Water scooters and speedboats buzz across the bay and, at the drop of a hat, guides will embroider on the woeful tale of a star crossed maiden who fell in love with a handsome man below her status. Conventions could not be breached in those distant days and so she leapt into the sea and to her death.
Watersports and Adventure Sport in Goa
With such a beautiful coast, it’s easy to see why water sports are the most popular adventure pursuit in Goa. Since the early 1990s, they have spread from an exclusive feature of star hotels to a wide range of offers from private operators. The coast is dotted with beautiful locations for water sport. The most popular is the stretch from Calangute to Sinquerim. The big hotels on South Goa’s serene Arossim and Mobor beaches offer many choices in quieter locales. Beaches in the north are more crowded, where you can club the partying with sporting - not highly recommended since most extreme sports require that you don’t have a hangover. You’ll also find plenty to do off Dona Paula, near Panjim.
Parasailing, Jet-Skiing, Water-Skiing, Knee and Wake-Boarding, Windsurfing, Speedboat Rides, Banana, Bump and Ringo Rides and Catamaran Sailing
Goa Weather
Goa experiences a lovely and relaxing climate. Just the type needed for you to chill out and have some fun. The best times to visit Goa are during the tropical winter months between October and March. The weather during this period is extremely pleasant.
Summers from April to May can be hot and humid, though being in the coastal region, the gentle sea breeze is a welcome soother.
The monsoon months are June to September with an average rainfall of around 320 cms. This is the season when the weather is really cool and the hill and the countryside are lush green. It is an ideal time to be in Goa if you want to "dance in the rain", sit and write a book, compose music or sit and recollect emotions in tranquillity.
5 Day weather forecast
Travel Tip
Price of virtually everything is negotiable in Goa and that you will be quoted higher prices than someone who looks like a local. Please understand that they have nothing personal against you. It′s just that they feel you can afford to pay more. You have to keep this in mind constantly, whether you are buying fish or fruit at the market or negotiating for a taxi or autorikshaw (the three wheeler cab).
Goa History
Goa Hotels
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