Goa : A synonym for Vacation & Holidays

About Goa

Location: Western coast of the Indian sub continent
Area: 3702 square kilometers
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Capital City: Panaji / Panjim
Languages Spoken: Konkani is the official language. Other languages include English, Hindi, Marathi, Portuguese and other regional dialects.
Major Religions: Hinduism, Christianity and Islam
Main Attractions: Beaches, Churches, Old Ruins, Flea Markets and the Cuisine

Goa, a tiny emerald land, with its natural scenic beauty, attractive beaches and temples famous for its architecture, feasts and festivals and above all hospitable people with a rich cultural milieu, has an ideal tourist profile

Goa is truly the hub of tourism in India and provides international standards of holidaying. To promote tourism and increase the inflow of tourists, the state has maintained world class beaches and other tourist attractions. On one hand you will find casinos at par with those at Las Vegas and on the other hand you will find ancient churches that provide the perfect picture of the deep religious faiths of the Goans.

Goa has something for everyone. Nature lovers can enjoy wildlife sanctuaries, spice plantation, scenic beauty, etc. People who love adventure can enjoy Jet Skiing, Parasailing, Scuba diving, Water Skiing, Wind surfing etc. People who love to party hard and dance through the night, Goa has tons of Discos and Night Clubs to choose from. Tito's at Baga, Ziggy's at Colva, Temptations at Red Cab on Vagator, Lido's at Dauna Paula as some of the ones not to miss.

Also Read:
The Exotic Beaches of Goa
Shopping in Goa- A guide to Goa's local markets and flea markets
Where's the Party at in Goa?-A Guide to Nightlife in Goa
Panaji: The Capital city of Goa
Goan Cuisine: 10 Dishes that Scream GOA!

How to Reach Goa

Goa is India's smallest state and still reaching here is quite easy and getting to this place should not bother you at all. You can reach here by air, railways, roadways and also the sea.

By Air
One reach Goa very easily as it is linked via flights to all major cities in India like Delhi (Also Read Delhi - A strange mix of Ancient and The Modern, Where to shop in Delhi?), Mumbai (Also Read Shopping the Streets of Mumbai, Which Streets to Shop in Mumbai, Take a Ride : Mumbai Local Trains), Trivandrum, Pune (Also Read Top Things to do in Pune on a Short Visit, Pune- The Oxford of the East, India's animation capital - Pune, Pune's Koregaon Park: A Foodie's Delight), etc. as well as some international destinations in UK and Gulf countries. The Dabolim Airport located near the town of Vasco Da Gama is Goa's exclusive airport and can be reached from any place in Goa by hiring local transport.

By Rail
Goa has a well planned system of railways and commendable railway tracks. India's all important and major metro cities are connected to Goa through railways. The Konkan railway line has considerably reduced the traveling time to Goa and connects Goa to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Trivandrum, etc.

By Roads
Goa has a well planned road system that helps people reach Goa from nearby states. One can reach Goa via roads from places like Bangalore, Pune, and Mumbai. Goa also has three national highways that pass through which include NH - 4A, NH -17 and NH -17A. One can hire interstate buses that are run by Government owned tourist corporations or private cabs from nearby places to reach Goa.

By Sea
Goa is situated on the west coast of India and has the vast sea flanking its border. You can choose from the various cruises that are available from Mumbai and take tourists to Goa. During the monsoons however, the service is withdrawn temporarily due to the erratic behavior of the sea.

Goa Local Transport

Since Goa is one of the most happening tourist destinations in India it has all major modes of public transport. According to your budget you choose your mode of Local transportation right from air-conditioned deluxe buses to auto rickshaws. Autos and cabs are available round the clock.

Bus
One can always get on a bus that is owned by the state government or even private tour operators to tour Goa. They charge a considerable fee for their services and take you comfortably to all major tourist attractions in Goa. You can pick from the normal buses to the air conditioned deluxe coaches.

Taxi / Cab
You can also opt for a taxi or a cab in Goa to visit the famous tourist destinations of Goa. You can hire the taxi for an entire day or just from one place to another. Fix the price you are going to pay before you board the taxi. There is also an option of renting a car and driving it yourself around Goa.

Motorcycle Taxi
This kind of taxi is unique to Goa. It consists of a man riding a two wheeler and takes you as the pillion rider. This mode of transport is quite swift and takes you even through heavy traffic. It is locally known as "Pilot".

Auto Rickshaw
Auto rickshaw is a vehicle that is also known as a three wheeler. There is a seat for a single person i.e. the driver in front and the backseat is wide enough to accommodate 3 - 4 people. Insist on charging by the meter when you board the auto or fix the price beforehand.

Ferries / Boats
Boats and ferries have been used as a mode of local transport since ancient times. Even today, one can explore some popular tourist places by going on boats and ferries. They charge a nominal rate for their service and leave you with an experience that you won't get anywhere else in India.

Best Time to visit Goa

Goa is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing, rejuvenating and tension free holiday anytime of the year. It rains quite heavily so you may avoid the monsoons. The Peak season to visit this beautiful place would be from October to March. The place is blessed with maritime climate which makes almost the entire year the ideal time to visit Goa!

Right after monsoons the weather becomes even more pleasant, the sky is clear and the sea become placid and calm. All Monuments & buildings are washed, trees look lush green. Summers could be troublesome because temperature may go up to 35 degree Celsius. Winters are not actually winters as the minimum temperature doesn’t fall below 18 degree Celsius.

During monsoon the weather becomes humid and transportation becomes cumbersome. The average annual rainfall is about 2500 - 3500 mm. Moreover it’s not advisable to visit beaches during monsoon because the sea turns a bit violent which is risky and the sand becomes very sloshed. So the best time to visit Goa would be right after monsoon i.e. from October to March so that you find Goa in best of its beauty & can enjoy to the core.

Related Articles

What attracts tourists to Goa?
Goa Carnival- 3 Day Festival of Fun, Dance and Feasting
The Exotic Beaches of Goa
Dudhsagar waterfall an Ocean of Milk
Shopping in Goa- A guide to Goa's local markets and flea markets
The Aromatic Spice Plantations of Goa
Where's the Party at in Goa?-A Guide to Nightlife in Goa
Panaji: The Capital city of Goa
Goan Cuisine: 10 Dishes that Scream GOA!
Goa Churches & Religious Places In Goa, India