Goa Tour Guide And Personal Experience

by | Sep 1, 2024 | Goa | 0 comments

goa-river

GOA is a tourist destination that everyone knows. Not only Indians but also tourists from across the globe visit Goa. It is one of the places where you find a lot of crowds. The crowd is there throughout the year, and tourists visit this place in all seasons. Tourists face a lot of doubts, everything you need to travel in Goa is provided in this blog such as:

1. How to travel in Goa?

2. What are the attractions and beaches to visit?

3. What food should we eat?

4. What are the adventure activities in Goa?

5. What will be the fare of all this?

 

  •  About Goa  

(Geography, History, Maps & Best time to visit) 

  • Places to visit

(Top attractions, Restaurants & Activities) 

  • Itinerary  

(3 nights & 5 nights) 

  • Transportation  

(Flight, Bus, Train & Intracity) 

  • Hotels  

(5-star, Mid-range, Hostels)  

 

Let’s begin with the general information about travel in goa.  

Map

You need to have a brief idea of the map of Goa. Goa is situated south of Maharashtra and north of Karnataka. To understand the geography of Goa, we need to divide it into two parts: North Goa and South Goa. Goa is a coastal area situated in the western peninsula. Goa is situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The Mandovi River, Terekhol River, Zuari River, and Chapora River flow through the state of Goa. The geographical location of Goa makes it an ideal tourist destination.

History

Let’s talk about the history of Goa. Because of its rich history and heritage, Goa is visited by many tourists in India. People from across the globe come to enjoy the beauty and beaches of Goa. Goa was first occupied by the Saraswats; then came the Mauryas and Chalukyas in 1370. Goa came under the power of Mughal rule, which was won by the Portuguese in 1510. The Portuguese had the most influence on travel in goa. Most of the marvels were built during the rule of the Portuguese. The Portuguese saw this place as a great trading port for spices, so they made huge developments in Goa. The Marathas defeated the Portuguese in the 18th century. In 1961, Goa joined India after its independence from Portuguese rule.

Best Time to Visit:

Now we will talk about the best time to visit goa and the best month to travel in goa. Being in the coastal region, it is hot most of the year. The temperature is pleasant during the winter.

March to May:

The summer season lasts from March to May, and the weather is very hot then. The humidity is high too, but due to the holiday season, there’s a huge crowd that visits here. You can have a budget trip during this season as well.

June to September:

The monsoon season is from June to September, and the crowd is the least during this time. If you want to experience Goa’s natural beauty or visit South Goa, then you should definitely come during these months. It will be tough to travel in goa during the monsoon.

October to February:

The peak season in Goa starts from October to February. The weather is very pleasant during this time—not too cold, not too hot. It is the best time to visit the beaches. Goa’s famous festivals take place from October to February. Tourists visit during Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The hotel and food rates are costlier during these months. All the big Goa festivals occur during this season: International Film Festival, Christmas on December 25, New Year’s Eve on December 31 and January 1. The Immaculate Conception Feast also takes place in December. It is held in the white church of Panjim, Goa. The St. Francis Xavier Feast also takes place in December and is held in the old church of Goa. The Goa Carnival is organised in February in Panjim, Goa. So, the best time to visit is from October to February. These months won’t be pocket-friendly.

Top Places to Visit in Goa

Goa is famous for its waterfalls, churches, forts, beaches, and party places.

Dudhsagar Waterfalls

The first waterfall that comes to mind is Dudhsagar Waterfalls. Dudhsagar Waterfalls is famous because its water looks milky white. I have also dipped myself in this water. This place is really beautiful. Many people or passers-by come here to see this beauty.

Kesarval Waterfalls

The Kesarval Waterfalls are famous too. This is a seasonal waterfall that is active after the rainy season. The waterfall is dry for the rest of the year.

Goa Church

Goa-Church

The Old Goa Church is the most famous church. Situated 10 km away from the city center of Panjim, the Old Goa Church is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Church of Panjim

Church-of-Panjim

The white Church of Panjim, also known as the Immaculate Conception Church, is situated in the heart of Goa, Panjim. The church was constructed in the 16th century.

Forts of Goa

The first fort we will explore is the Aguada Fort. It is one of the most visited attractions of North Goa. This is the most popular fort where you will see Portuguese architecture. The Portuguese built this fort to protect themselves from attackers on the Mandovi River.

Beaches

goa Beaches

There are many beaches in Goa. We will only discuss the most popular beaches.

Calangute Beach, Baga Beach, and Palolem Beach

Calangute Beach is among the most popular beaches in North Goa. You will find most hotels in North Goa near Calangute Beach. Baga Beach is famous for its parties and nightlife. You can do many water sports and activities at Calangute Beach. Most tourists visit Calangute Beach. It is also important to have a beach situated in South Goa on our list, and it is none other than Palolem Beach. Situated just 30 km away from Goa Airport, it is on the border of the coastline of Goa and Karnataka. If you want a calm and peaceful beach that is far from all the hustle and bustle, then Palolem Beach is perfect for you. Most foreign tourists visit this beach because it is free of all the noise.

Casinos:

Most of the casinos are in the capital city of Panjim. Here you can access casino cruises. You can reach these casinos by motorboat. The packages include unlimited food, beverages, entertainment, and casino access. Some famous casino cruises are Casino Pride, King’s Casino, Majestic Pride, Deltin Jack, Big Daddy, and Deltin Royal. Casino Pride is the most affordable casino. The basic package starts from 1500 rupees, inclusive of food, drinks, and entertainment. King’s Casino – 2500 rupees, Majestic Pride – 1500 rupees, Deltin Jack – 2500 rupees, Big Daddy – 3500 rupees, Deltin Royal – 3500 rupees. These prices vary according to the facilities and sizes of the cruises; all the prices are inclusive of food, beverages, and entertainment. We have experienced and toured all the cruises mentioned above.

Top Places to Eat in Goa:

Thinking about your tummy, we have some suggestions for top places to eat in Goa. You can have a delicious breakfast at the Elephant Beach Café.

Elephant Cafe:

Elephant Beach Café is situated on Anjuna Beach. The café is well-built, the atmosphere is cozy, and the food is delicious. It has a very minimalistic menu with breakfast, salads, and soups. You will find Lebanese, Mexican, and Italian food with a variety of beverages. This place turns into a party hall at night.

Boomerang Cafe:

Boomerang is well known for its nightlife and parties but is open throughout the day and is famous for its food. The specialty of Boomerang is its fish, crabs, and prawns. If you love seafood, you must definitely come here.

Seafood:

Goa, being a coastal area, is famous for its seafood. We will head straight to Boomerang Café at Colva Beach.

Kamat Restaurant:

To eat delicious South Indian food, head to Kamat Restaurant in Panjim. It is located in the city center, in front of the white church. This place is famous for South Indian food, but you will find all the cuisines here.

McDonald's:

If you want to eat fast food, McDonald’s and Domino’s are different from other outlets in India. You will find three options: veg, non-veg, and combo. Here you get 12 different burgers in the veg category.

Top Activities in Goa:

We will talk about the top activities to do in Goa.

Water Sports:

Everyone must try the water sports activities in Goa. There are various water sports activities that one can do in Goa, such as paragliding, jet skiing, boat riding, and banana boat rides. If you want to perform these activities at a cheaper rate, you can visit Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, or Calangute Beach. The cheapest rates are available at Bogmalo Beach; you can do all these 5-6 activities in a package for 1500 to 1800 rupees. The activities include jet skiing, paragliding, bumper rides, and banana boat rides.

Air Safari:

The next activity is the air safari of Goa. Paramotoring takes place at Paliem Hill. You need a lot of empty space to perform paramotoring, which is available here. The cost of paramotoring at 1000 feet starts at 3500 rupees, and for 1500 feet, it costs 4500 rupees.

Scuba Diving:

You can see the beauty and depth of Goa through scuba diving. You can perform this activity at various locations in Goa. Be careful and check out all the details before taking part. The scuba diving experience lasts around 45 to 75 minutes. You will be taken to an island with the help of a boat. They will train you in scuba diving in a swimming pool. After that, you can enjoy your scuba diving activity. It will cost around 5000 to 6000 rupees, as it will take up most of your day.

Bungee Jumping:

Bungee-Jumping

The next activity is bungee jumping in Goa. Jumpin Heights is the company that handles bungee jumping in Goa. This place is located in North Goa, 45 minutes away from the capital. This activity takes place on top of Mayem Lake. The platform is situated at a height of 55 meters. This activity is for all the people who want a thrill. The entry fee for Jumpin Heights is 4500 rupees. The price of the video is included in the ticket. After jumping, they will provide you with a video and a certificate. You can also perform other activities like hot air balloon rides and kayaking.

Itinerary of Goa:

The two big questions are: How many days should our trip last? and How to manage the time to visit Goa? People come with different mindsets to Goa. Some stay for 3-4 days, while others stay for a week. There’s a high chance that you will be staying for 15 days if you visit during New Year’s.

Transport:

In transportation, we will also cover your journey from your city to Goa. You can come by flight, bus, or train. For intra-city transport, you may have to use various modes of transport. If you want to come to Goa by plane, you can choose either of the two airports in Goa. Out of the two airports, Dabolim Airport is the oldest and main airport of Goa. It is located near Vasco, South Goa. The other airport is Mopa Airport, North Goa. All the attractions will be far from Mopa Airport. If you are getting cheap flight tickets or only want to cover North Goa, then book your flight to Mopa Airport.

Train:

If you are traveling by train, you can get down at Margao or Vasco Da Gama station. Most of the trains travel to Margao station.

Bus:

You will find direct buses from major cities to Goa. Buses are available from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. These buses will take you to Kadamba Bus Stand in Panjim.

Hotel:

Let’s discuss the hotels in Goa. If you are coming for 3 days, book your stay in North Goa. You can book hotels near Baga Beach or Calangute Beach. If you are planning a trip for 5 days, book your hotel near Bogmalo Beach for the first 2 days and near Palolem Beach for the remaining days.

Also Read: Pets Allowed Hotels

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