Goa

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Quick Facts
Capital Panaji
Government Indian State
Currency Indian rupee (₹, INR)
Area 3,702km²
Population 1,457,723 (2011
estimate)
Language Official: Konkani
regionally spoken:
Marathi, Kannada,
Hindi, Urdu
Spoken: Portuguese
Religion Hinduism 65.7%,
Christianity 26.6%,
Islam 6.8%, Other
0.9%
Electricity 230V, 50Hz, Indian
(Old British) &
European plugs
Time Zone UTC +5:30

Goa, a state on India's West coast, is a former Portuguese colony with a

rich history. Spread over 3,700 square kilometres with a population of
approximately 1.8 million, Goa is small by Indian standards. It has a
unique mix of Indian and Portuguese cultures and architecture that
attracts an estimated 2.5 million visitors each year (including about
400,000 foreign tourists).
Since the 1960s, Goa has been attracting a steady flow of visitors -- first
the hippies and returning expatriate Goans, then the charter tourists
(starting with the Germans in 1987), pilgrims visiting Catholic and Hindu
shrines, those opting to settle in Goa as their home, people going for
medical treatment, and a growing number of those who attend seminars
and conferences in Goa.

Understand[edit]
Goa is visibly different from the rest of India, owing to Portuguese rule
which isolated it from the rest of India for 451 years. The Goan
population is a mixture of Hindus and Roman Catholics, the distribution
being approximately 65% Hindu and 24% Christian. There is also a
smaller Muslim population. Despite this, communal violence has been
virtually non-existent and Goa is regarded as one of the most peaceful
states in India.
Culture[edit]

Village scene, Goa

Goan culture has been shaped mainly by the Hindu and Catholic
population. People are mostly easy going ('sossegado' in Portuguese).
With better connectivity by air and rail, there has been an influx of
people from neighbouring states that has led to different cultures. Many
Indians from other states have now come and settled here.

Village Goa
Goa's heart is in its villages.
Prominent Goan architect
Gerard Da Cunha has argued
elsewhere that, unlike
others, Goans don't live in
the cities. They mostly live
in the villages and they
travel to work. Not
surprisingly, it's the villages
of Goa which hold both
charm and character. Take
an aimless ride on a relaxed
evening or a languid
morning - living in Goa can
be tough and slow, but
holidaying there is just fine -
and surprise yourself with
the charms of the Goan
village.
Unlike urban areas, the
villages tend to be neat and
clean, friendly and even
good value-for-money,
except maybe in those areas
where there are a lot of
tourists already.
Goa has many different
faces. The coast varies from
the "hinterland". Below is a
list of some villages where
you could find something
 unusual. But don't restrict
yourself to this list alone.
Assolna, Benaulim, Britona,
Cortalim, Curtorim, Goa
Velha, Mollem, Usgao, Reis
Magos, Savoi Verem,
Shiroda. But this list is far
from complete. Please note
that you wouldn't
necessarily be looking
around for accommodation
(though you can find it in
some places), because these
villages are often close to
the places where most
tourists stay.

Goan Catholics generally acknowledge their Hindu roots, and carry

traces of a caste-system within their social beliefs. It is recorded that in
many instances the Hindus left one son behind to convert and thus
continue to own and manage the common properties while the rest of
the family preferred to emigrate to neighboring areas along with the idols
representing their Hindu deities.
Over the years large numbers of Catholics have emigrated to the major
commercial cities of Bombay and Pune and from there onward to East
Africa (to the Portuguese colonies of Angola and Mozambique), to
Portugal itself, and towards the end of the 20th century to Canada and
Australia. Many old Goan ancestral properties therefore lie either
abandoned or mired in legal tangles brought about by disagreements
within the widely dispersed inheritors of the property. In recent years,
expatriate Goans have been returning to their home state, often
purchasing holiday homes along the coast (which are then converted
into 'rent back' apartments, hired out to short-staying tourists by real
estate agents).

Arts & culture

Goa has a more than its fair share of museums, art galleries and
libraries. You will find many government run museums in Panaji,
including the Goa State museum, the Kala Academy, the Central Library
and the Goa Science Centre. In Vasco Da Gama, you can find the Naval
Aviation Museum, a great place to see vintage aircraft.
 is a great place to see examples of Christian religious art, and
sometimes, secular art. There you can find the Christian Art Museum
and also a modern art gallery containing the works of surrealist Dom
Martin. In Mormuago, you can find the Religious Museum of the Blessed
Joseph Vaz. The Xavier Centre of Historical Research at Bardez also
has a gallery on Christian Art.
Attracted by Goa's bohemian life, many artists, painters and architects
have made their home here. They too have proceeded to set up art
galleries and museums. An example of this is Subodh Kerkar's art
gallery in Candoliom. Benaulim also has the Goa Chitra Museum,
containing the largest collection of ethnographic artifacts ever
assembled in one place.
In recent years, Goa has developed as India's creative hub, attracting
also more contemporary artists, designers and creative coders and
engineers. In this context, India's first Museum for Technology and
Art, called Sensistan, chose Goa as its location. This museum features
new media, light and sound installations, Virtual Reality applications and
unique space design across 700sqm indoors and 1000sqm outdoors.
This digital playground for all ages is located in Badem, Assagao,
between Vagetor and Chapora.
Other museums of note are Gerard da Cunha's architectural
museum Houses of Goa in Benaulim, Big Foot(aka Ancestral Goa) at
Loutolim, Salcetta, an attempt to illustrate and recreate Goa's traditional
past. There's even a vintage-cars collection of sorts -- Ashvek Vintage
World, in Nuvem, Salcetta
Travel season
The best time of the year to visit Goa is mid-November to mid-February
when the weather is comfortable, dry and pleasant.
Goa's links with Portugal
Apart from the consulates there are cultural organisations active in Goa,
with the Portuguese again being most active.
Fundação Oriente has a large presence in Fontainhas, the Latin quarter
of Panjim, and sponsors cultural events that add variety to Goa's cultural
scene. However, it faced some major problems when it was first set up.
Goa's uneasy parting of ways with its former Portuguese rulers, and
lingering ultra-nationalism amidst a section of freedom fighters could be
seen as some of the reasons. The Fundação has also been subsidising
a book-publishing plan which has helped put out more Goa-related titles
in what is otherwise a small but colourful market for books dealing with a
tiny region of South Asia.

 Fundação Oriente Delegation in India 175, Filipe Neri Xavier

Road Fontainhas Panjim Goa 403 001 Tel : 0832 - 2230728/2436108
Fax : 0832 - 2230291
Email : oriente@sancharnet.in / foriente@dataone.in

 Centro de Língua Portuguesa/Instituto Camões AGVA House

9/32 Dr. Dada Vaidya Road Panjim Goa 403 001 Tel : 6647737
Email : clpicgoa@gmail.com Contact : Dr. Miguel Lume

 Fundação Cidade de Lisboaa Dias Building, 1st floor Rua de

Ormuz Panjim Goa Tel : 2223969 Contact : Dr. Jorge Renato
Fernandes

 Indo Portuguese Friendship Society Santosh Building Near CBI

Office Altinho Panjim Goa Tel : 2436875 Contact : Francis Menezes,
President / Gopal Vernekar, Secretary

 Dempo Centre for Indo-Portuguese Studies Dempo Trade

Centre Patto Plaza Panjim Goa 403 001 Tel : 2437849 / 50 Contact :
Ms. Isménia da Veiga Coutinho
Holidays
For a state which has a lot of people passing through, Goa has nearly
two weeks of holidays each year. Government offices have a five-day
week (closed Saturday-Sunday). Panjim closes early (around 20:00)
each evening, and shops here could have a fairly longish siesta break
(from around 13:30 until about 15:30). Goan shop owners take this
siesta break seriously, and no business is conducted during this time.
Bars, restaurants and other shopping centres are more buyer-friendly.
Major public or special holidays are around Christmas, Republic Day, Id-
ul-zuha, Gudi Padva, Good Friday, Independence Day, Ganesh
Chaturthi (both days), Gandhi Jayanthi, Dussehra, Diwali, Id-ul-fitr,
Feast of St Francis Xavier, Goa Liberation Day, Mahashivratri, Holi and
Id-e-milad. Banks may remain open during local religious celebrations.
Expect a huge influx of tourists and locals residing in other states during
festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and the Carnival, which is celebrated at
the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar. It is advised to make
bookings for trains, buses and flights well in advance if you intend on
visiting the state during these times.
Suggested reading
 Memoirs of a hippie girl in India. BeCoy, Ann (2013). Toronto:
BeCoy Pub. Adventures in Goa in the early 1970s.
 Goa freaks : my hippie years in India by Cleo Odzer (1995). Cleo
Odzer writes about her hippie years in Goa.
 The Goa Inquisition by Anant Priolkar. This book by Anant Priolkar
provides a very comprehensive account of the Goa Inquisition, an
important period in the history of Goa. Bombay University Press.
ISBN 978-0-8364-2753-0

Regions[edit]
Regions of Goa

North Goa (Bardez, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda, Sattari, Tiswadi)
The northern talukas.
South Goa (Canacona, Mormugao, Quepem, Salcette, Sanguem)
The southern talukas.
By Indian standards, Goa is a very small state with only two districts
-North and South Goa. These districts are together further divided into
11 talukas. These divisions, however, don't make much sense for a
traveller. North and South Goa are similar, and each has its own
"coastal" and "interior" areas. The major division in Goa is actually
between the central coastal areas where the beaches are located and
the hinterland. The coastal areas were under colonial rule for longer,
reflecting more of Portugal's influence, including having a relatively
larger Christian population. The interior is more Hindu, and has more
protected forest areas, mining zones and villages.
Contrary to popular perception, Goa is not an island, though parts of
what was considered "Goa" in the past were cut-off from the mainland
by the many rivers this region is known for.

Cities
Goa's "cities"
 For a state which claims to
be "half urban", Goa has a
surprisingly large number of
villages. Even its "cities" are
more like small, crowded (in
Panjim's case, scenic) towns.
Currently, not one city has a
population significantly
more than 100,000, though
some are close to it. The
villages can be charming,
and in a world of their own,
though sadly, tourism and
the real estate boom it
engineered is seen by locals
as destroying the very place
the visitors come for.

 Panaji (Panjim, also referred to a Ponn'je in Konkani, and earlier

called Pangim and Nova Goa during Portuguese rule) – the state
capital

 Margao

 Vasco da Gama

 Old Goa, home of famed sixteenth century churches, convents and

monuments

 Mapusa

Other destinations
Bondla Park, entrance

Goa also has a number of other smaller, charming and sometimes

crowded towns such as those along the beach belt (Calangute,
Candolim), and in the interior (Chaudi in Canacona, Sanvordem-
Quepem, Bicholim, Pernem town, etc). Some of these are gateways to
the nearby touristic areas. In addition, Goa has some nearly 350
villages, often scenic and each having a character of its own.
Beaches
Goa Beach M ap

 Arambol
 Agonda
 Anjuna and Vagator
 Calangute
 Candolim
 Colva
 Dona Paula - a popular beach.
 Palolem
 Majorda
Wild life sanctuaries and others
 Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary has sambar, gaur (Indian bison) and
wild boar, amongst other animals. Elephants have also been spotted
here at times.
 Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
 Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
 Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
 Dudh Sagar Waterfall

Talk
Goa's state language is Konkani. Most Goans speak Konkani,
English, Hindi, and Marathi. Portuguese is also known by a small
segment, especially the elite and earlier privileged class or the older
generation which studied in pre-1961 Portuguese-ruled Goa.
Different languages tend to be used for different purposes in Goa.
Konkani is the most widely spoken. English and Marathi tend to be most
widely read (most newspapers are read in these two languages too).
Catholics largely use Konkani for their prayer services, while the
language for religion is largely Marathi for Hindus. The administration is
largely conducted in English, which is also the language of publication of
the official gazette, and the language mainly used in the courts.
It can be rather difficult currently to learn Konkani, with options for
learning rather restricted. The language is written in four to five scripts,
in and beyond Goa -- Devanagari (the official script), Roman or Romi
(widely used in Goa), Kannada-script, Malayalam-script and Perso-
Arabic, reportedly used by some Muslim communities further south
along the Indian west coast. Recently, books to learn Konkani in the
Roman script have also been published, making it easier for those not
knowing the Devanagari script (used to write Hindi, Marathi and other
languages) that is the officially-recognized script for Konkani in Goa.

Get in
Goa can be reached via its sole airport (Dabolim), by train, and by the
many buses connecting the state with cities in India (primarily Mumbai,
Mangalore and Bangalore). If you are travelling from Mumbai or Pune,
car travel will provide you a journey through breathtaking scenery of the
Konkan area.
By plane
The Dabolim airport in Vasco da Gama is Goa's only airport. Some
airlines fly directly to Goa, but most international flights arrive
via Mumbai. Air India has international flights to Kuwait and UAE twice a
week. Air Arabia has discount flights to Sharjah. Qatar Airways has
flights to Doha, along with convenient connections to Western Europe,
Africa and USA.
Flights can be chartered to the United
Kingdom, Germany, Russia and Switzerland.
Many domestic airlines have daily flights to and
from Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Jaipur, Ah
medabad and Kozhikode (Calicut), Surat
On arrival, take pre-paid taxis from Dabolim Airport. A yellow pre-paid
taxi booth can be found 30 metres on the left when you exit the main
building. There is also a pre-paid taxi stand in the international arrival
area.

 Official Govt Rate Taxi Board (Official Govt Rate Taxi Board),

(Taxi Board is just outside arrivals), [1]. Those who want to make the
trip to their hotel before the supplied coach may like to go by taxi,
Just outside arrivals there is a taxi board showing rates for all the
popular destinations (see link). Another option is to find a taxi just
outside the airport gates who might be on their way home and save
yourself a few hundred rupees. Official Govt Rate (2013).  edit
Many resorts pick up guests from the airport for free, so make sure you
ask your resort for free pick-up.
By bus
There are several bus routes from various cities, but most traffic is from
mainly Mumbai and Pune. Due to increasing demand from the south,
there has been an increase in buses and trains from Mangalore and
Bangalore. Overnight buses from Mumbai to Goa are an alternative to
trains and flying. Book in advance during the crowded seasons
(particularly during the Christmas-New Year rush, for Carnival, or when
other Indian regions have school holidays when families travel).
Kadamba Transport Corporation is the Goa state-run transport service.
Its buses have seen better days, and more efficient times. There are
also other state-run buses run by the governments of Karnataka (some
services are efficient, specially the Volvo buses), Maharashtra, and
Andhra Pradesh. Many private players also offer bus connections to
other cities, with varying levels of discounts and efficiency, with the two
usually being inversely related.
The main centre for booking train and bus tickets, in Panjim, is around
the Kadamba inter-state bus terminus. Tickets for the Konkan Railway
can also be booked here, though expect long queues during the holiday
season (which in India, can also coincide with the timings when children
have a school break).
By train
Indian Railways connects Goa with direct train services
from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Kochi, Kolkata, Thiruvana
ntapuram, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. The destination station
is usually Madgaon in South Goa, one can also choose to get down at
Thivim in North Goa. Travelling to Goa by train is a real pleasure as the
route passes through greenery and many tunnels. Goa is also
connected to Pune via the Belgaum Miraj line.
A railway station most tourists tend to miss is Thivim, which is served by
most trains and is located very close to the popular beaches of North
Goa. In case one had already booked a hotel, it would be a good idea to
consult them on which station to get down at.
For budget travellers, this is the cheapest option, along with being faster
and much more comfortable than travelling by road. It is advisable for
tourists to make reservations well in advance as the major trains
(Konkan Kanya, Nethravati Express, etc.) are usually heavily booked.
Trains from Mumbai and most other places have a quota of seats set
aside for tourists. Quota tickets must be purchased in person at the rail
station by the tourist and cannot be booked via a travel agent. Note that
quota tickets are only sold at the station of origin. Tickets can be
booked online
Unless travelling on a shoestring budget, it is advisable to travel in air
conditioned sleeper coaches. These are quieter and much more
comfortable. Each bunk is provided with two freshly laundered sheets, a
blanket, and a pillow. You can also have a hand towel on request.
Most travel agents will book tickets for a small fee (₹200), but be aware
that trains do get busy and you need to book in advance. Do not leave
booking your ticket to the last moment as you may be disappointed.
Here are some useful trains to get into Goa:
Train
Train You may
Numbe You may board at
Name alight at
r
Rajdhani Madgaon
12432 Nizamuddin (Delhi), Panvel (Mumbai)
Express Junction
Mangala
Nizamuddin (Delhi), Kalyan (Mumbai), Thivim, Madga
12618 Lakshadwe
Panvel (Mumbai) on Junction
ep Express
Mandovi Thivim, Madga
10103 Mumbai CST, Panvel (Mumbai)
Express on Junction
Konkan
Thivim, Madga
10111 Kanya Mumbai CST, Panvel (Mumbai)
on Junction
Express
Jan
Thivim, Madga
12051 Shatabdi Mumbai CST, Panvel (Mumbai)
on Junction
Express
Sampark
Thivim, Madga
12450 Kranti Nizamuddin (Delhi)
on Junction
Express
Yesvantpur Madgaon
17309 -Vasco Yesvantpur (Bangalore) Junction, Vasc
Express o da Gama
Chennai- Madgaon
17311 Vasco Chennai Central, Yesvantpur (Bangalore) Junction, Vasc
Express o da Gama
Madgaon
Amaravathi
18047 Howrah (Kolkata) Junction, Vasc
Express
o da Gama
Madgaon
Netravathi Thiruvananthapuram Central, Mangalore J
16346 Junction,
Express unction
Thivim
Rajdhani Thiruvananthapuram Central, Mangalore J Madgaon
12431
Express unction Junction
Travelling by train can be quite an experience as you are more likely to
interact with fellow Indian travellers visiting Goa from different parts of
the country, under more relaxed conditions.
See also Rail travel in India
By car
Distance from Goa to various cities:

 Mangalore (360km)
 Pune (485km)
 Bangalore (592km)
 Mumbai (608km)
By taxi
 Ganraj Travels (Taxi Service In Goa), Survey No.84/2A/60,
Parijaat Colony, Jawalkar Nagar, Near Kalpataru Society,
Goa, ☎ +91-8380999444 (info@ganrajtravels.com), [2]. Inquiry:
8AM to 12PM. Ganraj Travels is one of the leading taxi service
provider in Goa. They provide to class taxi service at very
economical rates  edit"
My Cab Deal (My Cab Deal), ☎ +91-9881215444, [3]. Inquiry: 8AM to
11PM. MyCabdeal Best Cab Booking service in Pune. book taxi to
travels anywhere in India at mycabdeal in very Lowest rates. Pune to
Goa cab at affordable Taxi Booking By My Cab Deal.  edit
By ferry[edit]
Occasional cruise services used to sail from Mumbai to Goa. This was
run in past years, but is currently discontinued.

Get Around
First thing to bear in mind is that when you are visiting Goa, you are
visiting a whole state, not a city. So there are several towns spread out
with considerable distance between them and so it is essential to
prepare, or at least have an idea of, what kind of local transportation you
will be using while there.
High resolution maps are not available for Goa. For example, some
popular isles are not shown in many maps.
Parts of Goa lack sign boards, so finding your way around could be
challenging. When in doubt just ask - usually people are friendly and
helpful- but don't expect precise answers(a so-called 'five minute drive'
could take a good twenty minutes).
When driving, expect surprises like domestic animals and little children
darting across the road and unmarked speed breakers / speed bumps.
By Motorbike
Choice of geared and un-geared motorbikes and scooters can be rented
(typically without helmets). Those planning to stay long may consider
buying one instead. Rentals are around ₹400 a day (₹200 in non-peak
season) for a Honda Activa scooter and a little more if one is looking for
a geared motorcycle (you buy the gasoline as needed). Although in the
peak season (November - January) prices may rise up to twice the
original price. Many small roadside shops sell gas at ₹100 a liter, while
the going rate at a station (these are hard to locate in the coastal areas)
is around ₹82 a liter.
For the motorbikes, always ask for a discount if renting long-term (one
month or more). You should not have to pay more than ₹100 per day.
Ensure that you have all the ownership documents of the bike. Also,
avoid taking motorbikes with yellow plates out of Goa, as it is a
punishable offense. Hiring a bike with white plates is okay for local travel
in the immediate vicinity but if you want to travel further afield then
always rent a bike with yellow plates. Wearing a crash helmet is
compulsory when you go on any major roads (there is ₹100 fine for not
wearing one). Foreigners will need an International Driving Permit
(Convention 1949); this is the first thing police will ask you for if stopped.
You should also carry your normal driving license with you.
There are some online platforms available where you can get yourself a
bike.

1. Freeways
2. Dolphin Rentals
3. Rent Self Drives Bike in Goa from Wheel Street.
4. Drivezy
 5. Rent a Bike Goa
By Bus
Fares: ₹8-10. Buses are an inexpensive and great way to travel and see
the state. ₹10-15 will often get you a 30-40km ride.
By Hop On Hop Off
Bus service is operated by Goa Tourism. (Helpline) ☎ +91 7447473495.
A fleet of air conditioned open top double decker and single decker
buses follow a pre-defined set of stops around the city and passengers
can hop off the bus, see the place at one's own convenience and hop on
the next bus. Each bus is staffed with a knowledgeable English speaking
guide. The service operates on all days. Best to go on Saturdays and
Sundays when there is little traffic.

By Car
There are lots of cars for hire all over Goa. The best place to start
inquiring about the service is with your hotel. In general, you are
required to book a daily package of 8 hours or 80km at around ₹1,000-
1,500 depending on the vehicle's model and whether it is air-con or not.
Extra charges are usually around ₹100 per extra hour or ₹10 per extra
kilometer. This is usually the most effective option to explore the region,
as there is no taxi you can hail off the street.
Mahindra, Willys or Maruti Gypsy makes are similar to the long
wheelbase version of the Suzuki Jimny. Some of these jeeps are the
open roof. Expect to pay around ₹1,000-1,200 a day.
There are many car rental companies available such as HireMeCar,
Travelocar, Carzonrent, Clear Car Rental, Avis and Hertz which
provides reliable taxi service in Goa.

See
Panjim riverside, Goa

Art & culture

Goa has a more than its fair share of museums, art galleries and
libraries. You will find many government run museums in Panaji,
including the Goa State museum, the Kala Academy, the Central Library
and the Goa Science Centre. In Vasco da Gama, you can find the Naval
Aviation Museum, a great place to see vintage aircraft.
Old Goa is a great place to see examples of Christian religious art,
and sometimes, secular art. There you can find the Christian Art
Museum and also a modern art gallery containing the works of surrealist
Dom Martin. In Mormugao, you can find the Religious Museum of the
Blessed Joseph Vaz. The Xavier Centre of Historical Research
at Bardez also has a gallery on Christian Art.
Attracted by Goa's bohemian life, many artists, painters and architects
have made their home here. They too have proceeded to set up art
galleries and museums. An example of this is Subodh Kerkar's art
gallery in Candolim. Benaulim also has the Goa Chitra Museum,
containing the largest collection of ethnographic artifacts ever
assembled in one place.
In recent years, Goa has developed as India's creative hub, attracting
also more contemporary artists, designers and creative coders and
engineers. In this context, India's first Museum for Technology and
Art, called Sensistan, chose Goa as its location. This museum features
new media, light and sound installations, Virtual Reality applications and
unique space design across 700sqm indoors and 1000sqm outdoors.
This digital playground for all ages is located in Badem, Assagao,
between Vagator and Chapora.
Other museums of note are Gerard da Cunha's architectural
museum Houses of Goa in Benaulim, Big Foot(aka Ancestral Goa) at
Loutolim, Salcette, an attempt to illustrate and recreate Goa's traditional
past. There's even a vintage-cars collection of sorts -- Ashvek Vintage
World, in Nuvem, Salcette
Beaches
Goa is famous for its beaches, ancient temples and churches, and the
Goan carnival.

Sunset at the Palolem beach

 Arambol Beach - A quiet and virgin beach in North Goa.The

nature has gifted it a lot of beauty.There are many water sports
available like paragliding,parasailing,many massage options,a very
big beach market.
The sweet lake is one of the miracle wherein the sweet water lake is
touching the sea.The deep forest behind sweet lake is also the attractive
point. There are a lot of accommodations in Arambol.Om Lake Resort is
one of the popular accomodation there which offers the budget
cottages.There are around more than 100 's of restaurant in the
beach.There are live music options also. The water is shallow and good
for swimming. Arambol is not what it used to be, there are plenty of
shops, eateries and places to stay. It has in-fact become huge and not
as peaceful as it used to be, but it has turned into a cultural hub. It is like
goa within goa now.

 Anjuna Beach - Close to the Chapora Fort, its key attraction is a

magnificent Albuquerque Mansion built in 1920, flanked by octagonal
towers and an attractive Mangalore tile-roof. Anjuna was the second
home (and main location) of the hippies in Goa in the 1960s and
1970s, after other destinations like Calangute got too "crowded" for
them. It is still the venue of a (vastly-changed and more mainstream)
flea market held each Wednesday. In the nearby village of Arpora,
two colourful Saturday night bazaars are held in the non-monsoon
seasons. This is still part of "alternative" Goa, though charter and
other tourists also visit in increasing numbers to "get a feel of the
hippy years".

 Palolem Beach-a scenic beach in extreme south Goa with scenic

rocks and islands off its shores. Good eating options. It is becoming
pricey (by local standards) and getting a bit crowded, but still less
crowded compared to other popular beaches.
 Patnem Beach - a small and quiet beach in Canacona Taluka.
 Vagator Beach - a beach in Bardez, neighbouring Anjuna.
 Morjim Beach - a beautiful beach, inhabited by Russian tourists.
This place is popular among kitesurfers due to the shallow depth of
the sea and a very wide beach. Prices are high, with many
restaurants offering Russian cuisine. Nightlife is vibrant here.
 Asvem Beach - a quieter beach in extreme north Goa's Pernem
Taluka.
 Mandrem Beach - another beach in extreme north Goa's Pernem
taluka
 Candolim and Sinquerim Beaches in North Goa's Bardez taluka.
Once humble fishing villages. Now the crowded concretised coast of
North Goa. Goa's Benidorm. Or quickly getting to be as crowded.
 Colva Beach - This beach's spectacle of sea, sand and sky blend
in a enchanting natural harmony, weaving their magic spell on the
visitors. Known for its scenic beauty. This is part of Salcete, Goa's
only Catholic majority sub-district. Once a very hospitable area, now
 relations are getting monetized thanks to tourism. Beware of
mountains of trash on the beach and nearby locations, stray dogs
and bad odors.
 Calangute Beach - aka Queen of all Beaches in Goa. Once highly
rated. Now crowded. Expect traffic jams along the main crowded
street. Beach is full of Indian tourists, a lot of noise, a lot of souvenirs
and water sports beggar. You won't get peace here. Many famous
clubs are located here. Nice eating options.
 Baga Beach A family-beach and charter tourist destination just
outside Calangute.
 Chapora Home of the Chapora fort. Close to Vagator and Anjuna
beaches. Also site for a fishing jetty where trawlers (introduced into
Goa in the 1960s and 1970s, amid protests from traditional
fishermen, who were affected by them) bring in their catch. Dil
Chahta Hai Movie's one song was shot at this fort. Although in pretty
damaged state, Chapora fort offers mesmerizing views of sea and
both beaches. It's a bit difficult to find the way to the fort, but bikers
won't mind it. Built on a hill top, fort offers some resistance for
climbing up.
Chapora village offers an interesting mix, a small street market with lots
of eateries, juice center and rooftop restaurants and cheap
accomodation. A few places to note would be, Seaview Guest House,
Ganesh Juice center, Baba rooftop restaurant.
Churches and Cathedrals
It is no exaggeration to call Goa, a city of churches which are a proof of
the rich history of the beach city. During the initial stages of the
Portuguese rule in the city, building of church building was a favored
activity, mainly because they wanted to spread Christianity and convert
as many people as was possible. These churches are world-renowned
as they have kept intact the old-world charm and thus are famous as
tourist attractions. They are an indispensable part of the culture and
society of Goa that have helped in the spread of education also. Here is
a list of 5 churches you just cannot miss in Goa:

 Bom Jesus Basilica (1605) - built in 1605, this Basilica has the
mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, one of the patron Saints of Goa.
It is known for its distinctive baroque architecture that has a display of
 architectural pieces in wood, stone, gold and granite. Francis Xavier
died while aboard a ship and his body was taken to Malacca but it
was decided that he should be buried in Goa. After 2 years, it was
noticed that his body had not decomposed, that was no less than a
miracle. After every 10 years, his body is put for public display in a
silver casket designed in the 17th century.

 Se Cathedral - built in 1619, one of the largest churches in Asia,

which took around 80 years to get constructed, Se Cathedral is
dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. It was built to remember the
victory of the Portuguese over the Muslim rulers in the city. The
building has a Golden bell that can be heard in the whole of Goa.
Located in old Goa, one of the bell towers of the church was
destroyed during a lightening storm. The structure also consists of 14
alters inside, with each being beautifully carved.

 Church of St Francis of Assisi - built in 1661, located on the

back of the Se Cathedral, this church is a beautiful piece of ancient
workmanship. The structure has striking painted panels showcasing
the life of St. Francis of Assisi on the walls. The adjoining seminary
has been converted into an art museum, which preserves the
painting that was previously kept at the Panaji Secretariat. The
church also has an octagonal tabernacle decorated in an ornate
style.

 Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception -built in

1541, a famous landmark of Goa, it is the oldest church situated in
Panaji. The towers of the church have a statue of Mother Mary at the
front. Around 450 years old, this church was built to welcome sailors
home. This church is largely visited even today by Catholic devouts
and has been beautifully preserved. The bell of the church is 2nd
largest in the world.

 Church of St. Catejan - built in 1700, Church of St. Catejan has a

striking resemblance St. Peters Basilica in Rome. It was built by a
group of Greek and Italian priest to initiate a contrast to the other
churches built during the Portuguese times. On the left, there three
altars dedicated to the Holy Family, Our Lady Of Piety and St. Clare
 and the right-side altars are dedicated to St. Agnes, St. Cajetan and
St. John. Though the building is 300 years old, but has been
beautifully preserved.
Temples
[Shree Manguesh Shantadurgai Prasanna Temple]:- The temple is
dedicated to the deity of Lord Shiva. Shree Manguesh temple is located
at Mangeshi in Priol, Ponda Taluka,1 kilometer from Mardol close to
Nagueshi, 22 km from Panaji the capital of Goa and 26 km from Margao.
Sri Mangesh temple is famous for its pristine glory, which attracts
thousands of visitors every year.In Maha Shivratri Festival here you can
see a very big fair.In 1560, anticipating the onslaught of the Portuguese,
the devotees had moved Shree Manguesh Shantadurgai Prasanna
Shivalinga from Kutthal to a safer place under a Hindu prince.
Surrounded by hillocks and covered by forests, the Shivalinga was kept
at a place, which now is known as Mangeshi.
The Peshwas donated in 1739, the village of Mangeshi to the temple on
the suggestion of their Sardar, Shri Ramchandra Malhar Sukhtankar,
who was a life-long devotee of Shree Manguesh.
Since then this little village on the Panaji-Ponda road has become a
place of pilgrimage for the followers of the Lord and an attraction for the
tourists from rest of the country and outside.
Known for its natural beauty and pleasant surroundings, Mangeshi is still
a hamlet with about 1,000 families. But it is a center of culture and the
musicians from this place have earned countrywide reputation as master
singers for several generations.
Old Forts

Do
Cooking Classes
 Cookly Indian Cooking Class + Market Tour Experience by
Rita's Gourmet Goa, Rita's Gourmet, 256, Behind Material
Organisation, Jairamnagar, Dabolim, Goa - 403 801,
(ritasgourmetgoa@gmail.com), [4]. Rita's Gourmet is nestled in the
 beautiful state of Goa. It offers wonderful cooking classes,
workshops, culinary and heritage tour to the travelers visiting Goa.
The local farmer's market tour is part of cooking classes and
workshops showcasing variety of local farm produce and herbs and
spices. A day's cooking class with market tour experience starts with
an Indian ethnic breakfast, followed by local farmer's market tour,
introduction to different spices, demonstration and cooking classes in
five delicacies followed by meal. The two to five days comprehensive
cooking class gives a total insight to Indian as well as Goan Cuisine.
Rita's Gourmet has also carved an exclusive three days culinary and
heritage tour where the traveler is not only introduced to cooking and
market tour but also a tour to spice plantation and culinary rich
heritage museum. . Rs. 3,700.

 Cookly Indian Vegetarian & Vegan Cooking Class, Behind Hare

rama cafe patnem beach and Hno 163/A near home resort patnem
Goa, (yogacookingclasses@gmail.com), [5]. In Indian cooking, there
are spices like turmeric, ginger, garlic and green chilli - all of which
are medicinal and healing properties. So, when people think about
spicy food, then what do they not realize that the spices used for
making food are really good for the body and not just the good taste.
We will tell you which spices are used mostly in Indian food and how
it is beneficial for health .every spice has its own importance which is
beneficial for our body and there names are as follows turmeric,
ginger, garlic, cardamom, cumin seed, fenugreek, coriander and
green chilli, Black paper, cinnamon stick etc ,if you are doing yoga or
some other type of exercise so all these spices provide you with a
nutritious diet we are going to teach you only healthy recipes with the
help of above herbal and spices. So 'Don't eat less eat better and
healthy'. Rs.2,670.
Sports
 Diving: The season is between mid-October to mid-May. Diving is
not possible during the monsoons in India (June till mid October) The
water temperature is between 27-30⁰ C. The local diving here
consists of dive sites around Grande Island, just off the coast near
Vasco da Gama. The dive sites are mostly 12-18 m deep, and the
 visibility varies through the season, averaging around 5-6 m. Marine
life is abundant, with many species of reef fish, hard and soft corals,
and several shipwrecks to dive. Several dive centers conduct PADI
courses and organize dive trips to Pigeon Island (also known locally
as Netrani Island) in the neighboring state of Karnataka.
 Water sports Package : Goa is known for beaches and its famous
water sports activities. Various water sports activities such as
Parasailing, Banana ride, Bumper ride, Jets-ski and Speed boat are
the must-do activities in Goa.
 Kite surfing : is certainly not the best place in the world to try kite
surfing, but it still has something to offer. Check Morjim, Arambol and
Aswem beaches in North Goa. You can find instructors in Morjim, that
take Rs 8,000-12,000 for beginners course. The season starts in
January, you can expect 1-2 windy days a week during January and
February, and 2-3 days a week during March. Most people use 10-
14m² kites. Water is choppy most of the time, don't expect wave
riding.

 Paragliding : Check Arambol Beach in North Goa for tandem

paragliders. There are no "schools" in Goa, as of Dec 2016. The
nearest Paragliding schools are in Kamshet, near Pune.

 Jet Ski : Jet-Ski, banana ride and paragliding: Goa has one of the
cheapest beach adventure sports rates. Head to Anjuna or Baga
beach during daytime and you will find many small groups of vendors
offering these. If in a small group, with adequate bargaining and luck,
you can bargain to around Rs 800-1,000 (off-season) for a 10 min jet-
ski ride, 15 min banana ride and a 15 min paragliding session, for
each person. These activities are also available on less popular
beaches and you could get a bargain there as compared to popular
beaches where demand exceeds supply.
Beaches
 On the Calangunte beach, there is a wide-range of aqua-sports -
and a ticket counter where you can purchase so-called tickets (they
write the amount on a piece of white paper!). Paragliding is a great
experience - the offical ticket rate at the counter says Rs.600/- for a
 double (covers one ride - for two people harnessed together to one
paraglide). A motor boat will transport you from the beach to another
parasailing boat - but mind you, the motor boat will wait at the shore,
till they get a minimum 10 members, viz 5 couples). Once they
transfer you from the motor boat to the parasailing boat, they'll take
further inside the sea. The main guy will now try to convince you that
the Rs.600/- that you paid will only fetch you a 45 second ride - take
off from the boat and after abt 40 secs they'll pull you back onto the
boat. If you want to experience the REAL fun, then pay up another
Rs.400/- and he'll "dip" you into the water, a couple of times and will
take you to a higher altitude. But it's worth the extra Rs.400/-, if you
wanna try. They even have smaller sized harnasses for kids!

 Relax at the beaches. Goa has an almost unbroken 70 km

coastline of beaches . Don't forget to carry suntan, towels and
chappals (flip-flops) along when hitting the beach. Beachbeds can be
hired for 100 per hour, bargain for a free beach bed if you are
ordering snacks from the shack.
Other Activities
 Chill out at the discos and pubs

 Visit the Anjuna flea market

 Browse the libraries: Central Library in Institute Menezes Braganza

(Panjim) and Mapusa's Athaide Library. Other research institutions
with good collections include the Xavier Centre of Historical Research
at Alto Porvorim, the also-Jesuit run Thomas Stevens Konknni
Kendra next door at Porvorim, the Goa University, and a quaint
Konkani-focussed library called Amchem Diaz (Our Traditions) that
functions out of the first floor of a commercial establishment not far
from the Margao bus stand and the local court.

 Butterfly Conservatory Of Goa, Rajnagar , Pisgal , Priol ,

Ponda (Near Surya Masala Factory, en route Tropical Spice
Plantation), ☎ 8322985174, [6]. 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Conservation
 project open for visitors. Watch free flying butterflies and an unique
rain water harvesting experiment. Rs.100. 

 Volunteering Goa:, Based in Porvorim (On the main Panjim -

Mapusa highway (NH17)), ☎ 08605458574, [7]. An opportunity to
make a lasting difference in Goa. You can experience the real Goa
while helping in projects in orphanages, nature centres, animal
rescue and charity shops. [Be aware that Indian Visa regulations
insist that you now can only volunteer on an Employment Visa (ie not
on a Tourist Visa) even if you contract to totally unpaid work.
Depending on your country, this can be expensive.] 

 Support Local charity work, Karaswada Mapusa

Goa, ☎ 08806282666, [8]. There are many charities doing great work
with street and slum children in Goa, the site listed makes donations
go that little bit further and keeps people updated with regular blog
posts. A lot of the work done is help with education, getting the
children into proper schools and helping the families with medical
issues which there are many of. Most of the children they help are
originally from out of state but have lived all their lives in Goa. 

 Great Live Music 2014 (International Music Festival), Elliot

Grounds, Baga Bridge, Goa, [9]. This is a 2 day music festival
featuring best of bands from Russia and India from Rock and Jazz
Genre, performing Live on 31st January and 1st February 2014.
From 5pm to 10 pm. A well known festival for cross-cultural music
event 
 Dudhsagar Plantation (Spice Tours), Karmane,
Goa, ☎ +919765364456, [10]. 9:30 - 17:00. A guided tour takes you
into the world of exotic spices and medicinal plants. The tour is
followed by tasting of locally brewed cashew fenni and a goan lunch
buffet. Visits to the plantation can be combined with a trip to the
Dudhsagar Waterfall. Rs 600. 

 HomeStays in Goa, Goa, ☎ +919867000918, [11]. Homestays in
Goa - ZaraHutke offer comfy stays which will indeed be the highlight
of your vacation! 
 Centre for Responsible Tourism (CRT) (Heritage
 Tourism), Institute Piedade, Panaji, ☎ +919822156955, [12]. 9AM-
5PM. The Centre for Responsible Tourism in Panjim organizes visits
to 10 different Goan villages. From morning to evening, they want
you to experience Goan life and culture in such a village. Transport
and food are integrated in the overall price. Also important to know:
the money goes exclusively to transport and the villagers themselves.
CRT doesn't earn anything from these visits. Visits can take place
whenever you want (book at least 3 days in advance) as long as your
group consists of 10 people minimum (15 maximum). If you are less
than that, it is still worth it to call them, because they might know of
another smaller group that you can join. Give it a go, and get to know
Goa in a different way! 1500INR.

Buy
Goabooks
To understand a complex
region like Goa, it's best to
get started by reading on it.
This is a melting pot of
cultures, histories, languages
and complexities.
Bookshops in Goa include
the Panjim-based Broadway
Book Centre (Ashirvada
Building, at the end of 18th
June Road, Panjim), the
Golden Heart Emporium
functioning out of an old
house in Margao's Abade
Faria Road locality, the
tourism-belt based Literati
Bookshop (near Tarcar Ice
Factory, along the main
Calangute-Sinquerim road),
and Upper Storey at Arcon
Arcade at the Fort Aguada
Road in Candolim.
There are also other
bookshops scattered around
the state, including Varsha's
and Mandovi Hotel's (in
close proximity to the Azad
Maidan, Panjim; the
alternativish Other India
Bookstore almost hiding
atop the old Mapusa Clinic
in Mapusa (entry from
behind); among others.
Don't miss the rare books
section of the Central
Library in the oldstyle
colonial Institute Menezes
Braganza (Panjim), and the
municipality libraries in the
main towns, including
Mapusa's Athaide Library.
Other research institutions
with good collections
include the Xavier Centre of
Historical Research at Alto
Porvorim, the also-Jesuit run
Thomas Stevens Konknni
Kendra nextdoor at
Porvorim, the Goa
University, and a quaint
Konkani-focussed library
called Amchem Diaz (Our
Traditions) that functions
out of the first floor of a
commercial establishment
not far from the Margao bus
stand and the local court.
From wines to cashew-nuts, enchanting local music to alternative books
and handicrafts, Goa has a lot. Goa's handicrafts are clearly under-rated
and under-appreciated, even while being reasonably priced. Their range
includes carved furniture, brassware, crochet and more (see section on
the government-run Aparant emporia).
Global items come in amazing diversity specially at the night markets of
North Goa. In Panjim, the 18th June Road is faster emerging as a lure
for shoppers and tourists. Mapusa, while hosting a traditional market
each Friday, attracts a number of tourists, specially foreigners. Goa's
talented goldsmiths are neatly located in a line at Mapusa's market, and
in parts of Margao and Panjim. Check out traditional Goan lacquer-
ware toys (available at the Aparant emporia).
Every major hotel has its own bookshop, of varying quality. Books tend
to be priced amazingly inexpensively in India, including in Goa. For the
best collection of books related to 'alternative India' and the
environment, visit the almost hidden Other India Bookstore. It sits atop
the old Mapusa Clinic, at Mapusa's Feira Alta locality. Entrance from the
behind.
Broadways Book Centre at 18th June Road (near Caculo Traffic Island);
Confidant's Golden Heart Emproium in Margao (2732450); Mandovi
Square near Cine Nacional (2234241); and Varsha Book Stall (2425832)
near the Bank of India and Azad Maidan. The last two focus on
newspapers and magazines coming in from the rest of the country and
abroad.
Reading Habit, at Campal on the way to Miramar Beach, has a wide
variety of books.
One Goan unique product is that of hand-painted ceramics.

 Furniture is another area of interest, in terms of shopping options,

despite its bulky nature. Antiques are also a growing business here.
Foreign tourists increasingly go "shopping" for medical services. There
are a number of outlets that offer a form of 'health tourism'. These
include centers like Dr Pimenta's Dental Practice [17] at Romano
Chambers (near the Old Petrol Pump in Calangute) and Lake Plaza
near Nehru Stadium in Margao.

 Rangeela Goa, Assagao Village (Near Gunpowder Restaurant -

run a Google maps search on Rangeela Goa), ☎ +91 832
2268944. Rangeela is a one-of-a-kind boutique selling clothing and
accessories sourced from all over India. Traditional handicrafts and
materials are used to make modern, light and fashionable clothing
ideal for the Goan climate. The store is located in a centuries-old
ancestral home surrounded by lush gardens. "Rangeela" means
colourful in Hindi. 

Ancestral home in Goa housing Rangeela Boutique

Handicrafts
Want to shop Goan? One good value-for-money place is the Aparant
network of outlets managed by the State-run Goa Handicrafts network.
In their ten outlets across Goa you could expect to find an interesting
range of handicrafts from Goa. And reasonably priced too. Items range
from shell-work to clay, bamboo, paper mache, coconut-items and fiber.
"If visitors have a problem with carrying back some the (more fragile)
handicrafts home, then fibre is a good option. These outlets are, besides
four in Panjim, located at Vasco da Gama (on Swatantra Path, at the
Vasco Residency) and at the local GTDC-run "residency" hotels in
Margao, Mapusa, Calangute, the Bicholim Pottery Production Centre at
the Industrial Estate, and at Loutolim's Big Foot.
In Panjim, the other outlets of Aparant are located at the Udyog Bhavan
(opposite the Goa Police Headquarter, near the Ferry Jetty); at the main
Kadamba bus-terminus; and at the Crafts Complex office of the Goa
Handicrafts in Neugi Nagar (Rua de Ourem). The largest number of
items are available at the last location, about 2.5 kms off the center of
town.
Most of the Aparant outlets are open between 9:30 or 10AM to 6 or
7PM, depending on their location.
Products of dry coconuts and coconut-shells are carved and often
designed to fit on a wooden base. Items produced here include table
lamps, flower pots, table clocks, different religious statues and
decorative items.
Cotton thread is transformed in an artistic way with the crochet steel
hook, rendering it in beautiful designs and shapes. Likewise, sea-shells
that were once discarded by the beach get transformed by artisans.
Traditional clay art -- in the form of pots, ash-trays, flower pots, images
of gods -- is a skill that has been built up across generations in Goa.
Ditto for the case of bamboo products.
A few of these items are produced in-house at the Goa Handicrafts'
center in Bicholim. Others come from artisans across the state. This
network has done a fair job in highlighting the skills of geographically-
scattered local artisans, and also finding them the market they so-badly
need to sustain their rich talent.

Eat

Goan prawn curry

Bebinca with ice cream

The Goan staple diet consists of rice and fish curry along with pickles
and fried fish. This can be found on many of the beach shacks. The
Goan cuisine is a blend of Portuguese and local flavours. Many dishes
such as prawn balchao and Kingfish in Garlic have distinct Portuguese
flavour. The cuisine is mostly seafood based, the staple foods are rice
and fish. Kingfish (Vison or Visvan) is the most common delicacy, others
include pomfret, shark, tuna and mackerel. Among the shellfish are
crabs, prawns, tiger prawns, lobster, squid and mussels.
Dishes such as Sorpotel, Vindaloo and Xacuti (pronounced Cha'cuti),
Cafreal will be familiar from Indian restaurant menus, and are originally
Goan dishes. For those with a sweet-tooth, Bebinca is a must. A
traditional goan pudding, Bebinca is made of flour, egg-yolk, and,
coconut milk. It is certainly a great way to finish that sumptuous meal.
Most beaches have shacks that serve surprisingly delicious meals,
specially sea-food and they'll usually consult you to see how you like
your food. Don't miss the shack eating experience. You'll want to go
back and do it again. Most fancy hotels and restaurants serve terrible
food, it is best to eat at local places, ask a taxi driver where these would
be and don't let him take you to any fancy restaurants as they receive
commission.

Drink
Fenifacts

 There are two kinds of

Feni. Coconut Feni and
Cashew Feni.

 Feni can have up to

42% alcohol.

 Goa has an estimated

4000 and 2200 traditional
 stills manufacturing both
cashew and coconut feni,
respectively.

 North Goa dominates

cashew production, while
the South dominates
coconut.

 Feni can be used in

cocktails too.

 Feni is labelled as a
'country liquor' in
modern India, causing
handicaps to its growth.
Nonetheless, it was
awarded Geographical
Indication status in 2009
as a specialty alcoholic
beverage from Goa.

 The Portuguese
brought the cashew-crop
from tropical America to
Goa sometime between
1563 and 1578.

 Feni has a distinctive

rotting smell. Some non-
drinkers or drinkers of
other spirits find it
unpleasant. Coconut Feni
has a less offensive odor

For a destination which tends to be costlier -- in almost everything --

than the rest of India, Goa has liquors and wines that are priced
noticeably low. Products available range from wine (red and white), to
the oddly-named Indian-made foreign liquors (IMFLs, which include
whisky, brandy, rum, gin, vodka and more), and local liquors (basically
cashew and coconut feni). Prices of domestic products range from Rs
40 to Rs 350 per bottle, depending on product and brand.
There are two local brews long made and drunk in Goa -- cashew feni
and coconut feni. One comes from the cashew apple, and the other from
the sap of the coconut tree. Goa's feni-making has been much focussed
on.
Feni-brewing skills have been honed by Goa's former Portuguese rulers.
Strange but true: the cashew was brought in by the Portuguese
themselves, and today it seems like a closely integrated part of Goa.
Cashew-apples go to waste in neighbouring states, and in the fruiting
season, one could get a strong smell of semi-fermenting apples being
transported specially from Maharashtra into Goa, at locales close to the
border.
Feni has come to become synonymous with Goa. "Indigenous alcoholic
drinks include coconut palm toddy from south and eastern India and the
Goan liquor 'feni' based on coconut palm juice or cashew nut," explains
the website of the Indian Embassy in Russia.
Needless to say, feni has its own strong taste. Some like it, some don't.
At one of the liquor outlets in Panjim, you can run into bus-loads of
tourists picking up their 'souvenir' of feni.
Of course, there are a range of other options too. Local wines are priced
at between Rs 40 to Rs 150 per bottle (of 750 ml).
In recent years, Goa has been hosting what it calls the "Grape Escape",
a festival of wines, around the start of each year (held in mid-February
2007 and May 2006, for instance).
In Panjim, new ventures are also bringing in new products. A Nau ("The
Ship" in Portuguese, unfortunately since closed down, as of October
2008) brings in a range of wines and other commodities from Portugal.
Global Spirits and Foods, which operates out of the Pilerne Industrial
Estate some 10 kms from Panjim, wholesales a wide range of products
from across the globe -- champagne and cognac from France; wines
from Argentina and Chile, Australia and New Zealand; vodka from
Poland; single malt from Scotland; and even the most popular distilled
alcoholic beverage of Brazil Cachaca. (Cachaça is the product of the
distillation of fermented sugarcane juice, with its alcohol strength
between 38% and 51% by volume. It is often said to differ from rum in
that it is made from sugarcane juice while rum is made from molasses.)
In terms of local products, Madame Rosa has also been diversifying into
coffee and other liqueur. Flavours include mango, anise, almond and
chocolate mint. PVV (Pedro Vincent Vaz), another prominent brand,
comes out with its cashew and palm products (in sizes of 750 ml, 180 ml
and 60 ml). Other brands have names like Dom Pedro, Goan Treasure,
Cashew Inside, Fruit Shape, among others.
There are many bars and shacks in Goa that offer various cocktails and
drinks that feature local Goan spirits and flavours like Swing!, A cocktail
bar in Miramar that boasts a collection of over 30 Goan alcohol brands
and spirits.

Sleep
Goa is one of the reasonable places to stay in as compared to rest of
India. During the peak season, which lasts from November to late
March, the prices are very high. Especially in December, 5-star hotel
rates rates range from around ₹20,000 - ₹35,000 per night. All tourist
spots charge more in the peak season.
The last week of the year, between Christmas and New Year Goa is
usually completely packed. Try to avoid that overhyped week and you
will get a better deal without the added pressures.
A great time to visit Goa is between September to November. The peak
season isn't quite there and hotels are available at lower prices.
Budget
Huts/Shacks are an economical and fun option to consider with prices
ranging from ₹400-600s and you get a whole hut with a double bed, lock
, towels and an attached bathroom with toilet. These shacks are closed
during the monsoon. Alternatively, budget hotels offer rooms starting
from as low as INR 699 per night.
Do not forget to explore special discounts during the off season.

 The Lost Hostel, Goa, Hostel is located in between Palolem and

patnem beach on Palolem-patnem road (If you are getting down at
Canacona railway and bus station than ask any tuk-tuk driver for
palolem-patnem road and on that road on right-hand side you will see
a beautiful yellow building which has Beatles and pink floyd art
work.), ☎ +91-9307762867 (tlh.palolem@gmail.com), [13].
checkin: 24 hours; checkout: 10:30AM. comfortable dorms with
lockers and en suite shower and toilet available with basic
amenities.Best place to meet people and socialize. INR 300-600 (free
Wi-Fi, communal kitchen). 
Villas
There are lots of traditional Goan Portuguese villas and beach houses
where you can stay to get a local flavour of Goa, especially if you're
travelling in a group.
Service apartments
In recent trend many tourists are preferring to stay in service apartments
since these service apartments are spacious in compared to hotels and
comes with kitchen. It gives a feel of a home away from home. These
are very suitable for families and couples and also comes within budget.
In peaceful villages like oxel and siolim one can get a really good deal in
gated communities with different facilities.

Cope
Money
Goa has a large network of banks, some of which will change currency.
In the tourist pockets and urban areas, one comes across such services
easily. Reserve Bank of India's Foreign Exchange Department is at 3A/B
Sesa Ghor, Patto in Panjim (Ph 2438656, 2438659, fax 2438657)
though one need not go specifically here.
Leading hotels, shops and travel agents will also offer foreign currency
exchanges.
Contact
Phones
At the time of writing, Goa's telephone directory hasn't been published
for at least four years. In a state with among the highest teledensities
(phones per hundred users) across India, this is a serious handicap. Old
telephone directories have segregated phone subscribers on the basis
of the many small phone exchanges in the State. (Previously, it needed
a trunk-call to call from one exchange to the other, but at least this is not
the case now.) So it can be very confusing to locate a particular phone
number. However if you do have a phone number for the BSNL Co.,
then getting the address is easy by dialing 197.
Add to this the reality that the telephone network in Goa is frequently
growing, and that telephone numbers have grown from four-digits to the
current seven in not too many years, finding the right number you need
can be tough.
Goa's main telecom ISP BSNL has this online telephone
directory [18] which is partially useful.
The Government of Goa's Department of Information and Publicity
(located at Udyog Bhavan, near Azad Maidan and the Goa Police
Headquarters in the heart of Panjim) comes out fairly regularly with an
under-priced -- but not easily available -- pocketbook of phone numbers.
This focuses largely on politicians, government officials and media
persons. Some useful fax numbers, email addresses and websites
mentioned here. But don't expect officials to reply to your e-mail!
Yellow pages are also available. To inquire about local businesses
contact Hello 2412121 (0832-2412121), The Talking Yellowpages Of
Goa and Online Enquiry Hello Yellowpages Goa [19]. Both these
services from Hello Group Goa [20] offer information on a range of
businesses in Goa.
Mobile services have grown fast in Goa.
It is fairly easy to get a Prepaid mobile SIM card. It will cost around
100Rs, just take a copy of your passport (visa page, entry stamp and
photo page) and two passport photos to a phone shop and away you go.
It is worth thinking about cost and coverage if you are travelling around
India as once you leave Goa and travel to anoher state you then pay
roaming charges for all calls. It is still cheap though. A single text to the
UK from Goa costs ₹10 and calls cost about ₹12 a minute.
It is also worth noting that Vodafone coverage across Goa is patchy and
can lead to delayed delivery of messages, dropped calls, poor signal
quality and battery drain - the local recommendation within Goa seems
to be Airtel.
Internet
Internet cafes can be found in Goa's urban areas, tourist spots and
hotels (hotels like Taj, Lemon Teee, Ginger, OYO, etc. generally provide
free Wi-Fi facility). It is not difficult to find an internet centre in a state
known for its large expat and tourist population. ID has to be presented
and foreigners will need to present their passport before being allowed
to use the internet.
Consulates and High Commissions
 Portuguese Consulate General, 38-39 Father Angelo Road-
Altinho, ☎ 2421525 (cgpgoa@gmail.com, fax: 2421522), [14]. Goa is
home to the Consulate General of Portugal, which is understandable,
as Portugal has had close and long historic and colonial ties with
Goa. As Portugal never recognized India's takeover of the state, for
long, it considered Goans eligible for Portuguese passports. While it
is no longer as easy as it once was for people of Goan origin, this
continues to be available, but difficult and time-consuming to obtain
now especially for those born after 1961. 

 British Tourist Assistance Office, S13/14, Dempo Towers,

Patto
Plaza, ☎ 2438734 (assistance@goaukconsular.org, fax: 6641297), [
15]. Britain, which has a significant number of tourists visiting the
region, also has its Tourist Assistance Office (earlier designated as a
consular officer) based here. Germany, Austria (in the port town of
Vasco da Gama) and Italy have their honorary consuls. 

  German consulate, Cosme Matias Menezes Pvt. Ltd., Rua de

 Ourem, Panaji, 403 001, ☎ +91 832 223 55
26 (conhongoa@sancharnet.in, fax: +91 832 222 34 41), [16]. Mon-
Fri 10AM-5PM.
  Austrian Consulate, Salgaocar House, Vasco, ☎ 2513811.

  Italian vice Consulate, D1 Sesa Ghor, Patto

Plaza, ☎ 2438944 (fax: 2365785).

Stay safe
Goa is an ideal holiday destination for travelers, but tourists should bear
in mind that India has its own set of safety issues.

 This is new crime in Goa these days. If you are driving watch out
for goons that drive rash and stop you and blame you that you are
driving rash. These goons will try to hit you and ask money from you.
At some roads in Goa you cannot get quick help from public and
even if you approach the cops there is very less chance that they
would be on your side as they are spineless. Keep in mind they don't
have any respect for woman! So travel in groups, carry less cash. Be
ready for self defense.
 Be careful, when alone, on beaches at night.
 Many tourists are regularly barked at aggressively by dogs on the
beach at night. There can also be dog and cow excrement on the
beach.
 Do not accept un-bottled drinks from strangers under any
circumstances.
 Branded Cigarettes can be fake and reportedly contain very bad
chemicals.
 Do not accept rides from strangers, locals or foreigners, especially
at night.
 Be careful when wading at the beach as undertow riptide currents
can be strong in certain beaches. Avoid the mouths of all rivers (such
as the Mandovi River at Miramar), especially at low tide when the
flow of the water current out to sea is the strongest. And just don't get
into the water at all in the off season. The safe swimming period in
Goa is November to early May.
 Avoid contact with unprocessed cashew nuts as they contain an
irritant ('urusiol') also present in poison ivy. The cashew apple is
edible when ripe.
 Goans are very friendly and helpful; should you have any
problems, talk immediately to the nearest Goan shop, restaurant or
bystander and ask for help.
 Travel guides can be expensive and have been known to dupe
foreign visitors. Beware of guides offering to take you to a disco with
lots of attractive girls, who will dance with you. This is a scam to
cheat you of your money.
 Befriend a decent taxi driver and agree on regular business.
 Temperatures in winter and summer can be extreme, so do not
forget sunscreen.
 Beware of any scam that offers a free ride in return for a "prize".
The prize will suck guaranteed.
 Also, beware the 'ear doctors', who are more likely to accost men
than women and 'produce' some tiny revolting creature, supposedly
from your ear, for which they then offer a 'cure' (It is, however,
humorous to read the cards they print up promoting themselves).
 While travelling by train, beware of pickpockets, strangers who
offer you snacks or tea, and other such people who make trains in
India a regular hunting ground.{Please make sure not to take off your
precious footwear(In non a/c coaches), or you might not have
anything to wear next morning. The same goes with all your
valuables}
 Don't trust travel agents who say that a train is fully booked! They
want you to hire a car that costs more and provides them a kick back.
A better thing to do is to check out the details yourself on the Indian
Railways website [21]. Also, you can book your railway ticket online
on [22]. But you will have register first.
 People travelling by car do ensure to carry all vehicle documents
and driving licence because some of the police constables in goa are
corrupt and will harass you to shell out exhorbitant amount. Never
pay bribe always go the legal way go to the police station. Pollution
under control certificate is must and is issued in every 3 months you
may contact nearest petrol pump to get it re-issued.
 Don't fall prey for Oil Massages. they may deceive you,agents
 found commonly in baga beach
Emergency services
Goa now has a number - 108 for medical emergencies. This service is
run by the GVK EMRI (Emergency Management and Research Institute)
and is based out of Goa Medical College (Bambolim) and has
ambulances posted at various parts of Goa. These ambulances are fully
equipped and have trained paramedics.
Ambulance

 Goa Medical College (Bambolim) 102 or 2458725

 Goa Air Ambulance +91 98211 50889
 Indian Red Cross (Panjim) 2224601
 Esperance Clinic (Panjim) 2463185
 Margao Ambulance Trust (Margao) 2714464
 Ravi Naik Trust (Ponda) 2312608
 Ambulance And Welfare Trust (Panjim) 2227997
 classic hospital(margao) 2711013/14/15
 Manipal emergency ambulance services +91 8888 702 222
Fire service
The number to Fire Service is 191.
Police
Police Head Quarters, near Azad Maidan,
Panjim dgp@goapolice.org police@goa.nic.in Tel No(Toll Free)- 100
Police Control Room
Roadways Enquiry

 KTC (Kadamba-Goa) 2438034 to 2438037

 MSRTC (Maharashtra) 2438253
 KSRTC (Karnataka) 2438256
Official media

 All India Radio 2224455

 Doordarshan 2224312
 Press Information Bureau 2226929
Get Out
 Gokarna - Another beach resort town with nice views and yummy
food
 Ganpatipule - Beautiful long beach
 Yana - small village located in the dense forest of kumta has 2
unusual rock formations. This place is 40 Kms from Sirsi and 31 Kms
from kumta
 Malwan - Famous Malvan fort, coconut tree with 2 branches.