Goa
Discover Goa
Goa (Konkani: गोंय / Gõy), a state on India's West coast, is a former Portuguese colony with a rich history. Spread over 3,700 km² with a population of approximately 1.4 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). Goa is blessed with waterfalls (Dudhsagar, Amboli, Mangeli, Dodamarg) and ghats. 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 who attend seminars and conferences in Goa.
What to Experience in Goa
GOA
Palolem Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa. If you are looking for peace and serenity then this should be on your bucket list when you travel to Goa. The crowd is less, beaches are clean, food is just amazing and what else do you need?
yellow umbrellas
Ile a Vache one of Haiti's satellite islands located in the southern tip. The island is only 8 miles long and 2 miles wide. One of the most popular tourist sites in Haiti and it has some of the best island scenery in the Caribbean.
Golden beach during summertime
View of the sea and Sweet Lake on the beach at Arambol in Goa, India, January 2020
silhouette of palm tree near body of water during sunset
Beautiful Sunset at Goa
blue and brown wooden houses near palm trees under blue sky during daytime
Calangute beach in Goa
Famous Beaches
Agonda
Anjuna beach
Arambol beach
Asvem beach
Baga beach
Benaulim beach
Calangute beach
Candolim and Sinquerim
Chapora
Colva beach
Mandrem beach
Morjim beach
Palolem beach
Patnem beach
Vagator beach
Taste of Goa...
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,
Culture & Religion
Culture
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 brought with it different cultures. Many Indians from other states have come and settled here. Goan Catholics generally acknowledge their Hindu roots and carry traces of a caste system within their 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 re
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsGoa can be reached by two airports, 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. The 15.38083373.8313891 Dabolim Airport (GOI), in Vasco da Gama is Goa's main airport. Some airlines fly directly to Goa, but most international flights arrive via Mumbai. Air India has international flights to Kuwa...
Regions
Explore AreasBy Indian standards, Goa is a very small state with only two districts - North and South Goa. These districts are together further divided into 12 talukas. These divisions, however, don't make much se…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
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 accurate answers (a so-called 'five-minute drive' could take twenty minutes). When driving, expect surprises like domestic animals and little children darting across the road, unmarked speed breakers and speed bumps. There is a ch
Where to Stay
Goa is one of the more expensive states in India to stay in. During the peak season, which lasts from November to late March, the prices are very high. Especially in December, 5-star hotel rates range from around ₹20,000—35,000 per night. All tourist spots charge more in the peak season. Huts/shacks are an economical and fun option to consider. These can be found along most of the beaches, prices range from ₹400-600 and you get a whole hut with a double bed, lock, towels and an attached bathroom
Money & Budget
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. Leading hotels, shops and travel agents will also offer foreign currency exchanges. Country code is +91 (India), Goa is 832, or 0832 if the country code is not prefixed. Goa's telephone directory hasn't been published for several years. In a state wit
Language & 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
Safety Information
Safety Overview
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. If you meet a driver you like, get thei
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Goa
GOA
Palolem Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa. If you are looking for peace and serenity then this should be on your bucket list when you travel to Goa. The crowd is less, beaches are clean, food is just amazing and what else do you need?
yellow umbrellas
Ile a Vache one of Haiti's satellite islands located in the southern tip. The island is only 8 miles long and 2 miles wide. One of the most popular tourist sites in Haiti and it has some of the best island scenery in the Caribbean.
Golden beach during summertime
View of the sea and Sweet Lake on the beach at Arambol in Goa, India, January 2020
silhouette of palm tree near body of water during sunset
Beautiful Sunset at Goa
blue and brown wooden houses near palm trees under blue sky during daytime
Calangute beach in Goa
GOA
Palolem Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa. If you are looking for peace and serenity then this should be on your bucket list when you travel to Goa. The crowd is less, beaches are clean, food is just amazing and what else do you need?
yellow umbrellas