A Perfect Holiday Destination
Famous for its beaches, Goa is the smallest state in India in terms of area, the fourth smallest state in terms of the population yet a huge contributor to the economy through Goa tourism. Panaji is the capital of Goa. Goa Tourism is considered to be the major support to Goa’s economy. Through Tripoto’s Goa tourism and travel guide you can explore the best of Goa. Thinking of ‘where to go in Goa’? Check out the below Goa tour guide and get all the necessary information about Goa tourism. When in India’s sunshine state, be prepared to fall in love with sandy beaches, palm-fringed shores and beachfront Portuguese bungalows. Goa will never fail to entice you with its landscapes peppered with paddy fields, coconut groves, windy cliffs and riverside forts. While the southern part of the state is a haven for tourists seeking quiet days spent by the tranquil seaside, Goa tourism in the north is known primarily because of its bustling shacks and legendary nightlife. From the umpteen number of places to visit in Goa, a few that most definitely shouldn’t be missed are the Fontainhas – India’s only existing Latin quarters, the 17th century old Bom Jesus Basilica; to revel in a little bohemian spirit, the vibrant Wednesday flea market at Anjuna Beach, and Dudhsagar – one of India’s highest waterfalls. But if you’re here simply to unwind, there’s no dearth of things to enjoy. Starting with spotting a dolphin or two at the Palolem beach, marveling at the routinely glorious sunsets at Chapora fort, taking leisurely strolls through the mossy ruins of St. Augustine in Old Goa or simply soaking in the salty tropical breeze with platefuls of butter garlic prawns, bebinca and a few too many rum and cokes, with a side of jazz and Konkani music.
India’s favourite party destination has been blessed with some beautifully well-defined seasons. There are 4 distinct phases to the Goa weather - summer, monsoons, post-monsoon summer, and then finally, winter. Tourist season is generally during winter, because most westerners find the famous Goan sun a tad too heavy duty for their comfort in summer! The best time to visit Goa is between November and March when the Goa weather is beautifully balmy & clear with a cool sea breeze blowing through.
Best Time To Visit
Summer (March, April, May & October) Summers in Goa are extremely hot with temperatures touching 40 Degrees C (104 Degrees F). Being a coastal state, the humidity levels remain sky high. This may be uncomfortable and take some time to adjust to for tourists from colder countries. The sea remains nice and tepid, and the beaches always have a nice balmy breeze flowing through them. Mornings and evenings are pleasant, but noon to evening can get pretty unbearable, and it's best to remain indoors to avoid the risk of sunburn and heat stroke. Goa is not as crowded during summers and prices tend to be relatively low. If you don't mind the heat, this may be the best time to visit Goa as you can explore this sunny state on a rather economical budget during summer.
Monsoons (June, July, August, September) The monsoons in Goa typically last from June to September. This is the season during which people avoid Goa, simply because people associate Goa with beaches, sun and sand, and therefore, a rainy day is a huge letdown for beach bums. Unfortunately for them, they don't know what they're missing out on, for Goa is beautiful during the rains! The rainy season in Goa is a magical experience. After the harsh heat of May, the smell of wet earth is incomparable. Paddy fields are at their peak as the scorched, dry land gets infused with a new breath of life. If you're interested in a beautiful and relaxed holiday, with no noise, no crowds and lots of soul searching time, choose Goa in the rains. The entire state is sparkling clean, emerald green, and above all, devoid of hordes of tourists! During the monsoons, Goa receives an average of three to five hours of sunshine during the day. We advise against venturing out into the sea at this time. Not only is the water freezing cold, it is also extremely dangerous during the rains. Explore the many spice plantations, Mollem National Park and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary to make most of the magic of the monsoons.
Winter November, December, January, February Winter in Goa is a time of great celebration and by far the best time to visit Goa! When the monsoons end, Goa looks like it's just back from the laundry - every tree and building looks spanking clean. The Goa weather at this time is just perfect and the streets begin to fill up with thousands of holidaymakers, out for their fix of fun, sun and sand. People can pick from a host of watersports as the water is just right at this time of the year. Winter in Goa is a fun season with fairs, parades, festivals and parties that wind up late in the night on the beaches. It is a festive couple of months and all hotels, restaurants and shops are decorated with lights, stars, tinsel and Christmas trees. Also this is the period when maximum weddings and engagements are held in Goa. Hotels are packed to capacity so be sure to book in advance. January is a bit chilly but it is never too cold here. It's good to have a sweater with you if you plan to bike around at night or early in the morning. Don't forget to watch out for the beautiful mists that swirl around the paddy fields and all surrounding streets in the mornings and at night...its gorgeous!
How To Reach
Goa is a well connected city through all modes of transport. Therefore, one can reach Goa easily by airways and roadways besides rail and sea routes. Let’s know about the various routes to travel to Goa in details.
By Air Being located at Dabolim, Goa International Airport is also known as Dabolim Airport. It is located at a distance of 29 km from the capital of Goa to Panaji. This airport operates various domestic and international flights to connect the city with other major cities of the nation and every corner of the world.
By Rail - Goa has developed rail routes that easily connect the city with other cities. There are two prominent railway stations in Goa, which are Madgaon Railway Station and Vasco-da-Gama Railway Station. Konkan Railway which is located at Margao, operates trains between Mumbai and Panaji. It also operates trains to other destinations as well. The Nizamuddin Goa Express is the only train that has access from South Central Railway. It departs from Delhi and reaches Goa via Pune.
By Road - The city is very well connected with other cities through roadways. The roads of the city have access to many public and private buses. Many Government undertakings such as KSRTC, MSRTC and KTC are operated from Madgaon, Panaji and Vasco Da Gama. There are daily bus services to Goa from Mumbai and Pune. Kadamba and Panaji are the two major bus terminuses of Goa. The state bus services of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra have access to operate from these terminuses. One can also enjoy traveling through super deluxe A/C buses from Mumbai and Bangalore.
Sea Goa offers shipping services from Mumbai to Panaji making journey exciting and comfortable for its tourists.
Local Transportation in Goa As Goa is one of the major tourist destinations of India, it is well connected to the chief cities and towns of India. It has access to many government and private buses. One can use public transport to move around within the city at a nominal cost. Bus facility both public and private is available in abundance. Besides, many private taxi or cabs can be hired to travel within Goa and visit the well known tourist destinations. One has to fix the fare before boarding a taxi. Option of hiring a taxi and driving it by own to the desired destinations in the city is also available. If you are traveling alone then you can hire a Motorcycle Taxi to travel around Goa in a unique way. You can also get a three wheeler Auto rickshaw to travel within the vicinity of Goa at a negotiable cost.
