GOA BEACHES Goa Three Main Areas : :-[Goa Beach Tour] 1.

MAPUSA Mapusa, in the northernmost part of Goa, is the states main market town. The administrative capital of Bardez Taluka, Mapusa is 13 km south of Panaji.. The town's name, pronounced `Mapsa, after the Konkani words for `measure and `fill, is an indication of its commercial nature. Besides being a busy market town, Mapusa is conveniently close to some of Goas most popular beaches. a) Calangute Beach: About 8 km south from Mapusa, Calangute is Goa's most popular beach, a highly commercialised but sizzling beach that offers good sunbathing, passable swimming and the most delicious food along the coast. Though the beach itself is not spectacular, and the coarse golden sand drops steeply creating an undertow, there is something about Calangute that attracts the Indian tourist and Western sun-worshipper alike....more... b) Baga Beach: A happening beach 10 km west of Mapusa, crescent-shaped Baga is less crowded than Calangute, but comparatively safer for swimming. Baga has soft white sand and a green backdrop of paddy fields. Baga is popular for water sports - para sailing, jet skiing, body boarding and surfing, though the waves aren't good enough for the professional surfers. Another hit with tourists are the dolphin cruises on a boat out at sea, bringing you within touching distance of these smiling creatures. Baga's nightlife is more sophisticated than Calangute's, with music, dance and wine. ...more... c) Anjuna Beach: The "hip" beach that has lived up to its swinging reputation since the 70s, Anjuna has traditionally been a rave centre and attracts party goers and backpackers to its famous beach parties, especially around the Christmas-New Year season. Anjuna's golden sands and tall coconut palms make the beachfront a pretty hangout place and the sea is safe for swimming. ...more... d) Small Vagator and Big Vagator Beach: A little ahead of Anjuna lie the two Vagators - the big and the small Vagators. Both are secluded, palm fringed, quiet places tucked away in the northernmost tip of Mapusa. Small Vagator is a small cove - its fine silver sands and rocky sea shore surrounded by black laterite cliffs.The main Vagator beach (Big Vagator) is overshadowed by the 500 year old Portuguese fortress of Chapora that sits atop a rocky outcrop. e) Arambol Beach: Way off to the north, near the border with Maharashtra, lies Arambol (also called Harmal), pretty but not overcrowded. Arambols stretches of soft white sand would be just what the doctor ordered for your peace of mind. It is also the paradise for the hippies, as there are regular "trance" parties and even "full moon" parties. ...more... Also near the Maharashtra border is Querim Beach (pronounced Keri) an idyllic beach but with barely any facilities or supplies available. Equally peaceful and bereft of logistics are Mandrem (just south of Arambol) and Morgim (Morji), on the Chapora estuary. Mandrem, a lonely stretch of white sandy beach with a couple of beach shacks, is frequented mostly by tourists who want to get a full body tan, away from prying eyes of interested locals. At the foot of Fort Aguada lies the pretty palm-fringed Sinquerim Beach, and near it Candolim Beach, both popular with tourists. 2. PANAJI: Panaji, the capital of Goa, is a tiny city that packs in a large punch. The church on the main square, the Baroque architecture, pretty villas, cobbled streets and interesting buildings give Panaji a distinctly Portuguese ambience. The city lies along the left bank of the Mandovi River, and close at hand are a bunch of good beaches, perfect for lolling around and soaking up the sun. a) Dona Paula Beach: Dona Paula is a pretty and peaceful beach shaded by palms and casuarinas, 9 km southwest of Panaji. Dona Paula is quite a hotspot, not only for its beauty but also because of a romantic legend that gave the beach its name. Dona Paula de Menezes was a viceroys daughter who jumped off a cliff when refused permission to marry a local fisherman. The hapless maiden is said to be entombed at the nearby Raj Bhawans Cabo Chapel.

Dona Paula beach offers water sports facilities, especially water scootering....more... b) Miramar Beach: The beach closest to the capital Panaji (3 km), Miramar is conveniently located in the heart of the state capital which is also why it is rather crowded and often dirty, though you can watch some spectacular sunsets, as the sun goes down at the confluence of the River Mandovi and the Arabian Sea....more... c) Bambolim Beach: 7 km from Panaji along the Panaji-Vasco road to the airport, Bambolim is a minor beach frequented more by the local populace rather than by tourists. ...more... d) Caranzalem Beach: Though not very pretty, Caranzalem (between Miramar and Dona Paula) is quiet and safe for swimming. It has water scooters and other water sports facilities as there is no undercurrent. e) Vaniguinim Beach: The Vaniguinim Beach overlooks the Mormugao Bay but is accessible only from the Cidade de Goa Hotel. f) Bogmalo Beach: Just 4 km from the airport is the small cove at Bogmalo, not easily accessible, and, therefore fairly empty. Bogmalo lies between Panaji and the port town of Vasco da Gama; its good for swimming, and not too crowded....more... 3. MARGAO : Margao, the capital of Salcete taluka and the chief town of South Goa, has a decidedly Portuguese flavour and an old world charm. Its a vibrant cosmopolis with a migrant populace from Maharashtra and Karnataka, peppering the existing Konkanese and Portuguese cultures; and this is also where some of Goas top beaches are. a) Colva Beach: Colva beach, 6 km from Margao, has a throbbing nightlife but a somewhat downmarket ambience by day. Colvas highly commercialised with resort complexes, large holiday crowds, trinket stalls, discos and restaurants, but a walk of a few hundred metres along the beach in either direction takes visitors to the quieter, more private spots. If one can get away from the crowded main beach, Colva is a great place to shack up. Theres good accommodation, great restaurants, the waterfront is clean and the waters safe for swimming. ...more... b) Benaulim Beach: Benaulim lies right in the centre of Colva, 7 km west of Margao. Benaulim remained a sleepy hamlet for centuries, then woke up with quite a bang- and is today a popular tourist hotspot with a crop of luxury resorts, time-share apartments, guesthouses and moderately priced hotels. Dozens of restaurants and beach shacks dot the seafront, serving authentic Goan seafood besides a variety of other cuisines. Despite its popularity, Benaulim still has an air of tranquility: the beachfront is beautiful, with silver sands, shady palm trees and safe waters. ...more... c) Mobor Beach: Mobor is the spot where Colva ends and the River Assolna meets the sea, and the site of an exclusive luxury resort. The beach at Mobor lies in a sheltered cove overlooked by cliffs on one side - it makes for a picture perfect setting. ...more... d) Majorda Beach: Majorda lies 2 km north of Colva, and is a pretty beach dominated by a luxury resort, hotels, restaurants, shops, boutiques and the best European bakeries in Goa. ...more... South of Margao lie a host of quieter, more isolated beaches; venture beyond Cape Rama to the peace and beauty of the beaches at Palolem and Galgibaga- perfect for a day away from the crowds of bathers flocking around the more touristy beaches. Nearby Agonda and Rajbag beaches lack shelter from the sun, making them rather isolated and inconvenient.

Beaches in Goa Anjuna Beach ( North Goa ) Baga Beach (North Goa) Bogmalo Beach ( North Goa ) Calangute Beach (North Goa) Cavelossim Beach ( South Goa ) Colva Beach ( South Goa) Majorda Beach (South Goa) Mobor Beach ( South Goa) Vagator Beach ( North Goa) Arambol Beach (North Goa ) Bambolim Beach (North Goa) Benaulim Beach (South Goa) Candolim Beach ( North Goa) Chapora Beach ( North Goa) Dona Paula Beach (Center Goa) Miramar Beach (South Goa) Palolem Beach (South Goa) Varca Beach (South Goa)

Viva Goa!! By: cpearl | Jan 26, 2003 04:20 PM There are scant words that describe this beautiful and intriguing state of India.Her beauty lies in her beaches and the hearts of the lovely people who live here. Goa Liberated in 1961,Goa is one of the youngest states of India.After 450 years of Portuguese domination,the mark of the western ways remain indelible on the goan soil.There are many goans who speak Portuguese and Portuguese songs of that period are still sung today for weddings and other festive occasions. Goa has endless beaches over-lapping each other at some point.Foreign tourists converge on these beaches during the summer and spend infinite hours working up a tan.The language spoken is Konkani though most of the people and shop owners speak English. As with many a paradise,Goa too has its shortcomings.The infrastructure is abominable.One minute youre driving along a smooth road,the next,youre in the largest pothole imaginable.Electricity is inconsistent;I wouldnt be surprised if candlelight dinners originated here!Telephones!Graham Bell would have a fit!You may be calling overseas but that doesnt stop your phone from being cross-connected with the neighbours! Beaches Goa is famous for its beaches for various reasons.Rave parties are the call of the weekends and sometimes even weekdays!Beer,booze and drugs flows non-stop at these parties and its common for the police to step in and put all the revelry to a stop. One of the most famous beaches is the Calangute beach.This beach has been completely commercialized to cater to the needs and wants of the tourists.In the summer season,many of the local residents put up little shacks on the beach-front and lease it out to tourists while others set up temporary restaurants serving traditional goan food.Baga beach is adjacent to the Calangute beach and one can walk into Baga without even realizing it! Vagator beach where one can sit atop the hill and admire the sea and its temperament. Ozra beach is next to Vagator beach but not as easily accessible.This is also known as the nude beach as it does have foreign tourists au naturelle sun-bathing near the Nudity Prohibited sign! Anjuna beach is what I call the hippie beach.Hundreds of tourists flock here in their orange hair-dos and pierced body parts.A flea market is held on this beach every Wednesday and one can get some neat bargains for silver and other assorted stuff. One of the most beautiful beaches is the Colva Beach in the South of Goa.Its pristine white sands stretch as far as the eye can see. Bogmalo beach is another gorgeous beach.A plus point of this beach is that theres a five-star hotel on it.

Cities Panjim or Panaji is the capital of Goa and the seat of political debates.The capital is also the home of a two designer wear stores by the indigenous designers Wendell Rodrigues and Savio Jon. Mapusa is the where one can enjoy the Friday market alongside a whole mixed bag of people like the fisher folk,the NRIs,the locals and the tourists.One should beware of pickpockets at all times! Margao is a city in the South of Goa.It is quite famous for its shopping options,churches and some pretty good restaurants.Do pay a visit to Martins Corner where you can enjoy an excellent cuisine. Vasco is another south Goan port city where the red light area is the hub of activity!The world famous explorer,Vasco De Gama,first landed in this city and is said to have given it his name. Places to go; things to see There is no limit to the entertainment one can enjoy in Goa.Pubs,discos,flea markets,dances and shows are perpetual. Saturday Night Market This market starts at five in the evening at a beach area called Arpora and goes on till eleven.Foreigners and Indians alike flock here to buy and sell their wares. Prices are sky-high but bargaining is acceptable. Caravela The floating casino is said to be quite popular with the nouveau riche and the industrialists.At 9 p.m. sharp,the boat leaves the dock for a lazy cruise down the Mandovi river. There is non-stop music firstly from a very talented live band of musicians and then a DJ.The entry is Rs. 3000 per head,which includes a buffet and unlimited drinks and beverages and cigarettes of all varieties. Sunset Cruise The state capital is famous for its cruises along the Mandovi river.The most popular one is the sunset river cruise.There are many boats/ferries offering this cruise,the most popular one being the Santa Monica offering a variety of dances and beverages. Dona Paula For the incurably romantic,Dona Paula is a must see. Though it has other attractions,the main feature is the statue of a lovely young lass atop a small hillock close to the jetty.Folklore tells the tale of a young girl named Paula from a rich Portuguese family who fell in love with a handsome young fisherman against her fathers wishes.One day,it is said,the young man went away to sea and never returned.Paula spent the rest of her days atop a hillock awaiting her loved one to return till one day,she herself turned into stone.

Old Goa The Basilica of Bom Jes lies in this antique city across the Mandovi bridge.Once every decade,the body of the patron saint of Goa,Saint Francis Xavier,is exposed for veneration to the public.The feast is on the 3rd of December and people from all over flock to the Basilica to pray and enjoy the wares put up by the folk in the church grounds. One can also find the imposing ruins of Saint Augustines church nearby. Sculpture of Sant Mirabai Said to be the longest laterite sculpture in India,this statue is carved into the ground and is around 10kms from the Southern city of Margao. Also in the south of Goa,is the Shantadurga temple and Shri Bhagvati temples,the latter said to be more than five hundred years old . The culinary delights Though the staple diet of the goans is rice and fish,pork is also an integral part in the goan meal. When in Goa, do not miss the famous sorpotel, vindaloo (both pork dishes),goa sausages(the first love of every goan),fish reichado(fish stuffed with a red paste of red chillies & vinegar),mussels and other assorted dishes one should not miss. For the visitor with the sweet tooth,Goa has many unique sweet dishes to tickle the palette.Do not miss bebinca(a concoction of egg whites,flour,sugar all baked in layers),dosh(a supple mix of coconut/gram),dodhol(a divine wobbly gooey layer of jaggery stirred over a hot flame for hours and hours)and bathika(a mix of coconut,sugar,cashew seeds baked to a golden consistency that simply melts in your mouth!). For an intoxicating evening,try the goan caju fenia preparation mainly brewed/distilled from the abundant cashew fruits of Goa. When to go Though Goa is the perennial party zone,the monsoons tend to dampen the spirits and Lent lends sobriety to the gaiety. The sweltering summer is a season where one must exercise caution as the solar rays tend to leave ones skin flaking from sunburn. The best time of the year is the winter i.e. the months from November to February.The spirit of Christmas is in the air and the gaiety is contagious.The Christmas dance is packed with fun with live bands belting out top of the pops la goan style. Some of the information in my review comes from www.goa-world.net.It is very informative and gives a lot of handy hints and tips. Thanks for reading my ramblings on this place I call home.

By Concerned | Jan 26, 2003 04:32 PM

HiYa Pearl... Very well written review ! I have been to Goa once & fell in love with that place. The few things I would have added in this review would be the Goas inland waters Ferry boats , The unique Scooter Taxis & The world famous Goa Carnival Keep smiling ... Goa - u- tom !! Ha Ha Ha

By cpearl | Jan 26, 2003 05:30 PM

Hi Concerned, Thanks for your comment. You are not going to believe how long this review was! I had to chop and change becoz of the 8000 characters limit! Hope other readers will understand! Cheers!
By zzzzz00 | Jan 26, 2003 06:10 PM

hey cpearl, Nice article. I have fallen in love with Goa though i have never been there. But, please try to cut short them from next time, because lots of people(like me) are not a big fan of long articles :)
By PrashD | Jan 26, 2003 06:52 PM

That was a comprehensive review from you and one should expect no less from a tourists point of view. Infact there should have been additions..but as you say, the 8000 word limit....aargh One would think that Goas success comes from the fact that nearly everthing from the food to the attractions has become a sort of a trademark and can be related to just at the mention of the name.... brand marketing of some sort without the effort so to say.. Neat stuff, keep em coming! Prashanth
By haljosgeo | Jan 27, 2003 03:57 PM

I spent my New Year there and would vouch for this place, a must see for everyone on earth. A long and superb review.
By rajasagar | Jan 27, 2003 09:31 PM

Goa is a dream destination to just laze around and do nothing in particular. you know, the place goes off into a siesta around noon and doesnt wake up till about 3 or 3-30 pm ! I had to calm my growling hunger pangs till 3-30 last time I skipped breakfast out there. Cool review and the right tourist brochure to read for the un-initiated. Just chill ! Raja

By fatcat | Jan 28, 2003 12:38 AM

Hi Cpearl, Excellent review. I was just wondering whether those motor-cycle taxis are still plying - those seem to be a speciality in Goa. Thanks for a nice read. Regards Prasad
By xelavie | Jan 29, 2003 06:19 AM

I got to know Goa only in crossword puzzles where the clue is An Indian State. I didnt know that Goa is such a nice place, a tourist spot of sorts. Cpearl, you really have a way with words particularly when the review is about a place. I think youd be a good tourism person. Keep on writing... Alex
By rekh | Jan 31, 2003 06:20 PM

of an excellent place :) been there last year & my fav beach was Baga beach ! Goa is a superb place for holidays but too crowded at times. Uve covered almost everything abt a fab place. Good work CP :))) ciao rek
By cuchillo99 | Feb 03, 2003 09:51 AM

Hey there, your review brought back warm memories of our trip to Goa. It is indeed a place to relax and let go.And though drinks are cheaper, that was the last thing on our mind as we toured Goa. The most memorable beach for me is the Arambal beach, which is quite a distance away from Goa. But it is great. Thanx for making me relive my trip to Goa.

By Santoz | Feb 03, 2003 12:56 PM

Fab rev pearl ! Have been to goa on a number of occ. but could not have managed a better rev ! Sorry am late for the Carnival ;-) smiles santosh
By richi | Feb 05, 2003 07:40 PM

You always write nicely.But abot GOA;my favourite place-very nicely written!This promted me 2 go 4 shoot 2 GOA again;Thanx 2 U!
By anirbanc | Feb 11, 2003 04:53 PM

you reminded me of our visit to Goa and the way we had freaked out. I love this place and the beaches mesmerize me. Thanks for writing such a wonderful review. Cheers, Anirban.
By bhatt99 | Mar 11, 2003 12:00 PM

hi pearl tell me have u been to these places personally?? if yes, than buddy i m sure u ve a time of yr. life.

keep writing. keep Rockin bhatt

By jonam_t | Mar 20, 2003 07:05 AM

Yes I agree entirely with you that Goa is a fantastic place. I have been ther but once for a week, and what a week that was!!! Thrilling, Exciting, adventurous, beautiful landscape. Worth going to again and again.
By Mesquite_Bean | Apr 08, 2003 07:19 AM

Youve made this place sound like a true paradise. I wanna go there.....TODAY.
By pinks25 | Apr 30, 2003 06:39 PM

you have written an excellent review on goa. I went there last year and thoroughly enjoyed myself. my best beach in goa is baga beach though I found vagator very picturesque. very well written. regards priya
By ummagumma | Jun 15, 2004 10:55 PM

Hi Pearl, Great review. Ive been to Goa some 15 times in the last 7 years, & most of those times I used to stay in Baga. Baga was almost like my second hometown as many of the locals knew me at that time. The beaches, the friendly people, the sarpotel, vindaloo, the parties, the shacks on the beach, breakfast at infantaria, nights at Titos, the booze, the flea markets, saturday night bazaar, the music..........can never forget those moments.
By svjayalakshmi | May 31, 2005 02:47 PM

Hi cpearl, It was lovely to read ur beautiful & lively review on a beautiful place. Ive heard a great deal about Goa & still longing to pay a visit ! Ur bubbly review brought the place into my eyes keep writing, Cheers Jaya
By iamsonali | May 31, 2005 07:04 PM

You have covered almost everything about Goa that a visitor needs to know. When I visited Goa for the first time, some years back, I was amazed by its culture! I wish the whole of India was like that - open, smiling and welcoming. Also remember the yummy sausage pao and endless bloody marys on the beach... :)