Goa is approachable from Bombay by air. Goa’s coastline provides endless sun drenched crescents of sand. Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute and Candolim stretch out in an unbroken palm fringed line. Other beaches are at Miramar and Colva.

Parasailing, yachting, windsurfing, and deep sea diving are some of the more popular water sports, facilities for which are available. In addition, every sort of accommodation fringes the beaches, from deluxe resorts to budget lodgings Inland, 451 years of Portuguese rule has imbued Goa’s towns and villages with a unique culture.

Whitewashed chapels and churches that dot the landscape are surrounded by sleepy villages and rice fields.

Panjim, the capital city, and Margao, an important town, have private houses and government buildings that date back to Portuguese times. Old Goa, now deserted, has a collection of Goa’s largest churches: Se Cathedral with its Iberian exterior, Bom Jesu which enshrines the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier and the starkly beautiful Convent of Saint Monica are a few of these. Mapusa, a market town, comes alive every Friday with a quaint pavement bazar.

Altitude: Sea level to 1022 mts.

Climate (°C):

Summer: Max. 33, Min. 26

Winter: Max. 31, Min. 20

Rainfall: June to September (350 cms).

Best Season: October to May (Peak season December to February)

Internal Distances: Panaji to Baga beach (18 kms), Bondla (55 kms), Calangute (16 kms), Dabolim Airport (29 kms), Mapusa (13 kms), Margao (33 kms), Old Goa (10 kms), Terekhol (42 kms), Vagator (22 kms), Vasco-da-gama (30 kms), Ponda (28 kms).

Local Transport: Local buses, auto-rickshaws and motor-cycles/taxis available.

Excursions

From Panaji: Dona Paula Bay (7 kms)

Old Goa (10 kms) with its Basilica of Bom Jesus Se CathedralArchaeological Museum and other churches

Mangueshi Temple (22 kms)

Shantadura Temple (33 kms)

Calangute (16 kms)

Baga Beach (18 kms)

From Mapusa: Beaches of Calangute-8 kms Baga-10 kms Arambol/Harmal-31 kms

Anjuna-8 kms

Vagator-9 kms & Mandrem-30 kms (both via Pernem).

Temples of Shri Dutta & Shri Vithal at Sanguelim (25 kms)

Temple of Sapta Koteshwar at Narve (24 kms)

Temple of Kalikadevi at Kansarpal (14 kms).

Church of Mae de deus at Saligao (10 kms)

Church at Monte de Guiri (2 kms).

Mayem Lake (21 kms)

Arvalem Waterfalls (29 kms).

Terekhol Fort (30 kms).

From Margao:

Beaches of Colva (6 kms)

Benaulim (8 kms)

Majorda (8 kms)

Varca (10 kms)

Cavelossim (15 kms)

Mobor (18 kms)

Betul (16 kms)

Agonda (40 kms)

Palolem (47 kms)

Cabo de Rama (21 kms).

Ranchol Seminary (8 kms).

Shree Damodar Temple at Zambaulim (22 kms)

Shree Shantadurga Temple at Fatorda (18 kms).

Cotigao Wild Life Sanctuary (33 kms)

Dudhsagar Waterfalls (59 kms by train)

From Vasco:

Margao Harbour-3 kms

Bogmalo Beach-9 kms

St.Jacinto Island-7 kms Velsao Beach-10 km

Kesarval Springs-15 km & Pilar Seminary-19 km

From Ponda:

Bondla wildlife

Molem wildlife etc

Temple or Tambdi Surla (70 km) dating back to the 12th century in Sanguem. Mayem Lake (35 km) from Panaji, a popular picnic. spol. The Molem Wildlife Sanctuary is a route to Belgaum.

Use the guides below to help you decide where to go on your next holiday

Long-haul destinations
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