Goa TourismGoa tourism is one of the most popularly known words to travel freaks throughout the world. Goa as a tourist destination offers a multi-dimensional attraction. Starting with the exotic beaches to the beautiful natural exhibits, there is no dearth of tourist attractions in Goa. Apart from the breathtaking natural beauty, tourism of Goa also offers a number of other attractions like beautiful temples, churches, bustling nightlife, various festivals, shopping areas and casinos. All these attractions give a complete shape to the tourism industry in Goa. Hence, it manages to draw a lot of tourist by offering something for tourists of all types.
Places of tourist attractions in Goa
As said earlier, Goa tourism has no dearth of attractions. Embedded with a Portuguese flavor, Goa tourist attractions will surely be a great experience for tourists. The presence of wide variety of tourist attractions has actually helped in the continuous rise in the number of tourists to Goa. However, unless and until you are aware of the type of tourist attractions in Goa, you won’t be able to explore the beauty of Goa in a proper way. Hence, let’s have a closer look of Goa tourist attractions.
Beaches in Goa
Beaches in Goa are the most important part of Goa tourism. The exotic beauty of the beaches offers a perfect place to leisure travelers. Having a vast coastline, Goa beaches are the most beautiful beaches in the world. The best part of these beaches from a tourist’s point is that some of the beaches are bustling with activities while others offer serene beauty and a enchanting feeling. Hence, the beaches of Goa are able to serve the varied taste of travelers. Moreover, the huge variety of beaches in Goa offers adequate beach space for travelers. The following list contains the famous beaches of Goa:
* Anjuna Beach – Popular for its full mon beach parties, the Anjuna Beach in Goa offers an exotic beauty. Moreover, the beach is very close to the other tourist attractions like Albuquerque Mansion, built in 1920. You can also visit the Chapora Fort and the Mascarenhas Fort as these places are also close to the beach.
* Baga beach – The presence of a number of water sport facilities in the Baga beach is the prime reason for a huge number of tourists to visit the place. Moreover, the 30 kilometer stretch of coastline is a treat to the eye.
* Arambol beach – Located close to the city of Mapusa, the beach offers a taste of tranquil beauty. The beach also has the added attraction of the hot water springs, and a large number of shops nearby. The beach is a great place for food lovers as there are a huge number of shops in the area that serves exotic sea food.
* Dona Paula beach – Dona Paula’s tourist attraction goes much beyond natural beauty as the beach also has facilities for a number of water sports. Hence, the particular beach Goa has multi-dimensional attractions.
* Colva Beach – As said earlier, Goa possesses a number of isolated beaches as well. Among those, the Colva beach is the most prominent one. The serene beauty of the beach added with calm surrounding offers the perfect place for relaxation.
* Calangute beaches – Popular as the ‘Queen of Beaches’, the Calangute beach is a great experience for tourists as the golden sands, the palm trees make it a picturesque place. The fired prawns and the beer available will make it a truly relaxing experience.
Other famous beaches of Goa tourism include:
* Vaiguinim Beach
* Varca Beach
* Miramar beach
Temples in Goa
A lot of tourists often nurtures the idea that Goa tourism thrives only on the beaches but it is an entirely wrong idea as the temples of Goa are also a great attraction for tourists. You need not be a devotee or ardently spiritual to find a reason to visit the temples. These temples offer a great place to visit as they are great monumental structure as well. There are huge numbers of temples in Goa. Some of the most prominent among them are as follows:
* Shree Mallikarjun Temple
* The Hari Mandir
* Mahalaxmi Temple
* Ram Mandir
* Bodhgeshwar Temple
* Shree Mallikarjun Temple
* Vithal Temple
* Shantadurga Temple
Churches in Goa
Churches in Goa are also an integral part of the Goa tourism. These churches are not only attended by the Christmas as a large number of people from other religions also visit the place to make the most of their trip to Goa. The beautiful architecture, the calm ambiance of the churches in Goa offers a refreshing experience. There are plenty of churches in Goa but some of them manage to attract a lot more tourists than the others. Some of the most famous churches in Goa are as follows:
* Convent & Church of St. Francis of Assisi
* Se Cathedral
* The Church of St. Alex – Curtorim
* Se Cathedral
Monuments and museums in Goa
Monuments in Goa also occupy a significant place in the map pf Goa tourism. Being a Portuguese colony, Goa also boasts a rich history. The various monuments and historical structures of the place reflect the rich history of the place. Hence, tourists often visit these monuments in Goa to get an idea about the history of place. Moreover, it also reflects a flavor of Portuguese architecture. Thus, tourists who are interested in various forms of architectures visit these monuments to get an awesome experience. Moreover Goa tourism also offers visits to a number of museums in Goa. These museums are the best place to visit in Goa to get a clear idea about the history and culture of Goa.
Some of the most famous monuments and historical structures of Goa are as follows:
* Aguda Fort
* Fortress of Colvale
* Fort of Sanquelim
* Cabo da Rama
* Mormugao Fort
* Chapora Fort
* Tiracol Fort
List of museums are as follows:
* Sculpture Gallery
* The Christian Art Gallery and The Cultural Anthropology Gallery
* The Religious Expression Gallery
* The Contemporary Art Gallery and the Western Bronzes Gallery
* Archaeological Museum & Portrait Gallery
* Banerji Art Gallery
Heritage sites in GoaGoa tourism also offers the thrill and excitement of visiting the heritage sites in Goa. The various heritage sites not only reflect the history of the place but also the richness of the history. Visiting the heritage sites of Goa are also a great experience as it will like a walking down the pages of history. Hence, visit to the heritage sites of Goa are always an integral part of tourism in Goa. There are many heritage sites in Goa and each of them offers a great experience. Some of the most famous heritage sites are as follows:
* Caves at Mangueshi
* Buddhist Caves of Remona
* Statue of Abbe Faria
* The Viceroy Arc
* Caves at Khandepa
Goa tourism also offers an array of other attractions. If you have had enough of history and culture of Goa, you can now move your focus towards something more exciting, more thrilling and more adventurous. The presence of a number of water sports facilities in the various beaches of Goa adds to the dimension of tourists attractions. In fact, a lot of tourists come to Goa from various far off countries only to enjoy the thrill of water sports. There are various kinds of water sports available in the beaches of Goa. Some of them are as follows:
* Water sking
* Surfing
* Snorkeling and scuba diving
* Parasailing
* Jet-skiing
* Speedboat rides
* Knee and wake boarding
* Banana, Bump and bingo rides
You can also enjoy beach volley ball as this particular sport is very popular here and have the perfect surrounding to play this sport.
Nightlife in Goa
As said earlier, Goa tourism has no boundaries as you won’t be able to take proper rest after enjoying the water sports when you will have to gear up for a happening nightlife of Goa. Presence of a huge number of night clubs, discos restaurants and restaurants impart a happening nightlife to Goa. These places attract a huge number of tourists and most of them are equipped with world class facilities to serve the needs of a large number of foreign tourists that flock Goa throughout the year. Some of the famous restaurants of Goa are as follows:
* Sublime
* Zoori’s
* Britto’s
* Stone House
* Bean Me Up
* Quarterdeck
Casinos in Goa
The definition of Goa tourism is incomplete without a mention of the casinos of Goa. The Casinos of Goa are simply superb as the nice ambiance, huge crowds, flurry of lights provide the best décor to provide a great casino experience to the tourists. The casinos are usually flocked by the highest number of tourists during the end of the year. However, there is enough number of casinos in Goa to accommodate a large number of tourists. Some of the most famous casinos of Goa are as follows:
* Casino Goa of MV Caravela
* Winners at Goa Mariott resort
* Chances at Vainquinim Valley Resort
* Las Vegas Casino
* Floating Mint Casino
Festivals of Goa
The various festivals of Goa are also a major part of Goa tourism. These festivals are a great way to get close to the rich culture of Goa. The various festivals and carnivals of Goa mostly mark the onset of a particular season and bid adieu to other. The joyous mood that prevails in the region and huge number of participation in the hotel makes it a great experience to tourists from different parts of India as well as abroad. The colorful festivals also give a new dimension to Goa tourism as it offers a rare opportunity to tourists to take part in local festivals besides having great fun. Moreover, the festivals are not all about fun and frolic, people of Goa celebrate these festivals on the basis of a strong belief. Hence, these festivals are an integral part of the culture of Goa as well. Some of the most famous festivals of Goa are as follows:
* Feast of three kings
* Ganesh Chaturthi
* Goa Carnival
* Bonderam Festival
* Christmas
* Food and Cultural Festival of Goa
* St. Francis day
Goa tourism officesGoa tourism has got a distinct recognition not only in various part of India but also in other parts of the world as well. In fact, Goa tourism earns most of its revenue from foreign tourists. The prefect ambiance, the presence of a exotic beaches along with a number of other tourists attractions have elevated the tourism in Goa to great heights. Hence, the demand to experience Goa tourism is also experiencing a sharp increase. To cater to the demand of tourists throughout the world, Goa tourism has set up offices in various corners of India as well as abroad. Apart from having offices in various major cities of India, Goa tourism offices are also there in other parts. Let’s have a look at some of the offices and its location.
Offices in Goa:
* Department of Tourism
Government of Goa
Patto, Panaji, Goa- 403 001
Email: goatourism@dataone.in
* Branch Office of Goa Tourism
North Tourist Shopping Complex, Mapusa
Tourist Information Counter, Interstate Bus Terminus, Panaji
Tourist Information Counter, Goa Airport, Dabolim
Tourist Information Counter, Railway Station, Margao
Branch Office - South, Margao Residency, Margao
* Goa Tourism Department in Goa
Government of India Tourist Office
Communidade Building, Church Square,
Panaji
* Goa Sadan
18, Amrita Shergill Marg, Delhi
* Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
Trionora Apartments,
Dr. Alvares Costa Road, Panaji
* Goa Tourism Department in India
Goa Tourism Information Centre
J Boman Behram Marg, Tulsiwadi
Bombay, Maharashtra
Offices abroad:
India Tourism Department Abroad
* Los Angeles (United States of America)
3550 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 204 ,
Los Angeles , California 90010 2485 USA
* Paris (France)
11-13, Bis Boulevard Haussmann,
F-75009 Paris, France
* Milan (Italy)
Via-Albricci 9
Milan 20122, Italy
Goa weather
The climate of Goa is also perfect for a tourists place. The fact that it is on the coast of the Arabian Sea actually imparts a high humidity count in the air of the region. It predominantly enjoys a temperate climate except during the monsoon. A lot of credit for the Goa’s pleasant and sunny weather goes to its strategic location. It’s location in the coastal Konkan region and having the Western Ghats on the backdrop imparts such weather to the region. Basking in the sun is one of the favotite activities of the tourists out here.
Goa hardly enjoys any extreme climate. The average temperature of the region varies between 25°C - 30°C. The average rainfall is around 325 centimeters sunshine with daily nine to ten hours of sunshine.
The span of various seasons of Goa is as follows:
Rainy Season – July to September end.
Winter Season – November last to middle of February
Summer Season – Middle of March to end of June.
Best time to visit Goa
Though Goa boasts a pleasant weather throughout the year yet it is best to visit Goa during the time Christmas Eve. With few days to go for the New Year, Goa boasts a different looks altogether. Each and every household in this region is decorated and the people are also in a joyous mood. The lighted streets, the series of performances and participation of a huge number of people during this time makes Goa one of the sought after destinations in the world. However, it is always suggested to book well in advance as most of the hotels and resorts are packed to capacity during this time. Hence, if you are planning to enjoy the New Year Eve in Goa, then start you initiative with a lot of time in hand so that you get a great experience.
Hotels in Goa
The hotels and resorts in Goa have also played a major role in elevating the status of Goa tourism. The presence of a number of world class hotels and resorts serve the needs of tourists from different parts of the world. Most of these hotels are equipped with world class accommodation facilities along with a great service. Moreover, Goa is often selected as a venue for several top level business meets. To cater to this demand, the hotels and resorts are equipped with world class facilities business facilities that make the hotels favorable for business travelers as well. Most of the hotels and resorts are also offer a number of other facilities that make it a comfortable and luxurious for the guests.
However, it will be wrong to have an idea that Goa tourism only looks after the interest of the elite class. The hotels and resorts of Goa also provide enough option to the tourists of all kinds. Like 5-star and 4-star luxury hotels, Goa also possesses a number of budget hotels to serve the needs of middle class tourists. However, these hotels are also equipped with enough facilities to make it comfortable for its guests.
Some of the most renowned luxury hotels of Goa are as follows:
* Hotel Taj Exotica
* Hotel Goa Mariott Resort
* Hotel Majorda Beach Resort
* Hotel Holiday Inn Resort
* Hotel Taj Holiday Village
Some of the budget hotels of Goa are as follows:
* Hotel Baia Do Sol
* Hotel Ronil Beach Resort
Goa airport
Discussing about Goa tourism, how can one forget about the contribution of Goa airport. It has helped a lot in making Goa a global tourist destination spot. Dabolim airport of Goa forms the connecting link between Go and other parts of the world through air. Moreover, the high domestic as well as international traffic generated from this part of India has compelled a number of airlines to start opration or to revise their operation from this airport. Currently, airlines like Spice Jet, Kingfisher, Jet Airways, Indian airlines ply a number of flights to and from Goa. This helps a lot of domestic tourists and foreign tourists to reach Goa within less time.
Spread across an area of 688 hectares and equipped with two terminal buildings of the Goa airport is truly a great boost for the Goa tourism. With the popularity of Goa as a tourist destination growing even more, the airport will experience even more number of tourists in near future.
Future of Goa tourism
Goa Tourism promises a lot for future. Though it already has a thriving tourist sector and counts a huge number of tourists throughout the year, yet the growth rate will get even bigger as Goa continues to add new to its offerings for the tourists. Though there had been few unexpected incidents in the recent past that have raised a number of eyebrows yet there is not much to worry. The Goa tourism sector is leaving no stones unturned to ensure a hassle free tour for the tourists. They are not only ensuring world class tourists facilities but are also ensuring an equally efficient security system to end all the security concerns.
Moreover, they are also looking for possibilities to reach more number of people by setting up new offices in different parts of India as well as abroad. Though, there are a number of travel agents certified by the Goa tourism but there is always a gap between the travel agents and the service provided by the Goa tourism offices. Once these projects come up, Goa tourism will attain further more popularity. Goa tourism reflects a great picture as the huge number of domestic tourists as well as foreign tourists flocking the place every year have earned it the status of one of the most sought after tourists destinations of the world. Blessed with exotic along with a number of other tourist attractions like churches, temples, bustling nightlife and other attractions, Goa has caught the frenzy of many tourists in different parts of the world. With things getting even better in favor of the tourism, the picture will get even brighter in the bear future.
