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Goa, known as the “Tourist Paradise”, is located on the western coast of India. The state of Maharashtra borders Goa on the north, the state of Karnataka on the south and east. Goa has been divided into North & South district. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline, for which Goa is justly famous. Terekhol (Tiracol), Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora, Sal and Talpona are the main rivers which weave their way

throughout the state forming the inland waterways adding beauty and romance to the land besides being used to transport Goa's main export commodity of iron and manganese ore to Mormugao Harbour. Besides the scenic beauty Goa is one of the most famous and loved destinations. Besides the natural beauty one will notice the warm and friendly nature of the Goan people.

Goa is a favorite tourist destination and has vibrant mix of ethnic culture with a distinct European zest. This is a place where one would love to have their holiday home and is also a “must visit” for the tourist as well as the businessmen who like to combine business with pleasure.

Capital City: Panaji (Panjim) is the state capital located on the banks of the Mandovi River.

Goa Airport: Goa is serviced by an international/national airport located at Dabolim.

Food: When we talk about seafood; prawns, mackerels, sardines, crabs and lobsters are the most popular with the locals and the visitors. The main staple food of the Goan people is rice, fish and curry.

Languages Spoken: Konkani is the mother tongue of Goa. Besides this you will find most of the people speaking English. Hindi being the national language is also widely understood and spoken among most people. Marathi is another language spoken by some of the people here. Since Portuguese ruled Goa before therefore Portuguese is also one of the languages spoken among the Goan people.

Crops: Rice, Cashew, Coconut, Areca nut, Rubber, Oil Palm, Bamboo, Mangoes & Pineapples.

Best time to Visit: October - April

Climate:

Warm and humid during the months of March, April, May.

The Monsoon season begins from June to September or October.

Cool Climate from Mid November to January.

Goa is a land of paradise where almost every year thousands of tourists pack their bags and head straight to Goa for unlimited fun. The journey is not complete without spending quite an amount in shopping. The excellent and unique local handicrafts of Goa are the most popular souvenir items.

Goa is widely known for its cashew nuts. There are shops specializing in selling only cashew nuts. The nuts are availablein a wide variety of tastes ranging from plain, salted and masala. The prices vary depending on quality and flavor.

It is fascinating to go around and shop in the traditional markets of the Goan towns and villages. These markets are a mirror of Goa’s ethnic culture and provide a glimpse of the typical Goan way of doing business. The most famous such market areas are as follows:

Friday Mapusa Market
The Friday Market at Mapusa, where stalls sell everything from curios and old coins to dried fish and spices. You find all kinds of locally produced vegetables, and a varied range of exotic fruits from jack fruit and mangoes to plantain bananas. Pickles and preserves, spices, earthen pots, coir mats, and the famous Goan 'chourisa' (sausages) are also available readily.

Wednesday Anjuna Market
The Wednesday market in Anjuna Beach is extremely lively spot where souvenirs, Beachwear trinkets and handicrafts are sold at bargain prices. The Anjuna beach also has stores which are experts in making body tattoos. The swanky teenagers and tall hippies are generally found in Anjuna Market. From the quoted t-shirts, to sarongs and chillums to cashew nuts, the flea markets of Anjuna Beach are the most favorite tourist destination.

Calangute Market Square
In Calangute Market Square, every Saturday you’ll notice shops selling everything from fishes to grocery. Kashmiri shops and Tibetan goods are also sold here for the tourists. You can also come across textiles, pottery, and other provisions. The road is packed with shops selling a wide range of items, namely souvenirs, metal crafts, leather items, clothes and jewelry, which are not only from Goa, but from other parts of the country also. In the center of Calangute, there is a nice Tibetan market. It offers all kinds of gems and silverwork, wooden statues of the Buddha and other Hindu deities.

Baga Beach Market
A visit to Baga will not be complete unless you shop at the flea market which is held every Saturday evening. This Saturday bazaar may not be as popular among visitors as Anjuna flea market. In the Baga Beach Market one can get various commodities ranging from fish, meat, and grocery to textiles, earthenware, household articles and other provisions. The bazaar also has an abundance of all kinds of bric-a-brac, toys and trinkets, exotic delicacies and delicious Goan Cuisine. The stalls even sell all kinds of traditional and rural products like piglets, chicken, eggs, brooms among others. Walking through the market one is sure to find quite a number of handicrafts shops. The market even caters to the needs of those interested in funky haircuts, tarot reading, palmistry, or wood carvings.

Goa is one of the most fascinating places to see after dark. The beaches comes to life once the sun goes down in a display of light and sound that can be seen from miles outside of the city limits. As there is so much to see and do, you need to be prepared if you want to see and do everything possible during your stay. Goa is added with all the facilities for the tourists with its pleasant nightlife. Anjuna, Calangute, Baga, Dana Paula are all venues for partying.

If you are a party animal then Goa is the place where you have to be. There are endless numbers of discos in Goa to juice up your evenings. The Goans enjoy partying out and be it in the company of family or friends. The charged up atmosphere with hip-hop, rock, trance and all other categories of music keeps the heat on, on the dance floors of the discos. Most of the Discos of Goa also serve lip smacking snacks and exotic drinks. The beaches are popular undoubtedly but what makes them popular is the never dying party spirit of the people.

If your tired and not in the mood of partying then you can spend the evening gorging on sea food and chilled bear in a beach side shack. The shack owners in the evening organize bonfires and beach side barbecues. Just look for a shack and enjoy the fire, take your guitar or listen to recorded Goan trance. Or better still sit listening to the waves sipping your cocktail.

If you want to have a truly different kind of experience then you must visit the Goa night cruises. Several options are available on Mandovi River – Patto, Panjim. Music, dance, drink and food all are included in the ticket or else take a luxury yacht. The journey will take you through the lights of Panjim – Miramar.

When we talk about Casinos one must know that Goa is the only place in India having the maximum number of casinos whether it’s Grounded or floating. Although gambling in India is banned by law, Goa is the only place where one can witness the worlds best of the casinos. One could just try their luck!!!

Anjuna Beach: The most happening place is the Anjuna beach. It is around 18 kms from Panjim and close to Vagator and Chapora. Main attractions of Anjuna are magnificent architectures of Albuquerque mansion built in 1920. The other great attraction is the famous full moon parties and the Wednesday fleas market. Anjuna is definitely a “not to miss” beach.

Vagator and Chapora: Vagator is a beach near Chapora fort and is easily accessible from Mapusa or Panaji. You can see the traditional way of fishing done in Goa. Besides this there are several high end multi-cuisine restaurants.

Arpora Beach: Just off Baga, over the bridge on Baga river is the village called Arpora. This tiny village hosts some of the restaurants in Goa and the night life here is best with sizzling music and dance. You can even experience an elephant ride here.

Calangute Beach: Calangute the queen of the North Goa beaches is famous for International tourism industry. It has 7 km long stretch of sand that offers everything to the tourist from exotic food to titillating trinkets, to luxurious carpets; you name it, you get it. This beach is crowded with not just the foreign and domestic tourists, but also the locals enjoy the sun, sand and surf here. Calangute also offers fantastic night life with great music and dance.

Baga Beach: Baga offers a quiet & tranquil beach where many foreign tourists do sun bathing and domestic tourists do sea bathing. It’s a quiet restful beach where the hustle- bustle of Calangute and Candolim is only a memory.

Candolim Beach: This is one of the cleanest and the best beaches in North Goa. Between Sinquerim and Calangute it offers lip-licking good food and amazing cocktails. Many hotels here offer Yoga and meditation sessions which help you truly relax in the Indian way. There are many adventure sports like parasailing and waterskiing, of course under the able guidance of experts who make your holiday experience a safe and enjoyable one. Many boat excursions offer special sunset cruises for those unforgettable moments in your albums.

Miramar Beach: The city beach as it is known because it is located in the capital city of Panaji. This beach offers excellent opportunity for morning as well as evening walks. The sunset offers a fantastic view of the red-gold sun dipping into the steel grey amber flecked waters is an experience worth capturing in your cameras. Surrounded with many posh hotels and restaurants, this beach is ideal for the holiday maker as well as businessman who wish to relax.

Dona Paula Beach: Though not exactly a beach, it is a nubbin of rocky land in the sea where legend says a Portuguese young lady Dona Paula de Menezes committed suicide due to unrequited love. Exotic food and cheap beachwear are the highlights of this popular tourist destination.

Aguada beach: At the base of the famous 17th century fort this beach is at the junction of the river Mandovi and the Arabian Sea where the fort was constructed by the Portuguese to control the marine activities. Café’s and restaurants to carpets and jewelry, this beach offers everything including water sports. A circular light house offers a different experience to the visitor. Aguada beach is close to Panaji and Calangute.

Agonda Beach: Just 10 km from Palolem is the quiet little beach of Agonda. Dominated by a large hill on one side, this beach is filled with coconut trees and casuarina has lovely white sands. Those who want total seclusion will find this beach an ideal escape, there are no shacks, no cafes only peace and tranquility.

Palolem Beach: This crescent shaped beach is almost in the southern end of Goa in Canacona about 2km from Chaudi bordered by swaying palms, this picture postcard beach with white sands is a perfect destination to take it easy. Many cafes with Internet facilities and variety of cuisines cater to the tastes of the local as well as foreign tourists. Palolem is 70 km from Panaji and has excellent motorable road with good transport facility.

Colva Beach: This is the queen of the beaches in south Goa. 20 kms of pure white sand exquisitely bordered by gently swaying palms offer a seaside experience like no other. Many tourists choose this beach with its serene tranquility to the crowded beaches of Calangute or Anjuna. The various shacks which serve a variety of cuisines also offer a great choice of cocktails and mocktails. Colva is very close to Margao.

Benaulim Beach: Located just next to Colva is the Benaulim beach which is ideal to just throw away all your worries and relax. This quiet beach offers you a unique ambience of serenity and peace, away from the buzz of usual tourist hustle – bustle. A little distance away situated on a hill is the church of St. John the Baptist which is worth visiting.

Cavelossim & Varca Beach: These beaches boast of virgin white sands peppered with black Lava rocks. Many tourists seeking peace and tranquility prefer these beaches. The shacks here offer a variety of fresh sea food at reasonable rates and there are boat rides available for dolphin watching. These beaches are located in South Goa and easily accessed from Margao.

Sinquerim Beach: Around the Fort Aguada is Sinquerim. This beach offers a great sandy stretch right up to Baga and is requented by many tourists who prefer to walk on this firm sand rather than take the road.

Bogmalo Beach: This beach is just 2kms from the Goa’s Dabolim airport. Here one can loose himself in the serenity of the white sands and the calm blue sea and yet not be away from all the modern amenities. It is a perfect place to enjoy the ambience of Goan fishing village.

Majorda Beach: From Bogmalo down south, there is Majorda beach. Majorda beach can be reached from Colva Beach, which is around 8kms away. It is a part of 30 kms long stretch of villages along the uninterrupted beach from Velsao to Mobor at Cavelossim in South Goa. This is the place where the Jesuits, discovered the best Goan toddy (sap from the coconut palm).

Arambol Beach: This beach is also known as Harmal by the locals. Equally loved by the locals as well as the tourists, it is a lively place on Sundays, rest of the week one can enjoy total peace and calm on this vast, unspoilt tract of clean, soft sand. It is a place where one can really find an inner peace rarely afforded in today’s racing world.

Utorda Beach: This is just 14 miles from Dabolim airport. The Goa beaches in this region are exceptionally beautiful, with incredibly long unspoilt stretches of gorgeous soft sand. This beach has vast amount of space that invite sunbathing, swimming and leisurely walk on sand.

Velsao Beach: This is one of the most vivacious tourist destinations. With the Bogmalo beach on the north and the Majorda and the Colva beach on the south the Velsao beach is easily accessible and makes an excellent day trip from the other beaches of Goa too. The ambience that is developed is ideal for an unparallel holiday. The first hand experience with the rural life will make you relish the sweetness of simplicity in each aspect of life.

Mandrem Beach: 32 kms from Panaji this beach offers complete relaxation, peace and solitude. This place is surrounded by the villages of Morjim, Parxem, Chopdem and Arambol. One can visit the Suhas Parsekar’s organic farm where fresh organic fruit and vegetables are sold.

Arossim Beach: This is 13 miles from Dabolim Airport. Arossim holidays are a well-established favorite with couples and families seeking a beach based holiday. The Cansaulim Church is located here.

Mobor Beach: This is situated in north Goa. This beach is very clean and beautiful. The waters around here yield a rich harvest of oysters.

Shree Saptakoteshwar Temple (Narve)
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Saptakoteshwar situated in Narve, almost 37 km from Panaji. It is the Kashi of Goa and was built by the Maratha king Chchatrapati Shivaji after it was relocated from the island of Divar.

Shree Rudreshwar Temple (Aravalem)
This temple is dedicated to Lord Rudreshwar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. There is an annual “Shivaratri Jatra” where thousands of people come from all over Goa and surroundings. Near by is the ‘Pandava Caves’.

Shree Mahalasa Narayani Temple (Mardol)
The temple deity here is Mohini a female form of Lord Vishnu. This temple is 1 km from Shree Mangeshi Temple. This was constructed in early 16th century. In front of the temple lies a unique lamp tower and during the annual Jatra in February and on special festival days like the Navaratri, a special 12.5 m brass lamp is lit.

Shree Mangeshi Temple (Priol)
This temple is dedicated to Lord Mangeshi, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is situated on a hillock surrounded by green hills. In last week of January there is a temple festival held where the deities are taken out in chariot procession.

Shree Nageshi Temple (Bandode)
This temple is dedicated to Lord Nagesh, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The “Sabha Mantap” or the main hall has a gallery on either side with images carved in wood depicting scenes from the epic “Ramayana”. In the inner shrine is a “Lingam” a symbol of Lord Shiva. In front of the shrine is an image of “Nandi” the bull, carved in black stone.

Shree Gopal Ganapathi (Farmagudi)
This is situated in Farmagudi, Ponda. Its idol, the stone image of Lord Ganapathi, son of lord Shiva, was discovered by the cowherds and later on a small temple was built to house the deity. The present temple was constructed by the Late Dayanand Bandodkar, Goa’s first chief minister on April 24th, 1966.

Shree Shantadurga Temple (Kavlem)
This is also known as Santeri temple among Goans and is dedicated to the goddess Shantadurga. The temple was built on 1738 by Naro Ram Mantri one of the ministers of King Sahu of Satara, grandson of King Chchatrapati Shivaji the Great.

Shree Ramanath Temple (Bandode)
This temple is dedicated to Lord Ramanath, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is located in Bandode near Ponda. The main festival celebrated in this temple is the “Maha Shivaratri”. The shrine is known as Ramanath Panchayatan.

Shree Chandranath Temple (Paroda)
This temple is dedicated to the deity Lord Chandranath or lord of the Moon. This is situated on top of a 358 mt high hill in Quepem Taluka. The temple is designed in such a way that the main deity, the Lingam receives moonlight on every full moon.

Shree Mallikarjuna Temple (Canacona)
This is dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It was built in the 16th century and renovated in 1778. It contains more than 60 deities of different gods and goddesses inside. The main festivals celebrated are “Rathasaptami” or the chariot festival in February and “Shigmo” in April.

Basilica of Bom Jesus
The Basilica dedicated to infant Jesus, has been declared a World Heritage Monument now. This is one of the most important of the churches where the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier are enshrined. There is a life-sized statue of St.Ignatius of Loyala the founder of Jesuits. This church is located 10 km from Panaji, in Old Goa were some of India’s most popular and greatest churches exist.

Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception (Panaji)
This is reportedly one of the first Churches to be built in Goa in 1540’s. It was rebuilt again in 1619. After Panjim became the capital city of Goa, the great bell of the church of Our Lady of Grace in Old Goa or the “Bell of the Inquisition” was moved to this church in 1841.

Church of Our Lady of the Rock of France (Brittona)
This church is located at Brittona on the banks of the Mandovi River opposite to the capital city of Panaji in Bardez Taluka. It was built by grateful seamen who believed that Our Lady has miraculously saved them from the Plague.

The St.Cajetan Church
The St.Cajetan Church stands opposite to the Se Cathedral. Its pattern is said to have been derived from the original design of the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome. The original name of the St.Cajetan Church was the Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence. There are total of seven alters. The paintings on these alters are in the style of the Italian school as it was practiced then. Some of theses paintings in the St Cajetan Church also depict scenes from the life of St. Cajetan.

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi
This church lies to the west of St. Cathedral. The former Palace of the Archbishop connects the Se Cathedral to the Convent and church of St. Francis of Assisi. The convent, which forms an annexure to church, now houses the Archaeological Museum.

Se Cathedral Church
This church is dedicated to St.Catherine. This church is dedicated to St.Catherine because Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa on her feast day – 25th November 1510. The Se Cathedral church is the largest church in Asia. It is claimed that a vision of Christ has appeared in 1919 in the Chapel of the Cross of Miracles housed in the Se Cathedral Church on the cross that hangs there. It is claimed today that the cross is slowly growing.

	Safa Shahouri Masjid (Ponda) This is the biggest and the oldest mosque in Goa. The two major festivals, ID-UL-Fitr and Id-UL-Zuha are celebrated at this mosque with great pomp and are attended by large number of people.
Jama Masjid (Sanquem) This mosque is located about 26kms from Margao at Sanquem. This was renovated in 1959. The structure is simple and has four minarets at its entrance, flanked by two towers surmounted by pillared kiosks. A dome arises in the Center.

Aguada Fort
This was built of laterite and lies to the west of Reis Magos. It is the largest and the best preserved forts in Goa. It was built in 1612 to guard the entrance to the Mandovi River. For the ships that sailed from Portugal, it was the first stop after a long journey for fresh water supplies before moving inland. Today it houses the state prison. There is an old light house that stands in the middle of the fort and it was built in 1864.

Reis Magos Fort
This is situated about two miles to the northeast of Fort Aguada. It was constructed in 1551 by Portuguese to guard the entrance to Goa at the narrowest part of the Mandovi River. It was re-erected in 1707.

Chapora Fort
This fort lies at Chapora, which is on the southern tip of the Chapora River as it opens into the Arabian Sea. It marks the end of the coastline that extends from Fort Aguada. It was built in 1617 by the Portuguese.

Kesarval Spring
This spring is 22 kms from Panaji. The spring comes out of hard rocks on the Verna Plateau. The spring is believed to be infested with medicinal properties and a large number of people bath in the lake for health. One can reach the spring by taking the national highway leading to Margao. This spring is in its full swing in monsoons when it is full of life; however it is weak in summers.

Vhoddli Zhor and Dhakti Zhor
Zhor in Konkani means spring. These two springs lie in the village of Narora. Lying in the rustic surroundings, nestled among the wooded valley and fruit trees is the Vhoddli Zhor or spring. The spring is a favorite picnic spot. Locals as well as tourist are seen enjoying here.

	Dudhsagar Waterfalls The water falls from a height of two thousand feet. These waterfalls are among the 100 highest waterfalls in the world and one of the highest falls in the country. The falls present a breathtaking view from the bottom and an even better one from the top.
Aravalem Waterfalls This is a 70 feet waterfall located at Aravalem, about 2 km from Sanquelim and 8 km from Bicholim in Valpoi Taluka. This waterfall forms a huge lake at the bottom. The waterfall is fully rapturous after the monsoon. The government has also made a park here from where one can enjoy the scenic beauty. It has the Shree Rudreshwar temple alongside.

Cottigao Wildlife Sanctuary
This is the largest of Goa’s wild life sanctuaries. It was established in 1969. It has an area of 1055 sq.kms and is located about 60 kms from Panaji in Canacona Taluka, about 3 kms off the Goa Mangalore highway, NH-17. It is covered with a dense forest and a varied wildlife includes deer, gazelles, monkeys and other fauna. It is best visited in October through March.

Bondla wildlife Sanctuary
This wildlife sanctuary is situated about 50 kms from Panaji and 38 kms from Margao and 20kms east of Ponda. It is the smallest of the three wild life sanctuaries in Goa, run by the Forest service. It covers an area of 8 square miles. The common animals that inhabit the sanctuary are the Gaur and the Sambhar deer. It has a small zoo, deer park and botanical gardens. It is closed on Thursday. This is a popular destination for picnics.

Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuary
It is located along the north-east border of Goa at Molem, about 60km from Panaji along the national highway NH4. It covers an area of 240 square kms of thick forests along the Western Ghats and is the biggest of the three wildlife sanctuaries of Goa. It is rich in wildlife. Within the park is located some famous sites including the “Devil’s Canyon”, “Dudhsagar waterfalls”, and the ancient temple of “Tambdi Surla”. “Tambdi Surla” is Goa’s only remaining intact temple dating back to the Kadamba period.

Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
This is Goa’s only bird sanctuary situated in the island of Chorao along the river Mandovi near Panaji. It is 1.8 sq. Km in area. A variety of local and migratory birds can be found on this island. The sanctuary is named after one of India’s most prominent ornithologists, Dr. Salim Ali.

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