- Destinations
- Asia
- India
- Goa
Goa
This small state, halfway down India's west coast, was a
Portuguese colony until 1961. This goes some way to explaining the
alternative atmosphere here. Cut off from British India by a wall
of mountains and vast alluvial plains, for many years, Goa relied
on trade with a declining Portuguese Empire. However, what was lost
in terms of British trade, was more than made up for in terms of
Portuguese attitude - to this day, Goa retains a distinctly
laid-back and relaxed feel.
Goa was discovered by travellers in the late 1960s, who were
relieved to have found somewhere away from the mainstream, and
where holidaying meant simply hanging out, doing some recreational
drugs and partying on the beach (particularly during full moon).
The state quickly grew a reputation for its hedonism and liberal
attitude - not to mention its hot sun, that sets in splendour every
evening over the Arabian Sea. In recent years, though it still
hosts epic trance music festivals (such as Sunburn), the
authorities of Goa have tried to discourage hippies and budget
backpackers from swamping the area, angling rather for clientele
with fatter wallets - with the nett result that Goa is slowly
losing its reputation as India's 'party central'.
Now with a quick rail link to Mumbai and charter flights from
the UK, thousands of tourists flock here each winter to relax and
enjoy the famous Goan cuisine - which largely consists of fish and
seafood, prepared in exotic Indian spices. Many hotels and resorts
have popped up over the last few years to cater for this
ever-popular destination, but with more than 25 miles (40km) of
beautiful sandy beaches, there is still plenty of tranquillity to
be found.
Information & Facts
Climate
Goa has a tropical climate, with hot, humid weather for most of
the year. In summer the temperatures can reach as high as 91°F
(33°C) and there are monsoon rains from June to September. Goa has
a short winter, lasting only from from December to February, with
temperatures averaging around 77°F (25°C).
Eating Out
Goa's culinary fare is as good as its beaches. Colonised by the
Portuguese, Goan cuisine represents an interesting meeting-point
between the spiciness of India and traditional Portuguese tastes.
With a wide range of restaurants and an active fishing industry,
gastronomes travelling to Goa will find themselves spoilt for
choice.
Getting Around
A wide variety of transport is available in Goa. Most tourist
sights can be accessed by road and there are buses, rental cars,
taxis and scooters available for travellers to use. The best (and
funnest) way to get around Goa is to hire a motorcycle/scooter, but
be sure to carry the necessary paperwork (licence, registration and
insurance) because checks on foreigners are a lucrative source of
baksheesh for the Indian police force. Roads and attractions are
not well sign-posted, so don't hesitate to ask for directions.
Local buses stop at the main beaches. Auto-rickshaws are also a
popular transportation option, and are available in town and from
the airport, railway station and bus terminus.
Kids Attractions
Goa is a wonderful, relaxing destination to take the kids on
holiday. Children will love the variety of things to see and do, be
it renting a bike to explore the local area or catching a boat for
some swimming and dolphin-watching. There are flea markets where
the little ones can spend their pocket money, and pretty waterfalls
to visit when they're in need of cooling off. And then, of course,
there are still the beautiful beaches for the kids to run loose
on...
Please note: Some hotels or guesthouses may offer childcare
services, and although this may be tempting it is strongly advised
that you keep your children with you at all times while in a
foreign country.
Language
Although English is generally used for official and
business purposes, Hindi is the official language and is spoken by
about 40 percent of the population. Urdu is the language common
with the Muslim demographic. India has a total of 22 official
languages
Money
The currency is the Indian Rupee (INR), which is divided into
100 paise (singular paisa). Major currencies can be changed at
banks, and authorised bureaux de changes. It is impossible to
obtain rupees outside India, but no matter what time you arrive in
India there will be an exchange office open at the airport. It is
illegal to exchange money through the black market and it is
advisable to refuse torn notes, as no one will accept them apart
from the National Bank. It is best to change money into small
denominations. Travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely
accepted, particularly in tourist orientated establishments. ATMs
are not generally available.
Night Life
Flaunting its strong Portuguese heritage, Goa is definitely the
nightlife hub of India. Impulsive beach parties are a common
occurrence, with visitors and locals relaxing on the beach after
sunset with a couple of cold drinks and some mellow tunes. There
are also numerous houses which have a room open to the public as a
bar-cum-restaurant, usually serving great seafood. Tito's, on Baga
Beach, is a Goa hotspot at night, as is the new Beachotheque club.
Lidos, in Dona Paula, is also very popular, and Club Cubana on
Arpora Hill attracts quite a crowd, as does Nine Bar. Goa hosts
great rave and trance music parties, especially in winter under the
full moon. The venues for these raves are kept secret till just
hours before they kick off, and visitors will have to ask around at
local bars for details.
Shopping
There's great shopping to be done in Goa, with the most popular
shopping spots being in Panaji and Anjuna. The quintessential Goan
souvenirs are azulejos - Portuguese-style tiles and ceramics that
have been beautifully hand-painted (available at Velha Goa Galleria
in Panaji).
The Anjuna Wednesday market has everything from trendy rave gear
to comfy hammocks; while semi-precious stones, paintings and local
crafts are available from the Ingoe and Mackie night bazaars. The
Mapusa Friday Market is good for freshly-baked Goan breads,
homemade pork sausages and an assortment of pickles.
In Calangute, the Casa Goa boutique offers local designer wear,
artwork and silk drapes, and tribal art is available from the
nearby Leela Art Palace. Visit Sangolda for rattan loungers and
Rajasthani chests, and there are stunning lamp shades available at
Soto Décor.
Sightseeing
Goa boasts a number of great attractions for visitors to enjoy
while on holiday. This area is of course famous for its gorgeous
beaches, but there are also many historical sites to visit in Old
Goa, colonial architecture to explore in Margao and Panaji, and a
vast flea market to browse in Anjuna. The Dudhsagar Waterfall and
Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary are also popular Goa attractions.