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HighlightsPlaces of InterestThe capital of Goa and headquarters of North Goa District, a small and charming city on the left bank of silvery Mandovi River, with beautiful red-roofed houses, built in Latin style, also boasts of many modern houses, well laid gardens, statues and avenues lined with Glmohar, Acassia and other trees. Enchanting panorama unfolds from atop Altinho (HillTop). A modern, well laid out city close to Mormugao Harbour, has beautiful and extensive avenues. The air terminus of Goa at Dabolim lies on the outskirts of the city. It is also the railway terminus for passenger service on the South Central Railway. Spend a morning on a boat trip along the waterways of the river Zuari, with the chance to see Kingfishers, Fish eagles and Kites and, when the tide rises, perhaps even a crocodile. After your morning on te water, climb up into the hills ro visit a 160 year old spice farm with a wonderful Goan style lunch. A visit to India's second highest waterfall, a 603 metre fall of water into a pool perfect for swimming and the opportunity to visit a wildlife sanctuary. A relaxing day with the chance to see dolphins, take a swim or do a little fishing and enjoy a barbecue on a beautiful secluded beach. Return to top Entertainment/ShoppingEating and drinking Visitors to Goa tend to think that food and drink in Goa means the famous fish, curry, rice and feni package. And for most Goans these are indeed the three basic necessities of life -- fish, curry and rice. They combine to make a heavenly daily meal for the average Goan. But Goan cuisine, like the land itself, has many flavours and tastes with its vast treasure trove of culinary delicacies. The long period of Portuguese rule, besides that of the Muslim and Hindu kingdoms, has left an indelible influence on the original style of Goan cooking and this has led to an exotic mix of truly tasty and spicy cuisine. Most people who sample Goan cuisine, enjoy this different and unique style of food which has a distinct and unique combination of spicy flavours. A Goan values his food as much as he does his daily siesta (break). And in his daily meal, seafood always has a pride of place is some form or the other. From fried fish to exotic concoctions like ambot-tik, sea food is usually a must on the menu, except for the occasional break for some religious observance. Alcohol in Goa is cheap and there is a variety of it. A must try in Goa is the coconut drink. The coconut, still wearing its green husk, is opened at the top, and to its innocent liquid is added some not-so-innocent feni (a potent alcoholic drink made from cashew fruit), crushed ice and some sweet, fruit-flavoured cordial. Nightlife The strangest custom one comes across in some areas as they make a trip to Goa is the presence of a bar-cum-restaurant in almost every third house. All the trendy looking rooms of the houses are open to the public with a couple of chairs and a table. The atmosphere is just great - relaxing and conducive to a pleasant night out with family and friends. Most of the places serve exquisite seafood and other Goan delicacies having well stocked bars. And if you want to jive the night away, there are a couple of nice discotheques in Goa. The pubs in Goa provide an evening filled with fun and excitement. There are various pubs in Goa spread all over Goa, each designed with a different theme. Large groups of tourist as well as locals gather at these pubs to enjoy their favourite drinks and listen to the latest music. Most of these pubs provide all this and more at very affordable rates. Shopping The visit is not complete unless you take back a souvenir of their memorable sojourn in this magnificent paradise. The excellent local handicrafts of Goa are easily the most popular souvenir items and include brassware, terracotta, shell work, crochet, carved furniture, bamboo work, papier-mache, etc. These are available in the Government Emporia and also at shops and stalls near the popular tourist spots. Another item which is on the list of every traveller to Goa is a pack of the famed cashew nuts. These are available practically everywhere. There are shops specialising in selling only cashewnuts. The nuts are available in a wide variety of tastes ranging from plain, salted and masala. The prices vary based on the quality and flavour. There are also many fascinating options in the lifestyle and fashion shops which have come up in recent times. Some of these are located in fabulous old Goan houses which have been painstakingly restored. These shops make the best selections in home styling and fashion available to the tourists at quite reasonable prices. It is also a fascinating experience 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 charm of shopping in Goa lies in bargaining to your heart's content in markets and shops until you finally bring down the price and make the purchase a worthwhile experience. Return to top |
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ClimateClimateFrom October to March the weather in Goa maintains a steady, relaxing course, with tempretures staying between 25C (77F) and 30C (86F).
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Additional InformationEssential Information < General InformationPassport/Visa Passport: Full passport (valid for at least six months on your return date). Visa: British passport holders, including children, require a visa to enter India. Apply to the Indian High commission, either by post which takes 4 weeks, or in person, which takes approximately 1 week and currently costs £30 (subject to change). Working Hours Business hours in Goa are normally 8.30am-6pm Monday through Friday, and 8.30am-12.30pm on Saturday. About half of the stores still close for the midday siesta. Banks are generally open Monday through Friday 8.30am-noon and 2-5pm, with a few open on Saturday. Government offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday, and are closed every second Saturday. Banks are open from 10 am to 2 pm Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 12 noon on Saturday. Some banks also have evening branches. Travellers cheque transactions usually cease 30 minutes before the official bank closing time. In some tourist centres, there may be foreign exchange offices that stay open longer. In most of the state capitals, the main post office (usually called GPO) is open until around 7 pm daily. Shops and markets opens around 10 (it varies with city) and closes at 8 pm, markets are usually closed on Sunday and public holidays. But you will also find some shops open on Sundays. Return to top |
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