Where is the best place to go on vacation in Goa? Which is better to choose, South or North Goa? Is it difficult to get a visa

Goa is the smallest of the 28 Indian states. Its area is 3702 km 2 , its length from south to north is slightly more than 100 kilometers, and its width is only 65 kilometers. Goa is located in the center west coast India and is one of the most sparsely populated regions of the country. In the north, Goa is adjacent to the state of Maharashtra, in the south and east - with Karnataka, the west of the state is a continuous coastline 101 kilometers long, washed by the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. Eastern border Goa is at the same time the beginning of a mountain plateau, turning into a chain of mountains called the Western Ghats (Sahyadri). Actually, the state of Goa is a narrow strip of land separating the sea and mountains, the entire coast of which seems to be indented by the mouths of rivers and streams that carry their waters into the ocean from the red spurs of the Western Ghats. The largest rivers of Goa, real arteries, are Mandovi, Zuari and Chapora. We bring to your attention a guide to Goa.

A few residents of the state of Goa speak the Konkani language, recognized as an official language in 1975 and common in western India (in the states of Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala). Konkani shares common roots with Gujarati, Marathi and Hindi. However, due to the fact that for several centuries a protectorate of Portugal was carried out over Goa, part of the population is still fluent in Portuguese today. There is nothing to say about English: the hippies who chose the state in the middle of the last century, in addition to marijuana and guitars, also brought English with them. The centuries-old power of the Europeans did not go in vain for Goa: the population of the state is more educated, has large incomes and best level life than the inhabitants of other parts of India.

The capital of the state of Goa is the city of Panaji (Panjim), located 30 kilometers from Dabolim Airport, the largest city of the state is Vasco da Gama.

Thanks to its many kilometers of beaches, Goa has become a world famous resort. In our Goa guide, we will talk a little about why it became like this.

Geographically, the state is divided into North Goa and South Goa.

The part of the state called North Goa has a higher population density and fewer hotels, mostly rated 2-3 stars. Since the beaches in these places consist of gray, far from the snow-white shade of sand, and sea water the coast is opaque, holidays in Goa (as many say) in its northern part are inexpensive, low-income Indians and foreign students come here, as well as supporters budget holiday and lovers of the so-called trance parties. It is no secret that it was in the resort of North Goa that the world-famous Goa-trance musical style arose today. So if you are a fan of this style of music, then consider that you are provided with a "visa to Goa" and you will easily join the local atmosphere. Therefore, the northern part of Goa is famous for its democratic views, the diversity of the vacationing public and incendiary trance parties on the beaches. Goa-trance gained particular popularity among fans of electronic music with Titos and Mambo discotheques located in the vicinity, as well as, known for its eponymous "" - a real paradise for lovers of Indian exoticism.

South Goa, where the sand on the beaches takes on from golden to snow-white hues, has more expensive hotels and a slightly different philosophy of relaxation. Hotels located in the resort of South Goa are quite expensive - 4-5-star, immersed in the emerald greenery of gardens. Tropical thickets in the South Goa region begin just beyond the sandy border. The beaches here are often deserted, you will not find a cow here - an inviolable Indian animal, standing knee-deep in water among bathing tourists, as in the north of the state. Rest in South Goa is respectable, relatively expensive, especially by Indian standards. Among the regular guests of local hotels are wealthy Indians and foreign bourgeois, who do not at all consider the prices in this paradise of India sky-high.

However, in fairness, it must be said that which area of such fabulous place No matter how you choose Goa as a resort, you are always guaranteed to find accommodation according to your own needs and the amount of money in your wallet - from a private house for rent for $ 200 a month to a palm leaf hut for 80 rupees a day . Yes, and you can choose any time of the trip - there is no such thing as a tourist season in Goa, high and low seasons are important for spoiled clients of travel agencies who are unlikely to enjoy a vacation in Goa. So whether it's party North Goa, or measured South Goa, you will enjoy your vacation and will surely have a wonderful time in Goa.

Flight time:
(charter flights)
from Moscow - 7 hours 30 minutes.
from St. Petersburg - 7 hours 50 minutes.
from Kazan - 6 hours 10 minutes.
from Yekaterinburg - 6 hours
from Novosibirsk - 5 hours 30 minutes.

Current time in Panaji:
(UTC +5:30)

Goa is famous not only for its beaches. The nature of the foothills of this amazing place amazes with its diversity: lakes, waterfalls, islands, palm groves and mangroves with a huge amount of exotic animals, and, of course, unique spice plantations. All this is not the last reason why a holiday in Goa is becoming the golden dream of tourists from different countries. And after reading the guide to Goa, rest in this corner of India will become even more interesting for you. By the way, do not forget to change the clock - the time in Goa differs from many regions of Russia, the state time zone is +5:30 to world time.

How to get there

Flight to Goa

From the cities of Russia in the winter season (the most tourist time for the region) charters of various airlines fly. As a rule, these are almost all Russian cities with a population of one million or more inhabitants. Flight Moscow - Goa is performed various airlines, as a rule, several carriers also fly from the regions. In most cases, a ticket for a charter flight is only sold together with a travel package (flight, hotel, transfer, insurance). In this case, tour operators in Goa will help you: Biblio Globus, South Cross, Megapolyus Tours, Pegas Touristik, Russian Express, Sunrise Tour, Southern Cross.

As for regular flights, Aeroflot Airlines operates regular flights to India only to Delhi and Mumbai, flights to Dabolim Airport are seasonal in nature, and, as mentioned above, are operated not only by Aeroflot. Anyway, independent tourists traveling without the help of tour operators can get there with a change in major cities Russia (if tickets are sold for charter flights), or through Delhi, as well as through the hubs of the Middle Eastern states - Doha, Dubai and others.

Flight time to Goa

If you are interested in how much to fly from Moscow to Goa, then you can refer to special material on this topic. If you click on the link lazily, then the average flight time from Moscow to Goa is 7 hours 30 minutes, from St. Petersburg - 7 hours 40 minutes, from Yekaterinburg - 6 hours 30 minutes. The average flight time is indicated for charters, connecting flights on regular flights will depend on the city of connection and its duration. But, using the material about the time of flights and knowing the time of connection, you can calculate the approximate time of your flight with the connection option.

Climate and weather in Goa

The climate in Goa is divided into three seasons: winter, summer and the rainy season. Winter lasts from October to May, the average temperature during the day is about +21..+30 degrees, but the nights can be quite cold.

This dry season is considered the most suitable time to travel to Goa. After the Holi holiday, which is celebrated in the month of March, the climate in Goa can be described as summer, the temperature becomes consistently high - 26-35 degrees Celsius.

At the beginning of the season, the weather is very comfortable; closer to May, the heat intensifies in anticipation of the rainy season. Tourists from Europe, as a rule, visit Goa from October to March inclusive, Russians and Israelis - from September to April.

The rainy season, or monsoon season, in Goa begins in June and lasts until September. At this time, the humidity rises, tropical showers are daily, sometimes the rain does not stop for several days in a row.

Due to heavy summer rains, the period is considered unfavorable, and there is a decline in tourist activity, although the water temperature in Goa resorts is consistently above +27 degrees.

Weather forecast

Saturday
08.06

Sunday
09.06

Monday
10.06

Tuesday
11.06

Wednesday
12.06

Thursday
13.06

on "Pogoda.Tourister.Ru"

Weather in Goa by months

Temperature day, °C	Temperature at night, °C	Temperature water, °C	Quantity precipitation, mm
-3	-6	26	0
-1	-6	26	1
6	-2	27	5.1
—	—	28	15.2
—	—	28	73.3
26	20	29	1408
28	21	28	1492
28	21	27	1327
22	13	27	151.4
14	7	27	148.6
1	-3	27	29.2
-2	-6	28	0.2

Reviews by month

January 20 February 21 March 10

April 9 May 2

August 1 September 2

October 5 November 34 December 29

Photos of Goa

Transport

There are several ways to get around Goa: the first is, of course, a taxi. Goan taxi drivers have no idea about the counter, so it is customary to agree on the price of the trip in advance, having previously found out at the hotel its approximate cost. Bargaining is not only appropriate, but also mandatory. The second popular means of transportation is the rickshaw. A rickshaw cart can be built in the old fashioned way on the basis of a bicycle or, more modern, on the basis of a motor scooter or motorcycle. The cycle rickshaw has certain drawbacks: the wagon hardly climbs the mountain, and many tourists consider it completely inhumane to look at the suffering of a poor driver. Auto rickshaws have no issues with speed and hills, but typically powered by older motorcycle engines, auto rickshaws spew out huge black clouds of exhaust fumes. In any case, you should definitely ride a rickshaw in Goa - this will help you feel the special Goan flavor.

Quite widespread in Goa and transport rental. Renting a good economical bike will cost a tourist about 60-100 dollars a month, which, by our standards, is considered mere pennies. With rent road transport more difficult - in order to rent a car, a tourist needs to make a fairly large deposit, which, most often, does not suit the public vacationing in Goa.

On the contrary, there are no problems with renting boats in Goa. Yachts, boats, jet skis and catamarans will be offered to you for a small amount on any beach of the hundred-kilometer Goan coast.

Goa has international Airport Dabolim, which is served by many of the world's leading airlines. Dabolim is also connected by air to all major airports in the country, for example, from Mumbai to Dabolim is only an hour's flight.

culture

The culture that has developed historically in Goa leads many to call it "fake India" and "the island of Goa." The latter concept means, of course, not a geographical, but a cultural feature of this state.

According to Indian legend, Goa was created by the god Parashurama, who was the sixth incarnation of the god Vishnu. standing on mountain top, he shot an arrow from a bow into the sea, after which he ordered the depths of the sea to retreat to the place where the arrow fell. So the Goan coast was formed, on which Parasurama settled about a hundred Brahmin families.

However, other gods also did not bypass Goa with their attention, as evidenced by the Indian epic. It was here, on the Goan coast, that the god Shiva completely lost his wife Parvati in bones, after which he was in exile in Goa for some time, languidly asking for forgiveness from his strict wife. And, to be honest, Shiva can be understood: who would refuse to be in exile in this heavenly place!

The Portuguese, who chose the coast of Goa in 1510, have their own version of the origin of its name: the Portuguese navigator Alfonso de Albuquerque, seeing the golden beaches from the deck of his ship, exclaimed: “Wow!”. However, from an excess of emotions, the brave commander choked on port wine, and everyone heard: “Goa!”. Since then, this name has stuck to this area.

However, the first European to set foot on the coast of Goa was Vasco da Gama in 1498, as evidenced by the name of one of the largest goa city ov. Since 1510, the then capital of the area, the city of Old Goa, has become a cultural center and the main metropolis of the Portuguese colonists. Under the rule of Portugal then was a vast territory from Mombasa in Africa to Macau in China. The heyday of Goa falls precisely on the period of Portuguese colonization. The mixture of customs, bloodlines and religions further led to the formation of that special color that still attracts travelers from all over the world to Goa.

The golden age of Goa ended in the seventeenth century, when the Portuguese autocracy in the Indian Ocean was shaken by the onslaught of the Dutch and the British. The capital of Old Goa fell into decay, the magnificent buildings of the times of the Portuguese colonization turned into ruins. From the beginning of the nineteenth century, Goa was under the British protectorate, since 1964 it was part of the "union territory" of India, having received the status of an independent Indian state only in 1987.

Thus, Goa's unique heritage has been shaped both by indigenous Hindu culture and by external Portuguese culture, often enforced. However, this interpenetration of the two cultures has benefited the current Goa. Hindu temples (Mangesh in Mangeshi, Mahalsa in Mardol, Shanta Durga in Kavleme) and Catholic churches of Portuguese missionaries found refuge on its territory.

Goan music, songs and dances, visual arts and folk crafts - everything is that very incendiary mixture of two cultures. Holidays are an integral part of the Goan lifestyle. The locals seem to find something to celebrate every day. Hindu Jantra, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Shirigao Jantar, Fatorpa Jatra, European Christmas, the veneration of St. Francis Xavier, All Saints' Day - there are countless holidays in Goa! And all of them are celebrated magnificently, on a grand scale by local residents and guests of the state, regardless of the religious affiliation of the latter.

What to watch

Excluding southern relaxation and northern drive, Goa has a lot of places, noteworthy attractions lovers. These are monuments of Hindu and Portuguese architecture, temples and churches, natural parks and reserves.

First of all, you need to visit the Portuguese forts of Aguada and Alorna, as well as Christian churches, the oldest of which is the church of St. Francis of Assisi, and the most famous is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the relics of St. Francis Xavier, the baptizer of Asia, are kept. Cathedral St. Catherine - the largest Christian church in Asia - also deserves special attention. Be sure to take an excursion to Karnataka, where you will definitely be shown Old city Gokarnu and Om Beach are two undoubted pearls of the Indian south. With a guide or on your own, visit the old and new capital of Goa - Old Goa and Panaji, walk along the old streets, admire the magnificent cathedrals and monasteries created by European architects during the Portuguese colonization. An excursion called “Temples of Ponda” will also seem entertaining to tourists. The excursion program includes visits to Hindu temples, tropical fruit farms and plantations of famous Indian spices, an elephant ride.

One fifth of the territory of Goa is occupied by natural parks. There are only six of them in the state, and they are created to protect the amazing natural wealth of Goa. For example, one of the pearls of the Goan protected forests is the Dudhsagar waterfall, or “milky ocean”, 603 meters high, so named for the milky white color of the water. It is also worth visiting the mangrove-covered Chorao Island at the mouth of the Mandovi River, famous for its unique bird colony. The Bondla Reserve is the smallest of Goa's natural parks, located 50 kilometers north of Panaji, at the foot of the Western Ghats. On the territory of the reserve there is a beautiful rose garden, botanical and zoo with a variety of fauna: elephants, buffaloes, leopards, bears, deer, snakes, birds, etc. and gazelles.

Where to go in Goa

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Where to eat and drink

Entertainment

Parks and recreation areas

Leisure

Transport

Shops and markets

Private guides in Goa

Russian private guides will help you to get acquainted with Goa in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

Such a question simply cannot arise in Goa - there everyone will find something to their liking. Lovers of basking on the beach - comfortable sun loungers on the beaches of Goa in the shade of palm crowns, fans active species sports are an incredible choice water activities From diving and windsurfing to parasailing and kiting, there are a lot of excursions in Goa.

Ayurveda centers are popular in South Goa - traditional Indian medicine, the philosophy of which is an integrated approach to the body as a single system. Ayurvedic treatments include oil massages and natural treatments. Having visited such a center, do not refuse to take a Panchakarma body cleansing course, known to the masters of Ayurveda for more than two thousand years.

Even if you are not a big fan of Goa-trance music, while in North Goa, be sure to take the time and visit one of the trance parties, where you will be happy to “break away”, dancing until dawn in an international company. Strange musicians, hippies of all ages, trancers and freaks from around the world settled in North Goa a long time ago. Vagator is considered to be the indisputable capital of this undeclared republic of freedom. The villages scattered along the coast of North Goa resemble interest clubs: hippies live in Arambol, couples live in calm Siolim; trancers and other hanging out characters are in Chepor.

It is also worth looking into one of the iconic cafes located in the northern part of the state: "" in Chepore, cafe "", bars "" and "" in Anjuna, cafe "" in Arambol.

Connection

Safety in Goa

The Russian Information Center in Goa makes the following recommendations regarding safe rest in this state of India:

Compliance with the visa regime is the responsibility of every tourist. Overstaying a visa is a crime punishable by the laws of India. Do not succumb to the provocations of persons, lawyers who promise you "to solve the problem of summons" and money. You risk being deceived.
In the event of a collision with the Goa State Police, do not succumb to the provocations of law enforcement officers.
The use and distribution of drugs in Goa is punishable by law. Do not succumb to provocations from persons associated with the distribution of drugs. Do not participate in this activity.
A fall from a scooter or motorcycle is not covered by the definition of an insured event.
Respect local laws and customs, including dress code. Clothing should not be provocative. Being in swimsuits, short shorts and skirts (for girls), naked torso (for men) outside the beach in Goa is not welcome.
The language barrier often causes unpleasant situations. They can be avoided by calling for help from compatriots who speak English language, or by calling the Russian hotline information center in Goa.
Follow basic safety rules, be vigilant, especially if you are intoxicated.
Beware of the services of illegal companies. Companies doing business in Goa illegally do not bear any responsibility either before the law or before you.
Working and doing business in Goa on a tourist visa is prohibited and punishable by law.

Honorary Consul of Russia in Goa: Victor M. Albuquerque

Address: Alcon Chambers, 2nd Floor, D.B.Marg, Panaji, Goa - 403 001 (India),
Phone: +91 832 2223220,
Fax: +91 832 671556,
Email: [email protected]

Where to stay in Goa

Booking.com offers more than 5710 Goa hotels for booking. You can choose a hotel using a variety of filters: hotel star rating, hotel type (hotel, apartment, villa, hostel, etc.), cost, hotel location, ratings of people who visited the hotel, Wi-Fi availability and much more. .

Choosing a beach to relax is one of the most important stages independent planning trips. Holidays in Goa are very diverse and can satisfy a variety of preferences of tourists, so the choice of a resort and a beach depends largely on the purpose for which you are planning a trip to Goa. Some tourists come here for the famous noisy parties, others for a beach holiday, others are looking for a resort for a relaxing holiday with children, and others want to get it all in one place. In this article, we will tell you about which beaches in North and South Goa are the most popular with tourists.

All the beaches of Goa are divided into two main groups: the beaches of the north coast and the beaches of the south coast. In South Goa, tourists who come to India prefer to relax to enjoy a relaxing beach and family vacation, and in North Goa, young people prefer to relax, who come here from all over the Earth to enjoy a bright nightlife with lots of hangouts and trance parties.

There are no private beaches in Goa, they all belong to the state and anyone can relax on them, so nothing prevents you from choosing any beach for relaxing, no matter where hotel Goa You stopped.

The best beaches in South Goa

The beaches of South Goa are not very different from each other, so the choice of accommodation depends more on which hotel you prefer. Most of the hotels in the southern part of the state have 4 and 5 stars and are focused on a calm family holiday wealthy tourists, many of whom come here to relax with young children.

The beaches of Varka, Cavelosim, Utorda, Majorda, Colva offer tourists a developed infrastructure with many luxurious four and five-star hotels, bars and restaurants. They are not very crowded and are very popular with famous politicians and world stars.

The beaches of Cola, Agonda, Palolem perfect for a relaxing budget holiday. Their infrastructure is not as developed as on other beaches of the southern coast of Goa, there are not a large number of luxury hotels and expensive restaurants with luxurious interiors, but the picturesque landscapes of these places will not leave lovers indifferent to admire the beauty of nature and will give many unforgettable impressions from the rest.

Dona Paula beach. Considered one of the best beaches in Goa. Many scenes from Indian films have been filmed on this beach. This beach is popular with surfers.

The best beaches in North Goa

The beaches of the north coast of Goa are designed more for budget and youth recreation, so there are not as many luxury hotels and restaurants as in the southern part of the state.

Arambol- one of the best beaches for party lovers. If you love Goa Trance dance music, then you should look for it in this area of Goa. The beach is suitable only for youth budget recreation. Many Russian tourists live here throughout the tourist season. This is the most popular beach in North Goa.

The beaches of Calangute, Baga, Candolim - These are the most popular beaches in the northern part of Goa among package tourists from Russia and Europe, as well as one of the favorite vacation spots for local tourists who came here from central regions India. On the territory of these beaches there are many inexpensive three-star hotels, but sometimes there are hotels with 4 and 5 stars that can offer their guests luxurious rooms and a wide range of services and entertainment. These areas of north Goa have a well developed infrastructure with many bars, restaurants, nightclubs, yoga and meditation centers. Prices for accommodation and tourist services here are lower than in south coast Goa, but higher than on other beaches of the north coast.

Anjuna- "Mecca" of Goa Trance lovers from all over the world. It was on this beach that the large Goa Trace Open Air Parties were recently held, but today their scale has noticeably decreased. If you love modern electronic music and are looking for like-minded people, then better places You can't find.

Vagator- Another very favorite beach of North Goa by young people. Here, too, there are several well-known clubs where Goa Trance plays. it big beach With developed infrastructure and a wide choice of housing in different price ranges.

Morjim- the most popular beach among Russian tourists. The locals call it Moscow-Beach. It is almost impossible to meet foreigners from other countries here. Prices for accommodation and tourist services here are higher than on other beaches in North Goa.

Now we can tell you with confidence - South Goa or North Goa which is better. Many, going to this resort, are lost in riddles, which tour is better to buy for a quiet and calm southern Goa or for a northern one full of entertainment.

Which Goa to choose?

To begin with, it must be said that anyone who thinks that the north is cheaper than the south, then this is an erroneous opinion. Let's start with the fact that the main expenses of tourists are flights, accommodation and meals. And in the south, on average, prices are the same as in the north. This comes from the fact that in one and the other part of Goa there are both four and five-star hotels on the first line with the All Inclusive system, as well as cheap guesthouses.

AT south goa food prices in shek are usually even a little cheaper than in northern shek. The same applies to the coasts of Velsao-Palolem, Putnam and Mobor. The cost of renting motorcycles is similar.

If you decide to go to Goa on your own without purchasing expensive tours, then you can be sure that outside the hotel the prices in the two parts of the resort are quite identical.

Features and differences between south and north Goa

The difference is that in terms of bathing and visual characteristics. Mostly on the southern beaches, the sand is cleaner and lighter. These are such beaches as: Colva, Benaulim, Palolem, Cansaulim, Agonda, Varca. And in the north, on the beaches of Arambol, Morjim, Calangute, Cavelossim, as well as from Sinkerim to Candolim and from Baga to Anjuna, the beach sand is coarser, yellow and in some places with a grayish tint.

Therefore, the water in the ocean in the south seems to be cleaner and more transparent, with the exception of Palolem and Colva, where there are so many tourists that it is sometimes difficult to find a place for a relaxing holiday. Baga, Calangute and Candolim are also very crowded, but if you move a few hundred meters away, you can quite find a free place for a relaxing holiday.

It should also be noted that the Zuari fertilizer factory somewhat spoils the whole impression of some of the southern beaches, as its smoking chimneys are visible as far as Majorda.

On the southern beaches, mostly elderly Europeans or couples with children from Russia rest and in some places there are far more Russians than there are Germans, French and English combined. Elderly wealthy people prefer relaxing holiday, so they do not purchase vouchers to the northern resorts, since the youth contingent mainly prevails here, who came to have fun and hang out properly in nightclubs. That is why this region is home to the majority cheap hotels or guesthouses, which are available even to young people with average incomes.

Many Russian tourists Most of all, tours are bought to northern Goa, and sometimes it seems that more than 70% of Russians are resting there, displacing tourists from other European countries.

South Goa is more relaxed, but meanwhile it cannot be said that noisy companies will interfere with your rest in the north. If you do not like nightclubs and noisy parties, you can be sure that you will find a suitable hotel if you do not decide to settle, for example, in a guesthouse next to the Nine bar. The resorts of Calangute, Candolim and Baga are not so calm due to huge amount hotels, large congestion local residents and tourists.

There are practically no parties, parties and nightclubs in South Goa (with the exception of Palolem). There are no ordinary discos here.

Transport rental in Goa

In South Goa, it is customary to rent bicycles., since most hotels are located at some distance from the beaches and they have to be reached by such an economical form of transport. Bicycles can also be ridden on bicycles as opposed to bikes.

In the north, on the contrary, people mostly rent motorbikes or take a taxi, since gasoline in India is quite cheap. Roads in the south are better and repaired.

Sights of North and South Goa

If you are going to Goa not only for beach holiday and entertainment, there is something to see for both adults and children. There are historical and cultural attractions in both parts of Goa, but most of them are in the south of the region.

In the very south of the state is the huge Cotigao nature reserve which attracts tourists with its incredible beauty and unusual fauna. On the observation tower reserve, you can see the whole panorama of India with its stunning nature, rare animals and exotic tropical birds.

The main attraction of Margao is the ancient Church of the Holy Spirit built in 1675. This church is simply striking in its beauty, in front of which is a magnificent mango garden. Also, tourists are attracted by the Pandava cave, which is located near the ancient chapel of St. Sebastian.

Also, one cannot fail to mention the Cathedral of St. Catherine, which is the main memorable place Old Goa.

To the north, at Sam Candolim, you can see many old architectural sights, as well as magnificent red water lilies. Creative people will be able to visit the Kerkar Art Gallery, which exhibits sculptures and paintings by contemporary artists.

And if you want to get to the largest and highest waterfall in the country, Dudsagar, then you will need to go through the jungle, and along the way you can see more than three hundred species of birds, as well as wild buffalo and bison. On the way, you can see the Mahadev Temple, which was built in the 12th century.

Summing up we can say that the southern and northern resorts do not differ significantly in their price characteristics, therefore, when purchasing tours to Goa, you need to decide what you want to get from your vacation. If you are traveling with young children or the elderly, then it is best to buy tickets to expensive four and five star hotels in the south of Goa. But if you are young and active, then in the north you will find everything for a great beach and club holiday with a lot of attractions. So, where it is better to relax and where to go, it is up to you, dear vacationers and tourists, to decide for sure. The choice is yours.

These are old Hindu and Portuguese temples, this is the bright colors of the night market and an incredible palette of taste in a plate of seafood generously seasoned with curry...

Goa is a state of delight, where whole families come "for the winter" or just once having visited, they return again and again.

Weather

Goa is a year-round resort, the air temperature here does not fall below +20 °C. There are three main seasons: summer, winter and munsun (rainy season). Moonsun starts in June and lasts until September, winter (tourist) lasts from late October to early April, summer - from May to September.

Months are the best time to visit Goa October to March. The air temperature at this time ranges from +21 to +32 °C. At this time, there is no stuffiness and exhausting heat, which begins in April.

Hotels

There are many hotels in Goa of various categories - from luxurious hotel complexes with a huge territory to small hostels with a single proud star in. "Stars" are very conditional and are very different from European ones. In Goa, as in Thailand, most tourists stay in two- or three-star hotels.

Hotel Features


Expensive hotels with a large territory and a high level of service	A huge palette of hotels - from small hostels to luxury boutique hotels. Prices for accommodation below, than in .
Most built on the first line(no closer than 250 m from the beach)	Most of the hotels are built across the road from the beach.
The hotels are located at a distance from the villages, the entire infrastructure is inside hotels.	Excellent infrastructure– Near the hotels there are restaurants, shops, markets.
The beaches of the hotels are wide (there are fenced areas), the territories are cleaned, there are almost no locals.	The beaches are public, sunbeds and umbrellas are paid, many locals.
Entertainment outside the hotel almost not.	Many o discos, night bars, entertainment for all tastes.

Resorts

The state of Goa is divided into three parts - Northern, Central and. They differ greatly from each other in the level of service and a set of entertainment. counts respectable resort where wealthy Europeans rest; chosen by budget travelers and creative youth; Central Goa combines the properties of other parts of the state and is a major transport hub: there are an airport, a railway station, a port, and bus stations.

north goa

Large spacious beach, many nightclubs and bars, there is an interesting flea market.

The beach is spacious, there are several bars. There are parties in the evenings. Rest is suitable for noisy companies and active youth. Located farthest from the airport.

1.5 km away from the sea. Lots of expensive comfortable hotels. Suitable for tourists with children.

A wide beach with volcanic sand, separated from the village by a river. Relatively quiet resort, suitable for families with children.

The oldest resort in all of Goa. Suitable for any type of holiday. The beach is wide and there is a river nearby.

Popular with creative youth. Known for its nightly parties. There are several beaches, with a rocky shore.

The most famous beach of all Goa and the most popular resort. Large range of hotels

Quiet resort with expensive hotels. The beach is sandy, wide, right on it stands the Portuguese fort of Aguada. Located closest to the airport.

Situated between two rivers. Accommodation of tourists is mainly in bungalows.

Quiet resort with good infrastructure. Popular with Russian tourists.

A small quiet village with budget hotels and a clean beach.

Small village next to the airport. Very clean white sand beaches, mid-range hotels.

Large resort with spacious beaches and a good selection of hotels. Quiet place, suitable for relaxation.

A secluded village with a very good level of service in hotels. Spacious clean beach suitable for families with children.

A popular resort with good infrastructure and budget hotels.

Popular resort. Suitable for families with small children. Located closest to the airport.

A resort with good infrastructure and expensive hotels. Surrounded on three sides by water.

One of the most beautiful beaches in all of Goa. Located farthest from the airport. One of the most expensive resorts.

small village with beautiful beach. Very quiet resort, suitable for lovers of solitude

Attractions

Acquaintance with Goa among tourists usually begins at Dabolim Airport, in the city of Vasco da Gama. The city is named after the famous discoverer-navigator. The Portuguese heritage is well preserved in this Indian state and there is always something for tourists to see.

Both in and in have their own set of attractions. Excursion routes are organized to all the sights, they are conveniently accessible from any corner of Goa.

For example, in Old Goa(city in) beautiful cathedrals, ruins of churches and narrow streets have been preserved. In Panaji, the capital of Goa, you should definitely wander around the old district of Fontainehas and see the architectural complex of Largo da Igreja. The Portuguese forts of Aguada and Alorna are also at the top of the list of attractions in Goa. The fortress of Aguada is located on the outskirts of Candolim beach - after sunbathing and swimming, you can look at this ancient stronghold.

On Wednesdays and Fridays in Goa, grandiose markets. On Friday, you need to go to Mapusa to bargain and buy plenty of bright clothes, souvenirs, painted plates, spices, incense and a lot of what your heart desires. There is a flea market in Anjuna - it opens every Wednesday in the early morning and rages until sunset.

The largest Christian temple in Asia - the cathedral Cathedral of Saint Catherine (Old Goa). The relics of the baptist of Asia, St. Francis, can be seen in the Basilica of Jesus, one of the most famous churches not only in Goa, but throughout India.

The most popular excursions in Goa - in spice garden "Savoy" and to the waterfalls. Spice plantations are not only interesting, but also very informative, and also delicious, because every tourist will be sure to be fed with dishes generously seasoned with curry and fragrant herbs. There are a lot of spice plantations in Goa, "Savoy" is located 23 km from the capital of the state of Panaji. Dudhsagar waterfall overthrows streams of water from a height of more than 300 meters! It is also called the "milky ocean" - for the white color of the water. The waterfall is located in the eastern part of Goa, you can get to it in a few hours by bus.

In the Cotigao Reserve, you can wander through the multi-story jungle. The reserve is located 12 km from the beach in.

Goa has many centers ayurveda where you can create your own healing program with herbs, massages and potions based on natural ingredients.

Transport

Most tourists rent bike and roam around the state. For rent, you will need to leave a deposit in foreign currency (from 60 to 200 dollars). A driver's license is rarely required. Traffic in Goa, as in all of India, is chaotic, so we recommend that you brush up on your driving skills in advance and be extremely careful on the roads. There are almost no gas stations in Goa, gasoline can be bought from hand in roadside tents and shops (sold in ordinary water bottles).

Those who do not dare to ride a bike in India use the services Taxi. Taxis are quite expensive, all areas are divided between taxi drivers. Almost no one has a counter.

Another way to move between Goa resorts - bus. This message in India is very developed, buses call even in the most remote villages. Travel in them is very cheap (from 5 to 40 rupees), locals use it with pleasure. The amount of the fee depends on the distance of the trip. The buses are old, they have no air conditioning, the windows are protected by bars (from monkeys).

There is no direct communication between the resorts of Goa, you need to go with a transfer at the bus station (in Mapusa, Panaji or Margao). The buses do not have numbers, the route is written in the local language, but the conductors and drivers loudly announce the direction at the bus stops. By the way, there are no stops in the usual sense, the bus stops on demand anywhere. Intervals of buses - on average 1 time in 15 minutes.

A trip on an Indian bus is like an attraction - a bright old bus rushes through the jungle to Indian music, the conductor jokes with passengers, women in bright saris laugh ...

Goa bus stations

Souvenirs

Most of the souvenirs that tourists bring from trips to Goa are ethnic. Often they buy saris (national Indian women's clothing) and bloomers (loose pants), textiles (bed linen, bedspreads, towels), jewelry with gems, incense sticks, henna. A good souvenir will be spices, toothpaste with red pepper, natural cosmetics brand "Hymalaya". Sandalwood and ebony deity figurines start at $3.

Lamb stewed in milk with curry, meatballs in spicy yogurt, chicken in orange sauce with herbs are popular. famous for its abundance of vegetarian dishes, such as rice cakes or curried lentil dumplings (dosa and samba). Vegetables are served with curry and rice.

Seafood and fish in Goa are incredibly popular. Fish is fried on a fire, baked in dough, stewed in yogurt with curry... Try maylai - shrimp with constant curry and coconut. Perfectly refreshing in the heat is the drink dhai - curdled milk with spices. Alcohol is sold freely in Goa, local “moonshine” called “feni” is made here - this is fermented coconut juice and cashews.

Good to know

All tourists arrive at Dabolim Airport. The flight from Moscow takes approximately 7.5 hours.
Time in Goa is 2.5 hours ahead of Moscow.
In Goa, Indian Konkani, Portuguese and English are spoken.
Sockets in Goa do not differ from Russian ones.
The currency in Goa, as elsewhere in India, is the rupee. There are 100 paise in one rupee. In August 2017, the exchange rate of the rupee and the ruble was approximately the same: for 1 ruble they gave 1 rupee and 6 paise.
No more than 3 liters of alcohol per person over the age of 18 can be exported from India to Russia duty-free, up to 5 liters - with the payment of a duty.
Thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits bought in the markets. Drink only bottled water.

The standard of living in Goa leaves much to be desired, in small villages you will almost certainly see garbage, not very neat residents and a deplorable level of desolation. But this is not a plague-ridden area, people on the streets are not lepers, the infection does not fly in the air. And it is unlikely that you will climb into the jungle of civilization. Well, you already know that you need to wash your hands and do not drink water from the tap.

Myth number 2. Service in hotels is so-so

Photo: Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock. com

No, that's not entirely true. In North Goa, there are many small two-three-star hotels and really mediocre service (they will not be cleaned every day, the air conditioner may break, you will not be rushed at the first call). People come here for parties, so if the hotel has a bed, it already fits.

If comfort and attention from the staff are important to you, you should visit South Goa- four or five star hotels and European level service. Here you will find complete relaxation and helpful staff.

South. Top 3 hotels on Ostrovka:

: double rooms from 6190 rubles/night*;
: double rooms from 10 590 rubles/night;
: double rooms from 17 390 rubles/night.

Sever.Top-3 hotels on Ostrovka:

: double rooms from 2999 rubles/night;
: double rooms from 8671 rubles/night;
: double rooms from 10 790 rubles/night.

Myth number 3. All the beaches of Goa have white sand and crystal clear water.

Photo: Lena Serditova / Shutterstock. com

Alas, this is not the case everywhere. In order for the beach to be like from the picture, you need to follow it, therefore, paradise beaches- it is to the South, where the rest is more expensive and the infrastructure is better. There are beaches in the North, but without pretense of picturesqueness.

North Goa beaches

Terekol: one of the few deserted beaches in North Goa.
Mandrem: along coastline many natural pools, the water in them heats up quickly- the feeling that you are bathing in fresh milk.
Small and Large Vagator: Largeknown for its incendiary parties, Small- more secluded and wild beach, with rocks and coves.
Ashvem: An idyllic and peaceful place, perfect for kiting.

The beaches of South Goa

Bogmalo: modern and very touristy beach with many cafes and bars serving excellent seafood.
Benaulim: the beach is known for flocks of dolphins, which periodically delight vacationers with pirouettes.
Varca and Cavelossim: golden sand, many palm trees, and luxurious hotels around.
Palolem: the most south beach, where you can find the very white sand, azure water and peace.

Myth No. 4. All food is fiery-spicy, you have to starve

Photo: Erofeenkov / Shutterstock. com

No, you don't have to go hungry. Goa is adapting to the influx of tourists from all over the world, the owners of cafes and restaurants often warn about especially spicy dishes and offer a European menu. And in some establishments they even serve borscht, okroshka and dumplings. True, according to the author's recipes.

If you went to a remote village and went to a local eatery, the chance to eat something and breathe fire is very high, so be careful. Well, if you are really afraid not to cope with local cuisine, book a hotel with meals included - for example, half board (breakfast + dinner).

Myth number 5. The most fun is goa-trance parties, there is no more entertainment

Well, of course not. goa trance- direction in electronic music that originated here in the late 1980s. You can look at the trancers at one of the beach parties, these parties are not legal and you can meet very strange personalities there, but it is curious to watch from the outside. If this action does not interest you, here are some places of worship where you can pass the evening.

Casino Deltin Royale Casino, Panaja- a floating casino in the capital of Goa, in the evening a beautiful backlight turns on, and you will never miss a ship with a casino. It doesn't matter if gambling doesn't appeal to you, come and listen to live music and drink a cocktail.
Club Cubana, Arpora - one of the popular nightclubs, from the roof of which a magnificent panorama of the city opens. Entrance is paid, but drinks are included in the ticket price. The club has several spacious halls and a swimming pool.
Night market, Arpora- the best place to learn how to bargain and see what the local vendors have to offer. You can find a lot of things: music discs, hand-embroidered scarves, tea, souvenirs, spices. When you've had enough of shopping, switch to the food court and street concerts.

Myth number 6. goa - a small province, there is nothing to see there

No matter how! Goa is a very special state of India with amazing nature and colorful mix of cultures. Write down what you need to see.

Chapora Fort: This defensive fortress- Portuguese legacy of the 17th century. From the hill overlooking Indian Ocean and coast. Travelers have a tradition- come to the fortress at sunset of the last day and see off the sun.
Church Square, Panaji: the main attraction is the snow-white Church of the Virgin Mary, and nearby is a cozy garden that the locals adore.
Dudhsagar Falls: The tiered waterfall is one of the 100 tallest waterfalls in the world. It is no coincidence that the name is translated as “Milk Ocean”: due to the contrast with the dark stone, it seems that the water is milky white.
Sahakari Spice Plantation, Ponda: book a guided tour to make the most of your time. You will be guided through the plantation and told what and how it grows here. As entertainment, they will ride on elephants and teach you how to climb palm trees. Then there will be a break for lunch, they will be treated to dishes with grown spices. You can buy your favorite spices right there in the shop.

Traveler's memo

Photo: Pavel Laputskov / Shutterstock. com

When is the best time to go?

June to September is the rainy season in Goa, so visit between October and May. These are the winter months, the temperature is comfortable, up to + 30 ° C, so there is no sweltering heat, you can travel around the neighborhood and swim.

Is it difficult to get a visa?

Elementary. Indian visa can be issued on the website of the visa application center. An electronic visa is prepared in 4-10 working days, then you download it, print it out and go to the airport. Such a visa gives you the right to stay in the country for no more than 30 days.

What is the currency in Goa?

Local currency - rupees. The rate is very tempting: for 100 dollars you will get 6,808.01 rupees (1 USD = 68.02 INR on 01/27/2017). For residents, this is a fortune, so at first everything will seem too cheap. But do not flatter yourself, soon you will begin to distinguish between cheap and very cheap.

How to move?

On a moped or scooter- safe and convenient way transportation, you can also rent an autorickshaw. If you don't plan to travel much- order a taxi, the case when it will not cost a pretty penny.

Top photo: SOUTHERNTraveler / Shutterstock. com