Travel Guide to Goa

Travel Guide to Goa

Where Sun, Sea and Surf come togetherGoa often called as 'the pearl of the east', is known for its gothic churches, age old ruins, palm fringed beaches, coconut groves, ferry rides, and bubbly folk music. Goa's 80 mile long coastline is adorned by some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. In fact many people think of Goa as synonymous with beaches and sun and golden sand. Goa is an important destination in every tourist's itinerary. Sun, sand, food, wine, old churches and sea being the major attractions.

It rises from the horizon, it's pale fingers changing to fiery hues with the onset of day. It's orange and red light casts a golden glow upon the land. And the once dark ocean shimmers with the light of a new born day. It continues its journey across the sky spreading it's golden fingers over the entire landscape. Touching everything with a lazy magic.

The heat of the noon brings in it's wake a sultry haziness and the fingers of the clock slowly wind their way towards a cool evening. It comes with surprising suddeness. A brilliant blaze of colour and the molten gold orb sinks behind an inky sea. And over the swaying of the palms and the faraway call of the barges and ships comes another sound. Of guitars and harmonious singing.

It mingles with the scent of the sea and the sound of the restless tide beating it's age old rhythem against the silver shores. Goa. A forever enchantment. Where time moves to a different clock from the rest of the world. Where the past is but a mirror to a guilded present. Where the confluence of cultures meet and flow together in a single rapturous stream. Where the earth is at peace with itself and all those who walk that magical land called Goa.

A messenger from the Christian world came to these emerald shores to never leave again. The church where he rests to this day draws people from the corners of the world. They say the body of St. Francis Xavier is still the same, showing no decay after the passage of several centuries. And each year a procession is taken out and thousands of followers come to pay homage to a continuing miracle that has defied science and baffled sceptics.

Goa at once reminds you of silver sea beaches wetted by blue waters, the sky mirroring the sea below, the strumming guitars from distant taverns, white churches resting against green paddy fields and coconut groves, long starry nights spent over brewed feni, sun and sea. This is Goa the romantic land.

Watersports and Adventure Sport

With such a beautiful coast, it's easy to see why water sports are the most popular adventure pursuit in Goa. Since the early 1990s, they have spread from an exclusive feature of star hotels to a wide range of offers from private operators. The coast is dotted with beautiful locations for water sport. The most popular is the stretch from Calangute to Sinquerim. The big hotels on South Goa's serene Arossim and Mobor beaches offer many choices in quieter locales. Beaches in the north are more crowded, where you can club the partying with sporting - not highly recommended since most extreme sports require that you don't have a hangover. You'll also find plenty to do off Dona Paula, near Panjim.

Parasailing, Jet-Skiing, Water-Skiing, Knee and Wake-Boarding, Windsurfing, Speedboat Rides, Banana, Bump and Ringo Rides and Catamaran Sailing

Goa Weather

Goa WeatherGoa experiences a lovely and relaxing climate. Just the type needed for you to chill out and have some fun. The best times to visit Goa are during the tropical winter months between October and March. The weather during this period is extremely pleasant. Summers from April to May can be hot and humid, though being in the coastal region, the gentle sea breeze is a welcome soother. The monsoon months are June to September with an average rainfall of around 320 cms. This is the season when the weather is really cool and the hill and the countryside are lush green. It is an ideal time to be in Goa if you want to "dance in the rain", sit and write a book, compose music or sit and recollect emotions in tranquillity.