Going to Goa? Here Are The Best Places to Enjoy the Sun, Sea and Surf

Goa

 The party capital of India. This is not an exaggeration, simply a fact. The state is the smallest in the country as per area, coming in at 3702 square kilometers. That doesn’t stop it from having the best party atmosphere as well as a ton of history – a history that sets this tiny state apart from the rest of the country and gives it unique characteristics you won’t find anywhere else.

My discovery of Goa was fortuitous. I was among a few other employees in my company who had been declared the top performers for two-quarters and the award was an all expenses paid trip to Goa. We stayed at a five-star hotel for four days and three nights and partied each night away while lazing around the pool or the beach during the day.

I didn’t think anything could match that first trip and experience. I was so wrong. Every time I have visited the state I have found something else to explore and wonder at.

At ShoutLo we decided to take a look at some of the most noteworthy places to visit in goa.

Calangute Beach

This beach is perhaps the most popular beach in the state and has earned the sobriquet ‘Queen of the Beaches’. Once upon a time, it was a perfect getaway for hippies and those who followed part of that lifestyle. In fact, local legend holds that it was the hippies who discovered this jewel back in the 1960s. It is the largest beach in north Goa and the most commercialized one in the entire state. Popular with both international and national tourists, the beach is crowded during the business season with families, stalls that serve all the foods and drinks Goa is famous for and activities such as motor-boating and parasailing. If you go there in the summer, be sure to take in the art exhibitions.

Shanta Durga Temple

One of the most famous tourist spots in Goa, the temple is said to mark the spot where the Goddess Parvati took the form of Shanta Durga to settle a fight between Vishnu and Shiva who were at war. Brahma begged her to intervene and she stopped the fight between the two deities by placing Vishnu on her left and Shiva on her right. The statue of the goddess Shanta Durga shows her holding two serpents, one in each hand. These serpents represent Vishnu and Shiva. The temple is sacred not only to Goan Hindus, but also to Goans all over the country.

Basilica of Born Jesus

Thanks to the fact that Goa was formerly a Portuguese colony, Goa has a plethora of churches. These churches are not only important from a religious perspective but also from a historical and cultural one. Because of the centuries of colonization, the churches are wound tightly into the heart of Goan culture. The most famous out of all of these is the Basilica of Born Jesus. This is the church where you will find the preserved remains of the famous St. Francis Xavier. Every year, the devout make a trip to this church just to be able to see the remains. UNESCO has declared this a World Heritage Site.

Dudhsagar Falls

The literal meaning of the name is ‘Sea of Milk’. These are the fourth highest falls in India and have four tiers. The falls are some 46 kilometers from Madgaon and the best time to visit them is in the monsoon when they have been fed by the rains and are roaring their way down the cliffs. If you are traveling by train, there is a railway bridge that goes in front of the falls. Trains using the bridge slow down so that you can see the magnificence of the falls for yourself. 

Fort Aguada

If you want to take a look at Goa’s history, the perfect place to start is Fort Aguada. It was constructed in the 17^th century by the Portuguese to protect their holdings from the Marathas and the Dutch and was one of the most strategically important holdings. Today the battlements and the moat still stand as testimony to the solidity of the construction. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse, which is 13 meters tall and look out over the entire area. You can also marvel at the still intact vaulted cistern that can hold up to 10 million liters of water. Some part of the fort has been converted into a jail, so you might want to avoid that one.

Deltin Royale Casino

Tired of the usual? Want to play the odds? Head straight for Deltin Royal Casino, where you will find luxury gaming open 24 hours complete with the experience of being on a cruise ship. Go during the peak hours and you can even enjoy live entertainment in the restaurant. In order to get in, you’ll need to purchase an entry and play package, but I don’t think you’ll regret it. I didn’t. There are options to stay and play as well (check out the packages available). Have fun here and don’t lose your shirt!

Goa Carnival

The ultimate Goa party! This is the last hurrah for indulgence before the period of Lent begins and Goans stop consuming meat and alcohol. Can there be a better excuse to party? The carnival takes place in Panjim, Vasco da Gama and Margao and lasts for three to four days. There is plenty here to enjoy – magnificent parades, amazing food and endless music and dance. The festival ends with the Red and White Dance for which you have to pay an entry fee of Rs. 100. Table reservations aren’t included in this. Dance the nights away but keep a careful eye on your children and your wallet.

The list given here is by no means exhaustive. I have been to Goa at least four times and haven’t gotten to checking out even half of what it has to offer. Goa has around 25 beaches, plenty of forts, churches, temples, falls and even two national parks. All in all, your stay there will be a lot of things but never boring.

Got any tales of your Goa trips to share with us? Tell us in the comments section.