Introduction
Succulently hybrid and determinedly individual, Goa may just surprise you. It's a shame Goa comes burdened with a reputation for louche living, because there's so much more to it than sun, sand and psychedelia. The allure of Goa is that it remains quite distinct from the rest of India and is small enough to be grasped and explored in a way that other Indian states are not.
Goa has enjoyed a prominent place in the travellers' lexicon since the heady days of the 1960s, but the (in)famous hippies have now been replaced by backpackers, Indian visitors and package tourists on two-week jaunts from Europe. The locals are relaxed and friendly, and skirts outnumber saris.
Geography:
Goa is India's smallest state, bordered to the west by the Arabian Sea and to the east by Maharashtra and Karnataka states. The state can easily be split into north and south Goa, with the Mandovi River and state capital Panaji roughly in the middle. Geographically, Goa is divided into three distinct areas: the Western Ghats, a series of foothills and low mountain ranges to the east; the Midland region of laterite plateaus and plantations; and the Coastal region. The coast is around 105km (63mi) long and consists of broad beaches, scattered villages, resort developments and tidal rivers. From north to south, the main tourist beaches are: (north) Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Vagator, Anjuna, Baga-Calangute, Candolim; (south) Bogmalo, Colva, Benaulim, Cavelossim, Agonda, Palolem and Patnem.
Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT +5.5
Area: 3700
Coordinates: 15.58333 latitude and 74 longitude
Population: 1340000
Languages: A smattering of Portuguese is spoken.English is widely spoken.
Currency: Indian Rupee (Rs)
Area codes: 0832
Getting there and away
The number of charter flights headed to Goa is increasing every year. The vast majority come from the UK and Europe. You can fly direct to Goa from the UK on a seat-only charter flight or on a package trip that includes accommodation. Be aware that it is illegal to enter on a scheduled flight and out on a charter flight, and vice versa: if you enter on a charter flight, you must also leave on one. Dabolim Airport, Goa's only domestic and international airport, is in Dabolim, just outside Vasco da Gama. Numerous domestic airlines fly here from major Indian cities - as well as Indian Airlines and Jet Airways, new budget airlines such as Kingfisher Airlines and SpiceJet are providing competition. The 760km (465mi) Konkan Railway links Mumbai with Goa (10hr) and south to Mangalore (15hr). Private companies still offer the dreaded super deluxe video buses from Panaji and Margao to Mumbai (15-20hr), Mysore (16hr) and Bangalore. Buses also head east from Goa to Hampi (11hr).
Getting around
The best way to get around Goa is to hire a motorcycle or scooter, though be sure to carry the necessary paperwork (licence, registration and insurance) with you at all times because checks on foreigners are a lucrative source of baksheesh (kickbacks) for the police. If you don't know how to ride, motorcycle taxis are a legitimate and fun way of scooting between towns. Crowded buses ply between the main towns - they're dirt cheap and full of locals masquerading as sardines. Regular taxis and autorickshaws can also take you around and between most towns. Bargain hard.
Weather
The climate in Goa is not just an academic point; it affects the character, customs and culture. The main feature of the Goan climate is the monsoon between June and the end of September, which sees 250cm (98in) to 300cm (118in) of rain. During the two months preceding the onset of the monsoon, the humidity increases and the normally clear skies become hazy. High winds and lightning come just before the rain. Goans store enough firewood and food to last through the rains; fishing ceases almost entirely because of stormy conditions. Surprisingly, the temperature throughout all of this drama remains fairly constant, varying from a maximum of about 29 º C (84 º F) in July to a maximum of 33 º C (91 º F) in May, and minimums for the same months of 24 º C (75 º F) and 26.5 º C (80 º F).
Places of Interest
It's a shame Goa comes burdened with a reputation for louche living, because there's so much more to it than sun, sand and psychedelia. The allure of Goa is that it remains quite distinct from the rest of India and is small enough to be grasped and explored in a way that other Indian states are not.
Goa has enjoyed a prominent place in the travellers' lexicon since the heady days of the 1960s, but the (in)famous hippies have now been replaced by backpackers, Indian visitors and package tourists on two-week jaunts from Europe. The locals are relaxed and friendly, and skirts outnumber saris.
Succulently hybrid and determinedly individual, Goa may just surprise you. It's a shame Goa comes burdened with a reputation for louche living, because there's so much more to it than sun, sand and psychedelia. The allure of Goa is that it remains quite distinct from the rest of India and is small enough to be grasped and explored in a way that other Indian states are not.
Goa has enjoyed a prominent place in the travellers' lexicon since the heady days of the 1960s, but the (in)famous hippies have now been replaced by backpackers, Indian visitors and package tourists on two-week jaunts from Europe. The locals are relaxed and friendly, and skirts outnumber saris.
Geography:
Goa is India's smallest state, bordered to the west by the Arabian Sea and to the east by Maharashtra and Karnataka states. The state can easily be split into north and south Goa, with the Mandovi River and state capital Panaji roughly in the middle. Geographically, Goa is divided into three distinct areas: the Western Ghats, a series of foothills and low mountain ranges to the east; the Midland region of laterite plateaus and plantations; and the Coastal region. The coast is around 105km (63mi) long and consists of broad beaches, scattered villages, resort developments and tidal rivers. From north to south, the main tourist beaches are: (north) Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Vagator, Anjuna, Baga-Calangute, Candolim; (south) Bogmalo, Colva, Benaulim, Cavelossim, Agonda, Palolem and Patnem.
Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT +5.5
Area: 3700
Coordinates: 15.58333 latitude and 74 longitude
Population: 1340000
Languages: A smattering of Portuguese is spoken.English is widely spoken.
Currency: Indian Rupee (Rs)
Area codes: 0832
Getting there and away
The number of charter flights headed to Goa is increasing every year. The vast majority come from the UK and Europe. You can fly direct to Goa from the UK on a seat-only charter flight or on a package trip that includes accommodation. Be aware that it is illegal to enter on a scheduled flight and out on a charter flight, and vice versa: if you enter on a charter flight, you must also leave on one. Dabolim Airport, Goa's only domestic and international airport, is in Dabolim, just outside Vasco da Gama. Numerous domestic airlines fly here from major Indian cities - as well as Indian Airlines and Jet Airways, new budget airlines such as Kingfisher Airlines and SpiceJet are providing competition. The 760km (465mi) Konkan Railway links Mumbai with Goa (10hr) and south to Mangalore (15hr). Private companies still offer the dreaded super deluxe video buses from Panaji and Margao to Mumbai (15-20hr), Mysore (16hr) and Bangalore. Buses also head east from Goa to Hampi (11hr).
Getting around
The best way to get around Goa is to hire a motorcycle or scooter, though be sure to carry the necessary paperwork (licence, registration and insurance) with you at all times because checks on foreigners are a lucrative source of baksheesh (kickbacks) for the police. If you don't know how to ride, motorcycle taxis are a legitimate and fun way of scooting between towns. Crowded buses ply between the main towns - they're dirt cheap and full of locals masquerading as sardines. Regular taxis and autorickshaws can also take you around and between most towns. Bargain hard.
Weather
The climate in Goa is not just an academic point; it affects the character, customs and culture. The main feature of the Goan climate is the monsoon between June and the end of September, which sees 250cm (98in) to 300cm (118in) of rain. During the two months preceding the onset of the monsoon, the humidity increases and the normally clear skies become hazy. High winds and lightning come just before the rain. Goans store enough firewood and food to last through the rains; fishing ceases almost entirely because of stormy conditions. Surprisingly, the temperature throughout all of this drama remains fairly constant, varying from a maximum of about 29 º C (84 º F) in July to a maximum of 33 º C (91 º F) in May, and minimums for the same months of 24 º C (75 º F) and 26.5 º C (80 º F).
Places of Interest
It's a shame Goa comes burdened with a reputation for louche living, because there's so much more to it than sun, sand and psychedelia. The allure of Goa is that it remains quite distinct from the rest of India and is small enough to be grasped and explored in a way that other Indian states are not.
Goa has enjoyed a prominent place in the travellers' lexicon since the heady days of the 1960s, but the (in)famous hippies have now been replaced by backpackers, Indian visitors and package tourists on two-week jaunts from Europe. The locals are relaxed and friendly, and skirts outnumber saris.
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