Travel Guide to Goa

Location

Goa is located on the western coast of the Indian Peninsula and separated from Maharashtra by the Terekhol River to the north, Karnataka to the south, the Western Ghats in the east, and the Arabian Sea to the west.

Shopping

The excellent local handicrafts of Goa are easily the most popular souvenir items and include brassware, terracotta, shell work, crochet, carved furniture, bamboo work and papier-mache. Another item which is on the list of every traveller to Goa is a packet of the region’s famed cashew nuts. These are available practically everywhere. The nuts are available in a wide variety of tastes including plain, salted and masala. There are also many recently opened lifestyle and fashion shops, many of which are located in fabulous old Goan houses which have been painstakingly restored. These shops offer an excellent selection of home styling and fashion available at very reasonable prices.

It is also a fascinating experience to visit the traditional markets of the Goan towns and villages. These markets are a mirror of the ethnic culture of the area and provide a glimpse into the traditional ways of doing business. Two of the most famous market areas are Mapusa and Anjuna. The Friday market at Mapusa features stalls selling everything from curios and old coins to dried fish and spices. The Wednesday ‘Hippy’ market at Anjuna Beach started by foreign residents is an extremely lively spot where souvenirs, beachwear, trinkets and handicrafts are sold at bargain prices. The charm of shopping in Goa lies in bargaining to your heart’s content until you finally bring down the price!

Geography

Goa’s is blessed with the verdant hills of the Western Ghats, rolling and undulating plains, long inviting beaches, several rivers and numerous natural springs that are believed to have healing properties. It has a variety of physical features that make it a unique tourist destination.

Goa has a plentiful supply of water. There are several major rivers and numerous streams that flow through the region. Most of the rivers are navigable and of tremendous economic importance through the transportation of ores for export.

The estuary of the Mandovi River, the largest of Goa’s seven rivers, divides the state. Emanating from the Western Ghats also known as the Sahaydri Range, the river flows past mangroves, rice paddy fields and coconut and cashew plantations. Goa also has a diverse wildlife, with five nature sanctuaries accounting for about 20% of Goa’s total land area.

History

Goa ’s history stretches back to the 3rd century BC, when it formed part of the Mauryan empire. Later, at the beginning of the Christian era, it was ruled by the Satavahanas of Kolhapur. Control eventually passed to the Chalukyans of Badami, who ruled from 580 to 750 AD. Goa fell to the Muslims for the first time in 1312, but the invaders were forced out in 1370 by Harihara I of the Vijayanagar empire.

Blessed as it is with natural harbours and wide rivers, Goa was the ideal base for the seafaring Portuguese, who arrived in 1510. They aimed to control the spice route from the east and had a strong desire to spread Christianity. Jesuit missionaries, led by St Francis Xavier, arrived in 1542.

Goa’s golden age came with the eventual ousting of the Turks, who controlled the trade routes across the Indian Ocean, and the resultant fortunes made from the spice trade. The colony became the hub of the Portuguese empire of the east. However, competition from the British, French and Dutch in the 17th century, combined with Portugal’s inability to adequately service its far-flung empire, led to a decline. The Marathas almost vanquished the Portuguese in the late 18th century, and there was a brief occupation by the British during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.

The beginnings of a Goan independence movement were felt as early as the late 19th century, but began in earnest when the Portuguese monarchy collapsed in 1910. The new Portuguese elite, however, were as determinedly imperialist as their predecessors and countenanced no internal dissent or external Indian approaches until Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru finally ordered an invasion on 17 December 1961.

Goa has, since independence, struggled to define its role within India on its own terms. Initial moves to assimilate the region into neighbouring states and to drop Konkani as the official regional language were resisted. Instead, in May 1987, Goa became India’s 25th state and Konkani was recognised as one of the country’s official languages.

Climate

Goa’s climate makes it a suitable place for visiting at any time of the year. The region enjoys moderate temperatures with negligible variations in different seasons. May is the hottest month while January and February are the coldest. There is a prevalence of tropical weather during the rest of the year. The Southwest Monsoon brings rain to Goa between June and September. July is the month that receives the maximum amount of rainfall while February is normally the driest month.

Basic Information

Language
Konkani, Marathi, Portuguese, English

Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)

Electricity
220V, 50Hz AC

Banks
Banks are open from 10:00am until 2:00pm, Monday to Friday, and from 10:00am until 12:30pm on Saturdays.

Driving
Driving is on the left-hand side

Time difference
GMT +5.5 hours.

Tipping and local customs
Visitors are sometimes expected to part with a small cash incentive, known as ‘baksheesh’ to ensure certain services, but large amounts are not expected and five to ten rupees is enough. Taxi drivers and staff at hotels should be tipped at your discretion.

Water
Avoid drinking un-boiled water, lassi, yogurt and yogurt-drinks, milk shakes or roadside ’limboo-sodh’ (lime juice and club soda). Always carry and drink bottled water. Remember that ice is made from water and as such, is a potential source of infection.

Tourist Board information
www.goatourism.org

Visas
All travellers to Goa currently require a visa. There is an Indian consulate in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Dublin. For more information visit www.hcilondon.org

What makes it so special?

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. Today, Goa is a curious blend of the Indian and Portuguese. Small taverns, old-fashioned plazas and wayside crosses are found alongside Hindu temples. Then there is the delicious local cuisine – a blend of Konkan, Portuguese and Bahamini Nawabi, not to forget the truly Goan feni.

Goa ’s best-known feature is its lovely languorous golden beaches that stretch across the 60 mile-long coastline. While some of them are well prepared for tourists and appointed with every facility, be it hotels and resorts, beach shacks and small restaurants serving delicious but affordable food, or beach bazaars, the others are sandy and isolated retreats perfect for unwinding and relaxing.

Where to visit?

The international beach community of Anjuna with its famous Wednesday ‘hippy’ market.

Panaji, the lovely state capital, which has retained its Portuguese heritage and exudes an aura more reminiscent of the Mediterranean than of India.

Bondola Wildlife Sanctuary in the lush foothills of the Western Ghats is a good place to see sambar and wild boar, and a fine place to escape from the beach culture of the coast. It boasts a botanical garden, a fenced deer park and a zoo.

Chapora, with its a patchwork of coconut palms and the enigmatic character of Chapora village, still displaying the typical Goan way of life.

Most Popular Tours

Panaji city tour
Estuary tour and wildlife spotting
Tours of local churches and colonial towns