Goa is famous for its beaches, ancient temples and churches and the Goan carnival. It was a major stop on the “Hippy Trail” in the 1960s and 1970s and it remains a draw for backpackers and hippy types but now also attracts expats and holiday makers. Goa was a Portuguese colony until 1962, and is famous for its Indo-Portuguese culture and architecture.
Goa’s beaches are littered with shacks that serve ice cold beer and spicy Goan cuisine. It is very easy to find cheap accommodation in a beach resort or hotel very close to the beach. It’s worth asking if any beach you visit is suitable for swimming as some have strong undercurrents and other hazards.
The long stretches of more than two dozen beaches, options for numerous adventure sports and an excellent tropical climate make Goa a perfect holiday destination. But there is more to Goa than just sand, surf and enticing beaches. Try Goan Feni, visit the bustling flea market, rave parties by the beachside and excellent Seafood, these experiences have all made Goa a huge hit with tourists and backpackers. Goa is now a fashionable destination for the elite in India who come both on business and pleasure trips.
It’s a great mixture of Indian & Portuguese history, in a tropical setting, with a lively cosmopolitan feel to it. An unique blend of Latin and Oriental, incredibly rich in monuments and historical sites, dazzling variety of exotic flora and fauna, lush green hinterland, rivers and adventure sports that will make sure no one will be left bored, more likely you will be asking what to do next. The visual beauty of Goa makes it an increasingly popular destination for tropical beach weddings and honeymoons.
Driving through peaceful villages, the sea on one side, paddies and plantations on the other, is an essential Goa experience. There is a timeless charm. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that whilst combining two very different cultures, it has retained its inherent soul.
With a tropical climate, the best time to visit Goa is from mid July to late September or late November to mid February.