Visit to Goa

Has anyone visited Goa? If you have any information on this wonderful holiday resort, please share it with me. Anything from good hotels, to markets, places to visit and any good tips.

Hi,

My visit to Goa is atleast thrice a year. I would suggest Haathi Mahal at Cavelossim Beach. I am sure you will enjoy your stay here. The Royal Resort at Baga beach is also good. Goa is fun for beach lovers. You can hit the beach the whole day and laze around.

I want to visit Goa from Chennai for about 4 days. Can anyone please suggest where to go and the most important places there. I am not religious type, so I am looking for beaches and fun activites only.
But I am so confused as the internet has so much to say about Goa, there is North Goa, there is South Goa, there are different cites , Panaji, Margoa, Mapusa and Vasco. There are hundreds of beaches too.
Since I am visiting for the first time, I have no idea where to head.
Can anyone please help? Thanks

Dear all,
my inlaws r staying Goa for the past 25 yrs,but at present with me.
hi Teju,from chennai if u come by train 1st go to Panjim,stay there in Panjim residency,panjim is in the north goa,nearest important places r calangute beach,Donapaala,miramar beach(u have miramar residency also, just infront of miramar beach,in that hotel only i celeb' my wedding reception,nice location)

hi Vivbass
Thanks for your suggestions. I will try these places.

hi Teju,sorry current cut so i stopped in the middle,now u can see in detail.
1st u go to north Goa stay there for 2 days, Panjim(capital) there u can stay in Panjim residency,mapusa residency,Miramar residency,lots of 5 star hotels also there,ex.fidalgo,cidadegoa & Taj.
In panjim u can enjoy mandhavi river cruise,calangute beach,miramar beach,fort aguda,Donapala(famous for water sports),Vagator beach,anjuna beach.
In old Goa, famous St.Francis Xavier ,10km.
In south goa,Margao commercial town near colva beach,paloleum beach(abt 40km margaon). Vasco port city with mechanised ore handling plant for loading ships with iron ore, 30 km from Margao/Panjim.
if u r interested go to Mangeshi shiva temple(play singer Lata mangeshkar).
famous for Kaju(cashewnut,u'll get good cashews)
i hope i have given some details according my inlaws knowledge.
Note: from March to May is the season,so book the hotel in advance soon. if u r interested to enjoy only rain, Jun to sep' is rainy season(but u can't roam much,last yr in rainy season,i was there for 2 months,not even a single day iam able to travel,heavy rain ).
Best choice is go for package tour,that north goa tour,south goa tour & old goa tour. they'll finish it in a single day.i.e,nrothgoa in a single day,south goa in another day,old goa in another day. the hotel where u r styaing they'll give u the pamplet so no probs...
enjoymaadi

Hi Teju

Hope you have read the details that I have sent through PM.. I visit Goa thrice a year..

Yes, Malspie. I saw your PM. Thanks. I replied back to you. I will try to cover all teh places you have mentioned, Thanks a lot for your help.

Hi Vivbass,
Thanks a lot!! That was very helpful. I will combine your notes with Malspies and take a printout and keep with me for reference there in Goa, if I am able to make it on time.
Thanks a lot.
Teju

HI:

You have got a quite few inputs already and here are some of mine.

We found it convenient to base ourselves in Panjim and move around. Prainha and O' Pescador are 2 resorts in Dona Paula. They have a cove like area, which makes swimming in the sea enjoyable. They have nice and cosy atmosphere and pools within the resort as well. Drawback - food is just average. But with Panjim city area not far away, food is not a problem.

Some good restaurants in Panjim - Navtara, Shiv sagar, Delhi durbar, Satkar and Hotel Kamat. All vegetarian. For chinese - Goenchin is a great place. Souza Lobo used to be a nice place in Calangute beach but not sure now - heard the management has changed.

In south Goa, Varca beach resort run by Usha Martin is lovely. You can try adventure sports like parasailing, etc, run by next door Ramada Inn. The beach here is quite peaceful compared to the crowded Calangute, etc. I loved the soft sand there!

Handicrafts -
Goa state emporium - Panjim and shops in the local market.
Unusual spot - Big Foot 10 kms from Madgao - showcases Goa arts and crafts and culture as well.
Flea markets around the beaches of Calangute, Colva and Baga.

Goa's own famous fashion designer, Wendell Rodericks has his showroom in central Panjim close to Goa cultural academy (which sometimes has exhibitions). Closeby is the Miramar beach which is nice to walk along and pass some time in the evening.

Typical foreign tourist season runs from October right upto February. So to avoid them, the best time to visit Goa is March to May. June onwards, it's monsoons. We visited goa in monsoons last year which is nice if you don't mind missing the beaches altogether! We did the river boat cruise though, it was quite enjoyable.

That more or less sums up what I wanted to write.

Sindhu