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Goa Tourism: Guide For Family Trips To Goa

Introduction

Located on the west coast of India along the Arabian Sea, Goa is famous for its beaches and nightlife. Apart from the beaches, there are many other places to visit and fun activities to enjoy in Goa. A perfect blend of Eastern and Western culture with a strong Portuguese influence, it is an ideal place for a family holiday.

Goa Tourism has ensured that the place attracts a steady flow of tourists throughout the year by working closely with local businesses. So next time you have a trip to Goa in mind, don’t forget to check out all that Goa Tourism has to offer.

Places to visit in Goa

There are tourist destinations in it that are very popular among vacationers. 

Calangute Beach: Your trip to Goa will not be complete without a trip to Calangute Beach. It is full of commercial establishments like shacks and food stalls. It is also very popular for various water sports. 

Aguada Fort: One of the tourist places in Goa that you must definitely visit with your family is Aguada Fort. The Portuguese built the fort to thwart Maratha and Dutch invasions by preventing ships from entering the Mandovi River. Fort Aguada is open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Anjuna Beach: Another must-visit Goa tourist spot is Anjuna Beach. The amazingly beautiful beach with white sand and coconut palms is perfect for relaxing and sunbathing. It is also very popular for its moonlit rave beach parties that attract tourists from all over the world. You can also explore other attractions around the beach.

Dudhsagar Falls: One of the major tourist destinations in Goa that cannot be missed is the Dudhsagar Falls. Said to be one of the tallest waterfalls in India, the white water cascading down from a height of nearly 1017 feet is truly breathtaking. Legend has it that a prince walked by while the princess was bathing in the lake. Her maids used to pour milk in a cascade in front of her as a curtain to preserve her modesty and thus the Dudhsagar waterfall got its name.

Varca Beach: Peaceful and tranquil, Varca Beach is a stretch of stunning white sand and sparkling blue waters. The sand is dotted with beautiful black lava stones and is surrounded by tall palm trees and other beautiful greenery. You can also enjoy dolphin watching on the Sal River. In certain areas you will also find fishing boats that are home to local fishermen.

Things to do in Goa

If you thought your trip to Goa was all about the beaches, you’d be missing out on a lot more that Goa has to offer. Your Goa travel plan must include several other things such as

Water Sports:

With all the beaches and water, it’s no surprise that it has a number of adventurous water sports activities that you can enjoy. Snorkel at Bogmalo, Calangute, Baga beaches; jet skis at Colva, Anjuna, Calangute, Baga, Aguada and Candolim beaches; enjoy the thrill of white water rafting in Valpoi, Mhadea and Mando River; and more.

Wildlife Sanctuary:

If you are a nature and animal lover, then make sure you visit Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in Mollem and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary in Cotigao.

Churches/Temples:

Rich in heritage, it is home to many famous churches and temples and some have even been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Churches like Bom Jesus Basilica which has the remains of St. Francis Xavier, Se Cathedral dedicated to St. Catherine or temples like Mangeshi Temple, ShantaDurga Temple among others are must-sees.

Hot Air Balloon Ride:

Goa Tourism has exclusively partnered with Tiger Balloon Safaris to provide hot air balloon rides in Chandor, South Goa. A truly luxurious and unforgettable experience, you get a clear and stunning 360 degree view of the surrounding areas. The pilot takes you up to 2,500 feet in the air while the ground crew follows the balloon so they can be ready for you when you land.

Best time to visit Goa

The ideal season to visit Goa is (From November to February). The weather is calm and pleasant and one can enjoy all the attractions of Goa. All tourist places of Goa are open during this time. However, this is the high season, it is usually very crowded and expensive.

If you love nature and lush greenery, then July to September is the perfect time to visit Goa. Most of the water activities are closed but some like white water rafting, trekking, visiting nature reserves etc. can be enjoyed. Thanks to the low season, you can also enjoy discounts and low prices.

How to reach Goa

Traveling to Goa is really easy as it is well connected by air, train and road.

Air: The nearest and only airport is Dabolim, which is approximately 29 kilometers from Panaji.

Train: The railway stations in Goa are Vasco da Gama and Margao which are very well connected. The Konkan Railway connects the west coast and the South Western Railway connects the south. Trains also run regularly from Delhi.

Road: It is connected to other cities by four national highways. Government company Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Kadamba Transport Corporation operate buses for Goa.

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