Goa -The smallest state in India with an area of 3,702 square kilometers is located on the West coast between Maharashtra and Karnataka, and is one of the prime destinations on the domestic and foreign tourist circuits. This has something to do with the joie de vivre of the place, but there are more specific reasons.
 
Goa has all kinds of beaches, from the popular, lively and noisy to the pristine and secluded. It has excellent seafood and the much-loved Kaju Feni (traditional local liquor made from the cashew fruit). It has some of the most beautiful churches in the country. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its exquisite baroque architecture and history, is one example. Goa also has numerous temples dedicated to deities ranging from Shree Bhagawati to Brahma to Kalikadevi, worshipped with equal gusto.

ACCESS

By  Air

Goa is easily assessable by air. There is an international airport at Dabolim, 30 km from the capital, Panaji. Several overseas charter companies as well as most domestic airlines have flights to Dabolim. The regular domestic connections are from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi and Chennai. 

From the airport to your hotel or to any of the townsyou can catch a cab or a metered taxi. 

By Rail

The two main railway stations are Margao (Madgaon) and Vasco da Gama. There are trains coming from all the major cities of India. From other places in the north, east and southeast you can travel to Londa Junction and then transfer to a connecting train to Margao/Vasco da Gama.

 By Road

Renting a car and being independent is really the best thing, but the buses are pretty good too. Bus connections are available to Mumbai, Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore, Pune, and other important tourist destinations in the region, operated by the Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra Road Transport Corporations and some private operators. Air-conditioned bus services are also available on some of the routes.

The best time to visit Goa is between late October and early April. The peak tourist season is from mid-December to mid-January, when the weather is near perfect, with daytime temperatures rarely goes beyond 32° C. People from all over the world visit Goa at this time of the year, so be sure to have made your hotel bookings well in advance as accommodation prices are very high. Christmas and New Years is celebrated through out Goa with a lot of gusto and everyone literally lets down their hair to be part of these celebrations.

The Goa Carnival festival is held in late February or early March and this again is a great time to be in Goa. The festivities are filled with music and dancing, pageants and parades! 

June & July are the monsoon months in Goa. Although really wet, Goa looks beautiful and lush and while swimming in the sea is not recommended, the flip side is that there are not too many tourists around so hotel prices are bottomed out. Take advantage of the low prices and visit Goa in the monsoons for a very different experience!

Climate
Goa is warm and humid throughout the year, with little variation in the temperatures, which stay around 28°-33° C (average maximum temps). You can expect it to rain heavily during the months of June through August, with July receiving as much as 133 cm. The rains taper off by early October and the months between November and February are usually dry.

Shopping in Goa is all about buying local handicrafts that are available throughout the state. At Anjuna Market you can buy handicrafts from all over India. Anjuna Market takes place every Wednesday from October onwards throughout the high-season, from around 09:00am to 06:00pm. It was the hippies who brought about the trend of the flea market at Anjuna beach during the late 1960s, and it's just been getting bigger and better ever since.

Ingo’s night market at Arpora on Saturdays is a fun place to go to besides the great shopping; there is entertainment in terms of music performers and food vendors. Bardez & Bicholim are shops in Goa where one can buy bamboo articles, woodwork, pottery, and metal work items; traditional embroidery at Panaji; decorative candles at Sanquelim and lacquer work at Cuncolin.

NOTE:  Beware of the female stall-owners who can get a bit pushy, and may even grab you around the wrist  & would keep asking  you to buy the products.

Please dont forget to bargain as the items are highly priced & you can get a really good deal after a little bargaining.

There are varieties of things you can  do in Goa for both adventour & fun.If you are shopaholics will also not be disappointed in Goa. The long stretches of golden sand and the pandemonium of the waves will captivate you. Apart from beaches, the old state of Goa has several forts, churches, monastery and cathedrals to visit. 

Water sports are the most popular activity in Goa and are available through local operators on most beaches.

Parasailing - This involves flying by means of a special parachute called a parasail, which is towed by a speedboat via a 300-feet rope. The parasailor takes position on land attached to the parasail harness, and when the speedboat takes off, he or she takes just one or two steps ahead and is swiftly lifted into the air by the parasail.

Jet Skiing - The most adventurous water sport in Goa is Jet Skiing. The sport is very popular among tourists and it can set your adrenalin rushing. Jet skiing requires a jet powered water scooter that is accelerated by a powerful engine.

Water Scooter -If you love to feel the ocean waves splashing across your face while rushing through water, water skiing is just the right option. Water scooters accommodate two people at a time and provide all the fun of a motorbike at sea.

Banana and Ringo Rides - Banana and Ringo rides are the latest additions and the most delightful of water sports in Goa. Your entire family can go on a Banana ride, trying to balance, and manoeuvre a giant inflated banana-shaped float, often flailing into the water! Ringo rides are for individuals, who can go adrift on inflated rings that are tossed and turned by choppy waters.

Windsurfing - Windsurfing combines elements of surfing and sailing. It consists of a windsurfing board, usually two to four metres long, powered by the wind. Dona Paula bay is considered an ideal location for beginners.

Dinghy sailing - Dinghy sailing is also a popular water sport in Goa. It is almost like wind surfing but does not require as much effort as wind surfing. The gentle winds of Goa are highly conducive to sailing in these 15-feet long sailboats. Again, Dona Paula is one of the best places to try this sport.

Scuba Diving - While underwater visibility in Goa is limited, the waters teem with a wide range of fish species and coral that you must not miss. The shallow depth of the continental shelf limits diving to 24 metres, greatly reducing risk of decompression sickness. The waters around Grand Island are ideal for diving; popular diving sites here are Suzy's Wreck, Davy Jones Locker, Sail Rock, Turbo Tunnel, Surge City, Uma Guma Reef and Bounty Bay.

Swimming - The waters around Goan beaches are warm and mostly safe, making swimming the most welcoming, accessible sport around.

You can enjoy the festivities of the Winter Carnival – Goa’s most popular event that features lots of music, dance and merriment. Satiate your hunger at local shacks on the beach side or some fine dining restaurants that offer authentic and scrumptious varieties of sea-foods. 

Getting around in Goa

The city bus service is quite good  and it can almost take you anywhere in Goa, you want to go. 

Mostly people prefer to rent their own transport and cars, MUVs and mini buses are all available. 
You can enjoy the motorbike taxi,which is the only of its kind in India.These taxis are motorbikes, which carry a pillion rider for very acceptable traveling cost.

Traveling can be  more easier & enjoyable, if you can rent a two-wheeler! The most popular choice is the Enfield. You can get them on rent  on daily or monthly basis depending on your needs. 

Apart from the authorized rentals, two-wheelers can be found easily by shop and stall owners who rent them out at very reasonable rates,they just need to know your place of stay.

Note: It is advised to carry a valid driving license with you & it is warned that the rented bikes from the authorized rentals will have no documents & insurance. 

Beaches (South Goa)

Betalbatim Beach - The picturesque beach of Betalbatim also known as Sunset Beach, is a small stretch of beach that has emerged as one of the thriving beach destinations of Goa. It is located about 8 kilometers from downtown Margaon and is easily recognizable by the presence of cold pine groves. The beach is the perfect place for seeing dolphins and various species of birds.

Palolem Beach - This is a cozy beach with white sand facing a blue bay between two headlands. Palolem has lately been popular for its "Silent Noise" parties that do away with loud blaring music after 10 pm, allowing people access to DJ music on headphones.

Agonda Beach - With its white sands, palms and casuarinas, Agonda is a quiet, lonely beach with almost no tourists, no vendors and no restaurants.

Colva Beach - Colva is a busy beach with all modern amenities like air-conditioned resort complexes, tourist cottages, discotheques, food and shopping stalls.

Majorda, Bogmalo, Benaulim, Arossim and Varca are other interesting beaches in south Goa. Arossim is particularly preferred for its excellent water sports.

Beaches (North Goa)

Sinquerim Beach - Sinquerim is the first in the series of North Goa's beaches, starting from Fort Aguada with amazing facilities for water sports. This is one of the finest beaches in Goa with world-class facilities for water-skiing, parasailing, fishing, scuba-diving and wind-surfing.

Calangute Beach - A sedate fishing village in the '70s, Calangute is today known as the 'Queen of Goan Beaches'. Fringed by windswept palms and popular restaurants and food shacks, it is thronged by people all through the year. This bustling place is a good beach to start out with in Goa.

Baga Beach - The beautiful Baga is a continuation of Calangute Beach towards the north and is extremely popular among tourists. The beach's sand is believed to have natural curative properties, leading to tourists smearing the wet sand all over their body.

Vagator Beach - Vagator Beach is probably the most photographed beach in Goa. The northern half of this picturesque beach faces a bay that curves from the headland to a hillock, crowned by the Chapora Fort. It is a favourite venue for midnight parties during peak tourist season.

Anjuna Beach - This beach was famous for the 'flower power and peace' generation of the '60s and for its trance parties. The attractions include its soft sand, unusual rock formations and the weekly flea market where you get almost anything from apparel and jewellery to yak cheese and hookahs.

Candolim Beach - This serene beach is very popular among international tourists. It is a peaceful retreat, ideal for sunbathing and water sports, thanks to its proximity to the more popular beaches such as Calangute and Baga.

Morjim Beach - This is an unusual beach where you can see Olive Ridley turtles and signboards and menu cards in Russian as it's a favourite hangout for Russian tourists.

Arambol Beach - is another popular hangout among foreign tourists with all sorts of Tai chi, henna, tattoo, yoga and meditation services available.

Fort Aguada - Fort Aguada is located on Sinquerim Beach. It was built in the 17th century by the Portuguese to defend themselves against the Dutch and the Marathas. This historic fort offers panoramic views of the beaches around and even has a lighthouse on the property.

Mapusa - Mapusa is the capital of the district of Bardez. It is famous for its weekly Friday bazaars where one can buy anything from fruits and vegetables to a wide variety of handicraft and souvenirs.

Basilica of Bom Jesus - One of the most popular churches in Goa, the Basilica of Bom Jesus is located in Old Goa which was the capital city during the rule of the Portugese. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous for the preserved mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier.

Mary Immaculate Conception Church - One of the earliest Churches to be constructed in Goa, this is one of the most famous landmarks here. Tourists come to the Mary Immaculate Conception Church to feel blessed and to marvel at the magnitude of its architecture.

Dudhsagar Waterfalls - The Dudhsagar waterfalls are located in the Sanguem district of Goa near the Goa-Karnataka border, at a distance of around 60 kilometers from Margao.

Sahakari Spice Farm - Located at a distance of just 2 kilometers from Ponda, the Sahakari spice plantation is famous for its farms and fruits. One of the most unique spices grown here is vanilla. The farm is spread over 130 acres and also has two small streams flowing right through it.

Abyss Spice Farm - This spice plantation near Ponda is located on high mountains amidst stunning surroundings. Many tourists visit the Abyss spice plantation as it is famous for the medicinal herbs that are grown here on a large scale.

Savoi Spice Plantation - This spice plantation is located at a distance of around 10 kilometers from Ponda. The main spices grown here are cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, basil, nutmeg and pepper. The cashew distillation unit is an added attraction here.

Night life

Goa is the land of sun, sand and surf, is a tourist paradise which caters a tremendous amount of opportunities to fun and enjoy.As the sun sets, the real Goa wakes up! Here you can sit and enjoy the live performances or even you can dance all night on the amazing rhythms at any one of Goa’s club.
There are lots of things to do in Goa, as here you can try your luck at any of the fascinating casinos of Goa or can spend a mesmerizing night at Goa’s Nightclubs which can take you to the dream world of cocktails and tequilas.
Night Clubs / Discos in Goa

Goa is famous for its night clubs and discotheques all over the world. The pubs and discotheque in North Goa are - 

Tito’s  A thundering dance floor, electrifying lights and pulsating music sets Club Tito's on fire every Saturday night. One of the first and most popular discothèques in Goa, Tito's is invariably known to music and party lovers all over the world and needs no introduction. Local and foreign tourists holidaying regularly in Goa, may not know the name of the city they are in but can definitely tell when they are nearing the famous ‘Tito's lane'!
Tito's is located off the main road towards Baga beach in Goa.
Popular DJs from all over India and abroad set foot here to spin on some reverberating music tracks that set the dance floor ablaze! Various genres of music ranging from house to hip hop are played here. Alcoholic drinks are served at the bar counters with smartly clad bar men doing an interesting bit of flair bartending. Comfy sofas are provided, ideally for those who choose to take a breather from the dance floor throbbing with music till the wee hours of the morning. Open air parties are also held here during the months of November and December

Kamaki is a Retro Bar outside and club indoors and is located on one of the busiest and the most vibrant streets Tito's Lane. Two bars.The outdoor section has live musicians or DJ's who play retro and old skool tracks everyday from 6 pm till midnight and also two huge projector screens showing International football and cricket matches and Formula One. Kamaki is open all day for drinks

Paradisio is at Anjuna Beach. It  is a popular night club that is filled with old time ravers and musicians. It is the most spectacular clubs in Goa and is perfect for those who love to booze and dance all night. 

Cafe Mambo’s is known for its unique theme nights and late hour parties. This is one of the most crowd pulling nightclub on Baga and is open for 6 pm till 3 am. Mondays is Jungle Night with prizes for the best jungle attire. Retro nights on Tuesday are for 1970s and 1980s beats. Wednesday is free for women at Mambo's. Thursday is Karaoke Night and Friday is Hip-Hop. Saturday is the biggest night of the week, with Party Nite at Tito's. Sunday is Pirate Nite, with prizes for the best dressed pirate.

Club Cabana in North Goa is on the Arpora Hill and is famous for its elite crowds. Open on all night, this night club has a different DJ every night. The charges of the club is Rs 500 for men and Rs 900 for a couple (drinks included). The club also has a swimming pool, where guests can enjoy free massages. 

Casinos in Goa 

Goa is the only state in India, where gambling can be enjoyed. Since there is a ban on opening Casinos on land, these Goan casinos operate only on sea. Please note that all the casino follow their own dress code, so it is important for the tourist to follow them or else entry to the casino can be denied. 

On Shore Casinos in Goa includes all those casinos that are located inside a hotel. The most popular  are Las Vegas Casino in the Leela Resort (open 24 hours, dress code - Smart Casual), Chances Casino in Vainguinim Valley Resort (open 24 hours, known to be among the 5 best casions in Goal), Treasure Casino in Majorda Beach Resort (Dress: Smart Casuals. No Slippers, Shorts and Sleeveless T-Shirts allowed) and Mint Club Casino in Rivera De Goa Resort (open 24 hours and dress code is smart casuals). 

Offshore Casinos
 

Caravela is the most known casino in Goa that operates 215 ft. long cruise ship and can accommodate 300 people. The games that can be enjoyed here are American Roulette, Black Jack, Rummy, Stud Poker, Baccarat, Pontoon and Flash.

Casino Royale Goa is another popular casino offering games like American Roulette, Black Jack, 5 Card Draw Poker, 3 Card Poker, Baccarat and Pontoon. Renowned as being India’s largest off shore entertainment vessel, the casino is open from 6 in the evening till 8 in the morning.

King’s Casino,  is also  a revered name in the gambling world of Goa.You can enjoy gaming activities like American Roulette, Black Jack, 5 Card Draw Poker, 3 Card Poker, Baccarat, Pontoon, Slot Machines including video poker. The casino is open from 8pm to 8am. The ship floats on the Mondovi river and has a guest capacity of 150 members. 
Smart casuals or formals are the most common dress code of the casinos.