Rediff On The NeT Travel; A travel feature on Goa, India.


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The golden land of Goa -- with its virginal white beaches, ancient Portuguese mansions, tiny drowsy villages and lush wooded hills -- is perhaps the most magnificent 3,702 sq km of Asia. What sets the 102 km coastline of Goa apart from other beach paradises is the laid-back, don't-care-be-happy of the punch-drunk Goans, who when they are not snoring off sarpotel lunches, are ready to break into song and dance at any hour of the day. Extraordinarily warm and exuberant, the Goans are famous for their hospitality. Equally unique are the Portuguese influences that colour the language, the landscape, the food and the culture of the place.

Born: Goa is said to have its own special place in Hindu mythology as the wonderful land of Gomant that rose out of the sea after Parasurama aka Vishnu shot an arrow from the Western Ghats... Goa history.

Population: 1.3 million

Languages: English is widely spoken and understood. Konkani and Hindi are the other languages used for communication.

Time: Five and a half hours ahead of GMT.

Climate: Maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is upto 900 mm in the monsoons.

Best times to visit: The weather between November and February is cool and pleasant and the tourist season in Goa. March to May can be very hot and uncomfortable. June to September is lovely, green and lush but very wet.

Dress Sense: Casual clothing. Goa is perhaps the only place in India where shorts and tank tops and skimpy outfits are not frowned upon anywhere except at religious locations.

Be wary of: Paying extra high prices. Haggling is a must. For a travel health advisory click here.

Inputs for this section from G Rahul in Panjim. Pictures are courtesy Dinodia Picture Agency.

Landmarks Where to stay Where to eat Where to

shop Where the the fun is Info you can use Getting around Goa

Getting to Goa