To gorge on the lip-smacking and mouth-watering Konkan and Goanese cuisine like chicken rechado and xacuti and to rock and rave in the night parties by the fire-lit sea beaches. The vast collection of diverse rocky and sand,golden or silver sand beaches spellbinds the tourists with their awe-inspiring scenic beauty.
Chapora Beach
Located 14 kms north of Panaji in the state of Goa, the Candolim Beach is a part of a long extension of beach coastline along the Arabian Sea that begins at Fort Aguada and ends at Chapora Beach. This place is also famous as it is the birth place of Abba Faria, considered to be one of Goan freedom fighters and the Father of Hypnotism.
The white sandy Candolim beach naturally beautified by the scrub-covered dunes draws a lot of tourists these days. Candolim beach offers various water-sports activities-right from parasailing to water-skiing, wind surfing and so on. Fishing is an activity for those who love peaceful and quiet environment. Yoga & meditation has also gained popularity here because of the idyllic atmosphere. Special beach excursions are also arranged in Candolim beach wherein a tourist is taken right to the core of the sea from where he can capture some memorable sunsets. Candolim's nightlife is very calm, giving a break from the chaos and commotion of other beaches.
There are a lot of makeshift bars and restaurants made from wood and palm leaves on the beachside. Tourists can stop at a small taverna (bar) for a drink of feni - a locally brewed drink made from cashew or coconut.
Major Tourist Attraction
Aguada Fort is the greatest attraction of Candolim Beach .The fort was built by the Portuguese way back in 1912 for fortification against the Dutch and the Maratha invaders. Along with the fort the church, lighthouse and the garrison of the Aguada Jail have also been a part of tourist attractions. The northern side of the fort has two beaches, one of them is Calangute and the other one is Condolim. It is one of the most visited spots in Goa. There are many resorts, villas and guest houses around this fort.
Accommodation
This beach has got a lot of inns with real good facilities. Candolim beach has also many hotels and resorts which offer extravagant stay. But it is better to stay in guest-houses since they are too expensive.
How to reach there:
There are a number of buses that help people reach Candolim from Mapusa and Calangute. The nearest interstate bus station is at Mapusa, which is the KTC bus station.
Buses from Panjim stops frequently, at the bus stand opposite to the Casa Sea Shell.The Dabolim airport provide the connectivity through air.
Aguada Beach
Aguada beach is located in the north of Goa and 4km away from Sinquerim beach in Goa. With its exotic tropical beauty the pristine Aguada beach attracts tourists all over the world and India just like bees are attracted towards fresh blossoms.
Besides the panoramic view of the fort and the beach, there are also several other things in Aguada beach that are worthy of interest. There are some wonderful churches that impress the tourists with their serene and blissful atmosphere. The silence is only perturbed by the sudden call of an unknown bird amidst nature or the crashing sound of waves and sometimes by the noisy visitors. Reis Magos that overlooks the Reis Magos church is also worth visiting as this church, built in 1555, offers a spellbinding view of the Mandovi river. After entering this church one suddenly discovers himself surrounded by colors of all possible colours because of the big windows adorned by multi-hued glasses. Reis Magos church encloses the tombs of three viceroys.
The Aguada Beach with powdery golden sand, stunning vista of blue marine waters and historical Aguada fort that tells unknown tales of its past and churches is a great destination for touring.
Sinquerim Beach
The Sinquerim Beach of Goa is located some 13 km away from Panaji and is stunningly beautiful and quieter than the other beaches of Goa. This long, extended sandy terrain that runs incessantly along the coast is ideal for taking a walk. The feel of the glistening sands and the cool water caressing the feet gives you out of the feeling. The beach is one of a series of tranquil and spectacular stretch of sand and an ideal place for swimming. The tourists come down to this beach and prefer it for its pristine and serene setting.The lovely beach of Sinquerim is one of the oldest preserved beaches in Goa. The famous fort Aguada is located near the beach. Fort Aguada was built by the Portuguese in the early 17th century Portuguese fort that was built by the Portuguese to defend themselves against any foreign attack and to control the entry of the intruders through River Mandovi.
Sinquerim beach Goa is one of the finest beaches in Goa that offers world-class water sports facilities to tourists.
Being a major tourist destination there are large number of hotels in the close environs of Sinquerim Beach. The numerous hotels and resorts near Sinquerim Beach provide the best kind of services and facilities. Moreover, there are a number of budget hotels .Hotels and Resorts near Sinquerim Beach, Goa are
Aguada Hermitage
Taj Fort Aguada
Taj Holiday Village Hotel
Taj Exotica
Whispering Palm Beach Resort
How to get there
There are lots of bus routes to reach Sinquerim. The area is also connected through waterways and air.
Vagator Beach
The Vagator beach located near Mapusa Road, North Goa and 22 km far from the state capital Panaji is less crowded and isolated compared to other Goan beaches. It boasts of pure white sand, doted with black lava rocks and swaying coconut and palm trees and lies within the backdrop of the 500-year-old Portuguese Fort and takes the visitors down the memory lane depicting the Old Portuguese era. Vagator's broad white sandy beach - Big Vagator Beach also known as "Little Vagator" is undeniably beautiful and offers picturesque vista with the red ramparts of Chapora Fort.At the southern end of the beach, a row of makeshift cafes provides shade and sustenance for a predominantly Israeli crowd. Like Anjuna, Vagator is a relaxed, comparatively undeveloped resort that appeals, in the main, to budget travellers with time on their hands. Accommodation is limited, Reaching There
The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just 22 km away from Vagator beach in Goa. There are frequent buses to Panaji and Mapusa from Vagator.
Accomodation
Once at Vagator beach, there is not too much of choice for staying except for a few guesthouses, or houses on rent. During the peak tourist season, one might find trouble finding an accommodation here, and so, at that time, Calangute and Baga can be a better destination. Road, which passes a few small guesthouses and restaurants before running down to the sea.
Eating out
Vagator's many cafes and restaurants are scattered along the main road and the back lanes that lead to Ozran Beach. There are also several seafood joints behind Big Vagator Beach, one or two of which serve Indian dishes in addition to the usual fish rich Goan specialties.
Palolem Beach
The Palolem Beach is located about 2-km West of Chaudi, Canacona District of South Goa and is also known as the "Paradise Beach". It was amongst the virgin beaches of Goa which remained secluded from the tourists' eyes until a few years back, but now it is gradually becoming commercialized and developed since tourists have started pouring in. It is the place of glorious sunsets and stunning sunrises with backdrop of Western Ghats situated in Southern Taluka of Canacona. The enthralling Paolem Beach instills in us a feeling of tranquility that is one of the major attribute of this serene Goa beach.
The Paolem beach has a crescent shaped bay lined with swaying coconut palms bordered by a pair of steep rugged cliffs. At the northern end of the beach is a fresh water stream. Across this stream is a tiny, young island that can be accessed by just swimming across during low tide. The arched white sand beach is picturesque with thatched palm huts. One can stay in these palm huts on the beach with a campfire burning at night and can have dinner under the spectacular stars. The other attractions on this beach are the Dolphin cruises and the fishing trips which are offered at quite affordable rates.
Tourists can fill their stomachs exotic Goa cuisine that is available with the beach shacks and stalls. Tourists also experience the cultural heritage of this place by watching the traditional folk dance. The major attractions nearby this beach are Agonda and Chaudi. One can have a private tete-a-tete with nature at its utmost beauty in Paolem Beach of Goa.
How to Reach There:
There are Buses that run between Margao and Karwar. Number of buses comes to Palolem daily from Margao.
Accomodation
One can find tents, guesthouses, simple rooms in the local family homes, etc at this beach. Tourists can also stay in the palm-thatched huts on the beach. La Raja Little Village is the luxurious resort where tourists can also enjoy their stay.
Last Updated on: 20th March 2013
