Goa
Good things come in small packages. But the amazing ones come in tiny microdots. A microdot, that’s how big Goa actually is on this massive geo-mass called India.Nestled in a 3,702 sq km tiny pocket in the Sahyadri mountain range on the Western Coast of India, Goa has been a destination for pleasure seekers all over the world. Put on the world map by the hippies or the flower children as they are more affectionately called, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, tourism in Goa has never looked back since.
While the tourism world looks at Goa purely as a beach destination abiding by the proverbial ‘sun and sand’ dictum, what ‘www.letsgoplaces.in’ has tried to do is dig deeper into the sand and bring to the reader the other hidden riches which Goa is a virtual storehouse of. By listing a more comprehensive database on Goa’s for the traveler, we are throwing the space wide open for the traveler, who can now enjoy a much more comprehensive holiday, with more options and diversity than any portal can offer. There is more to Goa than just beaches and booze. So if you are planning a trip to Goa, set your thinking hat aside. All you need to do is trawl through the Goa section in www.letsgoplaces.in. And don’t forget to checkout the exclusive comprehensive guide on "Reaching Goa" !
Beaches: Beaches run all along Goa’s length of 101 km coastline. These beautiful sandy stretches are interspersed with glistening green rivers, which feed the interiors. From the buzzing Colva beach in the South to the virtually desolate Triacol beach in the North, the range of Goa’s shores is endless, where the traveler can have both, a slice of solace and a dash of night-life, all at the same time. Beaches form the hub of Goa’s tourism, attracting lakhs of tourists each year. There must be some reason why the whole world flocks here…. Check the Beaches in Goa.
Churches: The Portuguese influence in Goa is unmistakable. Unlike the British who ruled India for a little more than 250 years, the Portuguese were in Goa for more than 400 years. Most of the churches in Goa were built by the Portuguese and are fine specimens of architecture of the 1500 circa. The church complex built around the Bom Basilica in Old Goa is Goa’s second biggest tourism revenue grosser after the beaches. Old Goa was once the capital of the Portuguese empire in South Asia and they had adorned it with pride. Its visible even now.
Temples: Much contrary to popular perception, Hindus are a majority population group in Goa. With the advent of the Portuguese and subsequent campaigns of conversions, a lot of deities were shifted out of their ancient temples. Ponda is one such place, which emerged as a hub for these temples, which are held in high reverence by the locals. The architecture is distinctly Goan and unique. The oldest temple in Goa at Tambde Surla, is a beautifully ancient stone structure known to date back to the Mahabharata.
Wild Life Sanctuaries: Not for nothing has Goa emerged as one of the ‘rain drop tourism’ hot spots in the country. Goa has as many as five wild life sanctuaries, which provide a huge patch of green cover to the state. The sanctuaries are known for the Great Indian Bison, leopards, panthers, tigers, elephants and a large variety of birds. The forest department has been going out of its way to attract tourists to ensure that the tourism potential of these sanctuaries is well tapped.
Adventure sports: Over the last few years Goa has emerged as a popular adventure sports destination with the beaches serving as hosting arenas. You can do it all including water-skiing, jet skiing, para sailing, para gliding, bungee jumping, etc. Although the sea in Goa is generally opaque, there are a couple of spots in South Goa, which have become a byword for snorkeling. Tourists in more recent times have also queued up for crocodile and dolphin dundees, where they are taken in small boats crocodile spotting in the river and dolphin spotting in the seas.
Night Life: The Calangute beach probably hosts the most popular disco in India at Club Titos. But the night scene does not end there. The concept has really taken a huge turn with the emergence of night markets like the Saturday night market or the Macky’s night markets, both located near Anjuna. It’s a completely different world altogether out there. Goa has also emerged as one of the more popular players in the rave party scene, with parties dotting all over the North Goa coast during the tourist season, where dope lined tourists and foreigner mingle with abandon.