Varca Beach

Here’s yet another beach, which has managed to hold its own amidst the onslaught of concretization. Varca is one of those beaches where the comforts of luxury, perfectly blends with the serenity that nature provides. One of the reasons why Varca is the way it is because it attracts the well-heeled tourist segment. Varca has never been a hit with the backpackers because the beach is generally dominated by the starred hotel segment, some of them with a private beach of their own.

Weather

Varca is as sunny as Goa allows it to be. The monsoons season apart you’ll have to reach out for that sunscreen tube of yours more than once every day. Trust the weather to change drastically during the rains, but not during winters, which are almost nonexistent by North Indian standards.

Best time to visit:

Conventionally popular visiting months are from October to March. Some try to avoid Goa in the rains. But it’s worth a visit then too, to see the monsoons in their uninhibited glory.

Getting there / Route Information

Bus

If you are at the Margao bus terminus all you need to do is hop on to the buses, which read Varca. And since its just nine kilometers from the bus terminus, you have buses aplenty heading in that direction especially minibuses. Gear yourself to be packed into the Bus’ interiors like an oiled sardine in a can.

Train

The closest train terminus is the Margao railway station. The distance from Margao station to Varca is 10 km approx. You can either avail the pre paid taxi service near platform number 1 or if you are single hop onto a pilot. Of there always are autos, which you could bargain and strike a deal.

Pictures of Varca Beach

 

Major attractions

Idyllic picture postcard, perfect evenings, that’s what a beach like Varca can offer. It’s like spending time on those long stretching shores and white sandy beaches you see on vacation post cards. The beach is lined with picturesque huts, which are used by fisher folk to stock their boats and fishing equipment. Varca’s one of the chosen shores along which dolphins are known to frolic. So no trip to Varca is complete without a boat-ride into the sea, spotting these amazingly dexterous fish.

Shopping

There’s not much to do in terms of shopping or nightlife. Two beaches away Colva is where the buzz lies. So if its shop you want to, you can actually run down a dozen kilometers down the beach to Colva to shop all you want.

Vital Tourist Information

Hotel availability

Hotel accommodation is no issue. Although the shore is lined up with several starred hotels. Just walk into the Varca village adjoining the beach where you’ll find a lot of villagers renting out rooms in their own homes. These are great deals if you bargain a bit. Ask them to throw in some of the fish curry and fried fish, the way they make them at home for lunch and dinner. It’s awesome.

Local Transport

Motorcycle

The most preferred mode of transport is a motorcycle pilot, which are in effect two wheeler taxis, driven by licenced riders, who can transport one individual at a time.

Rent-a-bike

This is the latest addition to the transport modes in Goa and has become an instant hit. These self-driven yellow-letters-on-black number plate two wheelers or four wheelers can be sourced from the hotel you are put up in.

Taxis

Taxis, although are easily available during the peak season, the rates charged are exorbitant. Try hardball bargaining.

Nearest known city

Madgaon, 9 km approx.

Contacts in case of contingency

Hospitals:	Hospicio hospital. Tel: 0832-2722164
Police:	Colva police station. Tel: 0832-2788396