The many delights of Goa

The Goan beaches and the wonderful, laid-back way of life are certainly highlights of a trip to Goa. With delicious cuisine, friendly people, and a diverse culture, it is the perfect holiday destination.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

It is very easy to get out and about in Goa. Outside most of the larger hotels, there is a multitude of private taxis, all offering extremely reasonable rates. It is a very good way to see the places of interest, as not only do the drivers wait for you (up to a whole day if required), but they also act as extremely interesting and entertaining guides. Two tips though: do agree on a price at the beginning of the journey and don’t expect a particularly comfortable ride. Some of the quieter routes in Goa resemble footpaths rather than roads and speed limits do not seem to apply!

The Ronil Beach Resort in Baga is an excellent mid-range hotel with good facilities. The rooms are spacious and cool, and the two swimming pools are excellent.

Baga is one of the better tourist spots to stay in because it's far enough away from the noisy, dusty settlement of Calungute, but still within walking distance from the beach and a mecca of eateries. Every side street hosts more enticing stalls selling goods from brightly coloured fabrics and hand-carved elephants to secondhand books and bizarre fruits.

Baga beach can get busy in the peak season, but it’s still worth a visit. The sands are lined with beach huts selling extremely cheap and very tasty snacks. The seafood in Goa is excellent and was probably the only time I will ever eat fresh lobster for under $7. A walk on the rocks at the far end of the beach can also prove interesting. We spotted many sea birds at low tide and a snake charmer with his dancing cobra.

It is also well worth taking trips out to some of the beaches off the beaten track. Vagator and Candolim were particularly memorable: long sweeping stretches of white sand backed by palm trees interrupted only by small, ramshackle beach huts and the rich, vibrant colours of the Indian women selling crafts. A derelict fortress on the cliffs at Vagotor provides some fantastic views of the river delta and is an absolutely perfect place to watch the infamous Goan sunset.

A particularly fascinating trip is to visit the Dudhsagar waterfalls on the Goa-Karnataka border. About a two-hour drive inland (taxis will be more than happy to take you or renting a motorcycle is another option), this lush forest area is a total contrast to the beach resorts and tourist markets.

On arrival, you are required to pay charges for the entry to the park and also for the transport into the forest. This isn’t optional and walking is not recommended. A very cramped and bumpy but exhilarating ride in a 4x4 vehicle allows a fascinating insight to the wildlife and plants in this humid environment.

Spider webs the size of tablecloths spanned the trees – luckily, I didn’t get a glimpse of the web residents. A short scramble over rocks leads to the impressive waterfall, which is one of the highest in India. It is also home to a breed of particularly friendly, yet extremely cheeky, monkeys. Nuts and bananas can be bought from the guides to feed the little creatures, although they will just take whatever they fancy, so be warned. The baby monkeys are particularly gorgeous. Swimming in the pool is a good way to cool down, although the water, as expected, is freezing.

If making the journey inland to the Dudhsagar waterfalls, it is a good idea to combine it with a visit to the spice plantation in the village of Savoi Verum. An entry fee provides a very informative guide to the plantation, a startling display of how they harvest coconuts, and a meal cooked with local spices and served on a banana leaf.

Every Wednesday, all the street traders in Goa gather in Anjuna to sell, sell, sell their goods to the droves of tourist shoppers. It is a mad, chaotic jungle of colours, crowds, shouting, noise, and all manner of goods from fabrics, ornamental crafts, spices, clothing, and Goan trance music. The market has changed considerably from its early hippy days, but despite being an obvious tourist trap, Anjuna Market is well worth a visit. The stalls look stunning, the atmosphere is fantastic, and, of course, it’s the perfect place to get those holiday souvenirs. Always barter when purchasing items from the stalls and be ruthless – the price stated is usually about twice the price they are willing to accept and don’t be afraid to walk away.