Goa Accommodations

Goa accommodations

Goa accommodations welcome you to a destination nicknamed “Pearl of the Orient”. Known for its palm-tree-lined golden beaches, 17th-century Portuguese churches, forts, tropical spice plantations, fishing villages, nightlife and regional Goan food, Goa is Bharat’s smallest state by area. Located along India’s western, Arabian Sea coastline, Goa is about 375 miles south of Mumbai, and 350 miles northwest of Bangalore. 21 miles in length, the Zuari River flows through Vasco da Gama, Goa and into the Marmagao Bay.

Goa main attractions: Aguada Fort (1612 Portuguese fortress, 1864 abandoned lighthouse, ocean views), Calangute Beach (watersports, boating, waterskiing, parasailing, food stalls), Baga Beach (watersports, eateries, bars, nightspots), Candolim Beach (sunset views, parasailing, beer / seafood shacks, nearby market), Britto’s (seafood restaurant), Curlies Beach Shack (beachside restaurant, bar, nightclub), Mall De Goa (shopping mall), Chapora Fort (ruined fortress, sunset sea views), Anjuna Beach (parasailing, banana boats, jet ski rentals), Purple Martini (Continental restaurant), Cabo de Rama Fort (1763 Portuguese fortress remains, small chapel, seaside cliff), Baba Au Rhum Anjuna (European restaurant), Arambol Beach (golden sand, mild waves, eateries, snack stands, visitor facilities), Reis Magos Fort (restored 16th century fort, cultural center, river / sea views), Cola Beach, Morjim Beach, Jumpin Heights Goa (bungee jumping center), Mandrem Beach (secluded, accessed by small wooden bridge, lounge chairs, covered cafes), Se Cathedral (Catholic cathedral), Majorda Beach (watersports, rentable loungers, food shacks), Butterfly Beach (narrow stretch of sand, scenic, sunset views), Querim Beach (secluded, food vendors), Shri Kamakshi Temple (Hindu temple), St. Augustine Tower (1602 church complex), Majestic Paradise (casino), Ashvem Beach (fine sand, swimming, sunbathing, restaurants), Ozran Beach (green hills, rock formations, chairs, palapas), AAA All About Alcohol Museum, St Anthony Church (Catholic church), Arambol Mountain (scenic spot), Our Lady of Piety Church (Catholic church), Shri Vijayadurga Temple (Hindu temple)

Goa main airport: Dabolim Airport

Airport car rental agencies: KGN Car Rental, Top Goa Car Rentals

Rideshare service: Uber

Goa top events: Goa Carnival, Goa Food & Culture Festival, Feast of Saint Francis Xavier, Sao Joao Festival, Sunburn Festival, Vh1 Supersonic (multi-genre music festival), Grape Escapade (wine festival)

Prior to traveling, it’s best to exchange some currency to use in markets and for small items. Carrying large amounts of cash while out is not advisable. Portuguese and Indian are the area’s main cultures. Goa  largely is considered safe. Smoking in public is prohibited, and appropriate attire is required when visiting temples or churches. Generally, the north side is where one may find nightlife. The southside is good for scenery, while Panaji (central) is home to restaurants. Along the coastline many fine beaches are to be discovered. In Goa, cars travel on the left-hand side, currency is the Indian rupee and the drinking age is 18 years old. Goa accommodations are some of India’s best. Before we get to Goa accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.

Some of India’s earliest traces of human life have been discovered in Goan rock art engravings, particularly in Usgalimal (South Goa) and Kajur. Acheulean stone tools have also been discovered in the area. Early Goan culture was defined by Indo-Aryan and Dravidian migrants, who amalgamated with aboriginal locals. Goa was part of the Buddhist Maurya Empire during the 3rd century BC, followed by the Kadambas of Goa dynasty. During medieval times in 1312, the Delhi Sultanate came to govern Goa, though they were subsequently forced to surrender the region to the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire circa 1370. In 1469, the Bahmani Sultanate took control of the territory, but fell to the Sultanate of Bijapur, who established their auxiliary capital Velha Goa, or Old Goa (as it became known under the Portuguese). By 1510, the Bijapur sultan Yusuf Adil Shah was defeated by the Portuguese with help from a local ally and privateer, Timoji. The Portuguese settled permanently at Velha Goa, which marked the beginning of their four-and-a-half century rule over the area. In 1560, the Goa Inquisition formal tribunal was established to enforce Catholic orthodoxy and allegiance to the Apostolic See of the Pontifex. During the late-18th century, the territory of Goa was split into two segments, the Velhas Conquistas (Old Conquests – central nucleus) and the Novas Conquistas (New Conquests – added territories). The 1787 Pinto Revolt against the Portuguese, led by a Goan noble family,  resulted in a rebel suppression. Having been revealed by a Goan Catholic baker, the Pinto Revolt conspiracy saw to 47 conspirators being arrested and punished (17 priests and 7 army officers included), and 15 being executed publicly at the old Panjim pillory near the present-day GPO (General Post Office) in Panjim. The Portuguese moved Goa’s capital from Old Goa to Cidade da Nova Goa (City of New Goa – present-day Panjim) circa 1843. India gained independence from British rule in 1947. At this time, India requested that Portugal cede the Indian subcontinent territories to India, which the Portuguese refused. The December 19, 1961 Operation Vijay, initiated by India against Portugal, led to an Indian victory and the territories of Goa, Daman and Diu being annexed into the Republic of India. On May 30, 1987, Goa split from the union territory (with Daman and Diu) to become India’s twenty-fifth independent state.

Home to around 1.5 million Goans, Goa lies on western India’s Konkan region and is separated from the Deccan highlands plateau by the Western Ghats mountain range, which stretches 990 miles and peaks at 8,842 feet (Anamudi, Eravikulam National Park). At 1,429 square feet, Goa is India’s smallest state by area. However, among all Indian states, Goa has the highest GDP per capita. In 2019, about 8.5 million tourists visited Goa. Two of Goa’s main cities are Panaji, the state capital, and Vasco da Gama, the state’s largest city. Evidence of Goa’s Portuguese roots exists in the historic city of Margão, or “Madgaon”, which is home to palatial mansions and Catholic churches. Not cricket but football is Goa’s most popular sport. Forca Goa, or FC Goa, plays in the Indian Super League. Additional points of interest include Old Goa, Fontainhas (Latin Quarter), Mahadev Temple (ancient temple), Dona Paula (monument), Dudhsagar Falls (waterfall), Marmagao (port town), Panaji (state capital), Miramar Beach, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception and Margao (commercial center). Goan cuisine involves spices, seafood, meat, pork, rice, vegetables and coconut. One of the area’s most popular dishes is fish curry. Drinks include beer, wine, tequila, coconut water and Feni (a strong liquor made from cashews or coconuts). With a little background information on the area, we’re ready for Goa accommodations that will help make for an exciting getaway.

 

 

 

The Postcard Velha

After Gandhi Circle, Ella, Velha Goa, 403402 Old Goa

Church of Saint Cajetan

Hotel amenities: outdoor swimming pool, balconies, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi,  flexible check-in/out, flexible breakfast hours, in-room tea / coffee service, local artisanal food

Nearby restaurants: Shambhavi Restaurant, R N Restaurant, Master Chef (restaurant), Adlem Goi (restaurant), Amparo Bar and Restaurant, Greenyard Restaurant & Bar

Nearby misc.: Goa Streetz (café), Sanjay’s Cafe, Old Goa Wine Shop, Wine Terminal, Fulari’s Eater’s Den (grocery store), Old Goa Book Stall, Fashion Spirit, Old-Goa Jetty, Statue of Jesus (historical landmark), Mill Stones of Gun Powder Factory (historical landmark), St. Augustine Tower, Archaeological Museum of Goa, Archaeological Survey of India, Museum of Christian Art, Se Cathedral, Church of St Francis of Assisi, Chapel of St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Basilica Church, Baingineshwar Shrine, Avinash Medical Stores

Within feet:

• • • Church of Saint Cajetan
    • Viceroy’s Arch
    • Se Cathedral

Within 1.9 miles:

• • • Mondovi River

Within 3.8 miles:

• • • Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Within 5.6 miles:

• • • River Cruise

The Postcard Velha is 10.4 miles from Dabolim International Airport.

Approximate cost per night (Mandovi River View Room): $456

 

 

 

 

 

Amrapali-House of Grace

1105 Morgado Vaddo, Siridao bridge. Goa Velha, 403108 Bambolim

Siridao Beach

Homestay amenities: restaurant, bar, continental breakfast, outdoor swimming pool, terrace, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, desks, 24-hour front desk

Nearby: Edward’s Yard (Goan restaurant), Café Amrapali, Shirodkar Wines, Highway Wines, Queen of Angels Chapel, Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Holy Cross Chapel

Within feet:

• • • Siridao Beach

Within 2.9 miles:

• • • Goa University

Within 4.3 miles:

• • • Goa State Museum

Within 4.5 miles:

• • • Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Amrapali-House of Grace is 5 miles from Dabolim International Airport.

Approximate cost per night (One-Bedroom Bungalow): $300

 

 

 

 

Candolim Road Villa

Pilerne – Candolim Road Saipem Hills, 403114

Nerul River

Hotel amenities: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, outdoor swimming pool, terrace with garden views, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, fully-equipped kitchen, on-site parking

Nearby: Dream Wheels Goa (car rental agency), Fast Car Goa (car rental agency), Our Lady of Good Hope Church, Candolim (Catholic church)

Within feet:

• • • Nerul River

Within 3.3 miles:

• • • Ozran Beach

Within 5 miles:

• • • Harjis Garden

Within 9 miles:

• • • Reis Magos Fort

Candolim Road Villa is 28 miles from Dabolim International Airport.

Approximate cost per night: $332

Cost per person (twelve people): $27

 

 

 

 

 

Panchayat Barde Villa

Panchayat Bardez, 449, E Wadi, Candolim, 403515

Candolim Beach

Villa amenities: 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms with a walk-in shower & dressing room, bar, daily à la carte, continental or full English/Irish breakfast, pool with a view, pool bar, hot tub, terrace, balcony, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, fully-equipped kitchen, washing machine, full-day security, laundry service, free private parking

Nearby restaurants / bars: Kanha Pure Veg Family Restaurant, Stringfellos (restaurant), Tidal Wave Beach Shack (bar)

Nearby misc.: Pure Bliss Russian Massage Centre (massage spa), John’s Boat Tours (boat tour agency), Liquor Spot Candolim (wine store), Shri Shantadurga Devasthan (Hindu temple)

Within feet:

• • • Candolim Beach

Within 1 mile:

• • • Sinquerium Beach

Within 1.2 miles:

• • • Park Inn Anchorage

Within 1.9 miles:

• • • Fort Aguada

Within 56 miles:

• • • Sindhudurg Airport

Panchayat Barde Villa is 24 miles from Dabolim International Airport.

Approximate cost per night: $1,784

Cost per person (ten people): $178

 

 

 

 

So there they are, Goa accommodations that will help make for an exciting trip. We hope you have found this information valuable and most of all, that you enjoy your time in India!