Goa is best known as a tourist paradise, both in India and abroad. Lavishly gifted by nature for its scenic beauty, virgin beaches girdling its 105-km long palm-fringed coast interspersed with enchanting coves, bays and estuaries, paddy fields, shady coconut, cashew and mango groves dotted with tiny picturesque villages, temples and churches renowned for worship and pilgrims, forts and monuments and above all, friendly and hospitable people, Goa presents an ideal tourism profile.

PLaces of Tourist Interest:

1. Mapusa 2. Panaji 3. Ponda 4. Mormugao Harbour 5. Vasco-da-Gama 6. Margao
Beaches Calangute, Colva, Dona Paula, Miramar, Anjuna, Palolem, Vagator, Arambol, Agonda.
Churches Basillica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Church of St. Francis of Assissi, St. Cajetan Church, Nunnery of Santa Monica, St. Augustine Tower, Viceroy's Arc (All at Old Goa), Church of St. Alex Curtorim, Reis Magos Church, The Church of Mae de Deus at Saligao (Bardez), the Church of St. Ana at Talaulim Ilhas, Rachol Seminary, Church of Our Lady of Rosary.

Temples Shri Shantadurga (at Kavlem, Kunkoliemkarin and Dhargal), Shri Mangueshi, Shri Bhagavati (Pernem), Rudreshwar Temple at Harvalem, Shri Mahadeo Bhumika at Sal, Bicholim, Morjaee temple at Morjim, Shri Bhagavati Temple at Parshem, Brahma Temple, Shri Chandranath, Shri Damodar, Shri Datta Mandir, Shri Devkikrishna - Ravalnath, Shri Gomanteshwar Devasthan at Brahmapuri, Shri Gopal Ganapati, Shri Kalikadevi, Shri Kamakshi Sausthan at Shiroda, Temple of Shri Mahadeva at Tambdi Surla, Shri Mahalaxmi, Shri Mahalsa, Shri Mallikarjuna, Shri Naguesh, Shri Navdurga Sausthan, Shri Navdurga at Madkai, Shri Ramnath, Shri Saptakoteshwar, Sapteshwar - Bhagvati Temple at Mandrem, Shri Vithal Mandir, Shri Sharvani, Shri Saunsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevotam Math, Shri Saunsthan Goudpadachrya Kavle Math.

Mosque Safa Masjid at Ponda, Jama Masjid at Sanguem.

Wild Life Bhagvan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Forest, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Choden.

Museums Museum of Christian art at Rachol, Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery at Old Goa, Archives Museum of Goa at Panaji.
Other Places Dudhsagar Water Falls, Aguada Fort, Kesarval Spring, Mayem Lake.

Goa is a much-featured destination on the World Tourism map. This tiny emerald covering 3702 sq km has a 105 km long coast line lapped by the Arabian Sea. The state is bordered by Maharashtra and Karnataka. Temperate climate, diverse landscapes, wide, sandy, palm-fringed beaches, clean waters and an aura of serenity attract many tourists from all over the world.

Goa is pleasant throughout the year and it rains between June and September. Goa is reachable from Bangalore, Mumbai, Mangalore or Pune by road or rail. Convenient railway stations are Madgaon, Thivim and Vasco. It is linked by air to most major Indian cities.

Goa is best known for its beaches and most tourist attractions are centred around 4 towns namely Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Ponda

Best buy = Spices and cashew nuts are found in plenty in Goa. Intricately designed gold and silver jewellery and ornate temple jewellery are specialities of the region.

Approximate temperature in Goa in celsius:

Jan 28°c Feb 28°c Mar 29°c Apr 33°c May 34°c Jun 30°c Jul 30°c Aug 30°c Sep 30°c Oct 33°c Nov 32°c Dec 29°c

Area: 3702 sq km. Rainfall: 320 cm Tourist Season: Throughout the year (November to February pleasant; June to September rainy)

Location & Attractions

In and around Vasco: Bogmalo Beach (9 Km), Kesarval Springs (15 Km), Marmagoa Harbour (3 Km), Seminary (19 Km), St. Jacinto Island (7 Km) and Valsao Beach (10 Km).

In and around Mapusa: Anjuna (8 Km), Arambol (31 Km), Calangute (8 Km), Baga Beach (10 Km), Mayem Lake (21 Km), Shri Datta Mandir, Sanquelim (25 Km), Terekhol Fort (30 Km), Vagator (9 Km).

In and around Ponda: Forest (28 Km), Molern Wildlife Sanctuary (30 Km) and Tambdi Surla.

Festivals Christmas and New Year‘s are celebrated with endless partying. A grand carnival also takes place every year in mid-Feb.

Food The staple food of Goa is fish curry and rice, both among the Hindus as well as the Catholics. But the main difference in the food habits of these communities is that the Christians also eat beef and pork, which are forbidden in most Hindu households. Goan cuisine is quite spicy in nature and is a blend of Indian, Brazillian and the Portuguese influences.
Prawn Balchao - a spicy, oily, pickle like creation is one of the most popular local seafood delicacies. Pork sorpotel, Goa's prized dish, is served mainly on feast days or any other festive occasion. Chicken Cafreal - grilled chicken treated with a healthy amount of garlic paste - is another dinnertime favourite.
Bebinca, an eight-layered dessert made up of only eggs, milk and sugar, is a famous Goan sweet meat. Goa's traditional drink is Feni, a potent brew made from the sap of either the coconut or cashew tree. Feni was probably brought to Goa by the Portugese, but has become synonymous worldwide with the Goans and their laid-back way of life.
Culture Goans are traditionally, warm, fun loving people, who are also very hospitable. Their culture is a rich blend of Indian, Western and Portuguese influences.
The main languages spoken are Konkani, Marathi and English. Portuguese is also spoken by a few people.
Spices Organic herbs commercially available in Goa are Rosemary, Mint, Thyme, Bay Leaf, Oregano & Sage applications