Spend balmy days snoozing under swaying palms in front of the lapping ocean then indulge in coconut fish curries after sunset on your Goa holidays.
India's southwest sunshine coast alternates endless white beaches with lush coconut plantations. You're never far from the crystal-clear Arabian Sea where fishing boats bring in the day's catch of meaty red snapper. There's a beach to match your every mood, like low-key Colva Beach with simple seafood shacks and fun-packed Calangute Beach for water sports and beach bars. For a cross-section of Goa, you can cruise the Mandovi River, which flows from the rugged, inland jungle of the Western Ghats to colonial Old Goa and the bustling regional capital of Panjim.
Best of Goa holidays for...
- Relaxing: As soon as you feel the powdery sand between your toes on idyllic Palolem Beach on Goa holidays, you'll totally chill out. Indulge your inner-karma with soothing Ayurvedic Indian head massages and sunset yoga classes.
- Shopping: Try your hand at haggling in Anjuna's Wednesday flea market. Hippy-style Tibetan silver trinkets, sandalwood carvings and tie-dye sarongs are laid out for sale on the beach under the shady palms.
- Nightlife: You can party your heart out from dusk until dawn around hedonistic Baga Beach. Chic lounge bar sofas are the best spot for people watching and knocking back frozen margueritas. Boogie the night away under the stars in open-air nightclubs between rounds of cheap Kingfisher beer.
- Grown-up families: Pack your binoculars for a mini safari on shady jungle nature trails in the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. Giant squirrels and flying lizards dart between the rainforest canopies and thirsty sambar deer and wild boar hang out around water holes.
- Active types: The crystal-clear bay around Dona Paula Beach is the perfect place for water sports. Surfer dudes bob around on boogie boards and windsurfers harness gentle sea breezes.
- Romance: Spice up your love life on a moonlit cruise on the Mandovi River. You can gaze at the picturesque Fort Aguada lighthouse glowing in the sunset and sway to Goan folk tunes.
- Free & cheap: The collection in free Goa State Museum is as colourful and eclectic as Goa's past. Stone-carved Hindu gods, bronze Buddhas and shiny gold coins from Portuguese settlers are on display.
Related Links:
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