Goa is the most sought-after tourist place in India and is famous for its Sun kissed beaches, pristine blue waters, vibrant nightlife, amazing shacks serving exotic seafood, awesome markets, Portuguese style infrastructure, wildlife sanctuary and adventurous water sports. The bewitching charm of Goa will surely leave you spoilt for choice. Whether you are an adventure junkie, a honeymoon couple, group of friends or a traveller, Goa is the place to be.
I too went to Goa with my husband in August and enjoyed every bit of it. Now you must be thinking what ehh August? Really!! Isn’t August the monsoon season in Goa? Well,Many people are under the impression that Goa Shuts down totally during monsoon. Well no, this is not the case. Yeah, while majority of shacks remain closed but still more than half of the shacks and restaurants remain opened even during the monsoon season.
Goa has something for everyone and below are the reasons why you should visit Goa:
1. Beautiful Beaches:
When in Goa you just can’t afford to miss the beaches that grab the attention of locals as well as foreigners alike. Goa has several beaches where you can spend time basking under the sun or enjoying water activities. While North Goa has frenzy vibes and happening beaches, South Goa has secluded beaches with tranquil surroundings.
North Goa Beaches: Baga, Calangute, Anjuna Beach transcend the list of must visit beaches in the North Goa. Also, Vagator and Arambol beaches offer calm atmosphere and picturesque view. North Goa beaches offers water sports like Para-Sailing, jet skiing, water skiing, banana rides, scuba diving, boating, speed boats rides, and water scooter. One thing which surprised me was that even in the off-season, Calangute and Baga beach were bustling with crowd. In fact, I have made a list of Best Beaches in North Goa based on my personal experience which you must check out.
South Goa Beaches: While Agonda, Palolem and Majorda Beach in South are the best ones and are pristine and calm.
2. Shopping:
Goa is every shopaholic’s dream destination in its true sense and offers stupefying flea markets and night markets. Your Goan holiday experience is complete only after a visit to these flea markets. Don’t forget to visit Anjuna Flea Market, Mapusa market, Panjim market, Calangute market square. Bargaining happens here in full swing and you can get great bargains on clothes, jewellery, trinkets and souvenirs. These markets are famous for Tibetan, Kashmiri and Gujarati trinkets, bed covers, wooden craft and what not!
3. Vibrant Nightlife:
Goa has a very flamboyant nightlife with dance clubs everywhere.
This is ideal place for those who wants to party on a vacation. If you are a party lover, then the beaches here offer best parties with lots of good food and electrifying music. Beach and trance parties are a big hit here with the locals and the tourists from India and abroad.
North Goa is especially for party animals. Famous clubs like Club Cabana, Cafe Mamo’s, Tito’s club, Silent Noise Club, Leopard Valley are a must visit for party lovers. Also, most of the shacks here are famous for their night parties and hip music.
4. Goan Sea Food:
You will find here a mix of local flavours and Portuguese influences when it comes to Goan food. Goa’s main cuisine is seafood and there are umpteen number of beach shacks and hotels serving delectable, fresh and scrumptious sea food. Try out at multi cuisine restaurants like Souza Lobo, Aggie’s cafe, The Fisherman’s Wharf, Martin’s Corner, Fish Ka.
5. Sightseeing:
Goa has inumerable places to visit like forts, UNESCO World Heritage sites and beautiful churches. Visit North Goa and witness beautiful monuments like Church of St. Lawrence, St. Antony’s Church, Church of St. Catherine, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Chapora Fort and Fort Aguada. In South Goa, visit Our Lady of Hope Church, Velim Church, Rachol Seminary, Three Kings Church.
6. Spice Plantation:
When in Goa, don’t miss out on the spice plantations.
If it’s possible, then visit Savoi Spice Plantation, Sahakari Spice Farms, Tropical Spice Plantation during monsoons.
During this time, the plants looks so refreshing and pristine after getting washed up in Goan rains. You can take a tour of the plantations and understand how the process of growing these exotic and local spices. Sahakari spice plantation is the largest spice farm where you will get to see coffee, vanilla, bay leaves, Peri Peri plants. After the plantation tour feast on the tempting Goan lunch provided by them.
7. Amazing Wildlife:
If you are tired of being on a beach all day long, then check out Goa’s rich wildlife. Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in all kinds of wildlife and pristine vegetation. Then there are 200 species of birds including the Indian black woodpecker, grey-headed myna, grey jungle fowl, Malabar pied hornbill, paradise flycatcher, fairy bluebird, emerald dove and kingfisher. You will also spot panther, barking deer, Bengal tiger, leopard, civet, flying squirrel, Malabar giant squirrel, bonnet macaque, gaur etc. There is Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary also which has a large number of species of flora and fauna.
Overall, Goa has something for everybody and is a must visit place. Have you ever been to Goa? If yes, how was your experience?
Are you happy with my reasons why you should visit Goa?
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