Goa  is one of the most famous tourist spot in India and popular abroad for picturesque landscape, sun drenched beaches, historic monuments, pleasant climate, culinary expertise and above all, hospitable people. To recount the brief past, the Portuguese were the last to rule.

Their reign spanned from 1510 to 1961, until a political movement launched in the wake of India's Independence in 1947 ultimately led to its liberation on 19th December, 1961, along with the overland pockets of Daman and Diu, to form a Union Territory. Goa was upgraded to a full fledged State of the Indian Union on 30th May, 1987. 

Goan beaches have never ceased to fascinate visitors and locals alike. Miles and miles of the coastal enchantment, but one can never get enough of it. Every visit to the beach reveals something new.

The roaring waves slash against the sturdy rocks  enduring rhythm in harmony with swaying palms, flocks of playful seagulls, busy fishermen toiling against dramatic sunsets, sights to behold indeed. Among the famous ones are Calangute, Colva, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Sinquerim etc. the list goes on.

AREA: 3702 Sq Km ALTITUDE: Sea Level TEMPERATURE: Max- 32.7 C and Min-24 C in Summer, Max-32.2 C and Min-21.3 C   in Winter.
 

RAINFALL: 320mms ( June to Sept ) BEST SEASON: October-March
 

CLOTHING: Tropical Clothing throughout the year, light woolen in Dec-Jan. STD CODE: 0832
  

REACHING GOA
       
One of the greatest advantage enjoyed by tourists visiting Goa, is its easy accessibility. It is conveniently linked to each and every corner of the country, and the world, and can be reached by air, sea, rail and road.
 
Goa is connected with Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) by Indian Airlines and other private airlines. Goa's Dabolim airport happens to be one of the few destinations in India where international chartered flights and Air India and Indian Airlines international flights are allowed to land.
 
Railway is just another convenient mode of travel to Goa. In addition to the age old South Central Railway with advent of Konakan Railway make Goa more easily and quickly accessible from Mumbai and from south. A luxury tourist train being introduced in the private sector on this route will further speed up the travel between Mumbai and Goa and enable the tourists to travel in comfort. A catamaran service links Mumbai to Goa, which takes about seven hours to cover the distance as against fourteen hours by bus and forty five minutes by air.
 

PANJI: Altinho Hillock, Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception(Panji Church), Fontainhas(Latin Quarter), Mahalaxmi Temple, Miramar beach, Panaji Secretariat, Statue of Abbe Faria, State Museum, St. Inex.

MAPUSA:Badeshwar Temple, Church of Our Lady of Miracles, Hanuman Temple, and St. Anthony's Chapel MARGO: Holy Spirit Church, Grace Church, Margo Market. VASCO: St. Andrew's Church and Hanuman Temple PONDA:Mangeshi Temple, Shantadurga Temple and Safa Masjid.

EXCURSIONS:
   
From Panji: Baga Beach (18 Km), Calangute Beach (16 Km), Dona Paula (7 Km), Mangeshi Temple(18 Km), Old Goa (10 Km)-With its Basilica of Born Jesus, Se Cathedral, Archaeological Museum and other Churches, Shantadurga Temple (33 Km)

From Margo:Agonda (40 Km), Colva (6 Km), Benaulim (6 Km), Betul(16 Km), Cabo de Rama (21 Km), Cotiago Wildlife Sanctuary (50 Km), Cavelossim (15 Km), Dudhsagar Waterfalls (59 Km),  Majorda (8 Km), Mobor (18 Km), Palolem(40 Km), Rachol Seminary (8 Km), Shree Damodar Temple at Zambaullim (22 km), Shree Shantadurga Temple at Fatorda (18 Km), Varca (10 Km)
 

From 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)

From Ponda:Bondla Forest (28 Km), Molern Wildlife Sanctuary (30 Km) and Tambdi Surla.
 
TRANSPORT: To move around Goa, there are local bus services operated by private bus owners and the State Undertaking Kadamba Transport Corporation in addition to luxury coaches, mini coaches, tourist taxis, auto rickshaws and motorcycle taxis, and cruises. 
 
SHOPPING: Goa is famous for Cashewnut and Fenny.  Places worth visiting and sponsored by State Govt are  Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited, Emporia at Tourist Hostel, Panaji, Vasco, Margao, Calangute and Mapusa at the Interstate Bus Terminus, Panaji and a Dabolim Airport. Kairali Art and Crafts of Kerala, Hotel Fidalgo, Swami Vivekanand Road, Panaji, Kashmir Government Arts Emporium, Hotel Fidalgo, Khadi Bhandars at Panaji & Margao, Mrignayanee, Madhya Pradesh Handicrafts Emporium, Interstate Bus Terminus, Panaji.
 
COMMUNICATIONS: International Straight Dialing and National Straight Dialing Pay Phones are available throughout Goa. A wide network of Post Offices, Telex, Fax and Courier services are also available.