Save More on Flights to Goa and Explore Charming Beaches

A tiny state located on India’s southwestern coast, Goa is visited by more than a million tourists every year from various parts of the world. You’ll have plenty of things to see and do while holidaying in this part of the world. This Indian state was ruled by the Portuguese for more than 450 years and you’ll find the traces of it in its historic buildings and the local culture. During your holiday spent in Goa, you’ll also get the chance to visit some fabulous beaches that are among the major attractions in this state of India.

You can book your flights to Goa several months in advance to have greater savings that can be used while exploring the popular beaches of this destination and indulging in some exciting activities on the waters of the Arabian Sea. Among the most popular beaches in this Indian state is Calangute Beach, which is visited by tourists in large numbers throughout the year. The village of Calangute where this beach is located has some basic facilities, such as foreign exchange offices, medical assistance, bars, restaurants, and banks. You can have a wonderful time swimming in the waters that touch this beach; however, you’ll have to be cautious about the sudden rise and drop in the waves.

In the South circuit, Colva Beach is considered to be the most important one among the beaches. It has all sorts of modern facilities for visitors, like tourist cottages, air-conditioned resorts, guest houses, discos, food stalls, and eateries. This beach has a 20-kilometre stretch of powdery sands. Colva is located at about 39 kilometres from the capital city of Panaji. While taking a stroll on this beach, you can see the local fishermen bringing in their catch of mackerels. You can also visit the Our Lady of Mercy church while exploring the coastal village of Colva.

Anjuna is yet another famous beach located about 18 kilometres away from Panaji. The immense popularity of this beach can be attributed to a large number of foreign tourists who explored it during the 60s and 70s. Some of the prominent features of Anjuna are the swaying palms, unusual rock formations, and its soft sands. In recent times, it has also become popular for its Flea Market where visitors can get some excellent bargains on jewellery, footwear, and apparel. This beach has been named after the Anjuna village, which is nestled between the Arabian Sea and the hill overlooking this sandy beach.

Located just 3 kilometres from Panaji is Miramar Beach, which was originally called ‘Gaspar Dias Beach’, named after a prosperous landlord called Gaspar Dias. It lies close to the estuary of Mandovi River. From this beach, you can enjoy fabulous views of Fort Aguada. This beach is extremely popular among families, young individuals, fitness enthusiasts, and walkers. It also has a spacious hotel run by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) located nearby. On most days of the week, this beach is visited by a large number of tourists as well as locals.

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Pick the Right Transport Upon Arrival in Flights to Goa

An abundance of golden-sand beaches, a fascinating blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, and many such interesting characteristics have made Goa one of the leading tourist destinations in India. Although it is the smallest state in the country, it packs many fabulous attractions within a small geographical area. This Indian state is visited by numerous international and domestic tourists every year owing to these wonderful aspects. During your time spent in Goa, you’ll also get to enjoy the delectable dishes from the Goan cuisine.

Upon your arrival at the airport in any of the flights to Goa, the availability of different options in transport modes would help you get to the hotel where your accommodation has been arranged with great convenience. A major transport mode used for travelling to major towns and rural areas is a privately-owned bus. You can also choose to hire the unmetered taxis, auto-rickshaws or motorcycle taxis. Fares of the private transport modes are usually negotiated. The cheapest mode of transport in Goa other than buses is a motorcycle taxi. During your stay in this part of India, you can also rent a motorcycle and travel to various places in the state.

You can take the flat-bottomed ferry boats during your river crossings while getting around in Goa. The rates are quite reasonable and the service runs from morning until late in the evening. If you need a vehicle for travelling to different parts of the state, including the remote areas, you can hire a geared or non-geared bike on a ‘per day’ basis. These bikes are easily available in nearly all the major towns and villages in the state. Their rates are affordable for international tourists and vary according to the type of bike that they choose. The geared bikes cost more than the non-geared ones.

Motorcycle taxis, also known as ‘pilots’, can also be hired for getting to your desired places in the state. However, they can only accommodate one individual at a time. They are extremely cheap and can also be used for travelling long distances. Yet another low-cost transport is a local private bus, which covers longer distances and can take you to the remotest areas. The front of these buses displays the names of places where it would make a halt and this helps you in identifying the right bus that would take you to your desired destination. You can also choose to take the buses of Kadamba Transport Corporation if you want to get to the main cities like Panaji and Margao.

The prepaid taxi service available from the airport can give you a more comfortable ride to your destination. You’ll be charged a standard amount based on the number of kilometres covered. This service is also available at some of the railway stations. Taxi services exclusively for women are also available for the safety and convenience of female tourists. You must be extremely careful while hiring the private taxis or auto-rickshaws that don’t follow a meter system as they can charge you more than the standard rates.