Travel to South Goa

Southward Ho!
Although as picturesque as North Goa, the lower part of Goa or South Goa is much quieter and sleepier. But in recent times, South Goa is seeing more of tourist infrastructure development with new hotels and resorts opening up everyday. Some of the finest accommodation options of the recent times with modern tourist facilities and services have all taken place in South Goa and it is the hub of tourist activities today.

Like its upper region, Goa's southern region is also adorned by some of the finest beaches in the state, kissed by the passionate, azure sea and embraced by the land and shaded by swaying palms. South Goa's beaches extend from Vasco da Gama and Bogmalo to Palolem Beach. The stretch includes Bogmalo, Velsao, Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Betul, Canaguinim, Agonda and Palolem.

Vasco da Gama: Vasco da Gama is the terminus of the railway line into Goa. But since Margao is now the main rail hub, there is less activity at Vasco da Gama. If you fly into Goa, you may have to stay overnight in Vasco unless you take a taxi to go further on.

Bogmalo: Bogmalo beach is only eight kms from Vasco and four km from the airport at Dabolim. The small beach became famous when the Oberoi Group decided to put up a 5 star hotel here. There are a few shacks on the beach next to the village.

Colva: Colva is by far the most popular of South Goa beaches, famous for its white sands and is to South Goa what Calangute is to the North Goa. For those who like to be where the action is Colva is the place in South Goa, with lots of resorts, shops and activity. For those who prefer more tranquil surroundings, there are smaller places to stay at within 20 minutes walking distance on either side of Colva. There are a number of restaurants on either side of the road leading up to the beach and the numerous shacks on the beach provide less variety but equally good quality of food. Colva is only a 20 minute ride by bus from the town of Margao.

Palolem: Palolem, 2 km west of Chaudi, is one of Goa's most idyllic beaches. It has a crescent shaped bay lined with swaying coconut palms hemmed by a pair of rocky crags. The white sand beach in an arc is picture perfect. The village located nearby has several cafes and souvenir stalls catering to day-trippers who arrive in droves on sight-seeing tours of the beaches. Despite the commercialisation, Palolem remains a traditional village, where the easy pace of life is dictated by the three daily rounds of todi-tapping.

Ponda: This town has an old mosque which is worth seeing and many Hindu temples rebuilt from the original ones destroyed by the Portuguese. You can reach Ponda by bus from Panaji and Margao but you may need your own vehicle to reach the temples. The Bondla, Molem and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuaries and the Dudhsagar Falls are also in this area.

For cultural freaks there are ancient temples like Shri Chandreshwar Bhutnath Temple, Shantadurga Temple, Chandranath Temple, Damodar Temple, Mallikarjun Temple, and many others.