2. About GOA Goa is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan. Panaji is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot.
3. Beaches of GOA Calangute Beach Calangute beach is also called the 'Queen of Beaches' because the beauty you at find Calangute beach in Goa cannot be found elsewhere. Under the shade of palm trees, bathes the Queen of Beaches-Calangute. Goa's Calangute seems to be a distortion of the local vernacular word-'Koli-gutti', which means land of fishermen. Some people connect it with Kalyangutti (village of art) or Konvallo-ghott (strong pit of the coconut tree) because the village is full of coconut trees. With the advent of the Portuguese, the word probably got distorted to Calangute, and has stuck till today. In a green semi-circle, the villages of Arpora-Nagoa, Saligao and Candolim do their bit to enhance the divine beauty of Calangute.
4. Beaches of GOA Palolem Beach Palolem is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Goa. It is a natural bay surrounded by lofty headlands on either sides, resulting in a calm, idyllic sea with a gently sloping bed which allows you to walk up to 100 metres out from the beach. Take a walk to Butterfly Island... You will spot this island to your right on entering the beach... you can walk along the beach and across some rocks during low tide and reach the island. Unfortunately Palolem has been saturated by travellers, hawkers and over priced sellers: it is sometimes difficult to walk up the beach at high tide due to the restaurants jutting into the cresting waves and you will certainly be asked about your plans for dinner a few times.
5. Beaches of GOA Baga Beach Baga Beach is located in North Goa, 9 kilometers (6 miles) from Mapusa and 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Panaji, the state capital. It's bordered by Calangute Beach to the south, and Anjuna Beach to the north on the other side of the river. Baga Beach starts right where Calangute ends, although it's hard to pinpoint exactly where. Water sports are a huge attraction. You can go para sailing for around $25, wake boarding for $15, windsurfing for $10, kite surfing for $45, or take a ride on a jet ski for $12. Dolphin spotting trips are on offer for around $8 per person, and island trips for $35. However, many people are simply content lazing on the sun lounges in front of the beach shacks all day and feasting on a steady supply of food, beer, and cocktails.
6. Beaches of GOA Anjuna Beach Anjuna one of the Beaches of Goa (in India), north of Baga and Calangute, and close to the South of Vagator and Chapora. The nearest town is Mapusa a few kilometers to the east. Anjuna is world famous for its trance parties held on the beach during the tourist season.. Anjuna also hosts the famous flea market wherein you can purchase many things ranging from fruits to jewelry, clothes and electronic devices
