Goa Unveiled
Places, eateries and beaches to visit.

North Goa or South Goa?

What should we visit? That's the 1st question--anyone visiting Goa is faced.

For the first 3 trips we made to Goa, we opted for South Goa. Our decision was based on the popular belief that South Goa is less crowded, offers a better variety of resorts that have their own beaches, and its beaches are less crowded and hence cleaner than the ones in North. All of it turned out to be true, in every visit.

But, the aloofness of the resorts we stayed in--never gave us the true feel of Goa. At least, that's what all of us felt. After every visit, we wondered--what do people like about Goa?

Then someone told us--try North Goa. It's more crowded. It has busier and dirtier beaches. But, that's where all the fun is.

So, in November of 2020, we visited North Goa for the first time. We stayed at the Kingfisher Villa for a week. It's very close to Calangute and Candolim beaches. When we visited the Calangute beach, we realised what a busy and a dirty beach looks like. We were out in 10 minutes!

But, then someone advised us to go to the Candolim beach. And more specifically, go to the Calamari Beach Resort parking and try the beach there.

Wow! What a beach, it turned out to be. Perfect waters to swim in the sea. With Yazu, a lovey Pan-Asian restaurant nearby--we had the choice of eating at Calamari or Yazu. Both great restaurants that I will talk about later.

Long story short, we just fell in love with North Goa.

There are many clean beaches, here too. And, there are beaches that don't get choppy (dangerous) even during the Monsoons! Amazing places to go for long walks, and treks. Local shopping streets. Vast array of restaurants. "It's like a village version of Las Vegas".

And, the twin cities of Panjim and Porvorim (separated by the Atal Setu) provide access to all city-wala luxuries. For example, access to one of the best spa-cum-saloon in India. It beats anything in Gurgaon. Ability to order food or even groceries at 1 am in the night (at least, at our property).

MY ADVICE IN A NUTSHELL: If you're seeking a "focused" holiday and aren't keen in exploringb the outside world--South Goa is great. Examples: honey-moon, business conference, wedding functions, etc. But, if you want to experience Goa, you got to stay in North Goa--for some time at least.

DISCLAIMER: Our property is based in North Goa, and there may be an element of bias in "my advice". But, I must add, we never searched for a property in South Goa, because we believed in North Goa.

and beaches that were not dangerous even during the Monsoons. We realised amazing places to go for long walks, local shopping streets, the only mall of Goa, an amazing spa and saloon (better than anything in Gurgaon)

Again, only recommending what we have experienced ourselves, and found worth recommending...

1. Dolphin tour (Sequirim Beach)

2. Dolphin tour (Palolim Beach)

3. Crocodile tour (Palolim Beach)

4. Coffee or Snacks at the central courtyard of the Mariot Hotel at Panjim