  
South-Goa
Beaches in South Goa: Arambol Beach: (50 Kms) A unique beach in North Goa, is both rocky and sandy beach and much sought after. It has a sweet water pond right on the store. Goa is connected by rail route through Konkan Railway and Southern Railway from Delhi. Also, it is well connected by air routes from Bombay and Delhi. Goa has an international airport at Dabolim. The distance from Margao to Dabolim airport is 29 kms.
Most of the rivers in Goa are used for waterways. Ferry boats were means of crossing rivers in Goa. Rivers Mandovi and Zuari are being used for carrying ore to Mormugao harbour. Goa is also connected by waterway from Bombay. Vagator Beach: (22 kms) It is popular beach dominated by Chapora Fort to the North, on its imposing headland. To the South of Vagator is Calangute beach. Anjuna Beach: (18 kms). A popular beach area adjacent to Chapora Fort. In Anjuna there is magnificent Albuquerque mansion built in 1920, flanked by octagonal towers and attractive Mangalore tiled-roof.  Calangute: (16 kms) is the most popular holiday resort in Goa. Excellent accommodation facilities are available, particulary at the tourist resort and cottages. 70ft., forms a sizeable lake at the bottom which offers a temptation to seasoned swimmers. The fall is best seen when in full flux, just after the copious monsoon, when it presents a raptures, ravishing and riotous aspect.
Agonda: (About 37 kms. from Margao). A small picturesque and secluded beach much sought after for its serenity.
Palolem: About 37 kms. from Margao. Just west of Chaudi in the Southern Taluka of Canacona is one of the most enchanting beaches in Goa relatively desserted, with backdrop of Western Ghats. Places of Interest in South Goa Aguada Fort: 18 kms. Built by the Portuguese in 1609-1612, to command the entry into the river Mandovi, in order to protect Old Goa from potential enemy attacks. A spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that called there. The fort houses presently the central jail. A lighthouse is situated nearby, the visiting hours for it being 16.00 to 17.00 hrs. 
Miramar: (Gaspar Dias), 3 Kms. A lovely golden beach of soft sand girdled with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea, is the nearest to Panaji.
Dona Paula: 7 kms. An idyllic picturesque spot. Command a fine view of the Zuari River and Mormugao Harbour. Water scootering facilities are available here. Colva Beach: About 6 kms. from Margao. Colva beach is the pride of Salcete and the only rival to Calangute by its scentic spelndour. Here, sand, sea and sky blend in enchanting natural harmony unspoilt by men. Has good accommodation facilities particilary at the tourist cottages. 
Arvalem Caves: The celebrated caves of Arvalem, belonging to a remote era, are in a westerly direction not far away from the temple of Rudreshwar and are of archaeological interest. A mythical background is attached to these caves. Some are of the opinion that these caves have been carved by the travelling Buddhist monks. An inscription is noticed on a Shivalinga with a circular top in cave No.2 Its is in Sanskrit and in Brahmi characters of the 7th century A.D. It reads as Sambalura-vasi Ravih.
Arvalem Waterfalls: Leaving the temple of Rudreshwar, one can descend the staircase to look at a majestic waterfall shedding its exuberant silvery showers. The beautiful fall, with a head of about
Location: South Goa District covers the entire southern part of Goa state. Arabian sea is to the west of district, North Goa district to the North and Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka in the East and South. South Goa is situated between the latitudinal paralles of 15 degree 29' 32" N and 14 degree 53' 57" N and longitudimal parallels of 73degree 46' 21" E and 74 degree 20' 11" E. From noth to south and from east to west the district spans a distance of 86 kms and 40 kms respectively. The total geographical area of the district is 1966 sq kms.
 Other Information
Access: Goa is well connected by road, rail, water and air ways. In Goa there are three main national highways N.H.4A, N.H.17, N.H.17A. Panaji, the capital city of Goa is connected by N.H.4A from Belgaum in Karnataka. The N.H.17 starts in Mahad in Maharastra state and enters in Goa through Patradevi and passes through talukas Pernem, Bardez, Tiswadi, Salcete and Canacona talukas. Third highway, N.H.17A is from Cortalim to Mormugao harbour. Cities Panaji and Margao are well connected by road from Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Miraj cities in Maharashtra and Banglore, Belgaum, Hubali cities in Karnataka. Climate: Goa has hot climate as it lies within the tropics. There is no much change in climate throught the year.Daily temperature range is not very high. Goa gets rains in the months June, July, August and September. June-September is the mansoon season here. The rainfall is more in the mountain region than the coastal region. Goa gets heavy rain from South-West monsoon winds. Goa has cool climate during then months October-January. It starts geting warmer from February and it remains till May. Rice is the most important crop in Goa. Due to warm humid climate rice is mainly grown here and it grown in the coastal region. After rainy season, rice, chillies, onions crops are grown in Goa. Cash crops are also grown in Goa. Mainly plantation of Cashew, Coconut, Mangoes, Areca palm, Kokum and Jackfruit is done in Goa. Best time to visit Goa is a year-round destination, but the best time to go is in winter, between late October and early April. The winter weather is balmy, the days are sunny and the nights cool, especially on the beach. The summers are very hot and humid and it rains heavily from June to August, making it unsafe to swim. The carnival period in the month of February through to early March is another peak time, attracting a lot of tourists to Goa. It is a great season with parades, pageants and merrymaking late into the night.  |
