The state of Goa in India, was a Portuguese colony until 1962, and is famous for its Indo-Portuguese culture and architecture. Goa's beaches reflect its colourful mosaic of history. The combination of the "sosegãdo" or laid back lifestyle, bracing weather and Goa's carnival-like nightlife has been known to lure many into a psychedelic trance. As you vacation in Goa and feel the soft sand beneath your feet, you'll find that there is no place like a warm, inviting beach in Goa to make you feel at peace with the universe. The transport in Goa being what it is, its always better to have your own car or bike. Spend your Goa holiday going on the local crab, king prawns and typical Goan delicacies like chicken rechãdo and xãcuti. 

How to get there: You can take a cheap flight to Goa from Bombay (Mumbai). The more adventurous can opt for an eight-hour trip to Goa by Konkan railway or a sixteen-hour bus journey from Mumbai.

Where to stay: Beach resorts and budet hotels are numerous, and accomodation is often included when you opt for a cheap Goa holiday package or tour.

Anjuna Beach

Anjuna beach finds equal favor amongst all kinds of crowds, be it a group of overlanders, monks, defiant ex-hippies, artists, seers, researchers or just someone looking for a place to rejuvenate. The place has life and enthusiasm written in its air. The all night long beach parties, the Christmas to New Year frenzy or the swanky full moon parties, Anjuna is always up for it. On a day trip to Anjuna you can savor the best delights at the famous flea market or the shopping hangout off the beach or else you can enjoy the easy strolls on a moonlit night on the cool silvery sands.

8-km west of Mapusa, Anjuna is one of the most popular beaches in Goa. The sea is calm so you can enjoy swimming or enjoy the allure of sunset from any of the beach resorts’ balcony. Enjoy the funky music and loud beach parties that are a fixture of Anjuna. For the gourmets Anjuna offers the best of western seafood. You can choose from amongst any of the beachfront or village hotels. All of them are equally simple and serve equally delighting food and chilled beer.

The best bets are the semi open-air, thatched palm leaf affairs, specializing in fish and western food. The beach also offers fresh fruit buys such as watermelons, pineapples and locally grown coconuts.

Baga Beach

Baga Beach is located just 10-km west of Mapusa and extends essentially out of Calangute Beach. It is quaintly located by the Arabian Sea on the west coast of Goa. It is nestled in the rocky, wooded headland. Unlike the very crowded and busy Calangute, Baga has many unperturbed nooks with unspoiled scenic beauty that is more varied than just the plain beach of Calangute. The Beach receives most of its tourist influx from the British package tourists. It has a beautiful retreat house serenely located atop a hill.

Baga beach is quite a hit with western tourists who love its water sports and fishing expeditions. Baga has the best restaurants in Goa. From standard beach shacks to rustling pizzerias and terrace cafes serving real espresso coffee, Baga has all types of foodie destinations.

Bogmalo Beach

About 8km,away from Vasco da Gama,this Goa Bogmalo beach is also situated very close to the airport,hence making it easily reachable.It is a broad, flat and open beach & the least visited beaches. Bogmalo’s unique look is due to the Cluster of small beach shack restaurants and occasional fishing villages, scattered under the coconut palm.Initially it was a quiet fishing village,but after tourists explored it, tourism started infecting in to this small Indian state of Goa. Bogmalo beach is less crowed but also one of the cleanest beaches.The air of this place is pure , pleasant & tranquil,that is appropriate to calm down our senses.

The flat-bottomed valley lined with coconut trees and redbrick huts would be even more picturesque were it not for the monstrous multi-storey edifice perched above it. Now the Oberoi’s have erected a huge & famous five star hotel here,making it a hub for tourists but one can also manage in shoestring budget, by occupying the Cheap hotels or guesthouses available at Bogmalo beach.

Beanaulim Beach

Benaulim is located 7-km west ofMargoa. It is one of the most tranquil Goan destinations. The best thing about Benaulim is that it is still rather undiscovered by domestic tourists even though it is a fishing beach. Being generally jellyfish-free, it is quite safe for swimming. Though it gets crowded in the evenings and on the weekends, most of the times it is one of the most unperturbed beach destinations in Goa.

The Church of St John the Baptist atop a hill overlooks the beach. It is a worth visiting place in Benaulim. To commemorate the movement of St John in his mother’s womb when he was in his mother’s womb and visited by Mary, the mother of Jesus, the young men of this village jump in the wells. It is a foodie’s destination for those who are willing to experiment with culinary delights of the seafood.

Colva Beach

Colva is not one of the traditionally known beaches of Goa. As compared to other popular destinations it is a more recent discovery. But whatever it may be it is 20-km long bliss of virgin white sands, palm fringed, and sun beaches. Undoubtedly, Colva is the most popular beach of Goa. Off lately, the quiet life of Colva has been punctuated by the number of hotels and buildings that have come up here in quick succession of one another. The annual religious event of Fama of Menino Jesuse (Child Jesus) is held at the church in Colva since the 17th century.