Goa is a former Portuguese colony, currently a state in Indias West region. It is 3700 square kilometers in size and has a human population of approximately 1.4 million. Its east-west mix, beaches and syncretic culture is what attracts an officially-estimated two-and-half million visitors each year. Out of these, about 400,000 are foreign tourists, the rest coming from other regions of India.
Portuguese culture and architecture can still be found.
Some call it "India lite", an easy-to-encounter version of India. Others label Goas Panaji (also referred to as Panjim, Ponnje or Pangim) as Indias most charming of state capitals. It probably still is, despite recent changes. Goa has its brown-tiled roofs, beaches, a reputation for centuries as a place where cultures and people meet. And undoubtedly, the holiday capital of South Asia.
But Goa is much more too. Its a charming place with a different history. A place that acts as an entry point into India for a growing number of Euro tourists. And a place that writers, creative persons and others find increasingly attractive to make their home. From the 1960s, Goa has been attracting a steady flow of visitors -- first the hippies and returning expat Goans, then the charter tourists visiting (starting with the Germans in 1987), pilgrims visiting both Catholic and Hindu shrines, those opting to settle in Goa as their home, visitors coming here for medical treatment, and a growing number of those who attend seminars and conferences in Goa.
If Goa is visibly different from the moment you encounter it then, that has something to do with Goas unusual past. Obviously South Asia, like any other corner of this region, Goas isolation from the rest of India for 451 years of Portuguese rule, in many ways, shapes its current reality.
Many are attracted by Goas Portuguese face, even if the post-1961 dominant political face sees this as somewhat politically incorrect. Hotels too sometimes name their suites with quaint Portuguese names and icons.
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson Goa
Rates $105.29 - $106.29
Hotelyear Built 2007Additional Property Description Located 20 Minutes From Margao, The Commercial City Of Goa, This Deluxe Resort Is Situated 900 Meters From Varca Beach, One Of The Longest ...
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Estrela Do Mar Beach Resort
Rates $36.96 - $68.94
Location. The Estrela Do Mar Beach Resort Is In Goa, India. 100 Meters From Baga Beach Five Kilometers From Saturday Night Market Eight Kilometers From Fo...
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Fort Aguada Beach Resort
Rates $106.34 - $573.03
Built On The Ramparts Of A 16Th Century Portuguese Fortress, The Fort Aguada Beach Resort Is Part Of A Sprawling 88 Acre Complex Overlooking The Arabian Sea. Situated In Close Proximity To The Beach, ...
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Lazy Lagoon Sarovar Portico Suites
Rates $68.45 - $93.62
Location. Overlooking A Meandering Lagoon, Lazy Lagoon Sarovar Portic O Suites Is In Goa, India, One Kilometer From Mackie's Night Bazaar And Two Kilometers From Baga And Arpora Beaches. <...
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Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort
Rates $94.06 - $205.65
Location. The Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort Stands Along Candolim Beach Amid The Tropical Splendor Of Goa, India. The Resort Is Positioned Seven Kilometers From Baga Beach. Hotel Feat...
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Lotus Suites
Rates $101.99 - $200.00
Lotus Suites At The Lotus Hermitage Are A Home Away From Home For The Visitors To Goa. The Lotus Suites Are Strategically Located In Close Proximity To The Beautiful Benaulim Beach, In South Goa. For ...
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Park Hyatt Goa Resort And Spa
Rates $127.06 - $468.08
Location. Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa Is Set Amid 45 Acres Of Tropical Beachfront Gardens In Cansaulim In Southern Goa, India. Cansaulim Railway Station, Located Two Kilometers Away, Offers Eas...
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Phoenix Park Inn Resort
Rates $36.91 - $38.00
Park Plaza Jaipur Boosts An Unique City Center Location With Easy Access To Business And Shopping. M.I. Road, Birla Auditorium And The Secretariat Are At A Convenient Stone's Throw Away.
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Radisson White Sands Resort, Goa
Rates $141.78 - $267.73
Located 40 Minutes From Goa's Dabolim Airport On The Western Coast Of India, The Radisson White Sands Resort Offers A Serene Refuge Of Comfort And Hospitality, 20 Minutes From Margoa, Goa's Commercial...
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Ramada Caravela Beach Resort
Rates $118.82 - $130.00
Location. The Ramada Caravela Beach Resort Goa Is Located On The Serene White Sands Of Varca Beach, Goa, India. Reflecting Traditional Goan Architecture, This Property Stands Along 23 Acres Of ...
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Resort Lagoa Azul
Rates $45.86 - $57.62
Year Built 1996Additional Property Description Lagoa Azul Means Blue Lagoon. True To Its Name The Hotel Does Face The Lagoon. The Hotel Is Strategically Located Very Close To The Happening Nigh...
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Sun N Sand Goa
Rates $84.67 - $211.68
Sun N Sand S Location And Range Of Carefullycrafted Facilities And Services Have Beendesigned To Address The Needs Of Domestic Andinternational Business And Leisure Travelersthe Distinctive Design And...
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Taj Exotica
Rates $147.06 - $2,172.66
Location. Positioned On The Southwest Coast Of Goa In The City Of Salcette, India, Taj Exotica Goa Stands Amid Fifty Six Acres Of Tropical Gardens Along A 700 Meter Stretch Of Benaulim Beach On...
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Taj Holiday Village
Rates $145.54 - $756.16
Located In North Goa, The Taj Holiday Village Is Seven Kilometers From Calangute Beach And 16 Km From Panaji City, The Capital Of Goa. Complimentary Airport Transportation Is Provided By The Hotel. Gu...
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The Leela
Rates $133.68 - $981.10
Location. Tucked Between An Arabian Sea Beach And The Sal River, The Leela Is In Cavelossim, India, On The Country's West Coast In The State Of Goa, A Former Portuguese Colony. The Resort And B...
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The Oceanique
Rates $100.00 - $101.00
Property Typevacation Hotel Business Hotel Vacation/Spa Hotel Vacation/Seminar Hotel Business/Seminar Hotelyear Built 2000Year Remodeled 2006Ratingsaaa Diamonds ...
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Zaharaa Residency
Rates $100.00 - $110.00
Property Typevacation Hotel Business Hotel Vacation/Seminar Hotel Business/Seminar Hotelyear Built 2005Year Remodeled 2006Ratingsaaa Diamonds Aaa Diamonds 3Mob...
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