Where to eat on Colva beach. Colva Beach in Goa: Complete Guide. Reviews of Colva Beach
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In the 60s. last century, Colva was “discovered” by hippies - the local hot climate, gentle sea and ideal sandy beaches perfectly matched the relaxed mood of the “flower children”. Since then, her popularity has only grown. Today it is a pretty resort dotted with colonial-style villas and fishermen's huts. Local beach has long been a favorite of the residents of Margao, who to this day come here to escape the summer heat, so on weekends tourists have the opportunity to watch cheerful groups relax local residents. And for those who prefer a more relaxing holiday, it is enough to walk 200 meters from the entrance to the beach to plunge into the serenity for which hippies came here.
Kolva is the largest and oldest resort South Goa. Swimming here is safe, and the coast, some distance from the Central Beach, is pristine. Plus a good location approximately in the middle of Goa - if desired, it is easy to get to the famous discos of North Goa and other beaches of the South.
How to get to Kolva
Direct flights from Moscow to Goa are operated by Royal Flight, Rossiya and Island Air Express, etc. The direct flight lasts about 7 hours. Ticket prices start from 565 USD round trip. Most of routes from St. Petersburg require two transfers, but you can get by with just one if you fly on Qatar planes via Doha. The price of such a one-way ticket starts from 793 USD in both directions. Prices on the page are for October 2018.
From airport to city
It’s easier to take a taxi from the airport to Colva - there are no direct buses, and it’s not easy to understand Indian transport if you’re not used to it. The taxi stand is located at the exit from the airport; the trip to Colva will take half an hour and cost 900-1100 INR.
On public transport first you need to reach Margao. The bus station is located at Swatanta Path, Vaddem, New Vaddem, Vasco da Gama, Goa, 403802; ticket costs 45 INR. Next, take a bus to Colva (the ticket costs 20-35 INR and is paid from the driver) or hire a rickshaw.
Search for flights to Goa (the nearest airport to Colva)
Transport
Public transport in Kolva is represented by buses. This vibrant experience will cost between 16 and 20 INR and will include loud music, the unique driving style of local drivers and an extremely close encounter with a crowd of Indians in a cramped cabin space. Finding the right stop isn't always easy, but most city buses can be stopped in the middle of the road with a wave of your hand. Payment is made at the conductor. Buses run from 6:00 to 22:00.
Local taxis are divided into two types: traditional cars and rickshaws. There are many parking lots in the city; you can catch a taxi driver in the middle of the road. There are even more rickshaws. They will find a tourist anywhere in Kolva and will offer tempting prices. No matter how friendly the Indian taxi driver is, you must agree on the price before the start of the trip.
An 8-hour trip to the surrounding beaches and attractions will cost 1900 INR. For a 10-kilometer rickshaw ride you will have to pay from 200 INR.
Maps of Colva
Rent a car, bike or scooter
Renting a bike, scooter or car in Goa is a popular way to get around. But it is worth keeping in mind that this requires strong nerves and dexterity. Firstly, traffic is on the left, secondly, it is dense, and the driving style of local residents is, to put it mildly, chaotic. The police on the roads will try to find a reason to find fault with the tourist and lighten his wallet.
Scooters can be rented from the taxi rank or opposite the Vincis Hotel. Rent will cost approximately 250-300 INR per day, 4500-5500 INR per month. The price can vary greatly depending on the model, age of the scooter, season and how well the bargaining goes. The most popular motorcycle model is Royal Enfield - they will ask for it from 500 INR per day, 6,000 INR per month. The helmet is included in the rental price.
Gasoline is sold in Bisleri bottles in a small house behind Menino Jesus College, near the Williams Resort - this is the only gas station in Colva. Petrol costs INR 66.16 per liter.
Another option is to rent a car with a driver - you can arrange a full-day tour of the surrounding beaches. For the pleasure you will have to pay from 1000 INR per car and another 100 INR to the driver for every hour of idle time on the beaches. However, those who know how to bargain can negotiate a more attractive price.
Colva Hotels
Colva has a huge selection of accommodation options: from luxurious chalets with swimming pools to budget guesthouses. Most of the high- and mid-range hotels are located along and just beyond Main Beach Road. The simpler hotels are located on the north side of the resort, in Ward No. 4. It is easily reached by the path running north from the Johnny Cools restaurant or by the road west from Main Colva - Vasco Road.
Guesthouse prices start from 500 INR if rented locally. When ordering online, the price will be higher. An ordinary room with decent renovation will cost an average of 2300 INR per night. Prices in the “fives” can exceed 5300 INR per day.
Another option is reed bungalows near the beach. Facilities are often located outside, but the price is attractive, the room has a bed and a fan, and you can admire the sunset sea right from the house. For a short-term rental, a night in such a bungalow will cost approximately 1,100 INR, while for a long-term rental the price per night is half that.
It is best to rent a bungalow right on the spot - as a rule, the owner of such a house works in the nearest community. Most likely, you won’t even have to look for it. Seeing a tourist not far from the bungalow, the Indians themselves rush to offer services.
Beach
The beach is the main thing people go to Colva for. It is large and relatively clean, covered with fine silvery sand, the entrance to the water is gentle, and the sea is quite calm. Colva is popular not only with European but also with Indian tourists, so on weekends the beach is filled with locals coming from Margao and other nearby towns. Traditionally, local residents relax in the central part, and the left and right are given over to visiting tourists.
For those who prefer a more secluded holiday, the left side of the beach is more suitable. There are almost no not only vacationers, but also no beach restaurants. The right side is more populated, with numerous shakes and water activities. The “Boomerang” shake is especially famous, where you can exchange currency and get a massage. And you can get a sunbed for free at any neck if you order some food or drink there.
The beach is monitored by rescue workers, and the sheikh owners also keep an eye on their areas. So tourists don’t even have to worry about leaving things behind.
Shopping and souvenirs
Buying souvenirs in Colva can turn into a real holiday - for example, on Mondays on the beach from 17:00 the so-called Colva Monday Night Market takes place. These are not just stalls with goods, music plays, fireworks explode, a disco is held and stalls with local and European food open.
You can buy saris, T-shirts, sundresses, bags and backpacks here. Also brought from Colva are Himalaya cosmetics, spices, the famous local Old Monk rum, white Madeira, and fruits. In numerous jewelry stores around low prices You can buy both silver and precious stones. The latter are mined in huge quantities in India, so rubies and emeralds here are of excellent quality.
A currency exchange office that also accepts traveler's checks is located near the main intersection and the Williams Resort. There is a post office opposite the village church.
Colva is loved not only by foreign tourists, but also by Indian ones. Therefore, some souvenir shops offer products aimed specifically at them. For the most part, these are items associated with Hinduism - fresh flowers strung on a rope, candles, incense, oil lamps and rice for offering to the goddess Saraswati, as well as rudraktsi - special Indian beads for reciting mantras.
Cafes and restaurants in Kolva
Colva is pleasantly different from many other villages in South Goa in that even late at night you can find open restaurants. In the evening, life does not stop, but in other places it just begins.
At the height of the season, shacks open on Colva beach, specializing in seafood cuisine. Some of them are quite high class. The prices in the latter are steep (compared to the rest of India), but the portions are quite large. However, there are simpler eateries. For example, on the left side of the beach there is a restaurant called Kentucky, where you can cook both local and European cuisine. On the right side of the beach there is an equally famous establishment - “Boomerang”. Here they serve food, mix cocktails, and organize discos in the evenings.
Lunch in a regular shek will cost 350 INR. More budget-friendly places can be found in quieter parts of the coast or along Vasco Road.
You can visit the Sunday markets at the Lakshmi Temple. Here they cook right on the street, and you can peek at several Indian recipes.
When trying Indian food, you should be careful: most of the local dishes are too spicy for Europeans. However, compared to other regions, Goan cuisine is less spicy.
Most of the traditional local dishes are made from fish. Also, the local cuisine was influenced by the fact that Goa was a Portuguese colony for several hundred years. Worth trying are vindaloo (pork marinated in wine and spices), chorizo (pork sausage with paprika) and sarapatel (fried and stewed pork, lamb or beef). One of the traditional dishes is rice with fish curry. Also interesting are dishes with tiger prawns and crabs, squid, lobsters and mussels.
Bebinka, a Goan sweet, is a popular Christmas dish. And if you want to drink, you can try alcoholic drink“fenni” made from coconut palm sap and cashew nuts.
Entertainment and attractions
As a rule, people do not go to Kolva to go on excursions or museums. However, there is also something to see here to take a break from beach holiday.
Church of Our Lady of Mercy
The main attraction is the Church of Our Lady of Mercy (Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Piedade), built in the mid-17th century. The miraculous figurine of the baby Jesus is kept here, according to legend, found by the founder of the cathedral on the coast of Mozambique, where he and his comrades ended up after a shipwreck caused by Muslim pirates. You can see the figurine in October, when the Feast of Thomas, dedicated to honoring the baby Jesus, is widely celebrated in Kolva. This is the only time of the year when the figurine's cover is removed.
Lakshmi Temple
There are more Christians than Hindus in Goa, but there is also a Hindu temple in Colva - Lakshmi. Fairs are held near it every Sunday.
Excursions
You can also go to the Pandava caves, where Buddhist monks lived in the 6-5 centuries BC. e. And also go to Dudhsagar waterfall or one of the local parks and ride an elephant.
Parties and nightlife in Kolva
Colva has the liveliest nightlife in all of South Goa; it even hosts rave parties that are vaguely similar to the “crazy North”. Their main visitors are organized young tourists, who are becoming more and more numerous. Two most popular centers nightlife located south of the beach: "Splash", which comes to life closer to 22:00 and the more stylish "Ziggy" standing on the sand.
Johnny Cools and Men Mar on Vasco Road are worth checking out.
The most desperate ones can have fun by going to a tattoo parlor. They are popular in Goa and Colva has a great variety of them. But it is worth keeping in mind that while local artists are quite capable of tattooing a simple image, then it is better not to trust them with tattoos that require skill and accuracy.
Weather
Kolva has a subequatorial climate: all year round It is hot, but in the summer there is a pronounced rainy season. The most best time for visits - from December to March. During these months there is no precipitation and humidity remains high.
Colva Beach stretches for 1.5 miles (about 2.4 km) near the resort village of the same name in South Goa and is part of a continuous 15-mile strip of sand with very conventional beach boundaries. Colva's neighboring beaches are Betalbatim and Sernabatim. Distance from Kolva to the nearest large city Margao - 10 kilometers.
Kolva has the flavor of a fishing village: local establishments serve delicious seafood. The beach is also known for its bright sunsets and diversity water activities. All South Goa It’s famous for its relaxing holiday; you’ll often see Europeans here. But Colva is an exception. One of the few places in South Goa where life does not stop after 21:00.
Sea and shore
The shore is wide (up to 120 meters), covered with fine light sand, which creaks underfoot like snow. Coconut palm trees grow along the beach, the nearest resort hotels, restaurants and cafes, and shops are neatly located. The entrance to the sea is gentle. The waves are moderate, but get stronger closer to the off-season.
On the outskirts of the beach (near the hotels), mostly tourists relax, and locals are a rarity there; Such areas are more spacious, there are many places for comfortable accommodation (sun loungers) and free accommodation with your own equipment. In the relatively sparsely populated extreme areas of Colva Beach, crabs run along the shore.
The central beach is very crowded. Visitors and locals gather here, especially at the end of the season in April-May. For quiet and relaxing holiday you can walk about 200 meters to one side of the shore, finding a secluded place for yourself. In the evenings they like to watch sunsets, which are irresistible in South Goa.
Infrastructure
There is a fish market near the beach where you can literally buy fresh seafood for next to nothing. Cafes and sheks will agree to prepare them for you. Prices in Colva are approximately the same as in North Goa, but the service is better.
On the shore, restaurants, cafes, and shekis are open for tourists, where you can comfortably stay and dine. This is especially true if meals are not included in your package tour. Here they will lovingly prepare sukem from clams and shrimps, tondak (fried fish in coconut oil), biriyani (chicken or lamb with rice), tandoori meat (in the oven), raita (a type of yogurt), rice cakes, lentils, beans and other pulses, vegetable curries, dal pulses soup, paneer, sabji and many more. Goan desserts will be unusual: rasgulla curd balls, kulfi ice cream, jalebi pancakes, buffy sweets, which can be tasted with tea with spices and milk, lemon or kefir drink.
Atmospheric performances are often held on the beach near restaurants: performances by acrobats, magicians, fire shows, discos, and national dance performances. During the day, popular activities include boat rides on the open sea, jet skis, parasailing, windsurfing, bicycle rentals and other sports.
Toilets and showers are located near numerous cafes and are free for customers. The shore is clean and cleaned regularly. The rescue service monitors the situation in the water.
Weather in Kolva
At Colva in South Goa, the weather is quite predictable and stable. From May to October, it rains and the humidity rises. The rainy season ends in November and the weather is dry until April. At the same time, in winter and summer the sea has the same temperature +28…+29°С.
Strong winds are not particularly common in Goa, so the sea is often calm. The resort is suitable for families with children. Colva Beach in Goa, like many in south coast, has a gentle descent into the water. And warm water allows you to swim for hours.
Tours to Colva
Tourists with very different incomes like to relax on Colva Beach, within package tours and independently. This is one of the most famous and popular Goa beaches. On weekends, the central part of the coast is full of locals: walking on the sand or splashing around in ordinary clothes. The beach is busiest in October, when pilgrims come to the Colva church.
The main attraction of Kolva is central beach. It is very crowded, noisy, there is always some kind of movement going on here and there is a lot of entertainment for tourists. These include parasailing, wakeboarding, fishing, wakesurfing, and windsurfing. This is the party place of South Goa, where there are discos that take place in the clubs ZIGGY’S, Men Mar, Splash, Johnny Cool’s.
In the city you can visit the temple of the goddess Lakshmi, the Church of Our Lady of Mercy with the miraculous statue of the infant Jesus. For excursions, visitors usually go to Panaji.
Reviews of Colva Beach
When planning a trip, you need to choose a resort in advance. For many vacationers, the beach plays a decisive role. Tourists who have already visited Colva Beach in Goa shared their impressions on the Otzovik website. They noted the wide coastline, very tasty food in beach cafes, good service, and a clean beach. There are a lot of people here on weekends, as well as near the main entrance. Lovers of silence can travel several hundred meters to find an atmosphere of peace. For partygoers, the place may seem boring, because in addition to the traditional marine entertainment and there are no night discos here.
As an additional source up-to-date information you can study reviews about Colva beach and hotels near the coast. Tourists who vacationed in Kolva share their impressions and photographs, tell us what to do and what to see in the surrounding area.
Colva Beach in panoramas Google Maps
Hotels near Colva beach
Goa welcomes many tourists and offers a variety of accommodation options, among which the most popular are economical ones. If desired, you can also find luxury hotels. But the majority are 2-3* hotels without meals and All Inclusive.
A few steps from the popular beach, vacationers can rent villas, rooms in resort hotels and more budget guesthouses. A little further away there are apartment complexes.
All options for booking online:
How to get to Colva beach
You can get to the beach on your own as follows: by bus(there are from major cities and airport) from the Madgaon bus station, which is located on Swatantra Path, Vaddem or by train to Magdaon (Margao) station. Trains No. 06948, 10216, 12224, 12217, 12202, 12218, 12051, 12484, 12284, 12432, 12780, 12779, 12283, 12618, 16338, 16335, 17311, 17021, 18047, 18048, 19260, 19424, 19261, 70102, 70104, 56961, 56965, 56963, 22476, 22660, 22629, 22149, 22908, 22654, 22634, 22475 go daily from different settlements: Mumbai, Bangalore, Khapa, Kolkata, Amaravati and other cities. Then it remains to cover another 7 km - by rickshaw, the official Taxi"Goa taxi" or hitchhiking.
Some vacationers rent for the entire duration of their vacation. scooter. In Goa it is very cheap and convenient. Here the majority of the population travels by motor vehicle. In order to drive on local roads, you will need a helmet and an international driving license. The cost of renting a moped will be from 250 to 500 rupees per day, depending on the model.
Transfer to Colva beach
The most comfortable way to get to the beach is from the airport or major resorts Goa - book in advance transfer to Kolva. The distance from Dabolim Airport is 24 kilometers, so travel will not be too expensive considering the prices in Goa. You can place an order in Russian and check prices using the KiwiTaxi service:
Search for transfers to Kolva
Show transfers from Colva
| Where | Where | Price | ||
| Colva | Margao | from 1389 p. | show | |
| Colva | Panaji | from 2117 p. | show | |
| Colva | Candolim | from 3241 p. | show | |
| Colva | Arambol | from 4167 p. | show | |
| Colva | Goa Dabolim Airport | from 4233 p. | show | |
Video: Colva beach, Goa, aerial photography
Kolva is big and famous resort in South Goa.
Colva is located on the coastal strip of southern Goa, only 6 km away from the city of Margao. Kolva is famous for its wide beach, which covers soft sand and is surrounded by green palm trees. Colva has gained fame due to the huge growth in tourism. Previously, Colva was considered a simple fishing village. Not only tourists, but also residents of other Indian cities come to Colva beach. There are quite a few here good restaurants, where you can try exotic Indian cuisine, and there is also a lot of accommodation to suit any budget.
There is a lot of housing on Colva, there are representative hotels and modest hotel complexes. Luxury hotels are located on Main Beach Road, 3 star hotels are located in North Colva. In the surrounding area you can find nice rooms and houses that can be rented at reasonable prices.
Breakfast in 2-3 star hotels is coffee, tea, toast with jam or butter. In the guest house there are also fruits on the menu. As additional space, a hotel can provide either a folding bed or a mattress. Not all hotels have Wi-Fi. But almost all necks provide free wifi. The connection is a little slow. 4-5* hotels have Wi-Fi at the reception, it is free. Air conditioning is not available in all rooms.
Holidays in Kolva
It’s good to have a family holiday in Kolva – the sea there is very shallow and warm, there are no underwater currents. Ayurveda lovers come to this resort. The village also has shops and pharmacies where you can buy excellent herbal, cosmetic and medicinal products.
Attractions in Kolva
- Temple in honor of Lakshmi
- Local Catholic Church
Colva territory
India is being washed Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. India shares borders with Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Currency
Indian rupee. Dollars are also used. The exchange rate is 60 rupees per dollar. It is better to exchange in exchange offices, you can in stores that have currency exchange.
Indian food
In India they eat rice, a lot of spices, and seafood. Besides, in local cuisine Chicken is revered, Indians are very fond of flatbreads. We have our own Indian rum.
Excursion tours
The most popular tour is the “Golden Triangle”, which includes Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri. Jaipur is considered the pink capital of India. There are a lot of believers here. The city was built from pink sandstone. The tour program begins in Delhi, the capital of India. Here you will meet everyday life Indians, you will see temples and minarets. In Agra, the Taj Mahal is worth a visit, as is the Red Fort. Fatehpur Sikri will allow you to see the ruins ancient temple, which is on the UNESCO list.
Goa
This is the most small state India, it is a former Portuguese colony. You can travel around the state itself in just a couple of hours. Goa has many rivers, it is considered a navigable area, and boat trips are popular here. Goa is also an agricultural state where cane, rice, nuts, vegetables and fruits are grown. Goa is a rich region; people from other cities come here to earn extra money. Tourism began to develop here in the 60s of the last century. The capital of Goa is the city of Panaji, where you can see ancient quarters and beautiful boulevards.
When to go to Goa?
The holiday season in Goa lasts from October to May. The temperature is approximately +30 degrees.
It takes 7 hours to fly from Moscow to Goa. Goa is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The beaches here are sandy, with light sand. There are more than 40 of them in Goa. All beaches are municipal. You can rent sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach.
No vaccinations are required to travel to India.
Goa has 3 parts: Central, South and North.
South Goa
This part of Goa is considered more prestigious. The hotels are located on the first line (from 250 m to the sea). Width beach strip is more than 20 m. There are no strong tides or waves. Hotel areas are isolated and located far from populated areas. The development of tourism began in the southern part of Goa. There, on Palolem beach, hippies still live, and Beatles fans come here. There are many restaurants on this beach. There are no clubs, night markets or discos in South Goa. Well-known and expensive five-star hotels are concentrated here. In this part Goa is better relax with family.
Beaches of South Goa
Hansa, Bogmalo, Arosim, Utorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Sernabatim.
Colva Beach
There are excursions at Colva Beach where you can see beautiful sunsets. The beaches of Cavelosim, Varca and Mobor have little White sand. There are yoga practitioners on Palolem. Here you can meet walking cows.
Attractions
Nossa Senhora de Merces (Our Mother of Mercy) is a church located in Colva, which was built in 1630 and where religious festivals are held every year - Fama of Menino Jesuse (in honor of the Infant Jesus), they have been organized here since the 17th century, every 3rd Monday of October. This is a very famous festival in Goa and there is a big fair at this time.
In April you can visit the Beach Bonanza fair, where dancing is held and you can listen to live music and taste local dishes.
Excursions
- Sightseeing tour - Old Goa saw Portuguese wealth; you can visit a Hindu temple, Catholic cathedrals, which are included in the UNESCO list; the capital of Goa is the city of Panaji. The approximate cost of the excursion is $60.
- Waterfall and spices - You will see a waterfall, monkeys, ride a jeep through the jungle, try Fenny vodka, and visit a plantation where spices grow. This excursion costs $70.
- Beaches of Goa (Palalem) - The excursion costs $70.
- Reserved jungle – The jungle in the reserve is located in the mountains at 900 meters in altitude. You will be able to look at beautiful waterfalls and swim in one of them.
- Amazing India ($300) - You can look at the statue of Shiva, whose height reaches 37 m, yogis often come there, see tigers and elephants, waterfalls.
- Hampi – You will see the Temple of Singing Columns and visit the capital of Ancient India.
- Gokarna, Om Beach, Murdeshwar. Look at the Shiva statue; visit the 11th century temple, the 3rd century temple. and his shrine, which gives happiness and a visit to the Om-shaped beach.
- Delhi-Taj Mahal - excursion to Delhi, Qutub Minar, a minaret whose height is 70 m; Taj Mahal, a monument of writing.
- Dinner at a Portuguese estate ($30)
- Indian wedding - holding a ceremony at sea.
- Fishing at sea: for both amateurs and professional fishermen. ($60)
- Khajuraho - Visit the city of love. In it you can visit 25 temples of the 6th century. AD The city is on the UNESCO list.
- Kashmir - trip to northern India.
- Goa - elephants.
- Dudhsgarh waterfall. – it is located in a nature reserve, where you can see monkeys.
Tour prices
A regular tour to Goa today costs from 48,000 rubles. – Accommodation in a 2-star hotel for two, breakfast. The price also includes round trip flights and transfers, as well as medical insurance.
There are a lot of last-minute tours to India that can be purchased for a very reasonable price - from 500 euros. Tour for 10 nights, 3 star hotel.
Colva is the most popular resort in South Goa. In the 60s of the last century it was discovered by hippies, which gave rise to the development of this place as popular resort. It will appeal not only to those who are looking for a busy resort life, but also to those tourists who prefer a calm and secluded holiday. Most of the tourist and entertainment infrastructure is located in the center of the beach, and its outskirts are full of uncrowded places.
Along coastline Colva Beach is home to many hotels of varying levels of service, as well as several bars and restaurants with excellent cuisine. The price range here is designed for tourists with different income levels, so not only visiting tourists, but also Indians like to relax here during their vacations.
There is a local gas station next to the Williams Resort, which will certainly be needed by anyone who wants to rent a motorbike for self-study surroundings. Gasoline can be bought in many other places where it is sold in small bottles, but its quality will be very low, so people even come to Kolva from neighboring areas to buy gasoline.
Colva hotels on the map with prices
The choice of housing in Kolva is quite wide. There are both inexpensive bungalows and budget hotels, as well as prestigious villas and hotel complexes with first-class service and developed infrastructure. Most mid-range and above hotels are located in the Main Beach Road area. For those who are looking budget options accommodation, it is worth looking for housing in the northern part of Kolva, in the Vard area No. 4.
To book a hotel in Colva at the best price on the Internet, use the map or hotel search form. It will quickly check the availability of rooms for the dates you specify and show prices for them immediately from more than 100 booking sites, including such popular booking systems as Agoda.com, Booking.com and others.
Best hotels in Colva Beach
| Beleza By The Beach 4 | ||
| Soul Vacation Resort & Spa 3 | ||
| Longuinhos Beach Resort 3 | ||
| Maison Encore Holiday Homes | no tours | |
| Ocean Crest Hotel | no tours | |
| Hotel Colva Kinara 3 | ||
| Sandray Luxury Apartments and Villa | no tours |
Where to eat
Colva is famous not only for its magnificent beach, but a huge amount restaurants (sheks) where you can taste delicious seafood dishes caught in the Arabian Sea. Prices in local restaurants are quite high compared to many other resorts in Goa, but the service is also appropriate.
For those who are looking inexpensive restaurant, in the Vasco Road area there will also be plenty to choose from. The food in these restaurants is also delicious, but the prices are noticeably lower, and the service and atmosphere are simpler.
What to see
In addition to beach holidays, Colva can also offer chic night parties that attract young people from all over the world to this area of Goa. Many of them are in no way inferior to the Trans Parties held in the sulfur part of the state. The most popular places The party scene in Colva are Ziggys, Splash, Men Mar and Johnny Cools.
Colva is one of the first resorts Goa State. It is dotted with villas, guest houses, fishermen's huts and bungalows. Photos of Colva Beach (South Goa) are often used by travel agencies as illustrations for advertising brochures and presentations dedicated to holidays in India.
| Location | South Goa |
| Coordinates | 15.276257,73.913514 (paste these coordinates into the Google maps search bar and see the real position of the beach) |
| GPS coordinates | 15°16’34.53″N, 73°54’48.65″E |
| From Dabolim Airport | 22 km |
| From the capital Panaji (aka Panjim) | 34 km |
| Nearest railway station | Margao railway station |
| Nearest city | Margao (aka Madgaon) |
| Best time to visit | December - January |
Climate and weather
The climate in Kolva is subequatorial. With a pronounced rainy season. The drought, during which it is most pleasant to relax at the resort, lasts from December to March. At this time, the weather is sunny, and the temperature during the day rises to +35 degrees. The sea warms up to +27…+29 degrees.
Beaches
Almost the entire coast of the resort is covered with sand. Colva Beach is washed by the clearest waters of the Arabian Sea. Never near the rookery big waves. The entrance to the water is gentle, without stones or other obstacles. These features, along with the presence of a rescue service, make the beach in Colva one of the safest in Goa.
Where to settle
In Kolva there is accommodation of all classes for tourists. Hotels of 4-5* categories are located near Main Beach Road (the main beach road). Hotels of classes 1-3* can be found in the northern part of the resort, in the Vard area No. 4.
Where to eat
During the tourist season, many small cafes open on Colva beach. But, according to reviews from travelers, prices in these establishments are steep and will only increase in 2018. Inexpensive eats at the resort can be found a few blocks from the coast or on Vasco Road.
At Sunday markets near the Lakshmi Temple, Indian food is prepared in the open air. During the cooking process, you can see what the food is made from and try to write down the recipe.
Entertainment, attractions and shopping
Colva is one of the centers of nightlife in Goa. The two largest nightclubs are located south of the beach. The administration of these establishments organizes parties with the participation of the best DJs of India and countries South-East Asia. Night events in Colva are popular among young people who come to relax in South Goa. Every year (including 2018) in September, near the Catholic church of the village, a fair is organized in honor of the Fama holiday, which is dedicated to the baby Jesus.
Excellent answers to the question: What to see in Colva and its surroundings? – is a visit Hindu temple Lakshmi. Every Sunday, fairs are held near this shrine, where you can buy food and products of local craftsmen, as well as watch Indian folk dances. Popular trips are to Margao, the administrative center of Goa, and to the Pandava caves, where Buddhist monks lived in the 5th-6th centuries BC.
How to get around the city
You can get around the city by bus or tuk-tuk, but it is better to rent a motorcycle or scooter for the entire duration of your vacation. They rent these vehicles near the taxi stand or the Vincis Hotel. Fuel in India is relatively cheap. In Colva, the only gas station is located behind Menino Jesus College.
How to get to Kolva
You can get to Colva from Vasco da Gama Airport by:
- by bus;
- taxi with a fixed price for the trip.
You can also reach the resort from Margao by public transport.
Prices
Prices in Kolva remain high during the tourist season. So, the cost of living at the resort per day is:
- in guest houses and bungalows – $8-38;
- In middle class hotels – $45-80;
- In resorts of 4* categories – $80-100.
Lunch at one of the coastal shacks (cafes) $8-30. Small souvenirs $2-10. Bicycle rental is $1-2 per day, and motorcycle rental is $4-8 per day.
Advantages and disadvantages
In their reviews, most tourists praise Kolva for its large, well-kept beach. Travelers also like that the resort has quiet places, where you can retire, and noisy coastal restaurants where you can eat, play volleyball or dance.
The main disadvantages of Kolva are the relatively high prices and an abundance of animals and birds (dogs, crows) near catering establishments.