Colva
is the most popular beach among the Goans with its white powder sands on the
shores of the Arabian Sea. Colva is Goa’s longest beach with 20 km of
virgin white sands that are fringed with palms and drenched with the sun.
The small village of Colva is located in south Goa, 39 km away from Panaji
(the old name for Panjim) the capital of the state of Goa. Benaulim is 2 km
further ahead of Colva.
The Colva Beach is broad and beautiful, and has a stream coursing through
it. A walk on the beaches is full of delights. Shimmering silver carpets of
banded (mackerels) lie drying on the golden sands. Fishermen’s motor
travellers lie anchored in a line offshore. Tourists in colorful dresses
throng about and several of them can be seen sunbathing in the glorious sun.
Trinket stalls and drink stands on the golden sands make a moonlit evening
on the Colva Beach utterly romantic.
A Sleepy Village
Only a decade ago, this fishing and rice-farming village, scattered around
the coconut groves and paddy fields between the main Colva-Mobor Road and
the dunes, had barely made it onto the backpackers map. Now, the shady lane
leading through it is studded with guesthouses and souvenir stalls while the
paddy fields on the outskirts are gradually disappearing under a rash of
gigantic luxury resorts and time-share apartment blocks. For the time being,
however, this remains a peaceful and welcoming place to unwind.
Either side of the sand blown beach front, the gently shelving sands
shimmer away almost to the horizon, littered with photogenic wooden fishing
boats that provide welcome shade if the walk from the palm trees to the sea
gets too much.
Moreover, the sea is safe for swimming, being generally jellyfish-free,
while the village itself boasts a few serviceable bars and restaurants,
several telephone booths and a couple of stores.
Location
Colva is a small village in south Goa on the shores of the Arabian Sea. It
lies 39 km away from Panaji, capital of the Indian state of Goa. Two km
further ahead from Colva is Benaulim.
Climate
Goa has a consistent climate through the year with just meager fluctuations
in the temperature. December and January might require light woolens. April
and May are warm. The period from June to October brings heavy rain, almost
up to 400 cm. The temperature during the summers ranges from 24°C to
32.7°C and during the winters it ranges from 21.3°C to 32.2°C.
Tourist Attractions of Colva Beach
Nossa Senhora de Merces (Our Lady of Mercy) Church
The church is famous for its annual religious event—Fama of Menino
Jesuse (Child Jesus)—since the 17th century. The predominantly Catholic
community celebrates it on the third Monday of October every year. It is one
of Goa’s most popular feasts and a big fair is held on the occasion.
Bull Fighting
From early October to late May, from 4 PM onwards, one can see the bull
fights at Colva . On the beat of taped Konkani music, the bullfights are
usually held in an old rice field with no fences or barricades just outside
a village.
Gourmet Delight
When the season is in full swing, Colva's beach front sprouts a row of
large seafood restaurants on stilts, some of them very ritzy indeed, with
tablecloths, candles and smooth music. The prices in these places are top
whack, but the portions are correspondingly vast, and standards generally
high. Budget travellers' are equally well catered for, with a sprinkling of
Shack Cafés at the less frequented ends of the beach, and along the
Vasco Road.
Nightlife at Colva
Although never an established rave venue, Colva's nightlife is livelier
than anywhere else in south Goa, thanks to its ever-growing contingent of
young package tourists. The two most happening nightspots are down in the
dunes south of the beach front area: splash boasts a big MTV satellite
screen and music to match, and a late bar and disco that liven up around
10.00 pm.
A sandy plod just south of here, posier Ziggy's boast Goa's only air
conditioned dance floor, a thumping Indian Ragga and Techno sound system,
and a sociable terrace littered with wicker easy chairs. If one prefers to
get plastered somewhere affordable and less pretentious, try Johnny Cool's
midway between the beach and Colva crossroads. Men Mar, on the Vasco Road,
also serves beers, snacks and Lassis until around 10.30 pm.
Places to Stay
Mirroring the village's rapid rise as a package tour resort, Colva's
plentiful accommodation ranges from swish campuses of chalets and swimming
pools to a fair selection of good value guesthouses in between. Most of the
mid and top of the range places are strung out along the Main Beach Road or
just behind it. Budget rooms lie amid the more peaceful palm groves and
paddy fields north of here: the quarter known as Ward 4, which is accessible
via the path that winds north from Johnny Cool's Restaurant.
...Other
Goa Beach Resorts
Location : 6-km From Margao, South Goa
