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ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Goa ranges from
charming old family homes turned into guest houses at budget prices and
aesthetic mid range resorts with Goan cottages by the sea, to splendid
five star deluxe hotels. In addition Goa
Tourism Development Corporation (Trionora Apartments, Panjim) runs
moderately priced accommodation throughout Goa.
INFORMATION OFFICES
Government Of India Tourist Office
Communidade Building
Church Square, Panjim
Government Of Goa,
Department Of Tourism Offices
Tourist Home, Patto, Panjim
North Goa - Tourist Shopping Complex,
Mapusa
South Goa - Tourist Hostel,
Margao
Tourist Information Counter
Interstate Bus Terminus, Panjim
Tourist Information Counter, Tourist
Hostel, Vasco-da-Gama
Tourist Information Counter,
Dibolim Airport
Government Of Tamil Nadu
Tourist office, Rayu Chambers
Dr. A.B. Road, Panjim
Kerala Tourist Office, Bhanav Apartments,
Dr. Shirgaonkar Road,
Panjim
Maharashtra Tourism
Development Corporation
Tourist Hostel, Panjim
Karnataka Tourism
Development Corporation
Velho Filhos Building,
Municipal Garden Square,
Panjim
Government Of Andhra Pradesh
Tourist Information Centre
Rua de Ourem, Panjim
At Delhi:
Government of Goa,
Tourist Information Counter,
Goa Sadan, Amrita Shergil Marg,
New Delhi
At Mumbai:
Government Of Goa, Tourist
Information Counter,
Central Railway Station,
Mumbai
BANKS
Most banks in Goa offer currency exchange. Some major banks are:
State Bank Of India,
Panjim
Andhra Bank
Panjim
Bank of Baroda
With branches at Panjim, Mapusa, Anjuna, Calangute, Vasco, Margao,
Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim, Colva and Betalbatim.
Central Bank Of India
Panjim
IDBI
Near Cine Blue, Margao,
Accepts American Express Cards Issued In India.
Times Bank
18th June Road, Panjim
& Municipality Building, Margao
Accepts Centurion Bank Cash Cards.
Andhra Bank
Panjim
Accepts Centurion Bank Cash Cards.
Andhra Bank
Panjim
Accepts master card, JCD and VISA
HDFC
Margao,
18th june road Panjim
Accepts American Express, Master,
VISA , VISA Electro, CIRCUSS
ICICI BANK
Opposite Passport Office, Panjim
Opp Molipot House Near Loyala
Road, Margao
Accepts ICICI Bank Cards.
BY FERRY
If auto-rickshaws are the quaint essentially Indian mode of transport,
flat-bottomed ferries are their Goan equivalent. Crammed with cars, buses,
commuters on scoters, fisherwomen and clumps of bewildered tourists, these
rusting blue-painted hulks provide an essential service, crossing the
coastal backwaters where bridges have not yet been built. They're also
incredibly reasonable, and run from the crack of dawn until late in the
evening.
The most frequented river crossings in Goa are Panjim to Betim, across
the Mandovi; Old Goa to Divar Island; Siolim to Chopdem, across the
Terakol River; and Cavelossim in the far south of Salcete Taluka, to
Assolna.
LOCAL TRANSPORT
By Motorcycle Taxi: Goa's unique pillion-passenger motorcycle
taxis, known locally as "pilots", are ideal for nipping between
beaches or into town from the resorts. Bona fide operators ride black
bikes with yellow mudguards and white number plates. Fares, which should
be settled in advance, are comparable with auto-rickshaw rates.
By Rented Motorcycle: Renting motorcycle in goa gives a lot of
freedom. Officially, one needs an international driver's licence to rent,
and ride, anything more powerful than a 25cc moped. Rates vary according
to the season, the vehicle, and how long one wants to rent it for most
owners also insist on a deposit and passport as security. The range is
pretty standard and the reasonable choice is a 50 cc moped. These are fine
for buzzing to the beach and back, but to travel further try the stalwart
Enfield Bullet 350cc, popular mainly for its pose value; the smaller but
more reliable Honda Kinetic 100 cc, which has automatic gears and is a
good first-time choice or the best all rounder, the Yamaha RD 100 cc;
light, fast enough, reliable, economical and with annual gears.