North Goa v/s South Goa: Get a Complete Insight
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Goa is always known to be a startling tourist destination attracting a huge number of visitors throughout the year. It is famous for its unblemished and vibrant beaches, wild parties, and amazing nightlife. But when you plan a trip for Goa, one thing that confuses travellers and bothers throughout the planning process is where to head out first or where to stay? North Goa or South Goa!
Both North Goa and South Goa are perfect destinations for stay or enjoyment, but they have their own flavours to offer to the visitors. To clear the confusion, it is better to check out the prime focus of your vacation and decide accordingly. Despite being in the same region, North Goa and South Goa differ in various ways. To help you plan your trip well, here is a comparison between North Goa vs. South Goa. Hope it will help you out in making a clear decision.
Know More : 8 Best Places to Visit in South Goa
Weather of Goa
Since Goa is a small state, weather in all of its parts remains almost the same at all times. Both North Goa and South Goa have tropical weather condition with a hot and humid climate all through the year. But one can notice that the weather of South Goa is less humid in comparison to that of North Goa, may be due to beaches and sun. Considering its climate, both North and South Goa are best to visit between the months of November and March due to comparatively pleasant weather conditions.
Read More : Top Places to Visit in Goa in December
How to Reach North Goa and South Goa
Whether you want to reach North Goa or South Goa, you will need to reach Dabolim International Airport first. From there, you can hire a cab to reach your hotels in goa. North Goa is around 27 km from the airport, while South Goa is around 50 km away. If you want to travel by train, then the nearest railway station to North Goa would be Karmali Railway Station at a distance of around 7 km. On the other hand, nearest railway station to South Goa would be Canacona Station at a distance of around 15 km. In addition, Goa has a number of public as well as private bus operators offering intercity and interstate bus services to and from North as well as South Goa.
See More : Best attractions in North Goa & South Goa
Cafes and Restaurants in Goa
To soothe your taste buds, both North Goa and South Goa are lined with numerous cafes and restaurants. Some of the best cafes and restaurants in South Goa are Cafe Inn-Canacona, Blue Planet Cafe-Canacona, Cafe Tato- Margao, Souza Coffee-Benaulim and others. Best of them in North Goa include Lila Cafe-Anjuna, Vevenda Kafe – Candolim, Cotinga- Anjuna, Cafe Basil- Panaji and others. These cafes assure to serve you with the best and diverse seafood. With the Arabian Sea at the backdrop, these cafes are an essential place to have a glimpse of the Goan culture too.
See More : Goa for Vegetarians: 10 Great Options
Accommodation in North Goa And South Goa
Both North Goa and South Goa are lined with a number of luxurious hotels to make your stay comfortable. Some of the most renowned names are The Lalit Golf & Spa Resort– South Goa Vicinity, The Zuri White Sands, Goa Resort & Casino – Varca Beach, Planet Hollywood Beach Resort– Majorda Beach and others in South Goa, and Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort– Candolim, Hyatt Centric Goa– Candolim, Le Méridien Goa – Calangute and others in North Goa. However, Goa is a place where you should prefer spending your money on outdoor adventurous activities rather than on paying huge bills just for staying.
Both North and South Goa are lined with a number of budget hotels too that match your necessities without emptying your bank balance. Few of the best budget hotels in North Goa are SinQ Prive – Candolim, Treebo Zeebo Suites – Arpora, Bagatel – Calangute and others. Some of the best budget hotels in South Goa include Palolem Inn – Palolem, The Pentacon Resort – South Goa Vicinity, Agonda Paradise – South Goa Vicinity and others.
North Goa Beaches vs South Goa Beaches
The beaches of Goa are extremely beautiful and picturesque, but there is a difference in the style and ambience of the beaches of North Goa and South Goa. If you are a party lover, then beaches of North Goa are for you. The happening and exhilarating beaches of North Goa are home to numerous cafes and shacks. These cafes and shacks attract a myriad of visitors in comparison to South Goa. If your idea of fun is partying; and you love being surrounded by people, then you should definitely visit the fun-filled beaches of North Goa like Candolim, Baga, Anjuna, Calangute, Vagator, Morjim, Arambol, and Sinquerim.
However, if the prime focus of your trip is to spend some time in peace and solitude, then visiting South Goa beaches is a good choice for you. These beaches are not crowded and are cleaner and fresher than beaches of North Goa. You can just grab a beer and enjoy the beautiful sunsets in the sun-kissed sands enjoying some relaxing time. Sipping a mocktail and strolling on the beaches enjoying the serenity of nature is ideal. Best beaches in South Goa include Agonda, Palolem, Butterfly, Patnem, Cola and others.
Book Hotels near Anjuna Beach and get amazing deals
Sightseeing in Goa
In North Goa, you have more opportunities to explore the historical heritage of the Portuguese era. You can witness the architectural wonders of ancient churches, cathedrals, and buildings situated in North Goa, such as Basilica of Bom Jesus, Chapora Fort, Fort Aguada, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church and others. In addition, nature lovers can even visit the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary to admire the natural beauty, flora, and fauna.
On the other hand, the southern part of Goa is for the ardent lover of nature. South Goa is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts with its distinct flora and fauna. This region also encompasses several attractions along with many churches, but the architecture of South Goa does not hold a rich history; and as compared to Churches of North Goa, they are newer. While in South Goa, you can go to Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Dudhsagar Falls, Rachol Fort, Cabo de Rama, St. Xavier”s Church and other attractions.
Things to do
While in North Goa, you can enjoy several activities like
• Scuba diving
• Banana boat ride
• Snorkelling
• Kayaking
• Ferry Ride Travel
• Cruise Ride
• Visit the Naval Aviation Museum
• Mapusa Market visit
In South Goa, you have the following options to have some great time:
• Trekking at Dudhsagar Falls
• Trek in the Jungle
• Take a Temple Tour
• Spice Plantation Tour
• Dolphin spotting
• Rock Climbing
Shopping in Goa
A trip is not complete without shopping. If you are planning to take back souvenirs, you should head to the flea markets in North Goa. The markets of North Goa are crowded, yet you can enjoy your shopping at Saturday night market in Arpora, Wednesday market in Anjuna, Friday market in Mapusa and Bicholim and many others. On the other hand, the markets of South Goa are less crowded in comparison to those of North Goa. But you can take your time while shopping without any rush and get the best deals. Best places to shop in South Goa are Margao market, Vasco”s municipal market and others.
Nightlife
North Goa is famous for its amazing nightlife, which is a paradise for party lovers. The nightclubs and the electrifying vibes of the parties will pump up your adrenaline rush. The parties are filled with young crowd, foreigners, and talented DJs. Best places to enjoy the nightlife in North Goa are Deltin Royale Casino, Tito”s, Club Cabana, and Cafe Mambo”s cruise tour and others.
The nightlife of South Goa is a little dull in terms of parties and nightclubs. But you can enjoy elite parties that are lively under the shed of your comfortable resort. You can also attend silent noise parties where people gather and listen to music of their own choice with headphones on. Best ways to enjoy the nightlife in South Goa include silent noise party at Palolem beach, dance nonstop at Leopard Valley, star-gazing near a beach, etc.
Be it South Goa or North Goa, both have their own charm and attractions. North Goa will offer you electrifying vibes and historical retreats, while South Goa will offer you tranquillity and solitude in beauty and bounty of nature. Both places are worth visiting, however, your selection depends on your personal choice and budget.
