A
visitor can be given free entry into Addu Atoll
without the proof of having sufficient funds and a
return ticket, if a written letter is submitted to
the Immigration by a local sponsor, prior to the
arrival.
Detail
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GLOBAL TERRORISM WARNING
You should be aware of the risk
of indiscriminate terrorist attacks in
public places anywhere in the world. Be
vigilant, and take sensible precautions.
Location: 6-km From Margao,
South Goa Main Attractions: Shack Cafés & Nigh Clubs Best Time To Visit: December To February
A
hot season retreat for Margao's moneyed
middle classes since long before
Independence, Colva is the oldest and
largest of South Goa's resorts. Its leafy
outlying 'Vaddos', or wards are pleasant
enough, dotted with colonial style villas
and ramshackle fishing huts. The beachfront
is a collection of concrete hotels, souvenir
stalls and fly blown snack bars strewn
around a central roundabout.
Each afternoon, busloads of visitors from
out of state mill around here after a paddle
on the crowded foreshore, pestered by
postcard wallahs and the little urchins
whose families camp on the outskirts. If,
however, one wants to steer clear of this
central market area, and stick to the
cleaner, greener outskirts, Colva can be a
pleasant and convenient place to stay for a
while. Swimming is relatively safe while the
sand, at least away from the beachfront, is
spotless and scattered with beautiful
shells.
Night Life:
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 beachfront 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.
By Air-The
nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji and 68 km from
Colva.
By Road-There
are frequent buses from Colva running to and from Margao (also Madgaon; 6 km
away) from where one can take a bus to Panaji, which is 33 km further ahead.
By
Bus
- There are regular local
services to and from Margao; the stops for the
local bus to Benaulim and Colva are at the south
east side of the Municipal Gardens. The buses
come around every 15 minutes or so, but have no
real schedule, and tend to hang around until
they are full before departing.
By
Train
- The nearest
railway station is at Karmali, 11 km away from Panaji. Panaji is 39 km away from
Colva.
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, or from the
other side via a lane leading west off the Main Colva-Vasco Road.
Eating Out:
When the season is in full swing,
Colva's beachfront 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.
Tip: To
avoid Bombay
going north
'Poona' is the
quickest bypass
route as Bombay
is best avoided
for travelling
through
USEFUL INFORMATION
Rent A Bike: To
rent a motorcycle, ask around the taxi rank, or in front of
Vincy's Hotel, where 100cc Yamahas are on offer at the usual
rates. Fuel is sold by the Bisleri bottle from a little house
behind the Menino Jesus College, just east of William's Resort.
This is the only fuel stop in Colva.
Exchange: Meeting point travel
between William's Resort and the crossroads, exchanges
Travellers' Cheques and cash at a little under bank rates.
Post Office: The post office
opposite the church in the village has a small but reliable
Poste Restante Box.
Books: Damodar Book store, on
the beachfront, stocks a good selection of reasonably priced
second hand paperbacks in English. They also do part exchange,
and have the best range of postcards in Colva.
