Goa, a little state with so much soul, is the ultimate honeymoon haven for beach lovers.  Laidback, Goa is a merry blend of Portuguese and Konkani, with the atmosphere of a lively carnival town.

Think Goa and you think beaches.  All the beaches have a different character and are known by the quality of sand on the beach and the passions of the people who groove there. Anjuna is known for its shingle-sand and sixties-style flower culture. Peaceful Agonda, rocky and sandy Arambol, happy and happening Baga, red sand and coconut grove Calangute, popular Vagator, untouched Polem and Palolem and enchanting Colva are the other beaches.

Goa is ideal for a passionate honeymoon, strolling hand in hand down the beach, dancing by the fireside at midnight, singing old songs to the beat of a strumming guitar. There is much to see and do - backwater cruises down the Mandovi and Zuari rivers, dolphin cruises on the high seas, adventure sports and water sports - para sailing, wind surfing and water skiing - or you can simply hold hands and dance over the crashing waves! Chances are that you may never want to come back to terra firma once you have been transported into raptures at Goa. But so what… you can re-live your honeymoon in Goa again and again.

Getting there
Goa is well connected to Mumbai and other major cities by air, rail, road and a limited catamaran service only from Mumbai. You can fly to Goa’s Dabolim airport or take a train on the spectacular Konkan railway. National Highways link Goa with other cities and there are regular, overnight coaches and buses. Driving down from Mumbai is also a good idea, since its useful to have a vehicle in Goa.

Getting around
The best way to get around Goa is to hire a vehicle. There are no metered taxis and the bus service is erratic. Riding pillion on motorcycle taxis is extremely popular and inexpensive. You can rent two-wheelers for the day.

Accommodation
Hotel options are virtually unlimited in Goa and you can find a room to fit any budget. There are luxury hotels in prime locations near the beach, holiday resorts, tourist bungalows and beach shacks. Prices range from Rs 100 for a shack on the beach to Rs 300-1500 for middle-rung hotels and Rs 2000 and above for luxury hotels. Book in advance during season.

Best season
Goa is a year-round destination, but the best time to go is from October to March. The winter weather is balmy - the days are sunny and the nights cool, especially on the beach. The summers are hot and humid and it rains heavily from June to August, making it unsafe to swim (ideal for a torrid indoor romance!).

For detailed state and visitor information, see Goa.

Honeymoon Havens

- Dhanaulti

- Gangtok

- Goa

- Kalimpong

- Lakshadweep

- Manali

- Ooty

Overseas

- Bali

- Bhutan

- Maldives

- Mauritius

- Nepal

- Seychelles

- Sri Lanka