Goa, India for Gay Men: Land of Beaches, Coconut Palm, Fun and Frolic

by Anand

Readers may be interested in reading our overview of India's gay culture.

Goa is a tiny state in India. But despite its size it has a rather unique flavor. A perfect destination for couples, Goa is by far the most sought after holiday destination in India. A tour to Goa is a visit to paradise, which is embedded between the seas and the lush forested hills, offering glittering sands, coconut palms, and ultra fresh variety of seafood. Goa holds the attraction of golden beaches, peaceful fishing villages, colorful markets and baroque churches.  

Goa has a laid-back charm and a hard to miss happy aura about it. The distinct Mediterranean flavor in Goa is a heritage of over four centuries of Portuguese rule. Goa has preserved the ancient past of the Portuguese culture left behind that is well showcased in some of the fine administrative buildings, convents, cathedrals, churches and some beautiful old bungalows, which left behind an addictive fusion of the Indian life with the Mediterranean.

The best time to visit Goa is from October to March. Beaches in Goa are the priceless marvel of the state. Some of the famous beaches are the Baga Beach, Calanguate Beach, Candolim Beach etc. The most pristine beaches in all of India, they are a no nonsense place and ideal for a romantic walk, or to have fun with games and sports. If there are beaches, water sports cannot be far behind. Some of the water sports options are Scuba diving, Water Skiing, Parasailing and Wind surfing.

Churches in Goa are another attraction, which are listed among the World Heritage Sites. The architecture of Goa is a combination of Indian, Mughal and Portuguese styles. Since the Portuguese ruled for four centuries, many churches and houses bear a striking element of the Portuguese style of architecture. Built between the 16th and 17th century AD, the churches present a unique blend of the Renaissance and Baroque styles. The Goan churches are famous for their outstanding and exemplary Christian architecture. Some of them are the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Chapel of St Catherine etc. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the patron saint of Goa.

Apart from churches, Goa is famous for its forts such as Tiracol, Chapora, Corjuem, Aguada, Gaspar Dias and Cabo de Rama, all of which are historic marvels themselves. 

Goa is a place, where fun & frolic never ends, whether it is break of the dawn or dusk, midnight or noon. Nightclubs and discothèques make nightlife in Goa exciting. A large number of bars, restaurants, casinos & eating outlets double the enjoyment.

Every year in the month of February for a period of 3 days, Goa Carnival is held with a message of ‘Spread colours of fun and gaiety’. Street Plays, songs, dances, and unrehearsed farces are some of the facets of this carnival, which doubles the enjoyment of the Goa experience.

For the shoppers, the state has number of markets, out of which the most famous of all is the flea market - Anjuna Market, in Anjuna beach. Local handicrafts and brassware are excellent souvenirs which you could collect from Goa. 

The Panjim International Airport in Goa is well connected with flights from New York, London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Singapore etc.

For those who love seafood, Goa is the place to be. Fish, prawns, mussels, oysters, crabs and lobster dishes are the speciality of the region. Goan cuisine is famous for its rich variety of fish dishes cooked with elaborate recipes. Coconut and coconut oil are widely used in Goan cooking along with chili peppers, spices and vinegar giving the food a unique flavour. Pork dishes such as Vindaloo, Xacuti and Sorpotel are cooked for major occasions among the Goan Catholics. The most popular alcoholic beverage in Goa is feni; Cashew feni is made from the fermentation of the fruit of the cashew tree, while coconut feni is made from the sap of toddy palms. 

Goa has innumerous hotels, resorts, inns, and home accommodations to add to that comfort for the visiting travelers all through the year. During season time, it’s always best to book your rooms in advance as this would ensure availability of rooms when you arrive. I can even go on to recommend a stay at Vista Do Rio Resort where I had my best time with all varieties of food and beverages in offer. Apart from this, The Leela Beach Resort and Taj Fort Aguada Beach Resort are among those that offer five star facilities. So come to Goa and fall in love with it.