Travel Eye on Dona Paula (Goa, India)

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Overview:

A small fishing village with a harbour and pier; the atmosphere is relaxed and not particularly touristy, except that the beachfront road has become cluttered with tatty stalls. The main beach and two of the hotels are in a more residential sector nearly a mile to the E.

Locality:

Dona Paula is located in central Goa, straddling the tip of a peninsula between the estuaries of two large rivers. 5 mls S of Panjim; 20 mls NW of the airport. The area occupies a S-facing cove, with low hills rising behind.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

The area is most popular with middle-aged and active elderly. Few attractions for nightlife-orientated youngsters or children. Modest beaches are unsuited to those seeking powdery white sands.

The accommodation here is predominantly middle to upper-middlemarket categories, with a few simpler options.

The Harbour has jet boats and water sports equipment for hire, but beach here is poor; better at the small cove behind the Prainha hotel. Main beach of damp, compact sand 1 mile E at Vainguinim, in front of Cidade de Goa. Good diving and water sports centre.

Shopping is limited to market stalls line the seafront, several general stores, but a visit to one of the recognised markets is best for souvenirs. There are few beach vendors here, which most would consider an advantage.

Entertainment is pretty much limited to hotels, concentrated in Cidade de Goa.