When considering Goa, the main things that surely rings a bell are the seashores and the alcohol. Goa has always been exciting and no one doesn’t want to visit this city that has got almost all the recreational & leisure activities. 

Goa is a state on the southwestern coast of India separated by the Western Ghats from the Deccan Highlands. It is India’s smallest state by area and has got close to 1.5 million people. It is surrounded by Maharashtra in the North, by the Arabian Sea towards the West and Karnataka to the East & South.

Goa is famous for its white-sand beaches, nightlife, local cuisine, etc. As per the current situation the whole world is going through a major turmoil in the form of Corona Virus that has impacted almost every field that you can think of. However, there is much more to Goa than the usual Beaches & Nightlife. Below are some of the Best Offbeat Places to visit in Goa & Best things to do in Goa.

Spice Plantations & Nature Will Make You Feel Better

The best way to explore Goa would be to see its nature in the form of Spice plantations, Local rivers, Backwaters. Take the Tropical spice plantation tour in Ponda that is about 30 km from the capital city of Goa Panjim. The scenery is picturesque and you will be served fresh & hot Buffet lunch (Veg/Non-Veg). Their Rava Fry Mackeral & King Fish are a must-try. They also serve prawns curry, fried prawns, etc. These spice plantations are in their natural home where you can find a huge variety of spices like vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, peri-peri, pepper, etc. These spice plantations also have mango trees, papaya trees Sugarcane plantation and please try the fresh sugarcane juice served by the local. Also, discover the flora & fauna in this serene and calm environment. Ducks, Butterflies, and an exotic variety of birds can be found. Kids can enjoy the elephant ride and also bathe the elephants. After the meals and spice tour, you can buy the local spices and the cashew Fenni. Don’t forget to click some high-quality photographs. Apart from the Tropical Spice plantation, you can also go to the Savoi plantations & Sahakar Spice Farm. The best thing to do in Goa in monsoons between July & March is to visit these spice plantations.

The More Rivers & Backwaters. The Better

Goa is a paradise of many beaches starting from Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Morjim… from the North towards Palolem, Varca, Colva, Benaulim, Agonda, Majorda, Galgibaga… in the South. Almost every tourist who comes to Goa enjoys the water sport activities on these beaches. But apart from the beaches, River Tourism is coming up for all adventure seekers. Rivers in Goa are the most unexplored and uncrowded getaways in the state. Enjoy trekking, underwater activities, Jet Ski parasailing, flyboarding, kayaking, other water adventures, crocodile Dundee & bird watching. Now the best thing to do for couples amongst them is to experience a Romantic River cruise with the sunset. These cruises are filled with Dining, Music, and other activities with great hospitality that will enrich your experience even more. Other than enjoying in the Rivers you can also go for Goa Backwaters and go Crab Catching. 

Mandovi River:  Romantic Sunset River Cruise, white water rafting

Chapora River:  Kayaking, Houseboat Cruise

Zuari River:  Crocodile Spotting

Historical & Cultural Heritage Forever

 The most common places tourist visit are the churches in Old Goa, Chapora fort, Aguada Fort, Reis Magos Fort, etc. Some of the lesser-known places at the best offbeat locations in Goa are: Devil’s Canyon – a pleasant stream gorge near Molem arranged in a delightful fix of the wilderness where the waterway streams with incredible disturbance and cuts the profound canyon into strong stone. Goa Caves – Goa is well known for some manmade as well as natural caves. More than Goa’s beaches, explore its history while visiting ancient Caves. Some of the famous caves to visit are the Arvalem caves in North Goa, Caves of Khandepar, Rivona caves that stands proof that Buddha was in Goa, Lamgau caves in North Goa dedicated to Lord Shiva, Warkhand caves, Narve caves, Usgao caves, Curdi caves & Aquem caves. Cabo de Rama is a historical fort getting its name from the ancient Ramayana. It is believed that Lord Ram, Goddess Sita & Lord Lakshman all resided here. This fort is perched between Cavelossim and Agonda beaches in South Goa.

The Magic of Waterfalls & Wildlife

Apart from the famous Dudhsagar Waterfalls, you can visit Todo Waterfalls. where you must take an adventurous & exciting Trek. Arvalem Waterfalls are a scenic, serene and worth visiting destination. This is an offbeat place to visit in Goa. Explore the Mhadei Wildlife

Sanctuary in the North Goa district. It is an area rich in biodiversity. This sanctuary also includes Vazra Sakla waterfalls and the Virdi Falls in the

Chorla Ghats. Various mammals include the Bengal Tiger, sloth bear, Indian Black Panther, Sambar deer, Barking deer, wild boar, flying squirrel, and few other endangered species.

Mollem National Park – The national park is located near the town of Mollem, 60 km southeast of Panaji, and the capital city of Goa.

Several species of snakes including the King Cobra, Hump-nosed pit viper, Indian rock python, and Malabar pit viper are found in the park.

Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is an estuarine mangrove habitat, a bird sanctuary located on the western tip of the Island of Chorão along the Mandovi River. Common species include the striated heron and western heron.

Butterfly Conservatory – The butterfly house or conservatory is a facility that is specifically intended for the breeding and display of butterflies with an emphasis on education. The kids will have a great time at this conservatory. It is located in Ponda.

Go, Island Hopping,

Take a day trip to Grande Island and experience Scuba Diving. It is one of the most exotic locations for water sports like snorkeling in Goa.

The Arabian Sea, golden sand, silver dolphins, delicious food, chilled beer, and Snorkelling, this package is one in all.

Divar Island – Catch a ferry and cross the Mandovi River to Divar Island. You can even take your bike or car on the ferry. Experience a gem of old-world charm, paddy fields, ancient temples, pretty churches, Indo-Portuguese houses, and winding roads in our Divar Island Tour. As you enter the island, you’ll find locals sitting with their fishing rods in hope of making a catch in the Mandovi River. The tops of hillocks on the island gives you a lovely view of the river. Divar Island is so blissfully green and tranquil that you’re enticed to slip into a peaceful meditation. All these make for an ideal Goa village tour. Come, take back a slice of life of Goa with you. Stepping off the ferry from Old Goa or San Pedro onto beautiful little riverine Divar Island. It is surrounded by marshy waters and crisscrossed with sleepy single-lane roads, the island makes for lovely, languid exploration, and though there’s not much particularly to see the serene and seldom-visited place to take in the atmosphere of old-time rural Goa.

These are some of the best offbeat places in Goa where one can discover & explore all by themselves.