 
Margoa
The capital of Salcete Province, Margao is the main population
center of southern Goa and a pleasant provincial town which
still displays many reminders of its Portuguese past. In itself
it's not of great interest to travelers, though the old Margao
church is worth a visit and the covered market is the best of
its kind in the whole of Goa. Its importance is as a service
and transport centre for people staying at Colva Beach. If you're
planning on staying at Colva you must first head for Margao,
which is connected to the rest of Goa and to the neighboring
states by bus, train and taxi.
There are some interesting places around Margao. About 3 Km.
from the small village of Raia, which is on the road from Margao
to the Borim bridge, is the Rachol Seminary and Church. The
Church of the Holy Spirit, in the heart of a disheveled but
picturesque colonial enclave. Presiding over the dusty Largo
de Igreja square, the church built by the Portuguese in 1675,
is one of the finest examples of late-Baroque architecture in
Goa, boasting a pristine white facade and an interior dripping
with gilt, crystal and stucco. The picturesque farming villages
strewn across the verdant countryside around Margo host a scattering
of evocative colonial monuments and a handful of Hindu temples
that can be visited on day trips from the coast.
Accommodation
- Hotel Greenview
- Hotel La Flor
- Hotel Rukrish
- Tourist Hotel
Food
Banjara : Location
Tato, near Tato. Known for north Indian dishes. Main dishes
come for Rs 80-100
Bombay Cafe :
For vegetarian dishes
Hotel Woodland
: A fish currt for about Rs 40 and fried chicken for just Rs
40-45
Access
Roadways
Bus :
2 km north of the downtown, lies the main-Kadamba Bus Stand
on the road leading to Panaji, the state capital. Approx Fares
(Deluxe Buses) and travel time to and from some important destinations
are :
- Banglore :
Rs 225 - 15 hrs
- Belgaum :
Rs 50 - 5 hrs
- Mumbai : 325
- 17 hrs
- Pune : Rs
275 - 16 hrs
Buses also run
between Margao and Karwar. Moreover, apart from state transport
corporations, private bus operators too provide services; their
offices are in the twon centre near the Tourist Hotel.
The main bus
stand has good connectivity with beaches and various town centres
in Goa. Some of them are (Rs approx):
- Colva Beach
: Rs 5
- Chavdi : Rs
15
- Majorda :
Rs 5
- Panaji : Rs
10-15
- Rachol : Rs
7-8
- Vasco da Gama
: Rs 10
Taxi : Services
available to and from Colva. Options are :
- Mobike, costing
around Rs 40-45
- Autorickshaw,
charging around Rs 50-60
- Taxi for about
Rs 70-80
Railways
Margao's new
railway station is about 2 km from the town centre. For details
see our section on North Goa (Panaji) and make enquiry at 0834
712790
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