Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Candolim, Sinquerim & Fort Aguada
POP 8600
Candolim's vast beach, which curves round as far as smaller Sinquerim beach in the
south, is largely the preserve of older, slow-roasting package tourists from the UK, Russia
and Scandinavia, and is fringed with seasonal beach shacks, all offering sun beds and
shade in exchange for your custom.
Candolim's beach is pleasant, the town is mellow, there are some very good hotels hid-
den among the palms behind the beach and the main drag has a good array of restaurants,
but it's somewhat fading and lacks the personality of many other beach towns. The post
office, supermarkets, travel agents, internet cafes, pharmacies and plenty of banks with
ATMs are all on the main Fort Aguada Rd, which runs parallel to the beach.
Sights & Activities
Fort Aguada
( 8.30am-5.30pm)
Guarding the mouth of the Mandovi River and hugely popular with Indi-
an tour groups, Fort Aguada was constructed by the Portuguese in 1612 and is the most
impressive of Goa's remaining forts. It's worth braving the crowds and hawkers at the
moated ruins on the hilltop for the views; unfortunately, there was no entry at research
time to the fort's four-storey
Portuguese lighthouse
, built in 1894 and the oldest of its type in
Asia. But just down the road is the peninsula's active
lighthouse
(Indian/foreigner ?10/50, camera
?25; 3-5.30pm)
, which you can climb for extraordinary views. It's a pleasant 2km ride
along a hilly, sealed road to the fort, or you can walk via a steep, uphill path past Marbella
Guest House. Beneath the fort is the
Fort Aguada Jail
, whose cells were originally fort store-
houses, and
Johnny's Mansion
, owned by a famously wealthy Goan and often used as a set
for Indian films. Neither is open to the public.
FORT, AREA
Boat Cruises
Some of the most popular boat trips around town are run by
John's Boat Tours
( 9822182814,
6520190;
www.johnboattrips.com
)
, including dolphin-watching cruises (?1000), boat trips to An-
juna Market (?800), a Grand Island snorkelling excursion (?1400), and even overnight
houseboat cruises (?5500 per person, full board). For something more low-key (read:
cheaper), head to the
excursion boat jetty
along the Nerul River where you can haggle with in-
BOATING
