Guide to Kolva
Virtual tour to Kolva
Colva is a popular resort in South Goa, both among Indians and international visitors. Its main attraction is the central beach, which can get quite noisy and crowded. If you prefer a quieter and cleaner sunbathing experience, it's recommended to move about 200-300 meters away from the main tourist areas. Water enthusiasts will find plenty to do, from kayaking and yachting to parasailing (where you can fly over the ocean under a parachute), as well as opportunities to learn wakesurfing and wakeboarding or even go fishing.
While North Goa is known for its vibrant party scene, Colva also boasts some decent clubs and discos, such as ZIGGY'S, Splash, Men Mar, and Johnny Cool's.
While exploring the city, make sure to visit the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, which houses a statue of baby Jesus believed to possess miraculous properties. Tourists also find the Hindu temple of Kolva, dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi, quite intriguing. Although there aren't many historical sights within the city itself, you can take an excursion to the capital of Goa, Panaji. The Old Town there has preserved numerous interesting buildings and temples, including the Basilica of the Child Jesus, which houses the relics of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa.
Photos of Kolva
Interesting places in Kolva
While Colva itself is a small town with few attractions, it serves as a convenient base for day trips to interesting parts of the state. You can easily find routes for these day trips online. Additionally, the shopping experience in Colva is quite different from typical malls, as you'll explore bustling markets for souvenirs and spices. When it comes to nightlife, Colva offers a vibrant scene with beach discos and clubs.
Flight ticket prices
The nearest airport, Dabolim, is located 30 kilometers from Panaji, the capital of Goa. Once you land there, getting to Colva by ground transport is simple. Flights from Europe usually require one or two stopovers. From Wrocław, Frankfurt, Brno, or Marseille, you can travel via hubs like Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul. Airlines like Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and low-cost carriers like Wizz Air and Ryanair (to transfer cities) serve these routes.
Round-trip ticket prices range from €460 to €700 depending on the departure city and season. From Chisinau, Milan, Barcelona, and Budapest, you can find convenient connections. If you're flexible with your travel dates, you can save a considerable amount.
The best hotels in Kolva
If you're on a tight budget, check out the guesthouses. You can rent a room with minimal amenities for as little as 1.5 USD per day, but it will take some time to get to the ocean. Renting a room near the beach will cost you from 5 USD per day and more, depending on the level of accommodation. A standard double room in a hotel 2*-3* costs on average 30-40 USD, 4* - 45-50 USD per night. Fans of a quiet vacation is better to settle down away from the central beach of Colva, where in the evening can be too noisy and crowded.
Travel budget
When it comes to your vacation budget in Colva, you have flexibility. This is an affordable resort where you can find budget-friendly options like guesthouses for as low as 1.5 USD per night or rooms near the beach for 5 USD per night.
Cafes in the area also offer reasonable prices. However, if you prefer a more luxurious experience, there are high-end hotels and upscale restaurants available in the city. Have you already decided how you'd like to plan your vacation in Colva?
| The budget for a trip to Kolva | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | 120 USD | Flight | from 1400 USD |
| Accommodation | from 30 USD per day | Average check in a restaurant | from 450 INR (about 7 USD) |
| Transportation fare | from 8 INR (about 0.12 USD) | Excursion | from 2600 INR (about 40 USD) |
| Total: About 2110 USD for a week for two people, including two meals a day and at least one excursion per day. | |||
Kolva: tips for tourists
Visa to Kolva
Citizens of the European Union and most other countries require a visa to visit India. India provides an electronic visa (e-Visa) facility, making the process easier for tourists.
Colva Airport
Goa Airport, also known as Dabolim, is located four kilometers from Vasco da Gama city. It is the state's only airport, which receives charters as well as scheduled flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Trivandrum and other cities.
Transfer to Kolva from the airport
The easiest way to get from Dabolim Airport to Colva is by cab. The standard fare is around 450 INR, but sometimes cab drivers try to overcharge you. It's cheaper but longer (with connections in Vasco da Gama and Panaji) to get there by bus.
Car rental in Colva
Car rentals are not very popular in Goa, so don't expect an abundance of cheap offers. A car will cost you 800-1000 INR per day. But you can rent a scooter or a bike for 100-150 INR per day at almost every turn.
Public transportation in Kolva
Taxis are the most comfortable mode of transportation to get around the city and within Goa. Taxis come with and without air-conditioning and the fare differs. If you find the price quoted by the driver excessive, bargain before getting into the car.
Security in Colva
Police and private security companies keep order in the resort, but minor offenses (theft, vehicle theft) do occur. When going to the beach or on excursions, jewelry and large sums of money should be left in your hotel room.