Candolim is another beach in the commercial north-Goa district, just a couple of minutes south of the famous Calangute Beach. Candolim was the first village in Bardez to be entirely converted to Christianity by the Franciscans. Candolim was also the nucleus of the 1787 anti-Portuguese revolt which was all planned out by the Pinto clan which belonged to the village. The Beach is in close proximity to the state capital Panjim and is famous for being a serene beach with comparatively lesser number of visitors as compared to Calangute and Baga. Candolim beach however, can be a bit on the expensive side if you’re looking for a budget travel. The beach is lined with restaurants and bars and with the huge coconut plantations forming the backdrop, Candolim provides a beach which has much in common with the south-Goa beaches than the north.
Climatic Conditions
The climate in all of Goa enjoys a same weather pattern with hot and humid summers, rainy monsoons and a mildly warm and pleasant winter season. The summer months between March and June are the hottest with temperatures never exceeding 40 degrees with an excruciating humidity that makes the season unfit for most visitors. The monsoon season falls between the months of June and September and see plenty of rainfall that enhances the scenic beauty of Goa. Swimming should be avoided during heavy rains as seas can be rough. The months between October till February enjoy a pleasant warm weather with moderately chilly evenings and mornings.
Best Time to Visit
Candolim is a party destination for the people who are looking for a more luxurious and pristine spot in north-Goa. The beach is full of water sports and festivities during the tourist season. The best time to visit Candolim is between the months of October and February which mark the tourist season in Goa. The weather during these months is the mildest and perfect to enjoy the warm and sunny beaches and plenty of parties and events being organized on the beaches.
How To Reach
Reaching Candolim is not a big problem for most visitors as the transport is readily available through taxis, auto rickshaws, buses and rented vehicles. The beach is hardly 15 minutes away from the state capital Panjim and 30 minutes away from the nearest railway station located in the village of Thivim. Margao and Vaso-da-gama are also around an hour away from the Beach making it easily accessible. The best way to get around Candolim and other places in goa is by renting two wheelers and one should not forget to try their hands on the Royal Enfield motorcycle which is a craze among the tourists. You can also hire a motorcycle taxi which is basically a guy with a motorcycle who will take you anywhere you’d like to travel in Goa for a fee.
Attractions
Candolim follows a pretty laid back lifestyle as compared to the overly crowded Calangute. The first place one can visit near Calangute is fort Aguada which overlooks the beach and is a famous tourist attraction in Goa. The fort the jail and the lighthouse were built in 1612 by the Portuguese for protection against the invasions from the Dutch and the Marathas. Interestingly a bulk ore carrier ship, River Princess is stuck at the shores of Candolim since the year 2000 and despite of several claims by the state government of restoring the ship it has been stuck here and is a popular tourist attraction in Candolim. Apart from these one can enjoy a nice time at the beach which is full of shacks and restaurants. Swimming can be a problem at the beach due to the underlying currents caused due to the ship and the coastline erosion. Nevertheless, Candolim is one beach you must visit if you want an escape from the bustling Calangute beach in North-Goa.
