Experience authentic Goa without compromising on luxury.

Villa in Candolim, Goa, India
Villa with Private Pool and Full-Time Maid
Casa Maya a refurbished Portuguese Villa, 5 mins Walk to the Beach
Sleeps 4 to 6 (2 double bedrooms + additional beds)

The hippies were by no means the first to discover the unspoilt charms of Goa when they adopted the region as their own personal paradise during the 1960s. For hundreds of years before, Portuguese colonists had been seduced by the area's fabulous beaches, magnificent scenery, amazing weather, splendid and varied architecture, and incredibly friendly people.

Located on the western coast of India, in the coastal belt known as Konkan, the state of Goa has an indisputable claim to its title, the 'Pearl of the Orient'. It offers so much more than just sun-bleached beaches and a clear, azure sea. It has a soul that goes deep into its unique history, its rich culture, its unforgettable scenery, and the sparkling character of its remarkable people.

The climate
The tourist season in Goa begins in late September and carries on through until early March. The weather during these months is usually - for a tropical region - dry and pleasantly cool. It generally starts to get fairly hot sometime in May. By the end of June, Goa receives the full blast of the Indian monsoon with sudden downpours and tropical thunderstorms. However it is also during this monsoon period that Goa is at its most beautiful, with greenery sprouting all around.

Language
English is widely spoken throughout Goa. The official languages of the state are Konkani and Marathi, and India's national language, Hindi, is generally understood.

Cuisine
As one would expect in a coastal region, seafood plays a central role in the area's cuisine, and prawns, mackerel, sardines, crab and lobster are popular with locals and tourists alike. Visitors can enjoy local, rice-based dishes or may take advantage of Goa's Portuguese heritage by choosing more European-style cooking.

Maps
For maps of Goa, please click the following link:

Currency Unit
The currency unit in Goa - as in the rest of India - is the Indian rupee. Each rupee comprises100 paise. Rupee notes are issued in the following denominations: 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Issued coins are worth 5, 2, and 1.50 rupees, and 25, 20, 10 and 5 paise. However one rarely finds the following in circulation: one and two rupee notes, and 20, 10 and 5 paise coins. Five hundred and one hundred rupee notes are quite similar in appearance and hence easy to confuse, so always take care while accepting or tendering notes of these denominations.
At the time of writing, the exchange rate was just over 80 Indian rupees to one pound Sterling. However, this changes all the time, and visitors should check current rates at:

Money Exchange
It is not permitted to take Indian currency out of India nor to purchase the rupee overseas. When arriving from a foreign country, visitors should change some currency into rupees at the airport or at the nearest branch of State Bank of India where good rates of exchange are offered. Money exchange services are also available at major hotels and resorts, and at private money changers. Most reputable banks, such as HDFC, and ICICI, have ATMs that will dispense cash to holders of MasterCard and Visa cards. Travellers' cheques of all major brands are easily changed. The currencies that are most widely and easily accepted are the US dollar and the British Pound Sterling. However, staff members at Casa Meya are unlikely to have the facilities to accept travellers' cheques or credit cards.