Varca is a small village on the south coast of Goa, with a snow-white Catholic church, shops, good catering and good hotels. The beach is located between the beaches of Benaulim and Cavelossim, and there is also a wide coastline, almost white fine sand and no rocks and stones. This place is considered one of the most “European” in Goa and is perfect for a relaxing holiday. Unlike other resort areas, there are not a huge number of tourists and beach vendors here. The other side of such a holiday is the lack of evening entertainment and parties until the morning. Check andyeducation to learn more about the country of India.

To diversify your leisure time, you will have to ride around the area with excursions: either on your own on a rented scooter, or take advantage of what hotels offer. For example, in five-star hotels, cosmetic and wellness procedures are carried out based on traditional Indian methods.

How to get to Varka

The nearest airport to Varka is Dabolim, it is located 50 km from the resort, you can get to the beach by bus or taxi.

By taxi

The most convenient way to get from the airport to Varca is by taxi. The trip will take about 1.5 hours and cost about 700 INR. At the exit from the airport there are special desks responsible for calling the state taxi. Bargaining is pointless – all fixed prices are indicated on the stand at the parking lot. The trip must be paid in advance at the counter and get into the car with a receipt.

By bus

There are buses from Dabolim Airport to Margao. They stop on the main Goan road, and do not reach Varka itself. A bus ride will cost about 20 INR, and you will have to walk 20-30 minutes to the beach or take a rickshaw for 30 INR.

Varca can also be reached by public transport from Colva and Cavelossim, buses run regularly.

Indian buses do not have numbers. The maximum that can be found is the names of settlements-stops. They are rarely duplicated in English, so the route and stops need to be checked with the driver.

Weather in Varca

The high season in Varka lasts from November to March. At this time, the weather here is dry and sunny, the air temperature during the day is about +32… +33 ° С, at night it gets cold to +19… +21 ° С. The coldest month is January: during the day the air temperature is +22…+23 °С. For the locals, these are real frosts, but for most tourists it is an opportunity to take a break from the heat and go on excursions.

It is hot and rainy in Varka in summer: the air sometimes warms up to +40 °С, and the water in the Arabian Sea has the same temperature all year round – +27… +29 °С.

Varka Hotels

Varka is more suitable for those tourists who prefer hotels rather than bungalows or guesthouses. The conditions and service here are almost European, but the number of stars does not always meet expectations – after all, this is India. Here you can count on more comfort than on other Goa beaches, but local hotels will still be a little inferior to similar hotels in Europe.

One of the best hotels on the beach is The Zuri White Sands, Goa Resort & Casino 5*. There is a huge pool with a waterfall and a bar, a garden area, many sports fields, restaurants, a spa (one of the best in the resort), a cafe with a terrace and live music and a casino. A night in this luxury hotel will cost about 400 USD for a double room.

There are also more budget options, including among hotels of the 4-5 * category – for about 5600-7000 INR per day for a double room. A good three-ruble note in Varka will cost about 3500-4200 INR per day for two, and a guesthouse (there are not many of them here, but there are also) – 1000-2100 INR per day, depending on the conditions.

For tourists, a whole town of Colonia Jose Menino cottages was also built here. You can book a house in advance or check in upon arrival (in high season it is better to come with a reservation). The cost is from 1400 to 4900 INR per day.

The beaches of Varca

The local beach is considered one of the best in Goa: fine golden sand, clean coast, wide sandy strip (up to 150 m in the central part), beautiful bays and small bays. The depth near the coast increases gradually, for small children there is shallow water.

There are sun loungers and umbrellas at every hotel (most often their use is already included in the price), as well as in beach cafes and bars – buy a couple of drinks or snacks, and you can take a sunbed at least for the whole day.

There are many eateries on the shore, there is a volleyball court and a jet ski rental. Here you can also find local travel agencies that offer boat trips and excursions in the surrounding area. But despite the abundance of infrastructure, it is very quiet and calm here.

Shops in Varka

In Varka, there are several small supermarket shops with the most necessary things – souvenirs, sunscreen cosmetics, vegetables, fruits and other products. All of them are located along the main road or nearby, one of the supermarkets is right next to the church.

For Indian silk and cashmere, national clothes, tea and incense, you will have to ride to the city of Magrao, the administrative center of South Goa.

Cuisine and restaurants

There are several coastal cafes or shacks in Varka where you can try traditional Indian cuisine; most of the menu almost everywhere is fresh seafood. Local restaurants and cafes have adapted to European tastes, so here you will not be served anything fiery spicy, but it’s worth warning you to bring no spicy, just in case.

There are many good hotels in Varka, and almost every one of them has a restaurant. In hotels of the 4-5 * category, you can find excellent European cuisine, but prices will be higher than in cafes on the beach. A table in the high season in restaurants at hotels must be booked in advance.

Good local and Chinese cuisine is served at the Jolinn restaurant, where it is also worth ordering seafood (for example, crab soup and pasta with seafood); fish and lobster are well prepared at the Garden Court, while the best Pan-Asian cuisine is served at the Sake Pan Asian Restaurant & Lounge at The Zuri White Sands Resort & Casino.

Entertainment and attractions

Varca is a place for a relaxing holiday, and there are few sights and entertainments besides water sports and contemplation of the sunset on the beach. You can diversify your leisure time by trips to nearby beaches (about the same) or to the nearest large city Margao. In Varka, the Catholic temple of the colonial era Sri Shantadurga, which was built by the Portuguese, has been preserved; it is considered the oldest building in the settlement.

The Sal River flows within walking distance, and it is believed that sunsets on its banks are no less beautiful than on the sea. There are many dolphins in the sea, which are not at all afraid of people and swim close to the shore, and if you go on a boat trip, you can sometimes even touch them.

One of the most popular local activities is fishing. For about 1000 INR, you can “ask for it” in the company of local fishermen and go fishing, and then ask the fish to cook in one of the local cafes on the shore.

In large hotels and on the beach there are water sports centers: water skiing, sailboats, parasailing, jet skiing, windsurfing, etc., but discos and night parties are not about Varka. The most you can count on is the dance floor in a restaurant.