Location: Dona Paula
Top Things to do in Dona Paula
Top 10 Things to do in Dona Paula, India
Dona Paula is a former village, and tourist destination, in the suburbs of Panaji, Goa, India. It is today home to the National Institute of Oceanography, and just alongside it lie the Goa University and the International Centre Goa.
Restaurants in Dona Paula
1. Dona Paula Beach and Viewpoint
Overall Ratings
4 based on 764 reviews
Reviewed By Sonali V
Very beautiful landscape and being about romance a nice hangout for young people. Lot of nice eating places also around. We had a nice time roaming around the place. A nice place to visit with friends when in Goa.
2. Rita's Gourmet Goa
Overall Ratings
5 based on 215 reviews
Goa a well known tourist destination for its golden sand, charming people, heritage monuments is also popular for scrumptious food. So if you are interested in cooking and would like to learn more on culinary delight and taste of Indian & Goan Cuisine, then join us at Rita’s Gourmet Goa and unravel how an Indian kitchen comes out with such a varied nature of delectable spiced curries and delicious dishes. Enjoy a fun filled cooking session and savouring the delicious dishes in an outdoor garden kitchen. Rita's Gourmet offers a number of culinary workshops and food tours. To name a few : (1) The popular Five hours Cooking Class with Local Farmer’s Market tour (2) Three & Five days Comprehensive Cookery Workshop in Indian Cuisine and in exclusive Goan Cuisine (3) Shore Culinary tour for Cruise line Passengers (4) Three days Culinary & Heritage tour. Add value to your Goan holiday by joining us at Rita's Gourmet Goa and we will not only teach you all about Masalas, Curries, Chutneys, flavorful Indian delicacies but will also take you around on a rich culinary tour showcasing the spice plantation, local farmer's market tour, heritage museums showcasing culinary and agrarian artifacts and many more culinary experiences.
Reviewed By travelaslongasican - Peterborough, United Kingdom
My partner and I booked a day class to start at 9.30. We arrived a little early as we weren't sure how long the taxi would take from Candolim but this was no problem
Breakfast was provided though I'm afraid we didn't do it justice as we had already had breakfast in our hotel.
We were taken by taxi to the local market where we explored the different spices, fruits and vegetables. Rita explained about the different foods, some of which we hadn't seen before. We then walked over to the fish market for a quick look then back to cook the food for the day. Rita has some girls who work for her so all the prep work is done. Whenever you watch cookery programs on TV I always think it looks easy, this is because they have someone who has done all the prep work so this is a bonus.
We cooked a desert and 4 items, all of which tasted great. Rita takes a great deal of time explaining and asking food preferences, for example she will accommodate if you don't eat fish and or meat.
We were given the recipes and step by step instructions so can try them at home.
It was a great day ending at 2.45 and were give food to take back that we couldn't eat.
All in all a great day and am looking forward to trying out and adapting some of the recipes we received
There was just us and another 2 people which was a good size of group. You cook outside under a large covered area but never felt hot. Food hygiene is very good with all areas and items very clean.
I would love to do another class if in Goa again.
Thanks to Rita and her staff
3. Sinquerim Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 688 reviews
Reviewed By Ravindra V - Hyderabad, India
We had absolutely no expectations from this beach. We visited this as we were near this place (Fort Auguda). But after visiting this beach, we thanked ourselves as we might have missed such a beautiful beach. It has great scenic feeling attached to it. Good thing is not much crowded so you get to spend your own personal time here. It has amazing view of the fort as well.
4. Goa Kayaking - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Goa Kayaking is one of India's and definitely Goa's best on the water eco tourism combine, specializing in kayaking experiences (multi-day kayaking and adventure packages,day trips in the rivers and along the coast,moonlight kayaking), sailing in the Hollant Velsao Bay Area and exclusive and unique one of a kind "Down by the Riverside" riverine boating trips to experience firsthand,life on the river!Join us for some breathtaking river kayaking trips into The Sal Backwaters - quiet and serene, 40 species of different birds, mangroves and orchards as the river winds its serpentine way deep into the countryside!The Nerul, Zuari and Mandovi rivers are some of the major rivers of Goa and provide green mangroves on both banks teeming with birdlife and the calls of the young ones! Catch the sunrise on the waters from your kayak as you silently glide along to the waking calls of the birds and hear temple bells and morning prayers, herald the new day!Pre booking a must to avoid disappointment! Though we do try our very best to accomodate last minute bookings.
Reviewed By SuH31 - Singapore, Singapore
Our experience started with an excellent briefing by Prakash where he explained the safety features of the kayak, life jackets, cleanliness of the river. He told us about the flora and fauna we would see along the river and then taught us the basics of kayaking. The Sal river backwaters are ideal for beginners like us, the water was very placid and easy to kayak in. Our guide, Ravi had a knack for spotting birds and critters that we may have missed- he pointed out monitor lizards and birds resting in the trees. We saw beautiful white and pink lotus, mangroves, mango trees, orange-breasted kingfishers, pied kingfishers, white and grey herons, cormorants, moorhens, eagles, beautiful Brahmini kites, ducks, colourful bee-eaters, monitor lizards and a family of otters that got surprisingly close to us.
All in all, a highly recommendable half day activity.
5. Cabo Fort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By zeeshan h - Pune, India
Cabo fort is a very nice and beautiful place, on the dona paula beach. it's a small fort, from this fort you can see a beautiful sea view, I love this fort. A must visit site in goa
6. Fort Aguada
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
7. Chances Casino and Club
Overall Ratings
4 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By JoChopra - Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand, India
I stayed at Chances because I was put up there by the organizers of the conference I was attending at the nearby Goa International Centre. I was really put off by the idea of a casino because I hate gambling . . . but I have to admit I was completely undisturbed by it. My room was in a separate building, so that helped, I guess.
The staff at Chances are truly amazing. SUCH friendly, polite people - from the waiters in the restaurant to the security guards; from the desk staff to the room cleaners - all uniformly charming, helpful and lovely.
My room was immaculate and quiet; also large and well appointed. The WIFI is fast, but a bit annoying in that you have to sign in again every 24 hours with a new password. I didn't use the pool but it looked very clean. The food was very good, especially the daal makhani which was the best I have ever had in my life (and I've had a LOT!).
8. Reis Magos Fort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 391 reviews
Newly restored Portuguese Fort
Reviewed By arathi0 - Bengaluru, India
Its a beautifully restored fort, very quiet and serene surrounded by lush greenery,
So clean and its a pleasure to explore, lots of photo opportunities, The red brick is awesome. All the history depicted inside is a easy to read and fascinating, Mario Mirandas cartoons are worth the visit, Clean toilets at the reception area and also in the fort... on the upper level
free car is there for those who dont wish to make the small walk up the fort
but I suggest you walk
9. Traya Natural Health Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Traya Natural Health Centre is only of its kind in Goa with Ayurved, Yoga, Naturopathy, Reiki, foot reflexology, hypnotism etc under one roof. We have a in-house treatments including massages, scrubs, wraps, ayurveda treatments like shirodhara etc based on the client's/patient's consultation with the doctor! we have customized detox packages for various health ailments including weight loss and general well being!
Reviewed By rsngr2013 - London
Masseurs and people giving relief and relaxation to one's body should not have long nails - my practitioner's nails dug into me at first go and caused pain and discomfort all the way through the treatment so that I had to cut it short. When I suggested that she keep her nails short she retorted that she would never do that and that she loved her nails. Her pressure was too hard as well. Also the receptionist wanted payment up front before any treatments so that she could leave on time to go to church as she said. I left feeling the place had a distinct lack of professionalism. My previous experience however was much better and the ayurvedic doctor was very good which is why I went back.
10. Tattva Spa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Erin D - Singapore, Singapore
This spa is nestled within the Cidade de Goa resort, which is already a beautiful hideaway tucked out from the bustling streets of Panaji, in Goa. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, taking the time to find out what kind of services I wanted and customising a spa day package for me based on my preferences. The only drawback was the fact that the massage table did not have a whole for your face, which was bad for alignment when lying face-down.
I opted for a massage and a body scrub (called a mist polisher), which concluded with a shower and steam. The massage left me feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. The mist polisher left a floral note in the air and had my skin feeling like lightly whipped butter. This was only accentuated by the hot mists of the steam, which was activated by the temperature in the shower room and continued sometime after rinsing the polishing salts from my body. All in all, I think I would go back to this resort if only just for this spa!
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