Dona Paula Tour & Travel Guide | Dona Paula Tourism | Dona Paula Holiday Packages

Top Dona Paula Hotels

Hotels(19)|Ratings(68)|Reviews(68)
Last rated May 20th 2013

#1	Goa International Centre Reviews (15) Rs. 3400 1

#2	Swimsea Beach Resort Reviews (14) Rs. 2800 2

#3	Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat Reviews (11) Rs. 6000 3

#4	Chances Casino and Resort Reviews (8) Rs. 6000 4

#5	Vainguinim Valley Resort Reviews (5) Rs. 9900 5

#6	Prainha Cottage Reviews (4) Rs. 4500 6

#7	Villa Sol, Hotel Reviews (3) Rs. 1800 7

#8	O Pescador Reviews (2) Rs. 2500 8

#9	Sea View, Hotel Reviews (2) Rs. 800 9

#10	Villa At Dona Paula Reviews (1) Rs. 1800 10

Places to visit in Dona Paula
	Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary Sanctuary #1 of 5 Hotels near Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

	Dona Paula Beach Beach #2 of 5 Hotels near Dona Paula Beach Photos of Dona Paula Beach

	National Oceanography Institute Other #3 of 5 Hotels near National Oceanography Institute

	Cabo Fort Fort #4 of 5 Hotels near Cabo Fort

	The Governor's House - Cabo Raj Niwas Monument #5 of 5 Hotels near The Governor's House - Cabo Raj Niwas

»More Places

Dona Paula Map

Dona Paula Events »

Budget hotels in Dona Paula »

5 star hotels in Dona Paula »

Hotels in Dona Paula with Tariff »

Best Hotels in Dona Paula »

Suggest a Dona Paula hotel »

Best Beaches in India »

About Dona Paula Tourism

Dona Paula, which was once a village, is now a tourist destination in the Indian state of Goa. It houses the International Centre Goa, the National Institute of Oceanography and Goa University. The place lies at the spot where two rivers meet to flow into the Arabian Sea. In the olden days, fishing was the major activity of the people of Dona Paula. However, today, numerous resorts and cottages have come up, making it an important tourist destination of Goa. The erstwhile village is also home to a few top industrialists of India who have set shop here. History of Dona Paula The location of Dona Paula and its sculpture has given rise to many myths. The place is situated on a hammer shaped rock. One of the most popular myths related to the area is Dona and Paulo were husband and wife. One day, Paulo went fishing and never returned. His faithful wife, Dona, waited for years for him to return until she finally turned into a stone. Another myth says that after Dona and Pualo were separated, they jumped off the cliff and ended their lives. The sculpture on the rock has been built to commemorate the love of the two. Paula in the name Dona Paula refers to Paula Amaral Antonio, who was a lady and the daughter of a Portuguese in Sri Lanka. The name of the place is dedicated to her. Dona, in Portuguese means married and Paula was married to a Spanish man, hence the term Dona Paula. Things to do in Dona Paula Dona Paula is essentially a beach resort, with water sports being the primary activity. Some tourist attractions of Dona Paula are the National Institute of Oceanography, the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and the Cabo Fort. Like the rest of Goa, Dona Paula has a tropical climate, with high humidity throughout the year. The temperature here ranges from 30-35° Celsius throughout the year, and the best time to visit Dona Paula is during the months of November to February. Travelling to Dona Paula The place does not have a railway station or an airport. The best way to reach Dona Paula is by road or via a boat from one of the nearby cities of Goa. Read More >>

7 Dona Paula Traveller Reviews

"ek duje ke liye"

Posted by dharmesh
Baroda
May 23, 2013

Dona Paula Experience: its world famous view point located 1 km from resort, panjim city is also 3-4 kms from resort. resort located on the beach and from the room 1 can enjoy sunset from the balcony of the room.

Food, sight-seeing and shopping: local goan food prepare from goan spices, variety flavours of cashew, goan wine and fenny.

Activities & things to do: Para sailing and other water sports, doodhsagar water fall trip,

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: by air or by rail. airport is located 35 km far from resort and nearer railway station is also that much away.

Was this review useful?
YES
0 votes, be the first to vote.

"Go Goa"

Posted by Verr
Pune
Mar 28, 2013

Dona Paula Experience: The beach has limited crowd where can get privacy. The shore is also clean to have a swim in the Arabian Sea.

Food, sight-seeing and shopping: The nearest spots are within 20 km where u can shop in Panajim market and look out for some age old churches.

Activities & things to do: Water sports is actually a thing you can experience here.

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: Take a cab from the Mandovi river - will cost around Rs.400

Was this review useful?
YES
0 votes, be the first to vote.

"Good"

Posted by shashi
Thane
Feb 09, 2013

Dona Paula Experience: Good, Nice place to roam around and spend time during night, very cool and calm place, you can enjoy there.

Food, sight-seeing and shopping: Good

Activities & things to do: Good

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: By bus, Train etc

Was this review useful?
YES
0 votes, be the first to vote.

"Trip for conference at IC, Goa"

Posted by Tushar
Delhi
Dec 06, 2012

Dona Paula Experience: Nice place, good cooling breeze in the evening at the lookout point. Near to Panjim and Miramar Beach.

Food, sight-seeing and shopping: Dona Paula Lookout Point, Miramar Beach, Calangute Beach is a bit far, but worth the trip

Activities & things to do: Beach combing - Miramar Beach has good scope for collecting beautiful, intact sea shells. Its calmer and quieter. Calangute Beach has more scope for adventure activities and water sports.

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: Rent a Activa/Scooty at Green Palm Tours & Travels (Near Dona Paula PS, opposite NIO) and explore the nearby area. Road to Fort Aguda from Calangute Beach has good high quality shopping and a lot of bars/pubs/restaurants.

Was this review useful?
YES
1 vote.

"Not a beach....just a Promenade :)"

Posted by Zenobia
Dec 03, 2012

Dona Paula Experience: Dona Paula is frequented by many for the much awaited jet ski ride at the promenade. These guys are absolute thrill demons....they can put a James Bond chase to shame, no jokes here! At Rs 200, take a super fast 5 minute round of the harbour and you will wonder how did you get back to where you began?! The view atop Dona Paula is a sight to behold. The confluence of the Zuari and Mandovi rivers. Watch the difference in the water colour. See the Arabian sea far into the horizon. And make sure you sip the refreshing lemon drink the locals sell.

Food, sight-seeing and shopping: If you want to buy the famous Goan Cashews, make sure you buy them from any ZANTYE's outlets. These are factory retail outlets with a seal of guarantee and freshness. 31st January and 18th June are the 2 main roads in Panjim where you can shop till you drop.

Activities & things to do: Great for watersports!!

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: You may contact Ulhas driver (from Calangute) to take you here in his private taxi : 09823034269

Was this review useful?
YES
0 votes, be the first to vote.

Tourist places in Dona Paula

The Dona Paula Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Goa. There are several shops on the beach which sell inexpensive goods. Fishermen turned shopkeepers who sell spices and handicrafts run these shops.

Several water based adventure sports like water-scootering and motorboat rides can be availed here. Other water sports include windsurfing, parasailing, water-skiing, skibob, sports fishing, snorkelling, harpoon fishing, kayaking and yachting. These are organised here especially in the winters.

The National Oceanography Institute, which was established in the year 1960 for marine ecology research is a major sightseeing option in Dona Paula. The Marine Biology Museum and the Taxonomy Reference Centre located within the institute are other attractions here.

Other than that, the Governor’s House, also known by the name of Cabo Raj Niwas is just half km away from the National Oceanography Institute. It consists of a tomb dedicated to Dona Paula de Menzes in the Cabo Chapel. This place offers a perfect view of the Aguada Fort and the coastline.