| |
|
|
About Goa
» |
|
|
Travel Checklist » |
|
|
Transportation » |
|
|
|
|
|
Conference Site |
|
|
Cidade de Goa »
Vainguinim Beach
Dona Paula - 403004
Goa, India
E-mail : |
|
|
 |
|
|
Tel:+91 832 2454545
Fax:+91 832 2454541/42 |
|
|
|
|
|
About Goa |
|
|
Known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist
Paradise", the state of Goa is located
on the western coast of India in the coastal
belt known as Konkan. Panaji (Panjim) is the
state capital located on the banks of the
Mandovi river. Tourism is a major industry
in Goa. On an average a million people,
including 1.25 lakh foreigners visit Goa.
The territory is known for its numerous
beaches such as Calangute, Colva and
Vagator. Essentially export-oriented because
of iron ore and manganese deposits. Paddy is
the main agricultural crop, followed by
ragi, cashew and coconut. Rice is the staple
food of Goans. Fish, like rice, is an
important component of the Goans' food. |
|
|
|
|
|
TOP ^ |
|
|
Travel Checklist |
|
|
VISA |
|
|
All non-Indian-citizens are required to have
an Indian visa to enter the country. Allow
yourself sufficient time (say 2-3 weeks) to
procure an appropriate visa from your
nearest Indian consulate. There are several
Indian consulates worldwide. Indian
consulates in the
continental US are located in
Washington D.C.,
New York,
Chicago,
Houston, and
San Francisco. Please visit
this site for more information including
an online copy of the
application form for Indian visa.
If you need an invitation letter from the
HiPC organizing committee for visa purposes,
use the
online visa letter request form to
submit the relevant information. |
|
|
|
|
|
Flight Reservations |
|
|
Flights to India and Goa in particular tend
to fill up well ahead of the December
holiday season. We recommend that you make
your flight as well as lodging reservations
3-4 months in advance, to be on the safe
side. We strongly recommend that you avoid
arriving in New Delhi or taking flights that
stop in New Delhi en-route to Mumbai
(Bombay) or Chennai (Madras) -- winter fog
often throws air-traffic off-gear in New
Delhi. For more information, see the
transportation section of this page. |
|
|
|
|
|
Vaccinations (shots) |
|
|
Many first-time travelers to India prefer to
get preventive vaccinations (shots). The
Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India has some
more health tips for tourists. |
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Exchange |
|
|
While international credit cards are widely
accepted in commercial establishments in
India, several places rely on cash
transactions in the local currency (Indian
Rupee). We suggest that you either carry
some Indian currency when entering India or
purchase Indian currency at the currency
exchange agencies at the Indian airports,
upon arrival. The current
exchange rate is about Rs. 40/- per US
dollar. Once in India, you can purchase
additional Indian currency from local
branches of Citibank, Thomas Cook, etc.
However, it is typically difficult to
convert Indian currency back into foreign
currency because of exchange regulations. |
|
|
|
|
|
Hotel Reservations |
|
|
Please make your
hotel reservations ahead of time so that
you get your choice of accommodation. |
|
|
|
|
|
Time and Weather |
|
|
The Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5 1/2
hours ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time(GMT)
and is 13 1/2 hours ahead of the U. S.
Pacific Standard Time(PST). In December/
January the weather is mildly tropical with
temperatures averaging about 27° Celsius
(approx. 81° Fahrenheit) during the day and
about 15° Celsius (approx. 59° Fahrenheit)
during the night.
Sunrise: 6:10 am (approx.)
Sunset: 5:15 pm (approx.) |
|
|
|
|
|
TOP ^ |
|
|
Transportation |
|
|
Flights to India |
|
|
Goa is well connected by airline services to
most major cities in India. All flights,
national and international, to and from Goa,
operate from the Goa Airport at Dabolim. The
approximate driving time is 40 minutes &
distance is 28 kms (17 miles) from the
Airport to Hotel. Major airline operators
such as Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and
Sahara Airlines have flights carrying
passengers and cargo in and out of Goa.
Besides these, a number of chartered flights
land in Goa from UK and other European
countries. The national airline Air India
also lands a few international flights,
especially from the Gulf countries. Most
international airlines have direct flights
to India from Europe and
Singapore/Hong-Kong. From the US, most
international airlines fly to India with a
single stop-over, either in Europe or in the
Far East.
More information about the flights from and
to Goa airport can be found at
air-transport.
We recommend that you avoid flights into/via
New Delhi if you are on a tight schedule --
winter fog in December often delays flights
at New Delhi airport. Some Mumbai-bound
flights stopover in New Delhi -- please
check with your travel agent.
If you are planning to travel around India
after/before the conference, check with your
travel agent for attractive local air travel
offers that are usually available with your
international travel ticket. |
|
|
|
|
|
Airport to Hotel Transportation |
|
|
Goa's Dabolim Airport (GOI-Dabolim) is
approximately 28 kms (about 17 miles) from
Cidade de Goa. The driving distance is about
40 minutes. The hotel will provide
complimentary airport transfers. Please
confirm while making reservations. A prepaid
taxi service are also available at the
airport across from the baggage claim. The
typical fare from the airport to the hotel
is Rs 450.00. |
|
|
|
|
|
Travel to Goa & within India |
|
|
Dempo Travels Pvt.Ltd.
Panaji-Goa
Phone: +91(832)2426151, 52, 53, 55
Fax: +91(832)2426154 |
|
|
 |
|
|
Contact: Jude Dsouza or Alirio Da Costa |
|
|
|
|
|
TOP ^ |
|
|
|
