Goa Or Kerala City Wars
You might have gone through our previous City Wars blog post where the comparison was between Manali vs Shimla, Ooty vs Kodaikanal, Mussoorie vs Nainital and Gangtok vs Darjeeling respectively. This time the city wars comparison has grown more ferocious and exciting because we have siphoned quiet deeper into the roots. Without mincing words or keeping suspense, we are exhibiting a unique but still humungous comparison between Goa vs Kerala. Both the destinations being well known amongst the revelers attracts good clump of youngsters as well as oldies from Delhi and Mumbai. Likewise earlier, the confusion to decide which destination can be visited first was not that complex and research based information jotted in the City Wars chart were based on soft parameters and factors. Adhering to the same concept, we veered our efforts in the direction, presenting you with much broader picture. The Goa vs Kerala comparison includes the parameters like air connectivity, major airport, major railway station, railway connectivity, local connectivity, casinos, chain of hotels, cruise circuits, ayurveda-spa option, local beverage, turtle nesting sites and forts/islands. With the sudden face lift, the Goa vs Kerala City Wars has been instilled with an eclectic character which surely would provide you the most stupendous and quick source to know about two different destinations just by giving single glimpse. The city Wars chart has been weaved in such a scrupulous manner that instead of rummaging through the defunct sites, you could easily figure out through the City Wars comparison which one stands better on your convictions and perceptions; Goa or Kerala. Goa while more famous for its beaches and night life could compel you to fiddle your feet on the DJ beats of trance music, Kerala reminiscence to its beauty from the times immemorial would enthrall you by its art forms, rich cultural heritage and backwaters. Apart from all, there are of course many points of distinction which could create friction of thoughts in your mind. Both destinations are simply unrivaled in every sense but to get clearer picture, we have developed a city wars chart, showing comparison between Goa Vs Kerala which is as follows:
| Approachability | Accommodation | Food Facilities | Attractions | Excursion |
| Factors | Parameters | Kerala | Goa |
| Approachability | |||
| Rail connectivity | Daily trains from Delhi and Mumbai--Rajdhani express, Kerala Express | Good connectivity from Mumbai and Delhi railway stations. | |
| Major Railway stations | Trivandrum Central Railway station and Kozhikode Railway Station | Madgaon Railway Station | |
| Major Airport | Thiruvananthapuram International Airport | Dabolim Airport | |
| Air Connectivity(Delhi and Mumbai) | Daily airflights by Kingfisher, spice jet and Air India from Delhi-Mumbai | Good air connectivity, Daily arrival and departure | |
| Local Transport | Taxi, Auto | Taxi, Hire Bikes, Autos | |
| State Transport Bus | Kerala State Transport Corporation, Mumbai state transport, Karnataka State Transport, Tamil Nadu State Transport | Goa state transport, Mumbai state transport, Kerala state transport, Tamilnadu state transport | |
| Uphill Climb KM | 34 KM Uphill from Dehradun | 35 KM | |
| Altitude | 2000 ft | 1500 ft | |
| Night Driving Advisory | Yes | Yes | |
| Traffic Jam Probability | Yes | Yes | |
| Water Transport | Ferry, Transport carriers | Ferry, cruise ships, Transport carriers | |
| Night Driving Advisory | Yes | Yes | |
| Traffic Jam Probability | Yes | Yes | |
| Accommodation | |||
| Government Hotels GTDC and KSTDC | At Trivandrum(3), Munnar(2), Thekaady(1), Wayanad (1) | At Panjim, Madgaon, Vasco De Gama, Near Donapola beach | |
| Major Five Star Chains | Taj and Oberoi Group | Hyatt, Trident, Ramada, Taj and Oberoi Group | |
| Check-in/Check-out | 12 to 12 noon | 12 to 12 noon | |
| Most Popular cities/towns to Stay | Trivandurm, Munnar, kozhikode, Varaklal, Thekkaddy | Panjim and the beach area | |
| Check-in / Check-out | 12 Noon to 12 Noon | 11 AM Check-in 10 AM Check-out | |
| Camping | Thekkady, Alleppy, Banasura Peak(Wayanad Kerala), Sulthan Bathery, Neelimala, Meenmutty | None | |
| Hotels Bookable Online | Plenty | Plenty | |
| Food | |||
| South Indian,Punjabi, Chinese Food, Israelly food | Yes | Yes | |
| Pizza Joint,Continental,Any other | At Triavandrum Central Market,Munnar | Panjim, Food courts at Beaches | |
| Street Treats/Market stroll | At Trivandrum (Handicrafts and Emporium), Market near Kovalam beach,Kozhikode, Munnar, Kochi Fort | Wednesday Market at Anjuna Beach, Friday Market at Anjuna Beach,Tibetan one-of-a-piece jewellery markets along Baga and the Flea Market at Anjuna, Goan lifestyle store Acron Arcade, spread over 25,000 sq. ft, Mapusa market | |
| Regional Cuisines | Sadhya, Thoran,Olan, Pyasam, Palada Pradhanam, Pazham- a ripe golden yellow plantain, Rasam is a mixture of chilly and peppercorn powders boiled in diluted tamarind juice, Aattirachi (Mutton) Ularthiyathu, Chemmeen Moile, Golden Fried Prawns, Konchu Pollichathu, Pazhampori, Squid Ularthiyathu, South Indian Potatoes | Xitt-kodi-a plate of steaming hot boiled rice, a plate of steaming hot boiled rice, Amotik( preferably with shark), or a Raechade, Oyster Dangar, ‘Bebinca’, Khatkhatem (bamboo shoots), Melgor (black eyed beans) and Bimbli Udamethi, prawn Hooman with radish (a brown thick gravy),and the local favorite prawn curry with bimbli (a bright orange red) | |
| Special Beverage | Coconut water, Rum and Beer are quiet famous | Fenny mixed with lime juice | |
| Attractions | |||
| Natural Lakes | Vembanad Lake-Alappuzha, Vijaya Beach Park-Alapuzzha, River Chittar, Mankayam River-at Mankayam, Kurisadi Ghat, Ayampara falls, Karalad Lake-wayanad, Meenachil River, Karamana river, Vaikom Lake, Queen of Lakes-kollam | Mayem Lake, Carambolim Lake, Netravalli Lake- Budbudyachi Tali | |
| Boating Option - Motor,Paddle | The Vijaya beach park, Sea View Park, Aruvikkara Dam-Karamana river(28 km north of Kollam), Vaikom Lake-Vaikom | Dona Paula jetty, Cidade de Goa, Majorda, and Candolim beach | |
| Cruise Cricuit | Allepy,Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kochi backwaters, Allpepy, Vembanad Lake, Alleppey to Kumarakom, Alleppey to Thottappally(2 days stay) | Sunset/Sundown Cruises--Reis Magos Fort, the Aguada Fort and the Cabo Raj Bhavan, Kadmat Island - Goa Cruise-full two night stay | |
| Telescopic Point | Chembra Peak--Wayanad(Kerala), Banasura Peak-Wayanad, Wagamon | Very Few | |
| Observatory | None | ||
| Plantations | Wagamon--Tea gardens(Idukki - Kottayam border), Munnar-Tea Estates | Aquatic Habitat at Tropical Plantation, Sai Herbarium-Savoi Verem, Ponda-Goa, Parvati Madav Park Plantation-Keri village in Ponda, 30 kms.from Panaji, Pascoal Spice Village--(village of Khandepar, 8 kms from Ponda National Highway (NH)4 A,Rustic Plantation-North-East of Goa at Dongruli village, Thane, Valpoi, Sattari) | |
| Relegious Places | Thangalppara-mausoleum of Sheikh Fariduddin, Kottathavalam--oldest cave, Parthasarthi Temple-Aranmula(115km from Trivandrum), Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple-32 km south of Alappuzha, Edathua Church--24 km from Alappuzah, St. Sebastian`s Church-22 km from Alappuzah, Sabarimala : The hill Temple of Lord Ayyappa-10 to 50 year women not allowed, Parsurama Temple-7km from Thiruvanathapuram, Sree Mahadeva Temple-14th century temple, Sree Narayana Guru-Sivagiri-Varkala, Mother of God Church, St. Mary`s Church, Bharananganam, Subramanya Temple-Mayyanad, Valiyakoikal Temple-banks of river Achenkovil | Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Church of St.Francis of Assissi,St.Cajetan Church, Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Nunnery of Santa Monica, Ruins of Church of St.Augustine, Viceroys Arch, Shree Bhagavati, Bhagavati Temple, Brahma Temple, Shree Chandranath, Kalikadevi Temple, Mahadev Temple, Gomanteshwar Devasthan Brahmapur, Shree Mallikarjun, Shree Mahalaxmi, Kamakshi Saunsthan Shiroda, Jama Masjid, Safa Masjid | |
| Dams | Bhoothathankettu Dam(50kms North East of Ernakulam) Banasura Sagar Dam(Wayanad), Idukki Arch Dam--Asia`s 2nd largest, Aruvikkara Dam-(16 km - 1/2 hour) | Mhadei Dam, Salaulim Dam, Arambol Dam, Keri Dam | |
| Waterfall | Palaruvi Waterfall(75 km from Kollam), Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls -18km from Kottyam Town, Perunthenaruvi Falls-36 km from Pathanamthitta, Mankayam, Kallakayam Waterfalls-35 kms from he main city, Chethalayam falls(Wayanad), Perunthenaruvi- (36 km from Pathanamthitta via Vachoochira | Arvalem Waterfalls, Dudhsagar Waterfalls-10 kms from Colem Railway Station, Kesarval Spring | |
| Tourist Reception Centre | Private and Government | Private and Government | |
| Local sightseeing circuit - Fixed Departures | Varkala-Munnar-Bekal-Thekkady-Allapuhza-Idukki-Wayanad -Kottyam-fort Kochi-Kovalam-Kumarakom--Poonjar Palace | Calungute-- Baga--Vagatora-- Anjuna-Sinquerim-- Miramar--Varaca, Cavelossim, Mobor--Betalbatim--Kala Acdemy-Go karting -Divan island--visit to forts temples | |
| Zoo | The Zoological Park(South Kerala)Open 0900-1815 hrs.Closed on Mondays, Zoo(2 km from Thrissur town): Open from 0900 - 1700 hrs) | Bondla Zoo | |
| Theme Park / Water Park | Vijaya Beach Park, Dream World-- Athirappilly, Bekal Hole Aqua Park(Bekal Hole Aqua Park) | No | |
| Museum | Tea Museum--Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar(hill station) | State Museum of Goa in Panaji, Goa Chitra-9.00 a.m and 6.00 p.m, Goa Science Centre, kala Academy-Campal, Panaji, Kerkar Art Gallery , and Galeira de belas Artes, Naval Aviation Museum Goa | |
| Gardens / Children Park | Children Park--Bekal, Lions Park-Kozihkode, Marine Water Aquarium-kozhikode, The Vijaya beach park,Sea View Park, Malampuzha Garden-10 km from Palakkad, Fantasy Park-Malampuzha, 10 km from Palakkad town,North Kerala(11:00 am to 9:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and between 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm on week days) | Municipal Garden | |
| Islands/Forts | Pathiramanal(1 1/2 hours drive by motor boat or 30 minutes), Thangasseri Fort(5 km from Kollam) Thangasseri or `Dutch Quilon`,Reservoirs at Nattakom and Panachikad, Vasco House-Fort Kochi, Thommankuth-17 km from Thodupuzha, Bolghatty Island--famous for its fort( regular ferry services from Kochi), Peermede(tribal settlements), Chennamangalam Synagogue (Mattanchery in Kochi), Munroe Island(27 km from Kollam-0900 hrs and 1400 hrs-Fare: Rs. 300 per head),Thangasseri Beach-(5 km from Kollam town), Amrithamedu-75 kms from Kottyam ralway station), The Fort of Tipu Sultan, Palakkad , Willingdon Island, Kanhangad / Hosdurg Fort | Aguada Fort--18 kms from Panaji(Mandovi), Cabo De Rama Fort, southern most Goan fort is situated about 25 kms, Cabo Raj Niwas--southern headland of the Chapora River, Mormugao Fort, Tiracol Fort(built by Hindu rulers ), Divar Island | |
| Nightlife options | Few Beer Bars | Nuvem Track,Go Karting--482 m long stretch | |
| Go carting | None | Nuvem Track, Go Karting--482 m long stretch | |
| Wildlife Sactuary or Park (Distance) | Neyyar Wild Life Century-32kms from Thiruvananthapuram, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary-50 km from Thiruvananthapuram city Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary-72 km from Thiruvananthapuram Kumarakom Bird Cenutry-16km from Kottyam Town, Eravikulam National Park-Munnar, Periyar National Park | Bhagvan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary | |
| Turtle Nesting Sites | Abad Turtle Beach | Morjim, Galgibag and Agonda beaches | |
| Special Events | |||
| Sporting Events / Festivals / Carnivals | Adoor Gajamela, Arnamula Boat Race-Onam festival, Theyyam | Festival of gay abandon and riotous revelry, three-day festival--red and black dance festival, Bonderam Festival, Feast of St. Francis Xavier, Shigmo | |
| Trekking and Adventure | Banasura Peak(Wayanad Kerala), Sulthan Bathery, Neelimala, Meenmutty | Windsurfing-Dona Paula Beach, Dinghy Sailing--Cidade de Goa and the Taj Holiday Village, Scuba Diving, Water Skiing, Angling--Agonda beach in Canacona, Parasailing--Taj and Bogmallo Resort hotels, Water Scooter--Dona Paula jetty, Cidade de Goa, Majorda, and Candolim beach, Swimming | |
| Fishing | Rivers at Munnar, wayanad, ThekkadyReservoirs at Nattakom and Panachikad, Malankara reservoir-Thodupuzha, Devikulam- Trout fishing, Nedumkayam Forest, Amrithamedu-75 kms from railway station | Betul | |
| Rafting | River Tejaswini, Bhoothathankettu dam, Periyar-Bamboo Rafting | Surla/Mahdei--June to October | |
| Rejuvenation Points | Ayurveda / Massage / Spa centers | At Kovalam beach, Kochi vypin island and mostly at all the beaches | Very Few |
Kerala and Goa without any doubt can be called as siblings and there natural faculties fits best to the bonhomie of giving a competitive edge to each other. Both the destinations are bountiful of good beaches, swaying palm trees, and rejuvenation points, but still there are infinite numbers of factors which distinguishes them. Kerala blessed with spiraling backwaters receives various travelers as well as honeymoon couples from every nook and corner of the world. Injected with tranquility and solitude, the travelers visiting this destination would definitely find themselves in state of rendezvous with Mother Nature. The soulful connection with natural faculties is what compels the visitors to explore Kerala. Whereas the vacationers would definitely be bowled by the fact that Goa where even the non living things gets unconsciously active to romance with some one is a fantasized haven of love and adventure. There are many discoth ques, party zones, hotels in Goa and casinos which combine to form a melange best suited to the souls seeking for a complete rejuvenation. Club Tito at Baga, Party Zone in South Goa, Casino-cum-disco at Majorda, Adega Camoens are some of the hubs where travelers during a spare time can dance and set the DJ floor on fire. Goa is all about fun and fiesta. Kerala on the other side is best known for its backwater houseboats by availing which the honeymoon couples would be compelled to praise their decision for choosing Kerala as the destination. Alleppey to Kumarakom and Alleppey to Thottappally(2 days stay) are cruise circuits commonly chosen by the honeymooners as well leisure travelers while on a tour to Kerala. To enjoy the ride on house boat backwaters tours packages in Kerala in genuinely an excellent option. Following the trail of comparison, there are many big names like Oberois and Taj Group which offer cruise and back water rides in Goa. Reis Magos Fort, the Aguada Fort, Cabo Raj Bhavan, Kadmat Island is the local cruise circuit where travelers would get an opportunity to discover the dainty horizons of the region. The commanding view from the house boat is magnetizing enough to enrapture your senses and thus, conjuring you to fall head over heel with some one really special. There are special provisions made for the vacationers coming for a 2 to 7 days stay. When it comes to lifestyle, festivals and art forms, kerala agreeably scores better over Goa. The luxury and budget hotels in Kerala keeps on introducing reasonable deals which can be booked in advance by the vacationers seeking to save their time and efforts.
The boat race festival, pongal, onam, thaiyyam, ajoor gajamela infuses new life and color in Kerala during the months of October to May. If you want to be the part of these festivals then make sure that you should not forget to click photographs of the painted faces and the cluster of participants sailing the boat with high speed is something more than a feast for the parched eyes. Goa stands equally in full pride by the glitz and glamour of its carnivals celebrated every year in the months of December and February. Bonderam Festival, Feast of St. Francis Xavier, Shigmo and Festival of gay abandon and riotous revelry would remind you about the carnivals celebrated in Brazil and Portugal. As the erstwhile Goa was a Portuguese colony, the grandiose forts, churches and Victorian styled bungalows are indeed a collage of exciting contrasts. KeralaÂ?s Ayurveda-spas are today the talk of the world which peels off the toxins and provides a new lease of life to your body mechanism. In this aspect Goa although known for its adventure activities donÂ?t have specialized centers for giving Ayurveda treatment. The travelers, who want to spend their every moment indulging themselves in the real thrill of life can think of trying their hands on Windsurfing-Dona Paula Beach, Dinghy Sailing--Cidade de Goa, Angling--Agonda beach in Canacona, Parasailing--Taj and Bogmallo Resort hotels and Water Scooter at Dona Paula Jetty. All together, whether its fenny of Goa or Coconut water mixed with alcohol in Kerala, both the destinations look like sharing an equal stance. Rhetorically, if Goa has go carting option, casinos, discotheques; kerala is garlanded with the amusement parks, water sporting destinations, age old temples which surely declares that both of them share similar arterial connections but still are different in some way or the other. Conclusively, we know that the war between both the destinations would never end but ending on the prompt note we are leaving entire verdict on you, kerala or Goa which first?
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