Disclaimer: I do not claim to know everything or everyone here in Porvorim. If you would like to know anything other than what’s mentioned in this article, please feel free to post a comment at the bottom of this article and I will try to get you that information. Also, although I have mentioned names of places to shop and eat etc, I do not have any connections with them in any form. These are places I visit for my needs and are very easily located by any newcomer.

I also invite readers to add to this database, their own knowledge of important places in Porvorim. Also if you are already based in Porvorim and have a local business then please feel free to add your businesses in the comments section.

About Porvorim:

Porvorim is the legislative capital of the state of Goa in India, it is home to some important government as well as educational institutions. Centrally located, Porvorim has a very high commercial value. Apart from the regular shops and supermarkets, many national as well as international banks have their branch offices and ATMs in Porvorim. Porvorim is also very valuable to Real Estate investors both commercial as well as residential for numerous reasons, some of which are mentioned in this article. A fast developing area, Porvorim is one of the most desired commercial as well as residential locations in north Goa.

Porvorim Location:

Porvorim is a plateau spread over approximately 8 Square Kilometers, is located about 3 kms north of Panjim, the capital city of the state of Goa. Surrounded to the south by Betim and Britona, to the east by Salvador-Do-Mundo and Succor, the west by Pilerne and Sangolda and to the north by Gurim.

How to get to Porvorim:

For air travel the state of Goa has only one airport at Dabolim and is at a distance of 38 kilometers. For train, Madgoan railway station is the best option as all trains station there and is at a distance of approximately 39 Kilometers. On the other hand, the national highway number 17 passes right through Porvorim so getting here by bus from Mumbai is the best option as the you can make them stop at the famous Coqueiro junction.

City of Mapusa is approximately 7 to 8 kms and Panjim 3 to 4 kms from Porvorim. Buses that ply from Mapusa to Panjim and vice versa pass through Porvorim. The famous Calangute and Baga beach is 7 and 9 Kms respectively. Some busses that ply from Calangute to Panjim and vice versa pass through Porvorim too, but the frequency of busses is high in the morning and evening and very low during the day.

Education in Porvorim:

Apart from the Goa board of education and Directorate of technical education Porvorim also boasts of a number of educational institutions. A few of them would be the famous Institute of Hotel Management, The Teachers Training Institute, Sanjay School for the disable and a Museum at the Xavier Centre of Historical Research. Porvorim is also home to some day cares for working parents to leave their children at, Nursery schools, high schools and even Music schools. Porvorim also has a Montessori teachers training at Happy Hearts enrichment centre and a Fashion Designing Institute.

Places to eat in Porvorim:

• For fish and meat eaters the famous “O Coqueiro” restaurant at Coqueiro junction and the restaurant at “Angels resort” on Chogum Road are the most frequented places.
• For Vegetarians “Navtara” and “Bhojan” again on Chogum Road are a couple of good spots.
• Besides these there are a number of other small food joints like “Picnic” at Sapna Garden and “Chop Stick” at Coqueiro junction, places that have their own charm.
• If you want a quick bite then “Inspiration” at the Nova Cidade building is a good spot.
• But if it’s raining or you are simply in no mood to go outdoors then you could simply order a pizza from Dominos or even a veg, fish or meat Biryani from “Biryani Palace”.
• Last but not the least, my favorite, Baskin Robins opposite Nova Cidade for ice-cream.

Places to shop in Porvorim:

• As Porvorim is in Goa let me start with Fish. Fish is available by the kilo at the whole sale fish market at Betim, 5 mins drive from Coqueiro junction towards Panjim, take the right at the circle before going onto the bridge, another right at the end of the slope and you will find the market to the left about 100 meters form the turn.
• Fresh Fruits and tender coconuts are available on a cart near the gate of Landscape on Chogum road. Besides this there are other Fruit and vegetable carts around the place.
• Groceries and Meats – “Reliable Stores” and if you have the time to stand in a line then “Farmers Choice” is the place for you.
• Farmers Choice also has a section of wines and liquor, and so does “Mapel Leaf” supermarket on Chogam road.
•  Mobile Phones and mobile related stuff like recharge vouchers - “Digital World”.
• Computers – “.Comp” that’s “dot comp” at Sapna Garden Chogum Road..
• A pet shop “Paws n Claws” right next to the above computer shop.
• Cloths – “Bebo’s Butik”.
• Kitchenware and household equipment – “Home Zone”.
• Medication at “Perpetual Pharmacy”.
• Cards and Gifts – Hallmarks.
• Photography – Photo Toto

Reliable Stores, Farmers Choice, Digital World, Bebos Butik, Home Zone, Photo Toto, Perpetual Pharmacy and Hallmarks are all located at Nova Cidade Complex.

•  For Furniture and household appliances there is Damian De Goa, 5 mins drive from Coqueiro junction towards Mapusa and Ashlore Interiors at Nova Cidade Building.
• Hardware – Diamond Hardware, 2 mins drive from Coqueiro junction towards Salvador do mundo.
• Electrical – Selvin elecrticals at Coqueiro junction.
• For Cakes and Confectionary – Inspiration at Nova Cidade, Mongines at Coqueiro Junction, Carasid at Sapna Habitat,  Chogum Road and Simonia Bakery on the highway  near Indian Overseas Bank.

Places of Prayer in Porvorim:

• Roman Catholic Church – about 500 meters from Coqueiro junction, on the highway towards Mapusa.
• Temple – Near the Tarun Baharat printing press.
• Mosque – on the road to Betim that runs behind the petrol pump. Less than 1 min drive from the petrol pump.
• Gurudwara – At the end of the road, down the slope on the road to Betim that runs behind the petrol pump. About 2 min drive from the petrol pump.

Doctors in Porvorim:

• Pediatrician – Dr. Ramachandra Bhat, on the road to Betim behind the petrol pump.
• General Physician – Dr Chandrashekar Naik at Nova Cidade Building.
• Homeopathy – Dr Sandhya Kadam opposite Xaviers Historical Centre.
• Gynecologist – Dr Roque Ribeiro behind Damian De Goa.
• Orthopedic – Dr Bhale at Dr Bhale's Orthopaedic Hospital “Wadakode” (near the banyan tree) a bus stop on the high way towards Mausa.
• Acupuncture – Dr Prabhu at Dr Prabhus Acupuncture hospital again near the above bus stop.

Hospitals in Porvorim:

• JMJ Hospital – Opposite the “Wadakode” bus stop. There is also a bus stop outside the hospital.
• Chodankar Hospital – Close to Nova Cidade Building.
• RG Stone a Urology and laparoscopy hospital – opposite Nova Cidade building.

Medical Test Centers:

• Pathology or Patholabs as we call it – at JMJ hospital
• X-ray – Dr Serdesai behind Tarun Bharat Multygraphics.
• Scans – Goa Scan Center near Holy Family Church.
• Ultra Sound – Goa Scan Centre and RG Stone.

Other Important Places:

• Post Office – Behind Chodankar hospital.
• Courier – Professional Couriers at Nova Cidade building.
• Electricity Department – Defense Colony road opposite Holy Family church, one minute drive from the highway.
• Telephone Department – Near Goa Board of Education.
• Car Mechanic – Near the “Wadakode” bustop and at Sai Service 2 minutes drive from Coqueiro junction towards Panjim.
• Motor bike mechanic – At the Porvorim petrol pump.
• Puncture – near the petrol pump and also at Coqueiro junction on Chogam road.
• Taxi, Auto and Pilot – At Coqueiro junction.
• Gym – Norbets Fitness Center, Land Scape, Chogum Road.
• Saloons – A full fledged saloon at Sapna Garden and another local barber at Coqueiro junction.
• Beauty Parlors – At Sapna Garden and opposite the same.
• Spa – At Prudential Palms opposite Sapna Garden.
• Guest Houses – Dev Deep at Coqueiro junction and Chandrageet opposite that.
• Star Hotels – Neo Majestic 2 mins drive from Coqueiro junction towards Panjim, Orion at Nova Cidade complex.
• Spots and Culture Club – 1 min drive from Coqueiro junction towards Xaviers Historical centre.

This guide has been put together by Savio Lopez form Square Foot Estates and Properties – Porvorim.