Cabo De Rama Fort, Canacona, Goa: A Complete Guide

The Cabo de Rama Fort is a gem of the past, the heritage is praiseworthy. It is located between two South Goa beaches Agonda and Cavelossim. You have to go through a muddy off-track road in South Goa to reach and witness the magnificent Cabo de Rama Fort. The fort has been built by both Hindu and Portuguese rulers and has a rich history.

The architecture of the fort is an example of different cultures. There are two paths towards the fort, one leads to the top of the fort and the other path leads to a popular church located at the site. The old church has been constructed by the Portuguese rulers, you will learn more about the history of the heritage site once you visit the spot.

Best time to visit Cabo de Rama Fort

Cabo de Rama Fort Canacona Goa can be visited throughout the year. If you want to experience cool and pleasant weather you should visit during the months of November and March. It is advisable to avoid the monsoon season as the road that leads to the fort is not well-paved.

If you want to witness a superb sunset over the Arabian Sea the best time would be in the evening. The fort is quite popular and visitors flock to the area to catch mesmerizing Goan sunsets.

How to reach Cabo de Rama Fort, Canacona Goa

To reach the Cabo de Rama Fort you can avail public transport from any major city in Goa. If you want to reach via Panjim you can avail buses from Margao to Cabo de Rama Fort. If you plan to hire or rent a cab you have to travel through NH66 Highway to get to the destination.

Another convenient way to reach Fort Cabo de Rama is through Goa International Airport which takes approximately 1 and a half hours to reach.

Cabo de Rama Fort timings

Cabo de Rama Fort Goa Timings: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm on all days of the week.

Entry to the South Goa fort is free.

Cabo de Rama Fort history

The history of Fort Cabo de Rama is related to the legend of Ramayana. According to mythology, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshmana resided in this fort during their 14 years of exile. The fort was built by the local Soonda rulers who were in command of the place at that time. So, Cabo de Rama Fort Goa has a rich historical significance behind it.

The fort spreads across an area of 180,000 sq.m. made with laterite rock. When the Portuguese arrived in Goa in 1763, the fort was conquered by them by defeating the local kings. The fort has a large cape with a stunning landscape view of the coastline and the vast Arabian Sea.

The fort was used by the Portuguese rulers as a military base and as a prison for some time. They also did some restoration work on the Cabo de Rama Fort to modernize it. The church in the fort premises dedicated to St. Anthon was also built by the Portuguese.

Cabo de Rama Fort architecture

At present, Cabo de Rama Fort Canacona Goa is in ruins, but the gem of the past architecture is still captivating. The bridge at the entry still stands thanks to great engineering work. If you visit the fort you can see the large cannons, even the year of manufacture is engraved on the canons. There is also a watchtower that was built to protect the coastline. The Portuguese also built several military barracks, command posts, 21 canons, and quarters for office objectives.

There are two ponds, one with cold water, the other with hot water. The old ponds showcase the Hindu architecture of the Soonda Kings.

Highlights of Fort Cabo De Rama

• The fort Cabo de Rama was previously known as ‘Cape Rama’ was supposedly named after Lord Rama because, during his exile from Ayodhya, he took refuge here with his wife Sita.
• The architecture of this fort showcases different cultures and traditions like Hindus, Portuguese, and British which are clearly observable.
• The fort has a huge defensive wall, a gatehouse, a moat, two springs, a well, and a large water tank. There are large cannons on top of many bastions.
• Another attraction is a small chapel of Portuguese architecture that organizes an annual feast.

Places to visit near Cabo de Rama Fort

1. The beautiful Cabo de Rama Beach: You can catch a beautiful sunset on this pretty South Goa beach.

2. Anand Yoga Village: It is situated on the south side of Palolem Beach where you can go for Yoga holiday facilities to relax and rejuvenate.

3. Leopard Valley: To experience the nightlife, Leopard Valley near Cabo de Rama Beach is a perfect stop for you. Located in the lovely valley of Agonda, you can party hard at this nightclub.

4. Conco Island: This beautiful island near Cabo de Rama Fort is known for its bewitching beauty and lush green surroundings. You can indulge in a lot of water activities like snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, and surfing.

So, if you are planning to visit South Goa, don’t forget to visit the stunning and calm Cabo de Rama beach and catch gorgeous sunsets from the Cabo de Rama Fort. You will definitely have a trip to remember.