Cabo de Rama
A ruined headland fort above the Arabian Sea
A Cabo de Rama fort visit in Canacona takes in a dry moat, rusty cannon, a chapel of Saint Anthony and sea cliffs above a fort taken in 1763.
Overview
Cabo de Rama Fort stands on a headland in Khola village, in Canacona taluka, with cliffs on its western side that drop straight to the Arabian Sea. The Portuguese took the fort from the Raja of Sonda in 1763, but a fortress already occupied the promontory before they arrived. What remains is a ruin, quiet by Goan standards, and it appeals to people who care more for old walls and sea views than for facilities. Between October and March the walk around the ramparts is more comfortable than in the wet months.
The surviving parts are easy to pick out. A front wall and a dry moat guard the main gate, and a crumbling turret still holds a few rusty Portuguese cannon. The Portuguese garrison once held 21 guns and had barracks and a commander's quarters. Inside the walls, the small chapel of Saint Anthony is a working church, its whitewash standing against the dark laterite. From the cliff edge the view runs both north and south along the coast.
The fort has also served other purposes. British forces occupied it in two spells between 1797 and 1813, and it later served as a jail that stayed in use until 1955. A local tradition links the name to Rama, who is said to have sheltered here with Sita during the exile told in the Ramayana. The fort is on the state's list of protected monuments.
Reaching the headland takes more effort than reaching most Goan sights. The usual route heads south from Madgaon along the national highway towards Karwar and turns off near Chinchinim onto a narrow, rough road. Margao is roughly 25 km away, and Dabolim airport is the nearest air link. Canacona and Madgaon are the railway options on the Konkan line, and taxis or a hired scooter are the practical ways to finish the journey. A short walk from the parking area leads to the fort.
Plan on about two hours for the walk and views, and pair it with Agonda or Palolem to the south, or Cotigao in the same taluka. Keep it for a clear day, since the cliff views are the point of the visit.
Known for
A front wall, dry moat and main gate survive
Quick facts
Tropical and humid, with most of the year's rain in the southwest monsoon from June to September.
Goa International Airport (Dabolim), distance (to be supplied)
Canacona (code CNO) or Madgaon Junction (MAO), distances (to be supplied)
Margao is roughly 25 km away. From Madgaon the route follows the national highway south towards Karwar, then turns off near Chinchinim onto a narrow road. Taxis and hired scooters are the usual ways to get there. Drive times (to be supplied).
Allow extra time on the final stretch, because the road off the national highway near Chinchinim is narrow and rough
Go on a clear day, since the sea views from the western cliffs are the main reason to come
Remember that the fort is a protected monument, so look but do not climb on the ruins
Location
Packages that visit Cabo de Rama
All packages →Agonda Quiet Beach Retreat
An Agonda beach tour package: 3 nights by a 3 km turtle-nesting beach in Goa, with Cola lagoon, Cabo de Rama fort and Palolem as easy day outings.
AgondaBeaches & Coastline
4D / 3NPalolem Bay Retreat
A Palolem beach retreat in Canacona, South Goa: three nights between Palolem and Patnem, with Butterfly Beach, dolphin boats and a Cabo de Rama fort day.
Palolem and PatnemBeaches & CoastlinePlan a trip to Cabo de Rama
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