Goa Travel Guide

Located 10-km west of Mapusa and 15km from Panaji, Baga beach is sandwiched between Colva and Calangute beaches in the Bardez block of North Goa. This is one of the most popular beaches in India much known for its picturesque scenery, water-sports hub, fishing/angling spot, best dining and wining area apart from a very happening and bedazzling night life. This is one of the most well connected beaches and the nearest airport is at Dabolim, 29 km away from Panaji and the nearest railway station is at Karmali,11 km away from Panaji.

This picturesque beach is considered as a charming combination of land and sea as it lies in the lee of a rocky, wooded headland, Baga river mouth, a broad spur, soft stretches of white sand and adjoining expanse of paddy fields and cashew capped foothills apart from red tiled local fishermen’s houses.

Scores of accommodation options are available here and one can find tourists flocking from all parts of the world.Also you can verily find droves of predominantly British package tourists who stay here at this unspoiled and scenic beach. The tourists can be away from the hustle-bustle found on the other beaches with rough-and-ready accommodation places dotted around the fishing village apart from lazing Beach-beds. Reasonable budget houses and rooms for rent are also available on the quieter north side of the river.

Baga beach has arguably the best range of restaurants in Goa as its known for its best quality food facilities. Food lovers can find here options ranging from standard beach shacks, pizzerias and terrace cafes serving real espresso coffee offering tourists to enjoy the finest cuisine at very reasonable rates much so due to stiff competition. The candlelit dinner at J & A's Riverside Trattoria, a traditional Goan meal at the eccentric Casa Portuguese or a munch at the gaudily lit bars or Tandoori terrace restaurants can be tried anytime.

Very popular for its nightlife this is one of the liveliest beaches in Goa. Most of the party hoppers end up at always packed and most popular Tito's, which has the only dance floor here containing a hefty sound system outside a big hotel for miles. Café Mambo is equally famous. Weekends are the busiest and dazzling new bars and clubs open here while the party atmosphere is found all year round.

Also a water-sports centre, Baga beach is often thronged by those who have a penchant for sports and they can choose from paragliding, speedboat rides, jet-skiing and water-biking. This is not a safe area for swimming though and it is strictly advised to be away from the mouth of the river as one can get ripped off by the undercurrents. This beach is popular for being a major fishing and angling spot. Baga river mouth emptying towards the sea offers many a good catch for the tourists making them feel much rewarded.

Other attractions here are the medicinal springs at Mottant, St Francis Xavier Retreat House/ Casa de Retiros, Bom Viagem Convent, Arpora village’s Ingo's and Mackie's Night Market.

Visiting Baga beach is a must for a memorable tourist venture.