Travel Eye on Baga (Goa, India)

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Overview:

Baga is a few miles south of Anjuna and is basically an extension of Calagnute. Lying in the lee of a rocky, wooded headland, the only difference between this far northern end of the beach and its more congested centre is that the scenery here is marginally more varied and picturesque and the beach less crowded. Baga has the best range of restaurants and liveliest nightlife in the area. Baga has more of a cluttered "resort" feel than most other parts of Goa. The road S towards Calangute (which Baga adjoins) is lined with many stalls, shops, restaurants and bars, and is subject to a constant stream of scooter traffic and taxis. At the more N edge of the resort lies the Baga River, which is spanned by a narrow covered bridge; a few fishing boats shelter where the river joins the sea. Several simple homesteads (complete with tethered buffalo and goats) survive there, but these are quickly giving way to the onslaughts of local developers.

Locality:

Located halfway down the W coast of India, in the N part of the state of Goa (11 mls NW of Panjim, 31 mls NW of Dabolim airport). Baga is situated at the N end of a W-facing beach, lying in the lee of a rocky headland backed by straggling settlements, farmland and rolling countryside. The Baga River lies to the N.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Baga is most popular with more mature European visitors with lots of package tourists from the UK and Europe during high season (October?April). Baga also attracts the young and budget-conscious, with some of the liveliest nightlife here. Nature lovers and bird-watchers are also inspired by the area. Accommodation here is comprehensive, although it gets heavily booked October-May. Accommodation consists mainly of modest, smaller hotels, some of which would fail to achieve a single star in Europe, and a good number of pleasant mid-range hotels, too, most with swimming pool. A couple of large, well-equipped hotel complexes can be found on the N edge of the resort.

As far as attractions to the area, 'Baga Beach' is amongst the biggest, and occupies the N portion of the very long, broad, sandy Calangute Beach. It's lined with shack-style eateries, bars, plentiful sun loungers and shades, and requires a stiff hike across the dunes from the village. The beach can be very busy, especially at the N end, where many stalls and bars are concentrated. There are strong undertows, so take care when swimming.

'Shoppers' are also well complimented, with shops spread along more than a mile of Baga's main thoroughfare, with large numbers of handicrafts stalls and shops towards the N end of the resort. Designer clothes can be run up from larger tailor shops, and there are some excellent off-the-peg shops. Plentiful leather goods, jewellery and a variety of clothes; a number of small grocery shops. Large Saturday flea market ¾ ml N of the river.

Other attractions besides the beach generally consist of water sports, fishing and boat tours. By night visitors will find occasional impromptu beach parties, with fireworks provided (upon payment) by beach bars. Many of the hotels lay on evening entertainment at least a couple of nights a week, October?May. Many lively bars, a nightclub and a karaoke bar.