Baga Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Baga

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.

Baga is 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.

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 pools. 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 couple of nightclubs and a karaoke bar.

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Population: 1.080.264.400
Languages: Hindi 30%, English, Bengali, Gujarati, Kashmiri, M
Currency: Indian rupee
Currency code: INR
Local Times:
India - Delhi - New Delhi

India - Maharashtra - Mumbai

India - Uttar Pradesh - Agra

Country Dialling Code: +91
Voltage: 230V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

2 parallel circular prongs with an earth connector

India is a nation of diversity and is dubbed the world's most multidimensional country. The country is graced with the snow-capped Himalayas in the north and sun drenched coastal villages in the south and a variety of tranquil temples to feisty festivals, lantern-lit villages and modern cities in-between. Love it or loathe it, India promises to intrigue the visitor at the very least. Stretching from desert dunes and scattered slums to the rich embroidery of ancient, jewelled palaces, and the majestic domes of forgotten empires, India is an unforgettable destination.

The subcontinent of India lies in south Asia, between Pakistan, China and Nepal. To the north it is bordered by the world's highest mountain chain, where foothill valleys cover the northernmost of the country's 26 states. Further south, plateaus, tropical rain forests and sandy deserts are bordered by palm fringed beaches .

Side by side with the country's staggering topographical variations is its cultural diversity, the result of the coexistence of a number of religions as well as local tradition. Thus, the towering temples of south India, easily identifiable by their ornately sculptured surface, are associated with a great many crafts and performing arts of the region.

In the desert of Kutch, Gujarat, on the other hand, a scattering of villages pit themselves against the awesome forces of nature, resulting in Spartan lifestyles made vibrant by a profusion of jewelry and ornamental embroidery used to adorn apparel and household linen. In the extreme north is the high altitude desert of Ladakh. Local culture is visibly shaped by the faith - Buddhism -as well as by the harsh terrain. Yet another facet of Indian culture is observed in the colorful tribal lifestyles of the north eastern states of Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur with their folk culture.

In the central Indian states of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh tribal village life has resulted in a variety of artistically executed handicrafts.

India's mountains provide heli skiing, river running, mountaineering and trekking. Its beaches provide lazy sun-bathing as well as wind surfing and snorkeling, and its jungles provide shooting wildlife -with a camera.

Modern India is home alike to the tribal with his anachronistic lifestyle and to the sophisticated urban jetsetter. It is a land where temple elephants exist amicably with the microchip. Its ancient monuments are the backdrop for the world's largest democracy where atomic energy is generated and industrial development has brought the country within the world's top ten nations. Today, fishermen along the country's coastline fashion simple fishing boats in a centuries old tradition while, a few miles away. motor vehicles glide off conveyor belts in state-of-the-art factories.

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Tue	Scattered T-Storms	Partly Cloudy

Baga Travel Guide

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