North Goa is a territory of free morals, a favorite place of hippies, the birthplace of trance music. People come here for a budget beach holiday, get acquainted with all sorts of spiritual practices and amazing beach parties.
General information
North Goa is one of two districts of a small Indian state with an area of 1,736 km2 and a population of 818,000 as of 2011. It was formed on May 30, 1987. The administrative center is the city of Mapusa.
Unlike the quiet and respectable south, which is loved by people of the older age category, it is the main refuge for yogis, downshifters, informal people, party people and representatives of various philosophical trends. This is an inexpensive, fun and noisy part of the state, where life does not subside day or night. It is here that such world-famous events as:
- India Bike Week (weekly motorcycle show),
- Goa Tattoo Festival,
- Freaks on Parade,
- original beach parties dedicated to unusual Goan trance.
But even if you do not manage to get to any of these events, do not rush to get upset – you are always waiting for numerous bars, nightclubs and discos, delighting with cheap drinks and a rich entertainment program. By the way, most of them close in the morning.
How does North Goa differ from South Goa?
As you may have guessed, North and South Goa are like two sides of the same coin, the difference between which is noticeable even to the inexperienced traveler. If the southern part of the state is represented by large hotel complexes offering holidays according to the “all inclusive” system, then in the north you will find a huge number of budget hostels, small cozy “three-rooms” and very simple bungalows located on the beach.
Prices for food, rides and entertainment in the northern part of the state are almost the same as in the southern part. But in terms of cleanliness, the former is noticeably inferior – the peculiarities of the local contingent affect. There is also a difference in sand: if in the south it is yellow and fine, then in the north it is larger, with an admixture of clay and volcanic ash, which gives it a rich gray hue.
As for the resorts of North Goa, they are almost always very noisy and crowded, and therefore poorly suited for a quiet family holiday with children. By the way, you will have to look after the kids yourself – in the north, unlike in the south, there are no special children’s rooms, and it is difficult to hire a nanny. And another important difference is that the northern part of the state is incredibly popular among immigrants from the former Soviet Union, so many locals speak good Russian.
When is the best time to arrive: weather and climate
Despite the fact that the weather in North Goa remains warm all year round, the best time to visit this resort is from November to March. At this time, dry, windless and consistently sunny weather is established on the street, which contributes to a pleasant and quite diverse rest. At the same time, the peak of the tourist season is the New Year and Christmas holidays, which many European tourists prefer to celebrate under the scorching tropical sun. It is extremely difficult to find more or less decent accommodation at this time, so it is better to book a room in a hostel or hotel in advance. But in summer, this part of India is not very comfortable – strong monsoons and almost constant rains will not allow you to go to the beach.
North Goa Resorts
To understand where it is better to go to North Goa, here is a brief overview of the most popular resorts.
Anjuna
A crowded, bustling beach, the center of the state’s nightlife. Located 18 km from Panaji, it has good transport accessibility and a large selection of housing for every taste and budget. The coastline is quite narrow, dotted with small rocks and sharp underwater rocks that you can easily run into during the surf.
Despite the lack of toilets, changing rooms and other basic amenities, Anjuna is one of the most visited resorts in North Goa. “The reason” for this is the daily goa trance parties, a huge number of beach cafes and restaurants with live music, two nightclubs that appeared here together with the first hippies, and, of course, the bazaar, open on Wednesdays. We’ll tell you more about it.
Vagator
This popular resort is surrounded by high, picturesque hills and has two water pools at once – the Arabian Sea and the local Juari River (where you can also swim). There are a lot of cows, dogs and people in Vagator, so you won’t be able to meditate calmly here.
The beach infrastructure includes restaurants, small shops, toilets and changing rooms. There are sun beds and umbrellas, but they belong to cafes. The smooth approach to the sea and the absence of rocks are overshadowed by strong undercurrents, so those who are not too confident in their abilities, it is better not to go into the water. Some of the most famous attractions of the resort include the ruins of Fort Chapora and the head of the god Shiva, carved out of stone.
For more information about the Vagator resort, see this article.
Calangute
It is one of the most developed resorts in North Goa. It is a real beach city, which has everything for a good holiday-a lot of chain hotels, restaurants and cafes, sun beds and massage therapists, spas, discos, bars and nightclubs. Previously, noisy beach parties were regularly held here, lasting until the very morning, but due to the actions of the police, the scale of these events has recently noticeably decreased.
The coastline of Calangute is not the cleanest, and during the Indian holiday season (May and October), almost the entire local population comes here. However, many vacationers are not confused at all. Quite the opposite – the presence of Indians makes Calangute even more colorful. One of the most visited places in this resort is the Kerkar Art Gallery, which hosts national Indian dance evenings once a week.
Arambol
Arambol Beach, which is 3.5 km long, is one of the longest beaches on the coast of Goa. Life here is simply full of life: in the morning a lot of fishing boats go to sea, in the afternoon – many vacationers sunbathe and swim, and in the evening they hold a fire show, organize folk festivals and walk fighting bulls.
The main advantages of the Arambol can be called a smooth approach to the sea, a wide shallow water line and the absence of stones. True, stray dogs and humpback cows walking along the entire coast can spoil your holiday experience, but they have long been an integral part of any Indian resort. Arambol is quite clean. Umbrellas and sun beds belong to the beach necks. Among other activities, you can highlight a hike to the lake with soft clay, which has unique healing properties.
Morjim
Morjim is a well-known resort in Goa, whose developed infrastructure contributes to a full and comfortable rest. It has everything from toilets, shower rooms and awnings with sun beds to cafes and restaurants offering a rich entertainment program. Morjima beach is relatively clean, the entrance to the water is smooth, there are no rocks and strong undercurrents. In addition, professional rescuers work throughout its territory.
The coastline, which stretches for as much as 3 km, can be divided into 2 parts-Morjim beach and Turtle beach. If the first one is intended for numerous European tourists, then the second one, which is a protected area, is equipped for olive Ridley turtles, which are under state protection. This is where they lay their eggs and hatch their offspring.
Well, the most important feature of Morjim is the large number of Russians. And we are talking not only about vacationers, but also about those who live here on a permanent basis. They own most of the guesthouses, shops, shakes, souvenir shops, bars, villas and restaurants. Probably for this reason, the prices for holidays here are much higher than in other parts of the state.
Baga
Being one of the longest resorts in North Goa, Baga is divided into several sections, each of which has its own distinctive features. So, the territory near the mouth of the river of the same name boasts creaking sand, developed infrastructure and a spontaneous fish market, where fishermen trade directly from boats. However, it is not very clean, so most visitors opt for the beach on the Calangute side. It is in this part of Baga that the main part of the shakes offering local, European and Mediterranean cuisine is concentrated. What is in the middle is in demand among the local population, who for unknown reasons do not know how to swim, but persistently climbs into the water right in their clothes.
The coastline of the resort is quite wide. The bottom is soft and sandy, the depth increases gradually, but the sea is quite restless, so professional rescuers monitor the safety of vacationers. The territory is cleaned daily. Umbrellas and sun beds belong to restaurants. There is a toilet on the beach, but changing rooms and showers were never built here.
Candolim
Candolim can be called without exaggeration the most peaceful and respectable resort in the district. The beach is covered with yellow sand, sun loungers are everywhere, shops, restaurants and cafes are open. The descent to the water is quite steep, but there are no rocks and stones. Consistently high waves encourage snorkeling, surfing, sapboarding and other water sports.
The beach area is protected not only from tramps and beggars, but also from annoying street vendors selling all sorts of things. Among the local attractions, special attention should be paid to the buildings of colonial architecture, a pond with giant red lotuses and a stranded ship named “River Princess”.
Mandrem
The review of the most popular beaches in North Goa is completed by Mandrem, a small secluded beach, characterized by a smooth entry into the water, a soft and gentle bottom, and a clear sea for India. There are no rocks or debris. The sand is soft and pleasant. There are umbrellas and sun beds, changing rooms, toilets, restaurants and cafes. The only big disadvantage is the presence of strong undercurrents that can knock down even an experienced swimmer.
There are few noisy parties in this resort. Most vacationers prefer to meditate, practice yoga and watch the gorgeous Goan sunsets. Well, the most important distinguishing feature of this place is a lot of small islands formed by two shallow rivers and connected by picturesque bridges. Other famous attractions include a huge banyan tree, the ruins of a shrimp factory, and several ancient temples.
For more information about Mandrem, see this article.
Attractions in North Goa
A vacation in North Goa will not be complete without visiting ancient architectural monuments, historical sites and numerous natural attractions that amaze with their genuine beauty. Each of these places is unique in its own way, but perhaps the greatest tourist attraction is Old Goa, an ancient Portuguese city located a few kilometers from Panaji. As the historical center of the state, it has a huge number of churches, temples, chapels and monasteries built during the Portuguese conquest of India.
History buffs will surely be interested in the two-tiered Fort of Aguada, another creation of the Portuguese, located near the resort of Candolim. The fortress operates as a museum, it has a small restaurant and several souvenir shops. If desired, you can climb the lighthouse’s observation tower, which offers a great view of the watchtowers and high impregnable walls. No less noteworthy is the state capital, Panaji, whose most visited sites are the Fontenya district, the Hidalcao Palace, the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, the Maruti Hindu Temple, the ship casino and Azad Maidan Square.
Wildlife lovers will enjoy numerous natural attractions, the most important of which are the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, located on the pristine island of Chorao, and the tropical spice plantation, located 6 km from Ponda.
And, of course, it is impossible not to mention the famous flea market, located in the vicinity of Anjuna and offering customers goods for every taste. If before you didn’t quite understand what you can buy in North Goa, then after visiting it, the answer to this question will be obvious – everything! And in order not to spend more than you should, stop at those purchases that really justify themselves (Indian cosmetics, spices, tea, leather goods, jewelry, local rum, home textiles). The Anjuna flea market is worth visiting even for the most budget travelers. First, it is not only possible, but also necessary to bargain there. And secondly, even without buying anything, you can have a good rest, get a lot of vivid impressions and fully enjoy the local flavor.
For a more detailed description of the main attractions of the entire state of Goa, see this page.
Useful tips
If you are planning a vacation in North Goa, listen to the useful tips that will make your vacation in one of the most popular resorts in India even more enjoyable:
- It is better to wrap money and documents in a cellophane bag, put them in a purse and fasten them under your clothes. You should not carry large amounts with you – it is better to give preference to bank cards or traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged almost anywhere.
- When traveling by train, do not leave your luggage unattended. As a last resort, attach the suitcases to the seat with a special chain – this will save you from being robbed.
- When vacationing in North Goa kuror tah, never drink tap water and avoid adding ice cubes to your drinks.
- Be sure to carry an emergency card with you. It should contain not only your name and age, but also basic medical information (blood type, allergy to certain medications, serious diagnoses, etc.), as well as the phone number of a close relative who can be contacted in case of an emergency.
- Never take food or drinks from strangers. Indian scammers often put travelers to sleep for the purpose of further robbery.
- When planning to have fun “to the fullest”, do not forget that the possession, use and sale of prohibited substances is a criminal offense. Anyone caught with light or heavy drugs will face not only a$ 140 fine, but also 10 years in a high-security penal colony.
- Do not give alms to the numerous Goan vagabonds – in fact, they are not beggars at all, but a gang of professionals who trade for easy earnings.
- Always make sure that your feet are clean and dry, and don’t go barefoot – this way you won’t be able to catch parasites or fungal infections.
- Do not sunbathe topless or completely naked – nudism is prohibited in Goa.
- Before using your camera, make sure that the location is not prohibited from taking pictures.
