BAGA
Area: Goa
Country: India


Location:
Halfway down the W coast of India, in the N part of the state of Goa. 11 miles NW of Panjim; 31 miles NW of Dabolim airport.

Telephone code from UK:
91 832

Website:
http://www.goacom.com (commercial site)

Position:
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.

Description:
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.

Suitability:
Popular with more mature European visitors; lots of package tourists from the UK and Europe during high season (October_April). Also attracts the young and budget-conscious, with some of the liveliest nightlife here. Many bird-watchers.

Accommodation:
Good amount of accommodation here, although it gets heavily booked October_May. Mainly 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 on the N edge of the resort.

Shopping:
Tourist shops are 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 º ml N of the river.

Beach:
Baga Beach 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.

Entertainments:
Daytime: mainly beach-based activities. Bird-watching. Fishing and boat tours. Some water sports. Sports include regular football matches. Nightlife: 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.

Eating:
A large selection of restaurants and eateries, with mainly Goan cuisine on offer, which usually includes a large amount of seafood (excellent quality, with ingredients straight off the boats). Chinese and Continental menus; a rural Italian restaurant at Baga Creek, to the N of Baga.

Public-transport:
Local buses to Calangute approximately every half hour; frequent connections to Panjim and Mapusa. Numerous taxis and taxi bikes; motorbikes and mopeds available for hire.

Local-excursions:
Many tour companies offer a variety of trips to other beaches. Boat and fishing trips. Boat from Little Baga Beach to the flea market at Anjuna on Wednesdays. See also Calangute.