Baga
Baga is in the state of Goa, on the west coast of India. To many people Baga is an extension of the adjoining town of Calangute and nobody seems to be sure where one ends and the other begins. Calangute (and the area around it, Sinquerim, Baga, Candolim) in the northern section of central Goa is where tourism all started for Goa. From the late 1960s, this was the spot where the flower-children descended.
Get in
By plane
For international travellers Goa's airport is Dabolim airport, to the south, at Vasco, approximately one hour's drive away by taxi. The closest railway station to the airport is at Margao. There are buses from Panaji and other cities to Baga and Calangute, which are close to each other. From Dabolim airport to the beach (distance - almost 40 km), you will have to get by buses with at least two transfers. It will be more convenient to hire a taxi according to the meter, given the low cost of passenger transportation. The most popular is “Goa taxi”.
By rail
The nearest railway station is Thivim. A large number of trains pass through the station "Thivim" from different cities of India, including Madgaon, Dadar and Vasco. You will need to cover another 20 km from the station. This can be done by taxi, hitchhiking or buses with transfers.
Get around
Getting around Baga is very easy on foot but be careful of the chaotic traffic and wandering cows though. There is a wide range of taxis and rickshaws easily available. Buses from Calungute are ₹5.
See
Baga's attraction is in its world famous beach. For families with children, Baga is perfect: there are no waves, the entrance to the water is shallow, and lifeguards monitor the safety of tourist. Large numbers of tourists come to Baga Beach, especially on weekends.
Interesting sights to visit include Portuguese forts at Aguada and Chapora.
Do
Enjoy a relaxing day on the beach. Can get busy at weekends and holidays.
Buy
As well as the usual range of tourist souvenirs, there are many shops selling made to measure suits and clothing at a fraction of western prices. Many leatherware shops offering made to measure jackets and luggage also available. Glasses also very cheap at the opticians in the centre of the adjoining town of Calangute. Mackies Saturday Night Bazaar is a great place for bargain hunting and music, whilst nearby Anjuna's flea market is great for a spot of haggling, and worth a visit.
Rama's Bookshop at the Calangute junction on the road leading off to Baga offers second-hand books in a dozen European languages. You even get fifty percent back on returning the read book.
Eat
A wide range from budget options to a full multi-course feast. Many interesting and cheap places along the Baga Road leading to Calangute, together with some better quality establishments. Many shacks situated on the beach offering a good choice of reasonably priced food all day from breakfast to evening meals. Some also offer occasional barbeque nights with freshly caught seafood.
- Brito's - Known for its mix meat platter, this place serves Continental cuisine. The desserts offered are quite good.
- Cafe Lazydays, CSM Road. Excellent food and accommodation at great prices
- Casa Portuguese
- The Cavala Seaside Resort, Baga Road hosts a superb barbeque night with entertainment which is always popular.
- Christie's Cafe La Musica - is a place to relax on Bean Bags & Futons drinking beer after a swim at the beach. The Thai Food and the late night barbeque for veggie and seafood lovers is its speciality.
- Danny's Grill Kebabs and Curries, Hotel Riverside, Baga (Adjacent to Baga Bridge, on the Baga Creek), ☏ +919767591368. On the banks of the Baga Creek, Danny's Restaurant has a menu ranging from breakfast classics to creative innovations. For breakfast, there are fresh fruit juices and a special breakfast. For lunch and dinner, there are savory pork chops, lobster tandoori, steak amorita with apricot sauce and for dessert, bebinca with ice cream. Open from 7:30AM until 11:00PM, seven days a week.
- Fiesta is a classy, expensive Italian restaurant that is well worth a splurge. Good food, good ambience and attentive service make it a good bet for a special occasion. Shame the cocktails are so small though!
- J & A's Little Italy, across the Baga River along Baga Creek Road. Serving superb Italian food in a relaxing atmosphere.
- Lario's Beach Shack, situated at the top end of the beach.
- Mooncrest - on the road to the beach.
- Redonda, Baga Junction. Mind blowing food. A must visit if you fancy non-vegetarian fare.
- La Restauraunt, Baga Road. French cuisine at its best.
Drink
All the restaurants and beach shacks above offer a range of locally produced spirits and beers at reasonable cost. Popular local brands include Kings and Kingfisher lager.
- Club Cubana. Inland from Baga beach in the Arpora Hills about 15-minute taxi ride from Baga. Swimming pools and dance music until the wee hours.
- Tito's Nightclub. Adjacent to the beach is an infamous nightspot. Established in 1971 by an expat, Titos has attracted the likes of the Beatles, Dire Straits, Pete Townsend, Matt Damon, Richard Gere, Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Sanjay Dutt, Kate Moss and a host of celebs.
Sleep
Accommodation ranges from budget priced backpacker style rooms to hire. There is a range of mid range hotels around town together with larger establishments catering for the package tourist in outlying areas of Arpora and Calangute.
- Baia Do Sol. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Baia Do Sol is a 2-star hotel near the Baga bus stand. 99.
- Cavala Seaside Resort.
- Hallmark Guesthouse, ☏ +91 9920631186 (Devina), +91 9823010530 (Chris), hallmarkgoa@yahoo.com. This is a quaint guesthouse run by a friendly couple, Chris and Devina. Hallmark Guesthouse has double occupancy AC, non-AC rooms with TV, attached balconies, bathroom with toilet, side tables, fan, locker facility, storage and mosquito net.
- Lime Holidays, Opp Tito's Lane in Baga., ☏ +91 9604937575, +91 9970589799, limeholidays@gmail.com. Serviced apartments in Baga, Goa, for safe and convenient stay, only a 4 minute walk from Baga beach, in a 3-star resort with access to swimming pool, restaurant & bar. Fully a/c, non ac flexible check-in & check-out timings, extra mattress & kitchen facilities provided. From ₹1000.
- Riverside Residency Baga.
- Romeo's Rooms. Romeo is a local taxi driver usually found around Lario's Beach Shack.
Go next
Baga is a great place for visiting Goa's many attractions. There are numerous agents around town offering visits to Old Goa (the capital city of the state); the second largest waterfalls in India; or to spend the night in a mud hut in the jungle and wash an elephant. Trips are available to secluded beaches (ask any taxi driver). Excursions lasting several days can also be arranged to out of state attractions such as Mumbai - the home of Bollywood; the Taj Mahal and Delhi.