Baga beach is a widely visited beach among the beaches on the coast of Goa. Thanks to its central location, amazing features, and side attractions. You will definitely enjoy water sports, exquisite cuisines, amazing nightlife, bars, and other things you may love as you visit.
Your training in Goa promises to be memorable with lots of fun and recreational activities available for you on weekends when you have some free time. You may not want to miss the Baga beach, one of the best beaches in Goa. It promises to be a memorable experience!
Important Information about Baga
The Baga beach is situated close to Calangute beach and about 30 kilometers north of Panaji, the state capital. Some tourists call it the ‘Baga creek’ as it makes in-road into the Arabian Sea.
Are you planning to visit Goa soon and you need a place to enjoy fantastic nightlife? Think no further, Baga is the right place to visit. If you are a lover of parties, exotic cuisine, or pumping music, there are a few signature places to visit, such as Tito’s, Britto’s, and Mambos. Also, for lovers of fashion, you will discover your preference in its designer store and street-side markets with lots of attractive items.
Best Time to Visit
Though you can visit at any time of the year, however, we need to tell you how the climate in Baga looks like and recommend the best time to visit.
Baga has a warm climate with its temperatures rarely exceeding 33 degrees Celsius in the daytime; neither does it drop lower than 20 degrees Celsius at night. Though, there are few cases of the temperature dropping so low between the months of December to February.
Traditionally, tourist season in Baga starts towards the end of October, and the volume of tourists starts trickling down around March.
Dramatically, humidity increases around April and May. Rain falls from June to August through the southwest monsoon. During this period of rain, the beach huts are shut down while lots of nightspots stay open.
How to Get There – By Air, Train, and Road
You can get to Baga beach either by air or by train. Interestingly, there are several routes you could pass through on your way to Baga.
For instance, if you choose to travel by train, you will have to reach Thivim before boarding a train to Baga. On getting there, you will need to board a taxi for around 600 INR to the beach. Also, the Vasco da Gama train station is about 42.7 km from your destination while you could head to Madgaon train station, which is 50.9 km away.
If you prefer going in by air, Goa’s Dabolim airport is just about 39.9 kilometers away. This airport also connects some other major cities in India such as Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, and Pune. You are also expected to pay a taxi fare of about 1,300 INR. There could also be extra charges for luggage and a late-night trip.
Also, if you reside around Calangute, you could take a 2 km walk towards the southern part of Calangute beach, and you will get to Baga in no time. Alternatively, if you are coming from Panaji, then the best option is to take a taxi or hire a bike for the 16 km journey towards Baga beach. There is also the option of driving your car straight to the Baga beach or your luxury apartment within the area.
What to do in Baga
Baga beach offers a plethora of options for tourists that want to turn the visit to a wellness retreat. Here are a few suggestions for you:
Start your day on a quiet note. You could take a walk through the beach, or attend a mindfulness meditation session at the ABS Yoga Retreat Centre situated along Lane 2 in Titos. Another option is to opt for a massaging session for body relaxation at Aroma Thai Day Spa, Ora Regenesis Spa, or the Glamazon Salon & Spa.
Water Sports in Baga
Baga beach appeals to sports enthusiasts with loads of water sports lined up to enjoy. The water sports starts with the basic ones and gradually progress to the more challenging and activities, thereby ensuring that it caters for everyone’s need and ability.
Some of the activities available include bumper boats, banana boat rides, Jet Ski, water scooter, dolphin cruises, and parasailing if you intend to get the best view of the Baga Beach. For a thrill of the underwater, you can dive close to the lagoon near the Baga River.
With the exhaustive list of water sports available in Baga, kayaking, body, and paddleboarding, kneeboarding, wakeboarding, ride on speed boats, and surfboard lessons, are all prominent.
Based on your preferred package and your budget, these water sports can be indulged in for 10 minutes to one hour or more, and it will cost between INR 200 – INR 1500. It also features the amusement park where kids can get to watch water sports while having fun.
Nightlife in Baga
The highlight of any tourist visit to Baga is its amazing nightlife; it is arguably the trademark of this location. Below are some of the places to look out for in Baga:-
Café Mambos
Café Mambos is a trendy place in and around Goa for all the right reasons. Dance all through the night while listening to a variety of music. The opening hours are between 8:00 PM to 3:30 AM. Couples are charged INR 1500 while singles males pay 2,000. Note that this price is subject to change; kindly confirm the current price before visiting.
Club Titos
Club Titos is well-known for its Indian Bollywood music in an electrifying atmosphere as well as playing host to costume parties. It opens from 9:30 PM to 3:00 AM and charges about INR 1500 per couple.
Aside from these two prominent nightclubs, other spots worthy of note include Cape Town Cafe, Kamaki, Ivy Red Square, and so on.
Shopping at Baga
Baga beach offers tourist shoppers an enjoyable experience with its exclusive shopping centers. The Mackie’s Night Bazaar offers you a perfect opportunity to shop, watch live entertainments, eat, and listen to music; all this at a place is quite amazing.
A visit to Arpora Saturday Night Flea Market is also a shopping arena where you can have a taste of various international foods.
Best Places to Eat in Baga
We all have different preferences as regards to food, and one of the things that stand a tourist destination out from others is its wide varieties of exotic foods. The same applies to the Baga beach as it offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy rich Chinese, Goanese, North and South Indian, and Continental dishes. Below are some of the best places to eat in Baga:
Fiesta
This is a restaurant located opposite Club Titos, it offers you breathtaking meals that can blow your mind. Coupled with its magical poolside setting and delicious Mediterranean and European cuisine, you will enjoy a nice treat.
Britto’s
This is a well-known restaurant noted for its Goan cuisine and seafood. It is situated towards the beach end on the northern side. Tourists also love its good music, which adds flair to their delicious cuisine.
Go with the Flow
You will find this restaurant on the other side of the river, adjacent to the Retreat House. Visitors are served the international menu while dining in the open-air with lovely views. The Go with the Flow is noted for its two signature cuisine, which is the pork belly and prawn laksa.
Cape Town Café
You will find this bar/ nightclub at Tito’s Lane center. You will be treated to a sumptuous Goan curries meal as well as burger and fries.
Dream Catcher
Right in the middle of Tito’s Lane and the Creek, you will find the opportunity to enjoy cheap drinks and delicious food served on the beach.
The River Restaurant
If you need a spot to enjoy delicious gourmet Goan fusion food, you can check-in at the Acron Waterfront hotel.
Relish
Relish the opportunity to enjoy a collection of Chinese, Indian, Seafood, and vegan menu with an option for gluten-free. It is a multi-cuisine restaurant situated between Baga and Calangute; it promises you an enjoyable experience.
Lastly, we have Café Mambos and Tito’s, where you are served to amazing delicacies, which include Goanese and continental foods.
Hotels near Baga Beach
Regardless of your budget, you will find a hotel that meets your accommodation needs and tastes. With several options available at Baga Beach, ranging from five-star resort to budget hotels, you will never be stranded.
As you know, the facilities available determine the price to pay for lodging. Some of the facilities to consider include: swimming pool, spa, free Wi-Fi services, fitness center, mini bar and kitchen, and so on all determine the price you will pay for your lodging.
A significant number of such lodgings are located around Tito’s Lane, with others spreading towards Calangute-Baga Road. Notable among the hotels is Baga Hideout Resort, De Baga Deck, Coco Heritage Home, Hotel Colonia Santa Maria, Sugar Plum Hotels, and Kalki Resort.
If you intend to visit with family members or you want a personal space to yourself, you can take the option of renting a villa.
There is also a consideration for those on a shoestring budget as they can choose from several hostels or huts along the beach.
Sightseeing around Baga Beach
Aside from the beach, there are other spots you can visit to make your visit a memorable one. For instance, the Casa de Retiros allows you to have a pleasant view of the sea and Creek. Another place to visit is the iconic 250-year-old Portuguese church, “Our Lady of Piety.” Within close proximity to the beach is Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chapora, and Aguada forts, which all give you a memorable sightseeing experience.
Baga Beach Quick facts
- Baga beach is very serene and quiet; it attracts visitor’s all-year-round.
- Dabolim is the closest airport to Baga at about 39.9 km.
- Vasco da Gama is the closest railway station to about 42.7 km.
- Notable water sports in Baga include:
- Banana boats, jet skiing, dolphin cruises, bumper boats, water scooter, and parasailing.
- Several notable Palmistry, Tattoo, and Tarot shops include:
- Café Coffee Day, and Aroma Thai Day Spa.
- Top attractions: Restaurants, shops, sun decks, Club Titos, Cape Town Café, Café Mambos, Valencio’s, Cocktails and Dreams, Get High, Havana, shacks such as Zanzibar, Café Blue Moon, Britto’s, Bistro, Marin, Silver Sand, St. Anthony’s, among the rest.
- It has a car park towards the northern side of the beach for over 800 vehicles.
Safety Tips
The number of tourists keeps increasing due to the attractive and appealing features of the beach. Notable among its visitors are Indian tourists. A lot of them visit for the party scene, which unfortunately has recorded a few bad scenes and behaviors.
It is important to note that there have been some frequent issues with unruly behavior and drunkenness among the visitors. Some of these Indian men misbehave when they see a lady in bare skin on the beach. Therefore, women on bikini should be careful when visiting the beach to forestall harassment. Women should take note of their outfit so as not to attract any form of unwanted attention. Lastly, the women should visit in the company of a trusted male for safety purpose.
Conclusion
Are you visiting India for the first time? Or you are quite familiar with the country? Whatever reason for your stay in India, you are guaranteed absolute enjoyment and relaxation whenever you decide to pay a visit to Baga beach in Goa. With all the interesting facts and fun places highlighted, you are assured of nothing short of a lovely time. Bon Voyage!
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