Dear reader! If you have not been to Goa yet, but really want to, then you will definitely go there! And an important preparatory moment will be, no, not the neat folding of a suitcase, but the solution of one difficult task: Which Beach in Goa to Choose?
Differences between North Goa and South Goa?
Let me remind you that the Goa state is divided into two parts: North Goa and South Goa. And here the first questions arise. To solve this not-quite-complex puzzle, you need to weigh your options, consider goals and make a plan. After completing all these points, the answer will float to the surface on its own. Just for starters, you need to find out what both of these destinations offer the traveler. There are differences between North and South Goa, but they are not critical. And most importantly, there is not so much distance between them. So, if you go on vacation for a long time, then, having enthusiasm and curiosity in your bosom, you can visit the whole of Goa. Well, for those who do not like to move much or have limited time, I will give a small comparison.
See also: The 18 best hotels in North Goa
North Goa vs South Goa
South Goa. More lush nature: a lot of greenery, there are low mountains, finer and whiter sand. Expensive hotels and villas, relatively quiet.
North Goa. Small hills, the sand is larger and yellower. Lots of young people, party people and hippies. Lots of cheap guesthouses, more cheap food and drinks. Lots of clubs and discos.
For myself, I chose North Goa. And, looking ahead, I’ll say that I didn’t get to any parties. Nearly every dinner was lit by candle fire and moonlight. From which the atmosphere was filled with romance and subtle notes of smoldering marijuana, the smell of which is present on almost the entire coast. Which once again emphasizes that the desired vacation can be found anywhere in the state.
So, if you, dear reader, also choose the North, then I have prepared a small photo guide for you on the beaches of Goa.
If you explain on your fingers, then the conditional equator of Goa will be the city of Panaji and Dabolim airport, where you will, in fact, be brought. What is to the north of these places is the North, what is to the south is, of course, the South. The map shows all the beaches in North Goa. Those that are written in white marker, I did not have time to visit them. Those that are red - saw, touched, attended. Based on them, I compiled my objective-subjective reference book with pictures.
Top 9 Beaches in North Goa To Enjoy A Tropical Vacation
1. Baga beach
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| Image source: Joegoauk Goa /Flickr |
This is a major base point. Everything you need is here: supermarkets, shops, beach shacks (shack - like a cafe) for every taste, a well-developed transport line. Accordingly, prices can be from ultra-low to high. Those who want to soak up all sorts of adventures come here. It will be difficult to sleep here, and it is impossible not to have fun. Clubs, discos and a lot of people of different sexes, ages and nationalities. But, despite this, this beach is called "Russian", because of the abundance of Slavs. Just do not worry if you are a Russophobe. The beach line stretches for many kilometers, so if you are tired of Russians, you can walk closer to Calangute beach, where Indians who have come from all over the country will give you attention and smiles.
2. Calangute Beach
This is where the hippie scene originated. But now it is difficult to call this village as such. In fact, the infrastructure here is the same as in Baga. It's just that there will be many more people. As I said above, mostly Indians rest here. Prices here are an order of magnitude lower than in other places, both for housing and for everything else. Only a sociable tourist can go here.
3. Anjuna beach
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| Image source: innacoz /Flickr |
Along with Baga can claim to be the most central center of tourism in the state. It has everything, including the famous Wednesday market, which attracts traders from all over India. Lots of shacks, rides and clubs. But the beach line is narrow and with many stones. But there are never-ending parties and an active nightlife!
4. Vagator beach
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| Image source: Amit Chacko Thomas /Flickr |
If you drive further, you will get here. Many call this beach the best on the entire coast of Goa. It is calm and not crowded here. But the infrastructure here will be worse. If, in some Baga, you cannot find a heel where you will not be molested by a tout from a nearby shek, then here in a secluded piece of beach there may not be a shek at all. The beach is divided into several sections, including Big and Small Vagator. In addition to them, there are both hard-to-reach coves and romantic secluded places that are easy to get to. Also, within walking distance in the depths of civilization and the asphalt jungle, there is the village of Chapora, where life is also in full swing, for about 50 years there has been a legendary Juice Center, as well as on the hill are the ruins fort with a beautiful view.
5. Morjim beach
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| Image source: Joegoauk Goa /Flickr |
This place is called the "Russian Village", or even the Indian "ruble". As you might guess, mostly Russians rest here. Because of this, prices in some places are higher than elsewhere. The village itself is small, there is no active nightlife or any youth movement, although there are nightclubs. I will say that we lived in this place. And even during the season, due to the crisis in Russia, there were practically no vacationers here. Sheki and restaurants were empty, and pestering merchants rushed at every white person. There is a good beach line and a lot of vegetation. You can easily find a cozy deserted patch of sand. A little further south, closer to the Chapora River, there is the so-called Turtle Beach, where you can get completely naked, since there are usually no vacationers there at all. And in order to feel the spirit of the fishing village,
6. Ashvem beach
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| Image source: Joegoauk Goa /Flickr |
I liked this place as a large shell rock in the sea, where small crabs live. There is a very shallow and gentle entrance to the sea. You will have to spend a lot of effort to reach the depth. Therefore, the "work" of the tides is very clearly visible here. Not the most pleasant sight, really. But at least the plus is that there is no garbage and dirt. In principle, the place itself is quite good and diverse. I liked walking along the beach here at noon when the tide is high. Since here the sand is practically without a slope, flat areas are covered with a thin layer of water of 2-3 centimeters. In such a kind of pool, it's very fun to "scratch" with your feet. Here rests mainly tourists who buy tours, a lot of kids because of the abundance of sand and shallow water.
7. Mandrem beach
In fact, the same as Ashvem, but even more small and global. Here the effects of the ebb and flow are very visible. Therefore, if you like to bury your feet in dry, hot sand, then you are clearly not here. Because for the most part, in this place the sand will be wet and dense, but a lot of tiny crabs will run in front of you. If you go deep into the jungle, then there are restaurants and shops. So, Mandrem, like Ashvem, is not devoid of civilization.
8. Arambol beach
In fact, this is the very balance of party life and a relaxing holiday. A conglomerate of different nationalities, ages, religions and subcultural movements gathers here. During the day, life boils on the streets at a calm pace, at night music rumbles in the bars. At the same time, there is always a corner for a relaxing holiday. On the beach of Arambol, the most likely to meet itinerant musicians, various drum jam sessions or performances, namely foreigners, not locals. There is a lot of vegetation, there is a piece of cliffs, a mountain and complete drug chaos. Fans of buying any extraordinary stuff do not need to go to the market in Anjuna. Everything is here and it is quite at low prices. And another great plus will be an easy change of scenery to a good Kachala beach, which is located behind the Arambol mountain.
9. Kalacha beach
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| Image source: Alexey Komarov /Flickr |
If you go through a dozen stalls and bars, then you get to the beach of Kalach. This is a good picturesque place among the hills. A distinctive feature here is that there is an important hippie attraction -the banyan tree is a place of worship for those who like to smoke. As well as Sweet Lake, where you can also swim and rub yourself with healing clay. There are a couple of shacks here, as well as a paraglider. In general, Kalach beach can be easily combined with Arambol, because everything is within walking distance.
See also: Best Hotels in North Goa - Near Beach
Prices in Goa
That, in general, and all. As for movement, a taxi from one beach to another will cost from 4 to 10 $. Living in Morjim, we walked to Kalachi. It's about 15 km. Food prices differ by 10-20 percent in different places. In my opinion, the most expensive meal will come out in Morjim, for example, in one restaurant, dinner per person came out at $ 20. But this was an isolated case. On average, a good meal with alcohol came out at $ 7-10 per person. A bottle of beer 0.33 per shek cost $0.9-1.3 depending on the location. The lowest price for beer was in Calangute. In stores, everything is cheaper in 2 times. The same bottle of beer will cost $0.50.
Map of Goa
I used the Osm And program with an offline map of India as navigation. Very good piece with great detail.
With regards to garbage and dirt, the beaches were mostly clean, but this does not apply to Baga and Calangute, there is always something under your feet.
And the disappointment is that the prices go up every year. Plus, authenticity and exoticism are constantly disappearing. So, it’s better not to delay your vacation, but go to conquer the Arabian Sea right now, before the rainy season starts!
Have a nice holiday!
