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CALANGUTE AND BAGA BEACH
FACTS & FIGURES ON CALANGUTE AND BAGA BEACH
| Location | 45kms from Panjim |
| Best time to visit | December to Feburary |
| Beach Area | 7 kms |
| STD Code | 083227 |
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INTRODUCTION TO CALANGUTE AND BAGA BEACH
Calangute and Baga Beach are amongst the popular beaches in Goa. On the shores of the Arabian Sea, under the shade of palm trees, bathes the Queen of Beaches-Calangute. In a green semi-circle, the villages of Arpora-Nagoa, Saligao and Candolim do their bit to enhance the divine beauty of Calangute. There are picturesque agors (saltpans) at Agarvaddo, Maddavaddo is full of madd (coconut trees), Dongorpur skirts a bottle-green hillock and Tivaivaddo laces the beach. In Gauravaddo lived the gaudds or milkmen ran dairies.
The Calangute Beach has a massive stretch of 7 km.
BEST TIME TO VISIT CALANGUTE AND BAGA BEACH
Calangute and Baga Beach can be visited at any time of the year, though the monsoon months, which bring heavy rains, are best avoided. The period from November to February is the most pleasant for a visit to Calangute and Baga beach.
HISTORY OF CALANGUTE AND BAGA BEACH
Calangute seems to be a distortion of the local vernacular word-'Koli-gutti', which means land of fishermen. Some people connect it with Kalyangutti (village of art) or Konvallo-ghott (strong pit of the coconut tree) because the village is full of coconut trees. With the advent of the Portuguese, the word probably got distorted to Calangute, and has stuck till today.
Calangute became a traveler's cliché in the '60s and early'70s. It was the hippies who discovered the pristine surroundings and blissful serenity and golden sands. The hippies also spread the word around and brought hordes of European tourists. Decades later, tourists still trudge down the dusty, weather-beaten roads in search of that idyllic coastal Goa. On this lovely beach, Goans and tourists spend summers, bathing in the quiet solitude of the sea, sun and sand.
LOCATION OF CALANGUTE AND BAGA BEACH
Calangute and Baga beach lie on the shores of the Arabian Sea of North Goa in India. It is encircled by Arpora-Nagoa, Saligao and Candolim, in the Bardez taluka, and is just 15 km from Panjim, the capital of the state of Goa.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS OF CALANGUTE AND BAGA BEACH
There are a number of tourist attractions in Calangute and Baga beach. Fun in the sun, sand and sea along with great opportunities for feasting on fresh seafood and feni is what a day on the Calangute beach essentially means. Frolicking families, eager hands making sand castles, colorful crowds surging towards the sea, hippies busy remembering the good old times and the young and old alike lazing on the golden sands are some of the images that characterize this Queen of Beaches. This picture of a perfect tourist haven is completed with shacks and stalls under the shade of palm trees selling everything from fried prawns and beer to trinkets made of seashells. The rainbow hued canvas of Calangute has welcomed everyone to it always though it became popular across the globe only after the hippies discovered it in the '60s.
The St. Alex Church
As the vast traffic on the CHOGM road reaches the village, the Church of St Alex greets with its two towers and a magnificent dome gracing the façade. The inside of the church is a display of the line and beauty of its architectural style and ornate altars. In 1996, Calangute celebrated the fourth centenary of its parish church.
The Kerkar Art Complex, is the one and only of its kind on this beach. It is a popular center for exhibitions of arts and crafts of local artists. On Thursdays and Fridays, connoisseurs of Indian classical music and dance can be an audience to various concerts.
PLACES AROUND CALANGUTE AND BAGA BEACH
Medicinal Springs
The narrow road leading past the Bom Viagem Convent along the cashew-covered foothills, leads to the springs at Mottant. This is an ideal spot for picnics and bathing, as the water is believed to be medicinal.
Baga Retreat House
Overlooking the village and the Arabian Sea, at the Baga hilltop is the Baga Retreat House dedicated to St Francis Xavier. It was known as the Casa de Retiros.
WHERE TO STAY IN CALANGUTE AND BAGA BEACH
There are plenty of guesthouses and hotels in Calangute and Baga Beach. One planning a longer stay should look out for 'To Let' signs, as there are plenty along the back lanes.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Calangute and Baga Beach.
Please click here to get more information on hotels in Calangute and Baga beach....
HOW TO REACH CALANGUTE AND BAGA BEACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just half an hour's drive away from Calangute.
BY RAIL - The nearest railway station is at Karmali 11 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just half an hour's drive away from Calangute.
BY ROAD - Calangute Beach is about ten minutes from Mapusa, and thirty minutes from the state capital, Panaji. There are frequent buses to Panaji and Mapusa from Calangute. Most buses from Panaji terminate at Calangute and a few trudge further on up to Baga. Mapusa is 8 km away from Calangute.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Calangute and Baga. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Calangute and Baga Pleasant.
| Tourism-of-India.com Offers for Calangute and Baga |
| Package Tours | Yes |
| Deluxe Hotels | Yes |
| First Class Hotels | Yes |
| Economy Hotels | Yes |
| Other Accommodations | Yes |
| Transport | Yes |
| Porters | Yes |
| Guides | Yes |
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