Hotels in Baga

Baga Hotels

The days of bhang lassi’d out hippies frolicking on Baga’s heady beaches are long gone. Once the first epicentre of hippiedom, nowadays it’s become the place for fun-in-the-sun vacationers – both Indian and foreign, with plenty of Europeans thrown in. Package holiday tourism has boomed here – Baga’s shores may be wide, but they’re brimming with beach bars, partied-out sunbathers, hawkers, water sports operators and boat-trip sellers. Don’t be disheartened though, if you’re looking to dance, Baga’s bars beat all night long.

Things to see

There’s really no escaping the beauty of Goa’s beaches. Baga Beach still has that wow factor. Its long stretch of tropical sand – with a backdrop of swaying coconut fronds – heaves with rustic beach bars, hotels and restaurants, whose roofs are made from palm trees. Sunbeds line the shore, so pick a bar, grab a sunbed and stay all day, lazing in the sun with a beer, followed by samosas, or a Goan fish curry. It may be hard to prize yourself from the sand, but don’t miss a trip to one of the nearby markets. Calangute Market – to the south of Baga – is brimming with hammocks, beaded bracelets and all manner of local handicrafts ready for the picking, while to the north, the legendary Anjuna Flea Market’s a never-ending span of stall after stall, selling everything from whimsical wobbling-head statues to traditional sitars, or Indian guitars.

Hotels in Baga

It might be the primary place of package tourism in Goa, but Baga still has an array of accommodation. From upmarket chill-out resorts with sumptuous swinging day-beds to fun-in-the-sun back to basics beach huts in the heart of the party action, you’re bound to find your perfect patch of sand. If you’re really looking to save money head away from the busiest stretches of beach where you’ll find a bit more bang for your buck. Baga hotel bargains and seriously cheap hotels can also be found off the beach, as anything with a sea view always commands extra Rupees.

Where to stay

Baga Beach – with its full-on party scene and clubs that pump out dance tunes until the early hours – is the hangout of young and upbeat types, while Calangute Beach – to the south – is the number one destination for domestic tourists and the epicentre for Goan package holidays. Further south, a more upmarket section of Calangute Beach offers R&R among fancier restaurants and swanky boutiques, while to the north of Baga, Anjuna’s laid-back vibe is the haunt of long-time hippies and artistic ex-pats, making it a perfect spot for backpackers, or those looking for a bit of liberating 1960’s soul.

How to get to Baga

Plenty of international and domestic flights, land at Calangute Aiport, about an hours’ drive from Baga. For non-charter airlines, you’re likely to land at Mumbai or Delhi, before getting an onward flight. Trains arrive at Margao station from all over India, approximately 75 minutess’ drive from Baga. From either the airport or station you can get a pre-paid taxi, or arrange with your hotel to send someone to pick you up. Buses also crisscross the area, with regular services running between Panaji and Baga, or Calangute. Once in Baga, auto-rickshaws are the cheapest and quickest means of transport.