When it comes to tourism, this is where it all began. These
areas, were first 'discovered' by hippies in the 1960s.
Nearby beaches, from Candolim to Baga, including Calangute,
are now major tourist destinations. A little further south
is Sinquerim. This village, home to the Aguada Fort, has
long been connected with Goa's first luxury hotel, the Taj
Aguada, which was the venue for the Commonwealth heads of
government retreat in 1983.
Baga Beach Baga is a small beach, 10 km west of Mapusa between the more
famous Colva Beach on one side and Calangute on the other.
It is ideal for a relaxed, quiet time if you don't like the
hustle and bustle of Colva or Calangute. This fishing beach
attracts many international tourists and domestic visitors
to its brown sands and is known for its lively nightlife.
The Baga river flows on one side and the groves of palms
lining the water's edge create the perfect holiday
atmosphere. The beach has the best range of restaurants in
Goa - from standard beach shacks to swish pizzerias and
gorgeous terrace cafes.
Overlooking the village and the Arabian Sea, the Baga
Retreat House at the Baga hilltop is dedicated to St.
Francis Xavier. This was earlier known as the Casa de
Retiros. The 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.
