The goa trip is divided into three parts due to the travel I have made here-6, trips of 1-2 days each and so detailed! It does take 7-10 days to see the Goa thoroughly. So let’s get it straight here-North Goa it is-its a mix of both-noisy crowded beaches with water sports being an epicenter and quiet beaches where there’s not much of a crowd. So you can have a me-me time for your inner peace. You have forts like Aguada and Chapora to give aerial views of the beaches, and beaches like Querim and Arambol will make you trek through woods-give you good glimpses of the coastlines! Baga-Calangute-Anjuna is where you will be if you are a family person and love crowds and water sports!
19 Reasons why you must visit North Goa:
- Scuba diving in North Goa is a great way to go below waters and discover the sea world!
- Chapora Fort, famous for the Dil Chahta Hai movie, offers excellent views of the Chapora River and the Arabian Sea. Photoshoot memories!
- Baga is the right place for water sports and nightlife with cafes like Tito’s, Britto’s, and Mambos.
- Stretching from Baga to Candolim, these beaches are the most crowded and happening ones, Calangute being the most visited, one-offering nightlife, water sports, and unique markets.
- The gorgeous Sinquerim Beach has a scenic sandy shoreline, where one can indulge in swimming and water sports.
- Dolphin cruises are easy to have at the Sinquerim, Candolim, Calangute, and Baga beaches during sunrise or sunset.
- Anjuna Beach is known for sports like Water skiing, Paragliding, Scuba diving, Windsurfing, Parasailing, Snorkeling, and Banana ride.
- A cashew-coconut product of fermentation known as feni is served as local liquor here in Goa; you shouldn’t miss that!
- Goa Carnival, one of the main highlights of Goa, happens in February for four days, and you can’t miss the showcasing of Goa’s culture and traditions and the fun and music!
- Come the month of December, and you can visit the “Sunburn Festival” that happens for three days long, focused on having lots of music and a plethora of fun!
- Located beside Vagator Beach, Chapora Fort is known for its sunset views.
- The fireworks in the evening by professionals on many beaches is a beautiful event to be part of and awed at!
Location: About 550 km south of Mumbai is North Goa beaches-Pernem being the rail mark and Mapusa the road mark!
Tourist Attraction on the spot:
Ah-lots of famous beaches you might know- Calangute ,Baga, Candolim, Sinquerim, Anjuna,Vagator, Querim,Arambol, Kalacha, Mandrem,Ashwem,Morjim Beaches;Aguada-Chapora Fort
Tourist Attraction in Vicinity:
You can visit South Goa, Old Goa, Dudhsagar Falls, Gokarna, Murudeshwara, and Jog falls, which will be within a 300 km range.
Distance Charts:(Mapusa)Pernem(20 km ex Mapusa)/Thivim(9 km from Mapusa))
- Mumbai(560 km)
- Hyderabad(680 km)
- Cochin(790 km)
- Mysuru(630 km)
- Chennai(950 km)
- Bangalore(600 km)
- Ahmedabad(1070 km)
- Jaipur(1690 km)
- Chandigarh(2190 km)
- Shimla(2300 km)
- Kolkata(2180 km)
- Bhubaneshwar(1740 km)
- Rameswaram(1210 km)
- Kanyakumari(1270 km)
- Delhi(1880 km)
How to Reach Mapusa/Thivim:
Road Routes:
Mumbai-Ratnagiri-Kundal-Sawantwadi-Pernem-Thivim-Mapusa-North Goa
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:
1)Have an umbrella-glucose-water-snacks. Remember always to have these four things when in Goa
2)In the Querim-Arambol-Ashvem Beaches section, you’ll need lots of stamina to trek those hills and get from one beach to another-so. Do have that when you are here! The trick to not getting lost here is to have the sea in sight!
3) Baga-Calangute-like beaches are too crowded and have lots to offer in nightlife and water sports. Want to bring some friends, booze, and have fun all night-welcome to North Goa!
4)Have as many stiff drinks as possible here as rates are highly subsidized, almost one-third of that of other big cities- don’t miss out on it.
5)Public transport connectivity is pretty good in this region. Scooty starting from INR 300 on rent without petrol also available.
6)For hotels, you’ll have difficulty getting good hotels at reasonable prices. Mapusa is the best bet, and anywhere close to beaches, be ready to pay affordable prices unless you make a booking
RAIL: Thivim/Pernem will be the nearest railway station; 2-3 trains do halt here.
AIR: Dabolim airport near Panaji is the nearest airport.
ROAD: Well laid roads with no issues in travel is what it is like being in Goa-whether you come from Bangalore or Mumbai; it Takes 12 hours on average by road from both the places..KSRTC and KTCL bus services are excellent to be here on time!
Map:
Time to Visit:
October to February it is!
Spend Time With:
Friends, Groups, Family, Couple, Solo(will be fun in another way)
Food and Lodging:
Mapusa can be the best bet, in my opinion, but in peak season, even Mapusa is fully packed, and so are the hotels near beaches. Rates are skyrocketing, considering that this is the most visited section of Goa. Book in advance with cancellation fees using sites like Goibibo, MakeMyTrip, or Yatra websites for visiting North Goa in peak season. Food is not an issue here, but seaside restaurants are expensive-do. Keep that in mind, and the Querim-Arambol section lags even with that-have. Snacks and water with you are what I always emphasize!
Expense:
A 2 day trip to North Goa with a night stay at Mapusa:
Food: INR 100/person/day(3 times a day)X2
Transport: Public transport will cost INR 300 max. Rest water sports are pretty optional(you can add INR 500-1500 a/c to your choice of sports)
Lodging: INR 1000/day X1
Entry Fees include various places (varies): Nil
Total: 2000 INR
Nearby Attractions(Mapusa):
- Gokarna(170 km)
- Jog Falls(260 km)
- Ratnagiri(220 km)
- Aihole(280 km)
- Mahabaleshwar(370 km)
- Udupi(320 km)
- Pune(410 km)
- Wayanad(630 km)
- Coorg(510 km)
- Ooty(760 km)
- Hampi(350 km)
- Mumbai(560 km)
- Hyderabad(680 km)
- Bangalore(600 km)
- Cochin(790 km)
- Mysuru(630 km)
- Chennai(950 km)
