Said to have been discovered by the Hippies in the 60s, Calangute Beach is the largest beach in Goa and sits alongside its neighbor Baga Beach, as one of the most popular beaches in Goa. Located in the North-Goa district, Calangute is named after the adjoining town of Calangute which attracts thousands of tourists from all across the world during Christmas and New Year. Due to the beach’s links with the hippy culture explosion in India it showcases one of the liveliest nightlife in India and is one of the most preferred beaches for hippies, foreign holidayers and locals to visit all year round with tons of beach activities and watersports.
Image credit – Miran Rijavec, CC BY 2.0
Climatic Conditions
Calangute located in North Goa and enjoys a warm, monsoon influenced tropical climate like the rest of Goa. The summer season starts in late-March till early-June, and temperatures can raise upto 35 Degrees with a brain-numbing humidity. Monsoon arrives mid-June and lasts till September providing a refuge from the humid heat. The winters are generally short and mild with hot daytime temperatures upto 28 degrees Celsius and a drastically cool night time temperature coupled with chilly breeze from the Arabian Sea.
Best Time to Visit
While the beach attracts thousands of tourists all year round, the best time to visit is between October to February when the climate is the most pleasant and festivities are at their best. The monsoon season is usually avoided due to the rough seas and the lack of water sporting activities. Being the largest beach in Goa, Calangute is usually filled with several tourists all year round despite of the climatic conditions. The Christmas and New Year Celebrations at Calangute are considered to be the best in India and marks the peak of the tourist season.
How to Reach and Getting Around
Reaching Calangute should not be a problem as it is largest and is one of the most popular beaches in Goa. It is well connect via the other major cities in Goa through a network of well-maintained roads often coupled with some picturesque views. The nearest railway stations are located in the nearby cities Thivim, Margao and Vasco Da Gama. Margao is well connected via trains from Mumbai and other parts of India. Buses and taxis are available from Panji and Vasco and one might need to change buses to reach Calangute. The nearest airport is located in Vasco Da Gama, where one can hire taxis to reach Calangute. Travelling on foot is the best way to get around with buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws also available for some quick getting around.
Attractions
Calangute is the largest beach in Goa and is also known for its bustling tourist crowd. It is in close proximity to the famous Baga Beach and both are part of the same shoreline. This makes the various shacks and clubs at Baga accessible to the visitors of Calangute. The beach is lined with a row of shacks and restaurant which are great places to relax with a pint of chilled Indian Pale Ale. Calangute is also a popular choice during the Christmas and New Year celebrations due to its pompous celebrations and beach parties.
