Calangute

Calangute is a town on the northern coast of Goa. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in Goa. Calangute is located 13 km from Panjim and 8 km from Mapusa. Calangute is well connected to other parts of Goa by road, and the roads are in fairly good condition. Frequent state buses go to and from other parts of Goa, but if you're traveling a longer distance, you need to change buses (for example, from the airport you should need three buses to get to Calangute). A bus from Panjim costs Rs.10-15 depending on the route the bus takes. Prepaid taxi from the outside counter on the airport costs Rs.650, while discussing the price directly with the driver should result into cheaper price. Calangute is a quite small area, and you can easily walk your way through it. Two-wheelers and cars are naturally available for hire, and getting a taxi or an auto rickshaw is easy.

Things to Do

Relax at the beach. The beach reaches from Candolim to Baga. Known also as the Queen of Beaches, although is rather crowded nowadays. If you go from the center of the town to the beach, you will find a massive amount of water sports operators. At this part of the beach there are no beach shacks. Elsewhere the sand is quite full of beds for sunbathing. These are free at least if you buy something from the beach shack, but expect a lot of salesmen. Beggars are not common.

Where to Eat

The coastline is nearly full of beach shacks that offer food as well. For better cuisine you can choose from numerous (tourist) restaurants that are found from the main roads. Food is somewhat expensive by Indian standards, but cheap by Western ones - an Indian curry with rice is around Rs.160 in most places and should be enough to feed most.

• Tibetan Kitchen
• Bella Ciao - The Italian Restaurant at La Calypso Hotels, Saunta Vaddo, Calangute-Baga road, Goa - 403516 - Phone: 0832 2275821 Italian
• Mirabai Goan Village, off Baga Road. Phone: 98 22176808- The best! Authentic Goan food, excellent sea food, charming knowledgeable owner.
• Souza Lobo - Its on the beach, you won't miss it. King Fish and Seafood are excellent.
• After Seven, on the border of Candolim-Calangute. Telephone 91-832-227957. Started by Leo, who speaks 4 languages and has travelled the world with the reputed Taj Group of Hotels, this restaurant has been around for 9 years. The restaurant was formerly known as After Eight Restaurant, till Nestle decided that the restaurant was so good that it would prove competition to their mints, asked Leo to change the name, which he did in 2005.
• Casa Andre's
• Bob's Inn - on the main road from Calangute to Candolim.
• Mooncrest on the Waves

Where to Sleep

Take any road going towards the beach from the main road and find a bunch of places to sleep as you approach the beach. If you choose a smaller road you're likely to find cheaper places. Taxi drivers will be happy to take you to a place run by their friends / people who pay commission, but you need be very strict with your price limit as they tend to take you to a more expensive place.

• Estrela do Mar Beach Resort
• New Haven Holiday Home Tel: +91 - 9821761213, E-mail: goa@miranda.co.in
• Chalston Beach Resort
• Hotel Golden Nest Tel: +91 - 9822147148, E-mail: lobogoldennest@yahoo.co.in.
• Hotel Seagull (Hotel Seagull Calangute Goa), Holiday Street, ? 0091 832 –2275534, [4]. checkin: 9:00; checkout: 09:00.
• Hotel Villa Theresa (Hotel Villa Theresa Calangute Goa), Umta Vaddo, Calangute-Goa, ? 91 9421242808, checkin: 09:00; checkout: 09:00. Villa Theresa is a family run hotel situated at Umta Vaddo, close to Calangute beach, just about a 2 minutes walk from the shore in a peaceful pocket of Calangute and away from the noise of the busy village.