Anjuna Beach

Location of Beach
Anjuna lies at a distance of 18 kms from Panaji in north Bardez Taluka. The beach is a part of 30 km long beach coastline of Western Goa along the Arabian Sea. Anjuna is 8 kms west of Mapusa, just south of Vagator Beach and north of the Baga-Calangute-Candolim stretch.

Beach Overview
If you want to know about the ancient home of Hippies and their long unending period of leisurely pleasure, then Anjuna is the place to head for. It has one of the world's weirdest and most wonderful collections of overlanders, monks, defiant, ex-hippies, artists, craftsmen, explorers and roaming expatriates who wouldn't be seen out of the organic confines of their emporia in London. Anjuna is the place where red laterite cliff and white sands borders the beach, azure water swirls and bubbles between the rocks and the terraced coconut plantations soothe the mind.

Anjuna is divided into three parts - South, Middle and North, most of the activities are centred around north Anjuna Beach. The Middle Anjuna Beach has beachfront shacks while south of the Middle beach is the Flea market area which leads on to South Anjuna Beach. The beachside shacks and food outlets offer an amazing variety of international cuisines and the famous Wednesday Flea market attracts vendors from all over India to sell trinkets and handicrafts.

Actually, there is no point in trying to define what Anjuna is or what it looks like since it offers so many thing to different people. The only way to find out is stay here for few days, make some good friends and carry the memories as a souvenir for lifetime.

Beach Attractions
Water Sports : Water Sports in Anjuna Beach are limited to its southern end, where a rocky terrain keeps the sea calm. On calm days, Anjuna offers some snorkelling around the rocks in the sea and you can spot some mullet, parrotfish and groupers. Except at its southern end, Anjuna is unsafe for swimming, because of an unpredictable undertow. But if you do not plunge more than waist-deep into the water, there are minimum chances of harm.

Leisure Activities : Take a walk from the Flea market to Baga. The path winds its way along the hillside and ends near the Retreat House in Baga. The walk will provide you some fantastic views and a pleasant time. However, don't go out after dark, even if you have a torch as it is not safe. Nonetheless, there is a popular alternative for you - watch the sun go down in all its beauty and splendour.

Anjuna Flea Market : The Anjuna Flea Market began in the 1970s as a site where Hippies sold their valuables, when they were either broke or leaving the town. In between, it was banned for several years after the local church drove a campaign against it, but later, the market was revived by the Anjuna Panchayat. Today, a tradition that started decades ago is still followed by vendors who come here dressed in Hippi costume and take part in brisk selling of goods. Infact, here you will find the vendors not only from Goa, but also from Kashmir, Tibet and Gujarat selling their trinkets and handicrafts.

Most of the goods are cheap and you can collect whatever you like from A to Z of the daily necessary material. You also have the option of enjoying the traditional food of Goa at food stalls, ranging from yak cheese to hummus. Do not forget to bargain, as the vendors offer high bargain for everything.

Anjuna Flea is held every Wednesday over several acres of coconut plantation. The market begins at noon and ends after sunset when people start to leave the place. In full moon night, a mass party is organized here and the Hippi-empire turns into fair ground. Due to the popularity of the market you will find traffic jams on Wednesday, so boat cruise is a good way of getting to and from the market.

The Acid House Party : A trip to Anjuna is incomplete without a mention of acid house (full-moon) parties. The Acid House Party has its roots yet again in the hippie invasion in the 1960s and 1970s. Since then, the party has attracted a large number of tourists, especially during the Christmas and New Year. The full-moon party with trance music, dance, frolic, and festivity goes all night. Generally 8-12 minutes long, acid house party assimilate organic 'squelchy' sounds, put through a refrain filter. The Acid House Parties have a visual aspect also, the use of fluorescent paint on coconut grooves and shacks announces your arrival at a trance spot.

Albuquerque Mansion : Built in 1920, the Albuquerque Mansion is raised with 8- Octagonal vertical pinnacles over red-tiled roof.

Mascarenhas Mansion : Mascarenhas Mansion has superb and classic balconies (balcoes). Along the porch of the building is a L-shaped seat made of costly wood. The building also has some delicate stained glass floral carvings.

Chapora Fort : The fort erected in 1717 by Goa's viceroy is mostly in ruins. It is delightful place to get some spectacular view of the Anjuna Beach.

Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Anjuna Beach is from November till March. During this period the weather remains pleasant. Christmas (25th December) and New year period, is a good time to be here when you can enjoy the full-moon parties.

Where to Stay
Limited accommodation options are available in Anjuna and few of them are right on the beach. Some of the best accommodation options are The Tamarind, Laguna Anjuna, Hotel Bougainvilla, Anjuna Beach Resort, Hotel Hill Top and White Negro Beach Resort.

How to Reach
Dabolim airport is 57 kms away from the Anjuna Beach. From the airport you can hire a pre-paid taxi to reach the Anjuna. Thivim Station (19 kms), Panaji Station (25 kms) are the nearest railheads. Luxury buses operate to Anjuna from Panaji (25 kms) and Mapusa (8 kms) almost every hour. You can also get autos from Mapusa. For local transport Motorcycle taxis are available, that take you from Anjuna to Calangute and Vagator.

Anjuna Beach Tour Packages

	Goa Tour in India (05 Days) Features : The second day of Goa Tour in India is meant for visiting Old Goa, Panaji and other nearby towns, but you can also visit the picturesque Anjuna Beach (optional visit) and indulge yourself in a variety of water sports alongwith exciting beach-side activities. The beach is quiet well known for its nightlife.

	India by Day & Night (31 Days) Features : On 8th day of India by Day and Night tour, you will visit Mapusa. While visiting the town, this package provides you an excellent opportunity to visit the picturesque Anjuna Beach (optional trip, not a part of the tour). Situated 18 kms away from Panaji, in north Bardez Taluka, Anjuna is a perfect place to enjoy a number of beach-side activities.

Rajasthan Heritage & Goa (22 Days) Features : Rajasthan Heritage and Goa takes you to the spectacular Anjuna Beach. You can visit this beach on Day 16 of your trip. Also, due to its close location to your resort, you can spend most of the time before and after your sightseeing trip on this beach. Visit Anjuna Beach on this package and indulge yourself in water sports or a number of thrilling leisure activities.

Best of South India (13 Days) Features : Bestowed with sparkling white sun-kissed beaches, Goa is the most sought after destination, drawing almost a million people every year. The tour gives you two days to explore the spectacular beaches of Goa. Anjuna, Calangute and Baga are the most frequented beaches while other popular beaches are Vagator, Varca, Candolim, Benaulim, Majorda, Dona Paula, Bogmalo and Colva, which you may explore on this tour. The beaches offer you opportunities to relax as well as become adventurous by taking up exciting watersports.