A guide to things to do in Baga Beach
You could be forgiven for thinking that all there was to do in Baga Beach was, well, to go to the beach, but as it happens, you’d be wrong. There are a few other things to keep you entertained too, from a sparkling night market to the alternate universe that is the Baga Snow Park. We’ve put together a few things that we think you shouldn’t miss if you’re staying in the area on a holiday to Goa.
Mackie's Saturday Night Bazaar
Whether you’re bargain hunting for exotic treasures for yourself, looking for souvenirs to take home or just in search of some great music and dancing, there’s a chance to have it all at Mackie’s Saturday Night Bazaar.
Sitting on Marinha Dourada Road, this entertaining market event is great fun whether you’re enjoying cheap Goa holidays with family or friends. It does get busy, so come early or late if you want to avoid the crowds – and get ready to haggle.
Running from 6pm until midnight every Saturday, find yourself a seat after you’ve spent a few rupees on jewellery and snacks and absorb the sights and sounds of traditional Goan festivities.
Monsoon Fun Park
A great choice for fans of Total Wipeout, Monsoon Fun Park is an inflatable fun-run and assault course on water – the first inflatable fun park of its kind in India.
Don’t worry if you’re not a strong swimmer, as all visitors are provided with buoyant life-jackets to keep you bobbing happily in the water if you splash down from the course. This park is situated a short drive outside of Baga town itself and you can be back at the beach in less than 10 minutes.
Baga Snow Park
It’s unlikely you’ll tire of the warmth during your time away, but if you’ve missed out on snow at home over the winter, you’ll be pleased to hear you can get that in Goa now, too.
Baga Snow Park provides you with whatever warm boots and other layers you need to commence snowball fights, making it a fantastic spot to take kids if you’re visiting with family. Lively music and light shows give the snow park a festival feel and you can have a go at whizzing down the ice slide before you venture back out into the heat.
Visit an ancient fort
For mesmerising ocean views and a little taste of history, take a drive up to Chapora Fort. It’s about 20 minutes by taxi from Baga Beach and the building’s ruins look down on the Chapora River as well as out onto the Arabian Sea.
Once you’ve had your fill of the remaining architecture, a quick hop back down to ground level can take you to Chapora Beach or Vagator Beach, both of which are spacious spots for catching some sun.
And a trip to the beach, or three...
Baga Beach itself is a clean stretch of pale sand, bordered by palm trees and fishing boats that sees Baga Creek meet the ocean. Here you can book diving tours and boat trips, or venture up the coast to popular hippie beach Anjuna.
Anjuna is a real backpacker spot, but that’s not to say that there isn’t plenty for kids to do here, too. A selection of guesthouses and restaurants serve up flavoursome curries and snacks under the palm trees. What’s more, this chilled-out shore space is the perfect place to unwind after a busy day exploring ruins and fun parks.