Location :
Mapusa is situated 13 Kms, north of Panaji. It lies at the crossroads of
National Highways and is an important gateway to the beaches of North Goa.
Mapusa - Know before you go
The town's name, pronounced `Map-sa', after the Konkani words for `measure'
and `fill', is an indication of its commercial nature. Mapusa is the main
commercial centre of the population in the northern provinces of Goa and the
main town for the supplies if you are staying at either Anjuna or Chapora.
This is the capital of Bardez taluka, North Goa. It is famous for its Friday
Market when the whole of Bardez comes to buy and sell products of all kinds.
If you're staying at Calangute, Baga or Candolin, you have choice of Panaji
or Mapusa as service centre. There's not much to see in Mapusa, though the
Friday market is worth a visit. Besides being a busy market town, Mapusa is
conveniently close to some of Goa's most popular beaches.
Major Attractions
Some of the most popular beaches near Mapusa town are :
Calangute: About 8 km south from Mapusa, Calangute is Goa's most popular
beach, a highly commercialised but sizzling beach that offers good
sunbathing, passable swimming and the most delicious food along the coast.
Baga: A happening beach 10 km west of Mapusa, crescent-shaped Baga
is less crowded than Calangute, but comparatively safer for swimming. Baga
has soft white sand and a green backdrop of paddy fields. Baga is popular
for water sports - parasailing, jet skiing, body boarding and surfing,
though the waves aren't good enough for the professional surfers. Another
attraction of the tourists are the dolphin cruises on a boat out at sea.
Baga's nightlife is more exciting than Calangute's, with music, dance and
wine.
Anjuna: Anjuna has traditionally been a rave centre and attracts
partygoers and backpackers to its famous beach parties, especially around
the Christmas-New Year season. Anjuna's golden sands and tall coconut palms
make the beachfront a pretty hangout place and the sea is safe for swimming.
Arambol: Arambol (also called Harmal) is pretty but not overcrowded.
Arambol's stretches of soft white sand would be just what the doctor ordered
for your peace of mind. There are regular trance parties and even full moon
parties here.
