Anjuna Beach

There are so many wonderful ways to spend your time in Anjuna that it’s hard to pick the highlights, but here are a few…

Let’s start with Anjuna’s main draw, it’s nightlife. Anjuna is home to some of Goa’s most popular bars and clubs, all of which are easily reachable from Prison Hostel. One of Anjuna’s best known establishments is Curlie’s, a beachfront bar and club which is a great place to spend your evenings. The front bar and restaurant serves up refreshing cocktails and a wide range of cuisines all for a perfectly reasonable price. As you head upstairs you’ll find a huge dance floor which will be pumping out tunes until the early hours of the morning. Next to Curlie’s you’ll find Shiva Valley which has transformed itself from a simple beach shack to one of Goa’s liveliest nightclubs which plays host to international DJs and some incredible trance raves. Both clubs are on Anjuna’s main stretch of beach which is also home to plenty of other lively beach shacks and bars. Cafe Lilliput is another popular party venue, and will keep you dancing all night long, it’s also great for a chilled out cocktail at sunset, with beautiful views across the beach. Another funky venue to check out is Guru Bar which hosts live music and packed DJ nights in a slightly more chilled out fashion than some of Goa’s other nighttime venues.

If you head away from the beach then you’ll find some of Anjuna’s other well known clubs such as Club Cubana and Waters. Club Cubana is by far one of Goa’s most impressive nightclubs, set on the top of a hill just outside of Anjuna it has amazing views, great music and its very own swimming pool. The cover charge is reasonable considering once you’re inside you can enjoy unlimited booze and a great night out. One of the most popular nights is Ladies Night, when girls can enter and drink for free, which attracts a fun loving crowd and a friendly environment.

Club Cubana

You may have heard of Anjuna’s Flea Market which attracts people from all over Goa each Wednesday. Originally started by hippies selling their crafts in the 70s to raise money for their never ending stay in Goa it now attracts vendors from all over India and the rest of the world, you’ll be surrounded by glittering goodies from Rajasthan, Tibet, Kerala, Kashmir and plenty of other places, you’ll soon find yourself tempted by one of the persuasive stall holders and will inevitably leave with much more than you planned to buy. After an hour or two wandering amongst all the treasures which make up the flea market you’ll no doubt be in need of a good drink or two, head to Cafe Looda and enjoy the sunset, some live music and a delicious cocktail. As the market runs throughout the day and into the early hours of the evening there’s no rush to see it all, so take your time soaking in the atmosphere, practise your bartering skills and stock up on colourful outfits and accessories to show off on one of Anjuna’s many dance floors.

Anjuna Flea Market

Perhaps Goa’s most popular market and some of its liveliest nightclubs doesn’t sound like the perfect combination for a relaxing stay, but fear not, Anjuna certainly knows how to chill out too. The beach, firstly, is the perfect place to enjoy a little peace and quiet, especially if you set yourself on a sunlounger in front of one of the restaurants. You can relax here for free just as long as you buy lunch or a few drinks, which is the perfect excuse to stay on the beach all day and have a few beers or refreshing lime sodas. Anjuna has somehow managed to cling on to its more spiritual side, so there are also plenty of places to get in touch with your inner self through the form of yoga and meditation. The Brahmani Centre opens its doors to the public during high season (Nov-Apr) and offers a variety of yoga classes including ‘Superhero Acro-flow Yoga’ and pranayama meditation. No need to book, just check out the class timings on their website.

The more relaxed side to Anjuna

If you’re looking to be a bit more active during your stay in Anjuna, then sort yourself out with a scooter (our lovely cook, Richard will help you out) and head off to explore some of the North’s other beaches. Arambol is just a 40 minute drive away and has plenty of things to check out, such as it’s gorgeous sweet lake and intriguing holy baba who lives under a banyan tree in the heart of the jungle, you will find him by asking around the village (he’s pretty notorious!). Anjuna beach serves up its fair share of activity too, in the form of paragliding which can be found on the southern part of the beach, and, although I’m too much of a wimp to try it out for myself, it does look like a lot of fun.

Holy Baba in Arambol

When it comes down to eating in Anjuna, you’re quite honestly spoilt for choice, there are so many tasty restaurants and shacks that you’re unlikely to come across a bad meal throughout your stay. There are two great options near to the hostel if you’re feeling a little lazy, La Franza is directly opposite and offers a range of cuisines, all for very reasonable prices. Then you have the ever popular Artjuna which has an incredible menu of healthy salads, sandwiches and snacks and a delicious bakery selling fresh, tasty treats. If you fancy some home comforts then head to Burger Factory, where you can enjoy (yup, you guessed it) juicy burgers in a welcoming, comfortable environment. Om Made Cafe is another popular spot where you can grab a delicious salad or sandwich whilst enjoying the gorgeous view from one of its comfy deckchairs. Another great option is the veggie restaurant, Bean Me Up, who’s extensive menu will impress both veggies and meat eaters alike.

As you can see, Anjuna isn’t only about a good night out as there are lots of other things to do too, but if you are looking for a great party then you’ll be sure to find one here. So, don your party gear, leave your reservations at home and join Anjuna in doing what it does best.

A room with a view…

There are two main beaches in Vagator, both are worth checking out, with the most popular being Little Vagator. As you come out of the hostel take a right, and continue to walk straight until you hit the ocean, from here head down the grassy hill to your left and you’ll reach a gorgeous beach lined with chilled out shacks and bars. The further to the left you walk the more isolated you will become, especially after heading over the rocks at the far end of the beach, here is the ideal spot for a refreshing dip in the sea and an (almost) uninterrupted sunbathing session. There are a couple of delicious restaurants along this beach, don’t be put off by their unassuming exteriors, as the food is cheap, tasty and the perfect excuse to escape the midday sun. On your way back from the beach you can have a browse through some of the stalls selling souvenirs and clothes, or grab a refreshing fresh coconut water and a delicious corn on the cob (just to keep you going up the hill..!).

Peaceful Vagator Beach

The easiest way to explore Vagator and the surrounding area is to rent a scooter, which you can organise from reception at the hostel. This frees you up to drive around at your leisure and head out to some of Goa’s other great beaches. If you are a little nervy then spend some time practising in the driveway of the hostel, there will be plenty of people around willing to help you out and share some handy techniques. The roads around Vagator are relatively chilled out, making it the perfect place to gain some confidence; you’ll find yourself driving like a local in no time!

Once you’ve got yourself mobile then you can truly begin to appreciate all that this awesome part of Goa has to offer. Vagator is surrounded by beautiful nature and stunning scenery and one of the best ways to make the most of this is to head up to Chapora Fort for sunset one evening. The fort is just a short drive from the hostel and is the remains of a fort built in the 1700s. The views are amazing, allowing you to enjoy a more peaceful side to Goa.

Chapora Fort

If you find yourself in Vagator on a Friday then a trip to Mapusa market is an absolute must. Try to head out in the morning to miss the midday heat, as it can get pretty hot and sweaty when you’re wandering around amongst the colourful stalls selling clothing, souvenirs, food and other goodies. It’s one of the places to head to if you’re looking for a slightly more authentic experience than some of the other tourist markets offer. You can easily jump on a bus from the bus stop just up the road from the hostel, just ask at reception for bus timings and directions.

Mapusa Market

Deciding where to eat each evening is probably the most stressful thing you’ll ever have to do in Vagator, there are so many delicious restaurants to try out, although the easiest, and therefore the most popular, is the infamous Mango Tree. Situated just to the left of the hostel, Mango Tree serves up a wide range of tasty treats for a reasonable price.  It’s constantly busy and thanks to its late opening hours it’s a great place to have a few (or several) beers and enjoy the ever changing, and incredibly varied soundtrack, which never fails to entertain. Around the hostel there are a few other places to eat, including Ujwal (directly opposite the entrance to Jungle) which will, if you ask the staff really nicely, sometimes deliver your food to the hostel after you’ve ordered and paid for it.The road leading down to the beach has a few decent restaurant, such as Jaws, which does great dosas for just Rs80 and Tin Tins which has a great menu as well as a comfy seating area. If you fancy treating yourself then head to Thalassa, a beautiful Greek restaurant, with incredible views and delicious food. Although it may not be ideal for those on a budget, Thalassa is well worth a visit, especially at sunset.

Perhaps the second trickiest decision you’ll make is where to let your hair down in the evenings, or if indeed to go out at all. There’s always the option of remaining in the hostel and enjoying socialising with other guests, watching a film or enjoying the BBQ. If you feel like a night out on the town however, then Vagator and the surrounding area has plenty of options to suit all tastes. You’ll find inspiration on where to go each evening through word of mouth or the flyers you will undoubtedly be handed whilst relaxing on the beach. Club Cubana is one of Goa’s most impressive clubs and it’s most popular night tends to be Ladies’ Night which happens every Wednesday during the season. Ladies enter for free and enjoy unlimited drinks all night long, whilst the boys have to pay a cover charge of around Rs1200 (if they are accompanied by a girl) and then can drink as much as they like once inside. The club itself is pretty impressive, with several bars and several dance floors, there’s also a swimming pool and gorgeous views. From Jungle Hostel you can jump in a taxi for Rs400, which, when shared between a few people, is a cheap start to the night. Katezensuppe is one of Vagator’s few late night bars, which is only a short walk from the hostel. Here you’ll find cheap drinks and a range of techno beats which will keep you dancing until the early hours of the morning. There are also a few small, yet extremely lively, bars in the neighbouring village of Chapora. The small, main street is always buzzing and there’s sure to be a bar there which will appeal to you. Look out for the man selling egg sandwiches on the street (he always has a group of people surrounding him), as he makes some of the tastiest fast food you’ll ever eat.

Whether you spend your time in Vagator partying or relaxing (or a bit of both!) you’ll discover that this small town will accommodate your every need, and it won’t be long before you find yourself considering extending your stay.

Chill out in the common area at the hostel