Arambol#Best#Beach#Pananjim#Goa#India

The Arambol Beach located 50 kms from Panaji is a pristine and secluded beach in the North Goa and can be approached by a winding road through the groove of cashew trees. The Arambol Beach extends over 16 km and consists of two beaches, more popular is the main beach (Harmal beach), the northernmost beach in Goa . The second, more picturesque beach lies beyond the rocky circlet and can only be reached on foot and is bordered by steep cliffs on both sides. The main beach is long stretch of curving sand is good for swimming. It is a place perfect for people looking for peace and tranquility. The cliffs near the beaches are popular for paragliding and dolphin watching boat trips. .

It is a rocky as well as sandy beach and has a fresh water lagoon which extends along the bottom of the valley into a thick jungle The lake is fed by boiling hot springs and is lined with sulphurous mud which people love applying on their body to do wonders to their skin. Arambol beach attracts travellers from all over the world. Laid-back by day and lively at night, Arambol is the capital of hippie culture in Goa.

The narrow road leading the beach (dubbed "Glastonbury Street") is stuffed full of boutiques selling a bizarre and wonderful array of clothing, musical instruments, gemstones, figurines, art, music, jewellery, lanterns, smoking paraphernalia and anything else that can possibly be shifted to the charas scented crowd that saunter through this Festival That Never Ends.

The narrow lane gives way to the beach, and as the sun begins to set the beach shacks put out their seafood platters as yoga students practice the sun salutation. A herd of cows meander single file along the shore, past fire jugglers and brightly dressed beach traders carrying home their fluttering sarongs. Incense and cooking season the air as the yellow moon rises.Arambol is the kind of place you can easily get stuck in, so keep your plans open as with a few hammocks and a quiet beach on the doorstep of your shack you'll soon gel with an amazing group of people and won't want to leave.

Arambol Beach Highlights

A slow walk along the shore at sunset, observing the people / animals / sea and sky.

Watching musicians play live at Loeki's Cafe, anything from Indian classical music to psychedelic sounds - open mike nights are popular and the place fills up fast.

Hire a scooter for the day to explore the surrounding countryside. It is especially beautiful early in the season when the plants and fields are a million shades of green.

Climb around Arambol's rocky headland to the north of the beach to take a dip in the sweet water lake at Palolem beach (also referred to as Kalacha). If you are feeling adventurous, continue north to the secluded Keri beach.

Pick up silver jewellery, Rajasthani art or party clothes on the narrow market path leading to the sea.

Find Arambol's hidden culinary gems, where you can eat some of the best Western and Indian food in Goa (see Eating below).

How to get there

Air : Goa's international airport, Dabolim, is 29 km from the capital Panaji. Indian Airlines has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai daily. 

Rail : Goa's two main stations are at Margao and Vasco da Gama. Vasco-da-Gama and Margoa are connected by train with Bangalore, Belgaum, Hospet and Hyderabad and via Miraj to Bombay, Delhi and Agra. 

Road: Goa is well connected by NH17A with Maharashtra and Karnataka state. There are regular bus services to Mumbai, Bangalore, Hampi and other destinations from the Kadamba bus stand at Panaji. There are buses available frequently from Panjim and Arambol every thirty minutes until noon.

If you are getting around Goa on a scooter as many visitors do, you will need to cross over the Chapora River bridge and then turn right at the T-Junction by the market and huge Banyan tree. Take a sharp left towards the coast and continue along the road towards Mandrem and Arambol. The left turn towards Arambol beach is before the market and petrol pump.

Frequent buses run the 32 km journey between Mapusa and Arambol (every 30 mins or so), just ask a driver at the main bus stand at Mapusa to point you to the right vehicle. A private minibus can be arranged from Panjim, which would shorten the Panjim-Arambol public route. Arambol's bus stop is on the main road, near the left-turn towards the school and St Carmel Church.

Taxis, rickshaws and bike taxis are easy to arrange in Goa, though prices in season can be high, especially for foreign tourists. Try negotiating with your driver, or asking a few people to find the best rate. Expect to pay several hundred rupees for a taxi between Mapusa and Arambol beach, less for a bike taxi or rickshaw. If you arrive at Margao train station, the pre-paid taxi booth is just outside the station. Other travellers may be glad to share the journey, taxis should carry four to five people. 

Eating

Just before you reach the sea on Glastonbury Street, look out for a pizza place called Fellini's. Their delicious wood fired pizzas, or authentic pasta dishes are well worth a taste, and the busy venue is a great place to people-watch.

Relax Inn is one of the many restaurants that open out on to the Arambol beach. These places serve freshly caught sea food, cocktails, Indian dishes and Western fare. If you are choosing fish, look for the freshest catches and try bartering a little on the price. Also on the beach (across the small stream) theGerman Bakery does good, healthy breakfasts and will fill your water bottle with purified water for free.

If you fancy some music while you eat, try Loeki's on a small lane just off Glastonbury Street (to the left if you face the sea). Further down the lane, The Mango Tree is also known for its live music. 

Accommodation

Most of the accommodation is basic, in simple houses in the woods behind the beach. Majority is empty huts but some have fully equipped kitchens and showers. There are restaurants, travel agencies (handling foreign exchange), Internet and other services along the road leading to the northern end of the beach and a few stores in the village. 

Sleeping

Arambol beach caters mainly for long-term budget travellers, so the accommodation is inexpensive and usually fairly basic.

Cock's Town has cheap, basic beach huts on offer right on the beach (south of the small stream). Bathrooms are not attatched, but lockers are available, and you can wake up and jump straight in the sea! Almost all of the sea front restaurants have some kind of accommodation, especially as you head south down the beach.

Tip: If you arrive with friends, try leaving your bags with one of the group and sending someone out to scout for a deal. View a few and negotiate on the price, since you will almost certainly be able to bring down the first offer. Stays of more than a couple of days should work in your favour when bargaining.

Taking a small track left just opposite and beyond the police station (before the main road through the village veers left) you will find several accommodation options where you will get a quieter stay away from the shops and bars. Of these, Ivon's, Ave Maria and God's Gift are definitely worth a try. 

Beside The Sea

Arambol beach merges seamlessly with Mandrem and Ashvem beach to the south. It is possible to walk the north Goa beaches from Keri beach at the northern tip of Goa, to Morjim beach where the wide Chapora river meets the sea. If you decide on this, take a few days, since walking in the heat of the sun is not advisable!

For Kerala's answer to Arambol, have a look at the quieter Varkala beach where a line of boutiques, restaurants and bars cling to a steep, laterite cliff that gives sweeping views of the sea.