Geography: Calangute is a census town in North Goa in the state of Goa, India. To the north lies Baga, and south Candolim.

Climate: April and May are warm. The period from June to October brings heavy rain, almost up to 320 cm. The temperature during summers ranges from 24°C to 32.7°C and during winters, from 21.3°C to 32.2°C.

The peak tourist season is during Christmas and New Year, and during the summer in May. The period from November to February is the most pleasant for a visit to this beach.

Calangute is a census town in North Goa in the state of Goa, India. It is famous for its beach, visited by domestic and international tourists alike. There are lots of shows held on the beach including rock, pop beat shows, open air dances, and fetes. It was put on the world map by the "hippies" and subsequently became famous to Indian tourists because of the tradition of hosting Beat/Music contests. It is also popular due to water sports, which are offered on the beaches of Calangute.

Baga Beach: Nestling on the northern side of the long stretch of sands of Calangute, on the lap of the lush Baga-Anjuna Hill, the Baga beach is a curious pot of virgin sands and a need for leisure, far from the cacophony of life. The Baga Hill also offers a nice trekking option past the Retreat House upto the fles market on South Anjuna Beach. With spectacular views sprawled all along the way, it is a great walk for adventure enthusiasts.

Calangute and Baga lie on the shores of the Arabian Sea of North Goa in India. It is encircled by Arpora-Nagoa, Saligao and Candolim, in the Bardez taluka, and is just 15 km from Panaji, the capital of the state of Goa.

Calangute Beach is about ten minutes from Mapusa, and thirty minutes from the state capital, Panaji. There are frequent buses to Panaji and Mapusa from Calangute. Most buses from Panaji terminate at Calangute and a few trudge further on up to Baga. Mapusa is 8 km away from Calangute.

The nearest railway station is at Karmali 11 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just half an hour drive away from Calangute.

The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just half an hour drive away from Calangute.

Almost every town and city in Goa has a Church, which signifies that Christians here form the second largest majority after Hindus. The Christians in Goa celebrate their festivals with much splendor and delight and are worth a watch. Some major festivals celebrated by the Christians in Goa are Christmas, Good Friday, St. Xavier's Feast, Feast of the Three Kings, and the Margao Feast.

Goa has nurtured and preserved local art and culture despite being repeatedly conquered by invading forces. The long rule of the Portuguese has influenced the Goan culture in more ways than one and in many aspects of the culture of Goa one witnesses a seamless blend of ethnic and Portuguese traditions. Dance and music are an integral part of the Goa culture and the jovial, warm people of Goa express themselves with colorful performances.

St. Alex: Built in 1741, Calangute's church, St Alex, topped by a large dome, is on the road to Mapusa. Its Rococo-style white -and-gold interior has pretty, shell-shaped niches. The inside of the Church is a display of the line and beauty of its architectural style and ornate altars. In 1996, Calangute celebrated the fourth centenary of its parish church. Mae de Deus Church: Saligao, 2 km (1.3 miles) east of Calangute, has the pretty Church of Mae de Deus, in Neo-Gothic style.

Aguada Fort: It is the largest and best preserved forts in Goa. It was built in 1612 to guard the entrance to the Mandovi river. It derives its name from several freshwater springs that existed on its site. For the ships that sailed from Portugal, it was the first stop after a long journey for fresh water supplies before moving inland. Today it houses the state prison. There is an old Lighthouse that stands in the middle of the fort and it was built in 1864., and it once housed the Great Bell of the Church of St. Augustine in Old Goa before it was moved to the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in Panaji.

Water Sports at Calangute: Calangute also makes a perfect beach site if you want to indulge in some water sports activities. Parasailing, water skiing and wind surfing at the Calangute beach starts in the afternoon when the wind is blowing just in the right direction and it goes on till sunset.

Nighttime is quite a different story as the hippies and modern travelers party throughout the night. Whether it's day or night, the local shacks and quaint huts on the beach serve local delicacies and cold beer. Calangute's nightlife is surprisingly tamed and provide a nice break from the wild parties at Anjuna. Tito's Bar, which has the only dance floor on the entire beach, is the hub of Baga's nightlife. The other places that consistently stay open through the night at Calangute are a couple of hippy hang-outs in the woods to the south of the beach road. Bob's Inn, between Calangute and Candolim beaches, is another popular bar.

Candolim Beach: Candolim Beach, 2.5 km (2 miles) south of Calangute, stretches all the way to Fort Aguada. Popular with large tour groups, the once peaceful waters now resound with the whir of speedboats and jet skies.

Extending north of Calangute, Baga Beach is far less crowded, although its expanse of soft, white sand has its share of guesthouses and bars. It hosts a leisurely Saturday flea market - a great alternative to the Wednesday market at nearby Anjuna. In the center of Calangute, there is a nice Tibetan market. It offers all kinds of gems and silverwork, wooden statues of the Buddha's and Hindu deities. Besides, Calangute and Baga have been swamped by Kashmiri traders, putting up Kashmiri carpets, embroidery, and papier-mache boxes for sale.

Eating Out Joints and Restaurants: Calangute's bars and restaurants are mainly grouped around the entrance to the beach and along the Baga road. As with most Goan resorts, the accent is firmly on tempting seafood, though many places also serve vegetarian dishes. Western breakfasts also feature prominently at some of the restaurants in Calangute.

Kerkar Art Complex: The Kerkar Art Complex, is the one and only of its kind on this beach. It is a popular center for exhibitions of arts and crafts of local artistes. The gallery also hosts a night of Indian music and dance, once every week.

Rustic Plantation, is situated on the extreme North-East of Goa at Dongurli village, Thane, Valpoi, Sattari. The Plantation is a rejuvenating experience of a lifetime. Nestled in a valley amidst verdant mountains with grossy expanses, lush green fruit bearing trees and gurling rivulets, Rustic Plantation is the gateway one looks for.

Calangute Beach: Goa Calangute beach is also called the 'Queen of Beaches' because the beauty you find at Calangute beach in Goa cannot be found elsewhere. The swaying palm tress and the picturesque saltpans add to the beauty of nature on the shores of the Arabian Sea. Goa Calangute beach is often crowded with people, children making sand castles, colorful crowds surging towards the sea, hippies busy remembering the good old times and the young and old alike lazing on the golden sands.

Candolim Beach: Candolim Beach, 2.5 km (2 miles) south of Calangute, stretches all the way to Fort Aguada. Popular with large tour groups, the once peaceful waters now resound with the whir of speedboats and jet skis.

The town is popular due to water sports, which are offered on the beaches of Calangute. Even though swimming is considered safe you must check out with the lifeguards for the strength of the undercurrents. Some of the currency exchange centers are

L K P Forex, 26 Block C Romano Chambers,
Opp. Petrol Pump, Calangute, Goa - 403 516.

Rosemvilla Foreign Exchange Bureau Pobarvaddo,
Calangute, Goa - 403 516.

Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.,
Trionora Apartments, General Costa Alvares Road,
Panaji, Goa - 403001.
Tel: 91-832-2224132, 2226728, 2226515, 2436666
Fax: 91-832-2423926

Medicinal Springs: The narrow road leading past the Bom Viagem Convent along the cashew-covered foothills, leads to the springs at Mottant. This is an ideal spot for picnics and bathing, as the water is believed to be medicinal.

In the monsoon season, June through September, the sea can be rough, and swimming is prohibited.