Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Speedy Travels
( 2273266; 9am-6.30pm Mon-Sat, 10am-1pm Sun)
Reliable agency for air and train
ticket booking, a range of tours, and credit-card advances or currency exchange.
Getting There & Away
Buses to Mapusa (?15) depart every half-hour or so from the main
bus stand
near the beach;
some from Mapusa continue on to Vagator and Chapora. Two daily buses to Calangute de-
part from the main
crossroads
. Taxis and pilots gather at both stops, and you can hire scoot-
ers and motorcycles easily from the crossroads.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Vagator & Chapora
Vagator's twin beaches are small by Goan standards but the dramatic red-stone cliffs,
rolling green hills, patches of forest and a crumbling 17th-century Portuguese fort provide
Vagator and its diminutive neighbour Chapora with one of the prettiest settings on the
north Goan coast. Once known for their wild trance parties and heady, hippy lifestyles,
things have slowed down considerably these days. Vagator is still the place of choice for
many backpackers and partygoers, and Chapora - reminiscent of
Star Wars'
Mos Eisley
Cantina - remains a fave for smokers, with the scent of charas hanging heavy in the air.
Vagator has the bulk of eating and sleeping choices, along with what's left of the party
scene.
Hang around long enough in Vagator and you'll likely be handed a flyer for a party
(many with international DJs), which can range from divine to dire.
