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.