Chapora Beach is a coastal village at Chapora River estuary lying alongside a beach stretch in North Goa that is around 10 km. from Mapusa, a City in Northern Goa. It is close to Chapora Fort, an old Portuguese fort. Chapora is also close to a trawler-fishing jetty. Chapora is home to many cheapest travel accommodation houses found in entire Northern Goa.
Location of Chapora Beach
Chapora Beach is a coastal village at Chapora River estuary lying alongside a beach stretch in North Goa that is around 10 kms from Mapusa, a City in Northern Goa. It is close to Chapora Fort, an old Portuguese fort ang Vagator Beach
The quieter environs of the Vagator and Chapora beaches are a pleasant change after the lively and activity filled Anjuna Beach. The villages of Vagator and Chapora have lush green landscapes fringed with coconut palms, soft white sands, black lava rocks and a beautiful sea that turns from aquamarine to emerald green with the movement of the sun. The beaches are overlooked by a 500-year-oldPortuguese fort and life goes on peacefully and uninterruptedly here. It's unlikely that Chapora will ever develop into a major resort, either. Tucked away under a dense canopy of trees on the muddy southern shore of a river estuary, it lacks both the space and the white sand that have pulled crowds to Calangute and Colva. The Pit Stop If one has one's own transport however, Chapora is a good base from which to explore the region: Vagator is on the doorstep, Anjuna is a short ride to the south, and the ferry crossing at Siolim --gateway to the remote north of the state - is barely fifteen minutes away by road. The village is also well connected by bus to Mapusa, and there are plenty of sociable bars and cafes to hang out in. Apart from the guesthouses along the main road, most of the places to stay are long stay houses in the woods. Chapora Old fort Chapora's chief landmark is its venerable Old Fort, most easily reached from the Vagator side of the hill. At low tide, one can also walk around the bottom of the headland, via the anchorage, and the secluded coves beyond it, to big Vagator, then head up the hill from there.
About The Beach
Chapora Beach has managed to perfectly combine its traditional boat building and fishing heritage with growth of tourism. A walk down Chapora main street will take you past traditional buildings still required for the local industry as well as modern restaurants, bars and stores.
Chapora is a fishing village which is rich with rural life. So you can see a large number of fishermen in their traditional attire. Chapora is very close to Vagator beach, Anjuna beach and the ferry crossing at Siolim thus making easier to visit anywhere in Goa without too much traveling trouble.
Esther, a tourist from UK says Chapora Beach is a nice spot for those who are looking for uninterrupted peace and tranquility amongst the white sand, calm sea and palm trees. The ambience at the beach was truly romantic and pleasant.
The picturesque beach with white sand and a number of coconut palms along its stretch is well known as the Chapora fort, one of the chief landmarks built by the Portuguese is situated nearby.There is a famous Ganesh fruit juice center in Chapora selling organic juices and gathering people from around.
The clean and tidy Chapora beach has its own charm and is amongst some of the well known places in Goa. One will find the beach well populated with a number of tourists as the beach has access to the other beaches of Goa like Anjuna and Vagator. One can also see the sandy coves and rocky cliffs of the nearby Vagator beach while at Chapora.
Climate of Chapora Beach
Goa has a consistent climate through the year with just meager fluctuations in the temperature. December and January might require light woolens. April and May are warm. The period from June to October brings heavy rain, almost up to 400 cm. The temperature during the summers ranges from 24°C to 32.7°C and during the winters it ranges from 21.3°C to 32.2°C.
Things To Do
Swimming
Swimming at the Chapora beach is not often considered safe as the undercurrents are sometimes very strong. Also one should be prepared for Indian coach tourists coming to ogle sunbathing Westerners, and expect any police you encounter to regard you with some suspicion and shake you down for drugs if you mistakenly tell them you're staying at Chapora.
Fishing
Across the opposite bank of the river lies Morjim beach. Behind the beach lies the Chapora fort. There is a fishing jetty at the beach where fishing trawlers can dock. The beach is known as a good fishing spot and frequently one can see tourists fishing here.
Sun Bath
.The Chapora Beach is considered to be fairly safe and one can unhesitatingly and fearlessly take a bath here. In fact it is very difficult to resist the tempting waves. You are sure to be lured by them. However it is advisable to seek the help of the life guards because the undercurrents are sometimes very strong.
Sunrais and Sunset
The beach offers amazing views of sunrise and sunset.
Water Sports
Tourists and travelers can engage in various water sports activities in Beach.Water sports enthusiasts can engage themselves in jet skiing, ringo riding, para
sailing and wind surfing. Along with these, travelers can go for dolphin
watching and crocodiles spotting.
Night Life
It is an excellent place to relax and rejuvenate. The lively nights at Chapora beach offers many bars and dance floors to tourists for making their night pleasant.
Sight Seeing
Chapora Fort
The 500 year old Portugese Fort that make Chapora so special is now something of a landmark in Chapora and a very proud pin for the locals.
The brilliant site has steep slopes on all sides. The fort follows the outline of higher slopes, stands above the whole upland area having an irregular outer plan and uses the natural form to add defensive height to the fullest advantage instead of dry ditches being dug. At the top of the steep approach track, the main gate is small and unpretentious for such a large fort but narrow and deep. Depending on defence requirements, the positions of bastions each having the cylindrical turret that gives a special character are irregularly spaced with their enormous embrasures for cannon.
It utters the reminiscence of the old Portuguese times giving a splendid view of the sea and hills covered with coconut trees and rice fields. The remaining battlements and fortifications take one down the memory lane, into the times when Royalty ruled the Vagator hue.
Rural Life - The gentle lapping seawater changing colors from aquamarine to sea emerald, the tiny cottages with gardens garlanded by colors of lemon, purple and fuchsia, flags and crosses take one on a honeymoon fantasy. Life goes on peacefully in Chapora with salty fishermen carrying home their heavy fishing nets and kids playing among the dry docked boats. A bare feet stroll on the beach with the mesmerizing warm setting sun and the gentle breeze carrying little drops of the salty water from the sea; it’s a dream come true.
Shopping
Though there is no shopping complex around the beach to serve the tourists but small market in the Chapora village offers plenty of local stuff shopping opportunities to the tourists. There you can shop some exquisite souvenirs such as earthen pots, candelabras, lamps, accessories, spices and many more. The prices at the market are not fixed so you need some good bargains. The artifacts, antiques and trinkets available in the market make excellent gift for your loved one
There is a small market between Chapora and Vagator beach which offers plenty of fish. You can buy artifacts like candelabras made of exquisite blue china woven baskets and earthen pots. People with sweet tooth get the chance to enjoy coconuts, bananas “Bebinca”, a Goan delicacy made from tender coconuts.
Some shops also sell artifacts, antiques and trinkets, mostly made out of sea shells. They do not just make lovely presents, they can also be taken back home as decorative items to adorn the interiors of your rooms. Days later when you look at them, you are sure to remember with fondness the enjoyable times you spent at the Chapora Beach
What To Eat
Even the food served at the stalls dotting the beach is very delicious, especially the seafood. A number of cafes and restaurants, catering to the demand of western dishes and Chinese dishes, have also sprung up. Make sure to try out "Bebinca", its taste is sure to linger in your mouths long after you've finished eating.
There are a number of restaurants and beach cafes near the Chapora beach that serve some tasty seafood and drinks.
How To Reach
The nearest railway station is Karmali and the nearest airport is Dabolim. From both these transit points as well as from other important points of Goa buses to Chapora Beach is available at frequent intervals. You can also take a taxi from the railway station and airport.
Air - The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just 22 km away from Vagator.
Rail - The nearest railway station is at Karmali, just 11 km away from Panaji.
Road - Vagator is at a distance of 9 km from Mapusa, and 22 km far from the state capital Panaji. There are frequent buses to Panaji and Mapusa from Vagator. Taxi service is readies available to and from Mapusa and adjoining areas.
Motorbike : This another option and an exploratory one. Most of the hotels and restaurants provides information on renting a motorcycle.
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Where To Stay
For accommodation also one will find some cheap guesthouses and comfortable rooms nearby.
There is not too much of choice for staying at Chapora beach, except a few guesthouses, or houses on rent. During the peak tourist season, one might find trouble finding an accommodation here, and so, at that time, Calangute beach and Baga beach are better options.If one wants to check in to a reasonable guesthouse try the west side of the main street in Chapora.
- Abu John
- Boba Restaurant
- Hill Top Motel
- Sterling Vagator Beach Resort
- Reshm
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