Arambol Beach

Arambol Beach in Pernem taluka is one of the best-known beaches in North Goa and a long-standing magnet for backpackers, musicians and alternative travellers. Once a fishing village, it was discovered by hippie travellers in the 1960s and 1970s and has kept a bohemian character ever since. The main beach is a broad curve of sand lined with shacks, yoga studios and small guesthouses. Every evening a drum circle gathers on the sand around sunset, which has become one of the beach's signature rituals. A short walk north over the rocks leads to the Sweet Water Lake, a freshwater lagoon fed by forest streams that sits just behind the sand. The cliffs above the beach are a popular launch point for paragliding over the coast. Visitors also take classes in yoga, music and dance, which run through the tourist season from roughly November to March. Arambol is worth the trip for its mix of natural setting and creative, easygoing atmosphere.