A shallow red laterite cliff borders the beach. To the right are terraced coconut plantations. Below, jagged laterite boulders alternate with little spits of white sand. Azure water swirls and bubbles between the rocks. It’s a beautiful sight- Anjuna Beach.

To the left is a sprawl of restaurants, stretching all the way to Anjuna’s world famous flea market ground, at the extreme southern end of the beach. Welcome to undisputed capital of Goa’s rave scene.
There’s a surreal quality about Anjuna. Anything goes here and all kind of people congregate; from eccentric millionaires to bums in the dole, from barely literate ravers to double PhDs. Anjuna can’t be described successfully; it has to be experienced, preferably on a full moon night, at a hopping beach party.

All along the beach, restaurants offer a bewildering eclectic mix of global cuisines. Shops, stalls and lamani women sell trinkets from all over India. Even outside of the Wednesday flea market , Anjuna is a constant whirl of business.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Anjuna is huge. So huge there is a south, middle and north Anjuna beach. Much of the action, and many hotels, bars and restaurants are clustered off North Anjuna Beach in DeMello, Soronto and St Anthony vaddos. The road from Mapusa comes past Mazil and Temb vaddos to end in DeMello vaddo, where there is a parking area to right. Lanes lead left from here to St Anthony’s church, beyond which stretches Gaunkar Vaddo and Middle Anjuna beach, which has its own share of beachfront shacks. South of middle Anjuna is the large flea market ground in Dando vaddo, which leads onto little Anjuna beach (south).

WATER SPORTS
With all those rocks in the sea, water sports in Anjuna are limited to its southern end. What Anjuna does offer on a calm day, though, is some snorkeling around the rocks in the sea. There are mullets, parrotfish and groupers to be spotted if the water visibility is 2 m or more.

NIGHT LIFE
Paraiso de Goa (Paradisio) is a swinging trance bar that’s open till the wee hours. Paradisio is set on a hillock next to the beach & has a fabulous view. However, it’s frowned upon by hardcore European ravers, as it has a fairly stiff entry charges. Primrose Café (Tel: 2273210), located between Anjuna & Vagator, is another place for ravers to get their kicks when there’s no party around. Enjoy, coming up this season on the Badem Hills, promises to keep things rocking late into the night.

Where to stay:
Anjuna has quite a few options, though few are on the beach.
The Tamarind (Tel: 0832-2274319; Tariff: Rs 600-2500) is 2 ½ km away from the beach, but is among the best options, with a swimming pool & offering golf & billiards. White Negro (Tel: 2274131; Tariff Rs 300-1000), walking distance from St. Anthony’s church ,may have a politically incorrect ,but is one of the nicest place in Anjuna.

Laguna Anjuna (Tel: 2274131; Tariff Rs 1900-9450), set away from the beach in spacious surrounds, has 24 individual cottages, no two identical and was designed by award winning architect Dean D’Cruz.

Hotel Bougainvillea (formerly Grandpa’s inn; Tel: 2273271; Tariff Rs 400-3800, nowhere near the beach, is nevertheless in a truly out standing setting & great value for money. Set in an old mansion on a wooden estate, it has a tranquil environment that soothes the soul.

Anjuna Facts:
Location: Anjuna is in north Bardez Taluka, just south of Vagator beach & north of the Baga-Candolim-Calangute stretch, from which it is cut off by the Baga River.

Getting there from Dabolim Airport (57 km), a prepaid Taxi costs around Rs 700 from Tivim station (19 km), a taxi is Rs 400 .Motorcycle taxis get you from Anjuna to Vagator & Calangute Buses operate from Panjim & Mapusa, about every hour. You can also get autos from Mapusa.

Security Precautions
Swimming is dangerous at most of the beaches because of the strong undercurrents. Consulting the lifeguards is a must before venturing out into the waters.

Climate
Goa has a consistent climate throughout the year with just meager fluctuations in the temperature. December and January might require light woolens, but April and May are warm. The period from June to October brings heavy rain, almost up to 320 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.
Because of its pleasant climate, Anjuna can be visited at any time of the year. However, tourists should beware the heavy rainfall between June and October. The period from November to February is the best time to visit Anjuna.

ROUTE from PANJIM Take NH 17 across the Mandovi river to Mapusa , then turn left at Khorlim to Anjuna via Assagao.