Hippies In Goa : A Dummy’s guide to being a hippie in Goa

Hippies In Goa : A Dummy’s guide to being a hippie in Goa

GOA! Part of the Hippie Trail of the world, Goa is on every travelers’ list for the sense of peace and euphoria that it offers. The ultimate party lovers paradise, the haven where parties only start, but end only when you walk out – where on one side you can find peace and tranquility, and on the other, all the noise and fun.
Goa - A Hippie Paradise
Goa – A Hippie Paradise (source)
Music wafts with the ocean breeze, and takes center-stage in the celebrations that define and make Goa. If you want to enjoy Goa for all it is, this guide to Goa will take you around in the best way possible. Let’s think the way a hippie would, and the next time people ask you about your travels to Goa, a slight smile will quietly escape the corner of your lips, followed by the phrase – “It was nice!”
bonfire at the beach
Bonfire at the Beach (Source)
Enjoy Goa like the Goa of Stories – Always glimmering with clubs, rave parties and dance joints illuminating the night sky with endless euphoria.

1. Arambol: A Hippie’s Paradise

Hidden Treasures in Goa (Source)
Hidden Treasures in Goa (Source)
Arambol beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa. It houses a number of hidden gems, and we’re not talking beach shacks. Arambol has graduated to a Hippie’s favourite, and not without reason. Further down the main beach, lies the sweet lake, the jungle valley, and hot springs with therapeutic minerals (perfect for a mud bath).
Cafes in Arambol: Arambol has a couple of both famous and some fairly lesser known cafes, all of which serve great food. Our pick from Arambol is, The La Muellas Cafe, which is set in a giant treehouse! Yes, you read that right.
Drum Circles in Arambol: Music comes inherently after a whiff of the “fresh air” that is in abundance in Goa. Hippies and locals sit together at the beach, and involve themselves in some serious drumming and dancing. The hippie scene in Goa sees a number of people who are crazy about music, and a lot of them come together at Arambol to enjoy this passion together.
Hot Water Springs and Mud Baths at Arambol, Goa: A mud bath at the stream above the sweet water lake at Arambol, is said to be good for your skin. You can follow it up with a bath in the fresh, warm water of the Sweet Lake, which is fed by natural hot water springs, and step out with glowing, youthful skin! :D
Relax in Hammocks at Arambol: Your next hammock holiday isn’t so hard to find, now. Step into Arambol Hammocks, and get it arranged!
Arambol Beach Goa (Source)
Arambol Beach Goa (Source)

2. Local Food of Goa

Seafood Diet Galore (Source)
Seafood Diet Galore (Source)
Goa, being the free soul’s favourite haunt, is also one of the most food-rich states in the country. From great seafood to even better dessert and fried food options, Goa is one of those places where you can treat your tummy to a multitude of delicious food. The awesome Beach Shack Guide to Goa has you covered! Our choicest Picks for Food lovers -  Curlies, Anjuna Brittos, Baga La Plage, Ashwem

Local Specialties of Goa

(Source)
Squids: They say beaches and seafood are synonymous. And they also say hippies are adventurous. That rhymed! Squids are pretty awesome in Goa, and if you’re brave enough, go eat some of those things! They’re pretty great here.
Shark : Yes! You read that right. Fishermen here are pretty brave, so there is no reason you shouldn’t be! I hear Shark meat is a delicacy here, and they make it really well, so eat your fill! And, keep an open mind :D
Feni : Goa’s very own home-brewed local alcohol, made out of coconut sap or cashews, is a delight. Just, not too easy to stomach. While Goan locals and Freshness enthusiasts would tell you that the feni is pretty aromatic, many others would scoff at that suggestion! But its definitely something to try.
Kokum : Tangy and fresh, kokum is that great fruit, the juice of which added whether to alcohol or drunk straight from the bottle early in the morning, is always great! Take some back home, and add it to curries for that extra zing.
Sorpotel : Meat (pork, beef or chicken) slow cooked to perfection, tossed around in a gravy of rich sauces and vinegar, this Goa specialty isn’t for the missing if you enjoy your meats!

3. Planning to stay in Goa

backpackers
Backpackers (Source)
If you are one who likes all things bohemian and don’t care about what the world sees in you, and rather have an urge for discovering what all is possible in this realm; Goa calls out to you my friend. There are tons of hostel stays here in Goa, where you’ll find many fellow backpackers and amazing places to crash for a day or two. Apart from being highly affordable and very unique, you also make lots of friends, who you’ll share your intense penchant for travel with. Here’s where you can plonk your bags!

Zostel Goa:

A chain of backpackers hostels throughout India, this one is proving to be a runaway success among travel frenzied youths and backpackers. Affordably priced as well, Zostel offers a varied experience to hippie travellers.
Address: House No.3/15, Dr Alfonso Road,Tivai Vaddo, near the spice rack, Calangute, Goa 403516
Phone:077268 64942

Jungle by TheHostelCrowd

Address: 486,, Vagator Beach Rd, Vagator, Goa 403509
Phone:0832 651 8606

Backpacker Panda

Address: 1116 Anna Vaddo, Ximer, Candolim, Goa
Phone:075065 27420
For more information, check out Travellers’ Hostels In Goa

4. Night life in Goa

There are some excellent nightclubs, bars, shacks, casinos, etc., to keep you busy. And, if you’re bent to ditch the nightclubs and party on the beach, then there are shacks, clubs and other open-air venues that will take the wildness outside.

UV Bar in Goa

UV Bar (Source)
UV Bar (Source)
Located at the heart of Anjuna, UV Bar is one of the most loved party places in Goa. The DJs play great trance music, and the finger food and cocktail options here are to die for!

Cape Town Café

Cafe (Source)
Cafe Cape Town (Source)
Cafe Cape Town is one of the most frequented resto bars in Goa’s busy Tito’s Lane. The large crowd which gathers near this bustling cafe in Saunta Vaddo, makes the cafe pretty visible! The bar is amazing, and the club plays great music. The food here is pretty great too!

Casino Royal in Goa

Casino Royale (Source)
Casino Royale (Source)
For a different night out experience in Goa, there’s Casino Royale, which is one of the best casinos in Goa. Berthed on the river Mandovi and overlooking the capital city of Panjim, try your luck at this breathtaking, floating hotel.

5. Music Festivals in Goa

With rave parties and club DJs common throughout the state, Goa hosts some of the biggest festivals in the country. Catering to the fans of Electronic Dance Music (EDM), these festivals have been a host to the biggest electronic artists from all over the world.

Sunburn Festival in Goa:

Sunburn Festival (Goa)
Sunburn Festival Goa (Source)
The Sunburn Festival, started only a few years ago, is one of those parties which sees thousands of attendees flock to Goa just to attend this plush music festival. Many popular artists like Gareth Emery, Axwell, and Above and Beyond have previously performed in Goa’s Sunburn. Where: Club Paradise, LPK, Sync, Cape Town Café and Club Cubana.

Supersonic Festival in Goa

Supersonic Festival (Source)
Supersonic Festival (Source)
The VH1 Supersonic Festival will coming to the shores of Goa this January. The festival was intiated by Nikhil Chinapa, who was also one of the co-founders of Sunburn Festival in India. The music festival, which will be 5 days long, is said to specialize in EDM and House music.

6. Parties at the Beaches of Goa

Party at a Goa Beach (Source)
Party at a Goa Beach (Source)
There are endless options when it comes to food and music, but to jot down the best ones; for an indigenous and heavenly abode, the free spirited tend to gather around on beaches and prefer having a private gala time with drinks and music . Where: Curlies, one of the most notorious beach meeting joints in south Anjuna. Hill Top,Reggae, Rock N’ Roll & Disco bands playing and performing at Vagator, Bardez.

7. Shopping for Junk Accessories and Souvenirs in Goa

Being one of the most frequented tourist places in India, Goa is pretty much a shoppers’ paradise. You can shop for tees with Bob Marley or Hare Rama all over them. Don’t be surprised if you spot a few “I Heart Goa” souvenirs and tees as well. The accessories are to die for. If you want a seashell necklace to go with your oh-so-colorful sarong or beach shirt, you will find it here!

The Anjuna flea market

A haven for hippies as it houses colorful and vibrant jewelry, clothes and handicrafts, it takes place every Wednesday at the Anjuna Beach. If you learn to haggle, you can take away amazing things back to your place.
anjuna market
Anjuna Market (Source)

The Saturday Night Bazar at Goa

This place has goods ranging from clothes to food. Located at Arpora, you can bag herbs, spices, jewellery, handicrafts and an endless array of items indigenous to India.

Arpora night market

The night market at Arpora is a spread of shopping options for hippies and tourists alike. The idea of the flea market was conceived in a very interesting manner. Expats and hippies came and traded whatever belongings they had – clothes, jewellery or musical instruments, with each other, the basic idea being that of a barter system. You can buy spices, artwork, souvenirs as well as clothes at this psychedelic market.
arpora night market
Arpora Night Market (Source)

8. Soul Music

Goa has a serene atmosphere for a nice laid back holiday, housing festivals and meets which are perfect for social gatherings and events. Freedom, peace and happiness; where hippies can indulge in mind-altering activities.
Where: Beaches of Arambol and Vagator
Parties and gatherings

9. Activities in and around Goa

There are other things to witness and relish in the beauty of this beautiful state, like the natural trail which runs across the coast line. there are numerous boating and hiking groups which you can join along with your stay. There are also Yoga clubs, meditation clubs and music clubs, which you can join to make your time here as self-rejuvenating as it is enjoyable.

India Bike Week

India Bike Week (Source)
India Bike Week (Source)
If you are one of the adrenaline junkies who love their horsepower on two wheels, India Bike Week is the place to be. Held in January every year, India Bike Week witnesses bikers across India undertaking the pilgrimage to be a part of the festive occasion, which is almost a Mecca for bikers in India. Hippies in Goa also participate in the adrenaline fest that the India Bike Week is.

Water Sports in Goa

Kayaking in Goa (Source)
Kayaking in Goa (Source)
For a state that is perched at one of the most beautiful coastlines of India, it is only expected that water sports here will be a runaway hit. You can do parasailing, kayaking, banana boat rides, water scooter,  and the like at the lovely emerald waters of Goa, and be completely mesmerized. Where: Palolem, Anjuna, Vagator, Calangute, Baga Top Tip: Please DO NOT swim or do water sports with liquor or other intoxicants in your system. Recklessness could prove fatal. You can enjoy innumerable activities. With the city, specially catering to tourists, all kinds of adventure sports are easily available. You can also undertake paragliding, trekking, hiking trails, ATV biking, etc. Like they say, for the strong of heart, Goa never disappoints!
Windsurfing (Source)
Windsurfing (Source)
When to come down to actual numbers, Goa isn’t very expensive, I mean you can practically roam around on the beach for free (the rides will cost you, obviously); you can visit those churches and enjoy the sunset . So, pack your bags and book your ticket to this amazing place full of life and places where you can devour your desires. Enjoy your trip, for you never know when it might turn out to be a one way abode ! *wink*

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