Arpora holidays

Arpora holidays

Deals from £198 per person

Holidays here are for those who want to experience the ‘real Goa’, with a hefty serving of luxury on the side! Arpora holidays are full of traditional charm and home to some of the best sandy, palm-lined beaches in the region. The village is a rustic picture of clattering rickshaws, wandering goats, and small farms with sprawling rice-fields.

In contrast, the resort also offers excellent restaurants, a vibrant nightlife, and a full calendar of festivities and events. It’s also home to the Saturday Night Bazaar, where you can flex your bargain-hunting muscles, lit by lanterns and fairy lights; it’ll give you a superb introduction to the area.

Things to do

If you’ve got children with you, the chances are that you’re going to need some entertainment up your sleeve. Older kids can get involved with the water sports that are offered at most of the beaches. Alternatively, there’s the chance to jump on a boat and go dolphin spotting.

For a fun, family day out, the wild and watery world of the Splashdown Waterpark is only four minutes’ drive or 20 minutes on foot. There you’ll find rides, slides, pools and flumes, perfect for children of all ages. The Saturday Night Bazaar is popular with younger visitors, who’ll enjoy the sights, lights, sounds and smells of shopping by lanternlight. 

Excellent beaches

Arpora is slightly inland nearby the iconic Baga Creek and the popular Baga Beach is just a 20 minute walk away. Right next door is the Queen of Beaches, Calangute Beach, which is a lot more than just a beach, its bustling atmosphere flows from the iconic shoreline huts on the wooden promenade and it’s where you can buy drinks, food and handmade souvenirs. Relax along the long stretch of white sand under parasols and take a dip in the warm, gently shelving waters.

If you want something more upbeat, there’s plenty of opportunity for water sports or stick around after dark for delicious cocktails, live music and a party under the stars.

History and culture

Arpora is in upbeat districted of North Goa near the picturesque Baga Creek and is popular for its bustling Saturday market and vibrant nightlife. Arpora has recently seen some tourist development in the form of hotels, bars and and high quality restaurants built in the area. However, it still remains traditional with small hamlets, rice fields and a lush green landscape merging off the river.

Vibrant nightlife

North Goa is well known as having a vibrant nightlife and Arpora is no exception. You’ll be able to find an array of nightly entertainment from a selection of bars, clubs and casinos. Holidaymakers often visit Arpora, so you’ll find that DJs will play a variety of music from chart hits and dance to techno and hip hop.

Every Saturday night a market draws in visitors from all over Goa who come to sample the different types of street food and enjoy the entertainment and shopping. Browse round the stalls selling everything from handmade trinkets and souvenirs to spices and woven fabrics. As the evening continues the market comes alive with a party of street entertainers, musicians and dancers.

Just a short walk away is one of the original 60s hippie hangouts, Baga which is famous for being one of India’s best nightlife hotspots and provides plenty of opportunities to dance the night away.

Map of Arpora

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32 ℃

The mercury tops out at around 32°C during May and June, before dropping down to the less-sweltering mid-20s by September. 

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Approximately nine and a half hours

The nearest airport is Goa International Airport in Goa, which is about an hour’s drive from the resort.

Arpora is best for...

Families: If you can bear to tear yourself away from the beach, you’ll find plenty to do on your holiday, such as dolphin spotting and wildlife excursions.

Beach lovers: Every beach is a slice of paradise. Think powder-soft sands, swaying palm trees and shores that shelve gently into waters so blue, they’re almost a cliché!

Bargain hunters: Fancy yourself as a haggling hero? Test your skills by night at the biggest and busiest market in Goa: the Saturday Night Bazaar!

Fast facts for Arpora

Language: The languages spoken are Hindi and English.

Currency: You’ll need to change your Sterling into Rupees for your holiday.

Local time: Arpora is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Dabolim Airport. The transfer time is about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Flight time from UK: The Arpora flight time is 9.5 hours.

Tourist Information: Further tourist information can be found at www.tourism.gov.in.

Visa / Health: Before you travel, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your Arpora holidays.

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Getting around Arpora

By bus: With regular services running to Baga and Calangute, buses are a budget-friendly way of hopping between beaches.

By bike: Goan roads are easy to navigate and bicycles or scooters are a zippy way to get from A to B.

On foot: If you don’t mind the walk then it’s around 20 minutes to get to most local attractions, such as Calangute Beach, on foot.

By taxi: Book taxis from the airport or local hotels, but make sure to check first if yours is metered or a fixed-price rate. On a night out, there’s also the opportunity to catch a ride in an auto-rickshaw: a motorised, three-wheeled version of the traditional transport.

Events in Arpora

January feast: Every January, Arpora celebrates the Feast of St Sebastian, one of the most important Christian events in its calendar. It also happens to fall on the same day as Dhalo: the Goan dance and drama festival, so expect traditional dancing, live music and outstanding firework displays.

For clubbers: About 15 minutes’ walk from Arpora you’ll find Baga Beach, which hosts the popular Sunburn Electronic Dance Festival. A three-day event that takes between Christmas and New Year, this vibrant festival features Indian and international dance-music acts and top DJs, from across the world.

The biggest party of the year: In February, the Goa Carnival kicks off in all its colourful glory. Expect to see flamboyant floats, kaleidoscopic costumes, live music, sizzling street-food and phenomenal fireworks. There’s also the chance for a bit of celebrity-spotting, with guest appearances from Bollywood stars and cook-offs featuring well-known Indian chefs.

Arpora weather

If you’re a fan of hot sunshine and tropical weather, take your holidays to Arpora between May and June, when the temperature peaks in the early thirties. If you prefer something a little less intense, book your break from September onwards, when the heat and humidity drops and the mercury hovers in the mid-twenties. July, August and September are the monsoon months. Bring a brolly!

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