There's so much to do and see in Goa. During your free time you can go to one of the many eclectic and beautiful beaches, colorful markets, tour the Spice Plantation, take an excursion to Old Goa to see the Portuguese Cathedrals and Hindu Temples, have a consultation with an ayurvedic doctor or a session with a renowned Vedic Astrologer.
Anjuna Beach - A fun place to go, with many handi-craft shacks and coconut stands. It's not a beach to spend the whole day at, but has a fun hippy vibe. The Shore Bar offers the perfect view of the magical Goan Sunset, and has an excellent menu, just 10 minutes by scooter or taxi.
Ashwem Beach - A beautiful, pristine, and fairly tranquil beach, 25 minutes away by scooter or taxi. Ashwem features the upscale beach shack restaurant called La Plag, which is known for its exquisite menu and view.
Arambol Beach - A magical place with a beautiful beach, great shacks and shops, and a nice hiking trail through the jungle lies behind the beach. Arambol is the perfect place to spend the whole day and is 30 minutes away by taxi.
Calangute Beach - Busy and colorful, with many beach shacks, sunbeds and umbrellas. Our favorite shack is Domino's, which has a friendly staff and high standards in the kitchen, 15 minutes away by scooter or taxi.
Ayurveda
Dr. Laxmi - We're extremely fortunate to have such an excellent ayurvedic doctor in the nearby village of Assago. Dr. Laxmi provides consultation to determine your ayurvedic constitution or if you would like to learn about an ayurvedic approach to different health issues. She also offers various ayurvedic treatments in her small clinic.
Ayurvedic Cooking & Herbal Healing Remedies - Our chef, Mani Shivadas, offers one-on-one ayurvedic cooking lessons, as well as a class specific to herbal healing remedies.
Ayurvedic Natural Health Center - In the nearby village of Saligoa, the ANHC has a full staff of ayurvedic doctors and practitioners offering ayurvedic consultations and specialized treatments, including massage and panchakarma, as well as numerous classes and certificate programs. The ANHC also has a high-quality ayurvedic pharmacy.
Markets
Anjuna Flea Market - Held every Wednesday from 9 am until sunset, this market began in the 1960's when Anjuna Beach was inhabited mostly by hippies. The flea market was born when tourists, who had a great desire to stay in Anjuna, but who were short on cash, started selling their belongings second-hand to other travelers. Although you can still find some used items at the market, today vendors from all over India, as well as many foreigners, have stalls at the massive open-air market and sell clothing, jewelry, handi-crafts, etc.
Mapusa Market - Mapusa Market is open daily, and this is where the locals shop for everything from spices, to fruits and vegetables, to saris. Here you will find rows of tailors, cobblers, and vendors selling every ware imaginable. Fridays are special because sellers from throughout Goa arrive to set-up sidewalk stalls. Although open everyday, Sundays are more quiet in Mapusa Market, with only 30% of the shops open for business.
Saturday Night Market - You can spend the evening listening to an eclectic mix of live music, sampling food from the many restaurants around Goa that have stalls, and shopping under the stars in the warm night air. The Saturday Night Market has both Indian and foreign vendors selling textiles, jewelry and handi-crafts from all over the world. It's great to go early (to avoid traffic) and spend the whole evening.
Fab India - Is a store that offers a range of textiles, jewelry, crafts, teas, items for the home, and gifts. Fab India makes shopping easy because they have buyers purchasing high-quality goods from throughout India. Not only is the quality excellent, but the prices are fair and fixed (as opposed to most shops where you must bargain).
Other Things to Do
Dudhasagar Waterfall -
Is about a 2-hour drive southeast and lies at the border of Karnataka and Goa. It is among the world's 100 highest waterfalls, cascading 2000 feet down into the wooded mountains of the Western Ghats.
The falls are located in an idyllic tropical forest with abundant wildlife, rivers, and a swimming lagoon. The falls are most stunning to visit in the months immediately following the monsoon, October, November and December.
Spice Plantation - Located in the village of Ponda, about 40 minutes away by taxi, the Spice Plantation offers a tour where you can see herbs and spice plants growing in their natural habitat. The tour is very informative, but in a basic way. Your guide will also share with you the many ways the different plants can be used medicinely. The tour ends with a professional coconut-tree climber making his way up a 30-meter tree, cutting a coconut, and making his way back down in the matter of 30 seconds! The price of the tour also includes a lunch buffet. They have a small shop where you can buy products from the plantation, including spices, essential oils, and herbal remedies.
Traveling Tailor - Bhupat provides tailoring services at Satsanga Retreat. You can have any article of clothing copied or design something new to wear. Bhupat brings fabric samples and takes measurements here and within a few days returns with your tailor-made clothing.
Vedic Astrologer - Masterji, as he is known in Goa, is a renowned vedic astrologer. He consulted by Indians on the most important issues, including whether a young man and woman should marry, as well as the most auspicious day for their ceremony. Masterji is a mainstay at the Fort Aguada Beach Resort, a 5-star hotel about 20-minutes away.
Village Loop Walk - If walking complements your yoga practice at home, there's a great 4.5 km walk around the village of Verla Canca. There's so much to see, and the villagers are very friendly. It's the perfect walk for early to mid-morning or early evening, when it's cooler and shady.
