Holidays in Arpora

Nestled in the lush green hills behind the main coastal resorts of north Goa, Arpora not only offers an ideal base for exploring the area but also a chance for a quieter time away from the hustle and bustle of the busier beach areas. There is the village itself, with a population of about 6000 and everything you need such as supermarket, accommodation, bars and restaurants. It takes about ten minutes to get to the main beach area by taxi, or twenty minutes walking should you want to. Many hotels offer shuttle buses too. Because it's a little bit away from the crowds the prices tend to be cheaper too – a definite bonus.

The village itself has an aura of aristocracy, there are many esteemed scholars and doctors who have lived in Arpora and the St Joseph High School, one of the best in Goa, has a pioneering outlook and hence has many famous Alma mater, such as journalist Dr Antonio Maria da Cunha and athlete Eddie Sequeira. Sitting on the banks of the Baga River, the area is fringed by coconut palms, rice fields and fertile hills and offers a flavour of the real Goa.

Arpora is an ideal base for excursions such as crocodile spotting trips on the river, or visits to the elephants in the jungle, where you can help wash these magnificent creatures. The lush landscape around Arpora is fascinating to explore and the nearby beaches provide water sports and scuba diving - always favourites. The Indian coastline has many wrecks and an abundance of enchanting marine life to enjoy. Should you visit in January, you will no doubt witness the celebrations surrounding St Sebastian's feast. At the chapel near the grand Pinto Mansion, the local Hindu and Christian population join together in exuberant ceremonies.

The nearest international airport is at Dabolim, 30km from the capital Panjim. Flights from Britain can take anywhere from 10 to 15 hours depending on any layover times. Be aware the airport is a military airport and the whole experience is extremely orderly and very tight on security. Transfer times from Dabolim to Arpora are about 1 hour 30 minutes. There are plenty of taxis and auto rickshaws to hire, or motorised scooters for you to ride yourself if you want the freedom to travel through the area yourself.

Arpora is renowned for its seafood; you will often see busy fishermen either on the middle of the beach or out in their boats catching tiger prawns, crabs and oyster which you can buy fresh from them later - delicious! Nightlife in Arpora is quieter than on the coast, but there is still plenty to entertain you. The Marinha Dourada Hotel, surrounded by beautiful hills and lakes provides fantastic local food and live music four times a week. Set on a hilltop the late night bar Club Cubana provides free drinks and a swimming pool in its entry fee. With its easy accessibility to loads of activities and its alluring natural setting Arpora provides the perfect mix of relaxation and excitement.