The soft white sands, the black lava rocks, the coconut palms, the lush green landscape, nature playing its own music, and the sea turning from aquamarine to emerald green—Vagator and Chapora, overlooked by the 500-year-old Portuguese fort, leaves each visitor awestruck. Yet to be disturbed by the hustle and bustle of tourists, life goes on peacefully, in the background, in Vagator and Chapora. The world-famous Anjuna Beach lies to the south of Vagator.

Vagator and Chapora are rich with rural life. Chapora is a fishing village. So a large number of fishermen in their traditional attire can be seen. Anyone patient enough to listen to the numerous stories of the sea, they have plenty of them. Colorful women can be seen haggling and hocking fish by the roadside.

Tourist Attractions

Chapora Fort

Hiking up, the lava-bedecked black rock stepping-stones lead to the 500-year-old Portuguese fort, popularly known as the Chapora Fort. It utters the reminiscence of the old Portuguese times giving a splendid view of the sea and hills covered with coconut trees and rice fields. The remaining battlements and fortifications take one down the memory lane, into the times when Royalty ruled the Vagator hue.

Rural Life

The gentle lapping seawater changing colors from aquamarine to sea emerald, the tiny cottages with gardens garlanded by colors of lemon, purple and fuchsia, flags and crosses take one on a honeymoon fantasy.

Life goes on peacefully in Chapora: with salty fishermen carrying home their heavy fishing nets and kids playing among the dry docked boats. A bare feet stroll on the beach with the mesmerizing warm setting sun and the gentle breeze carrying little drops of the salty water from the sea; it’s a dream come true.

An unknown visitor has carved out a human face on the rocks, near the Vagator Beach, making it an ideal background for a snapshot pose.

Location

Located in North Goa, Vagator and Chapora are 24 km from Panaji, the capital of the Indian state of Goa. It lies on the northern edge of Bardez taluka.

Climate

Goa has a consistent climate through the year with just meager fluctuations in the temperature. December and January might require light woolens. April and May are warm. The period from June to October brings heavy rain, almost up to 400 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.

Shopping

It is cool rural area, without offering the tourist any big shopping complexes. But there is a market nearby where fish is plenty. One can buy artifacts like candelabras made of exquisite blue china woven baskets and earthen pots. People with sweet tooth get the chance to enjoy coconuts, bananas "Bebinca", a Goan delicacy made from tender coconuts.

Accomodation

There is not too much of choice for staying at Vagator and Chapora, except a few guesthouses, or houses on rent. During the peak tourist season, one might find trouble finding an accommodation here, and so, at that time, Calangute and Baga can be a better bet.

Transportation
Air: The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just 22 km away from Vagator.
Road: Vagator is at a distance of 9 km from Mapusa, and 22 km far from the state capital Panaji. There are frequent buses to Panaji and Mapusa from Vagator.