This area is beautiful with groves of coconut palms. There is an old Portuguese fort on a rocky hill in Chapora village which has excellent views. Sandy coves are in plenty. The people are very friendly and helpful. All in all, this is well worth a visit.

Useful Information: For transport bookings, foreign and internet access, Soniya Travels is the best option. In Vagator try Lalita Communications. There is a small bookstall in the main street of Chapora.

Restaurants and Cafés: Chapora village has many restaurants and they are all worth a try. Some of them are: Scarlet Cold Drinks, Green Shadow and Helinda.

Yak Restaurant (opposite Soniya Travels) has excellent food including Italian, continental, burgers and seafood. (Its special dish is the prawn goulash with herbal noodles for Rs 60.)

Lobo’s and Mahalaxmi above Vagator Beach are also good.

Sea Green has Chinese food served under the canopy of an old parachute.

Mango Tee is also good while Jaws, across the road, is popular.

Reaching Chapora and Vagator:There are frequent buses to both Chapora and Vagator from Mapusa throughout the day. There are also occasional direct buses from Panaji along the coast. The bus stop is near the crossroads in Chapora village. You could also rent a motorcycle from Mapusa or hire a taxi. Information on this is easily had from hotels and restaurants.

CHAPORA TO ARAMBOL:There are beautiful beaches on the way from Chapora to Arambol (Harmal) which are well worth visiting.Arambol is not very developed but the village is quiet and the people, friendly. Buses from Mapusa stop at Arambol on the main road. From here, a side road leads to the village and then further to the beach. There are a few shops and travel agencies in the village that will exchange foreign currency and travellers’ cheques.

Accommodation, restaurants and cafés:Long-term visitors can hire basic, not very comfortable, rooms in the village.The little chalets on the bay to the north provide some basic accommodation with outside toilets for Rs 250 to Rs 275.

Villa Oceanic, in the village, is a private house with double rooms for Rs 150.

TEREKHOL FORT:Terekhol Fort at Terekhol (Tiracol) is a small Portuguese fort which is now a hotel called the Hotel Tiracol Fort Heritage. The view is excellent and the rooms in the old fort are interesting. Singles/doubles cost Rs 800/850.