हणजुणें Anjuna
—  village  —
Anjuna beach near village’s tourist market
हणजुणें Location of हणजुणें in Goa and India
Coordinates	15°35′00″N 73°44′00″E / 15.5833°N 73.7333°E / 15.5833; 73.7333Coordinates: 15°35′00″N 73°44′00″E / 15.5833°N 73.7333°E / 15.5833; 73.7333
Country	India
State	Goa
District(s)	North Goa
Nearest city	Mapusa/म्हापशें
Parliamentary constituency	North Goa
Assembly constituency	Siolim
Civic agency	Panchayat
Sex ratio	0.98 ♂/♀
Literacy	94 %%
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 5 metres (16 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 403509 • Telephone • +91 832 • Vehicle • GA 01 and GA 03

Anjuna (Konkani: हणजुणें, pronounced [ɦɔɳzuɳẽ]) is a village in Goa, one of the twelve Brahmin comunidades of Bardez.

Its church, St. Michael's Church, Anjuna, founded in 1595, is dedicated to S. Miguel, and celebrates the feasts of S. Miguel (September 29) and Nossa Senhora Advogada (second week of January). There are three large chapels in the parish: the one to S. Antonio (Praias), to Nossa Senhora de Saude (Mazalvaddo), and to Nossa Senhora de Piedade (Grande Chinvar). The chapel at Vagator became the church of the new parish of Vagator, dedicated to S. Antonio, in the twentieth century.Anjuna beach is to the west of the village with lot of restaurants and bars. Not really the most beautiful beach you can see in Goa, and not a quiet place (beware of the incidental skydiver landing on the beach, watch out for that infuriated cow), it is still possible to have good times there. Anjuna Flea market happens on Wednesdays and runs from morning till dawn. Go early if you want to hunt for bargains, take a rest at noon and come back when it's not as hot anymore. The market offers pretty much anything of what you can think of. Haggling is expected and failing to do so means missing out on the best part. Apart from that there is not really much to see in Anjuna.

History[link]

Like all of Goa, Anjuna was long held by the Portuguese. In 1950, it had a population of 5,688. ^[1]

Activities[link]

Anjuna is world famous for its trance parties held on the beach during the tourist season. Anjuna also hosts the famous flea market wherein you can purchase many things, ranging from fruits to jewelry, clothes and electronic devices.

In popular culture[link]

Above & Beyond's record labels, Anjunabeats and Anjunadeep, as well as their radio show, 'Anjunabeats Worldwide,' all make reference to Anjuna. In 2009, they also released a track called 'Anjunabeach.'

Get in[link]

By train[link]

You have to get down at Mapusa train station:Thivim. Then the cheapest is to take the local bus to Mapusa bus station: Kadamba. - go out of the train station, across the parking, and along the road, if you don't see the bus, ask around. Then in Kadamba, Just ask around where is the bus to Anjuna. It will cost you less than Rs 10 to get to Anjuna from Mapusa by local bus (sometimes crowded)... Or Rs 350 gets you there in an auto-rickshaw

By bus[link]

You'll arrive near Kadamba, or depending on the bus company sometimes directly inside Kadamba.

Get around[link]

You can either hire yourself some transport or use the public transport, theres lots of choices available. For taxis, motorbike taxis and autorickshaws you can nearly always find some available near the main cross roads (Starco Junction) and it's best to negotiate the price before you get in.

By bicycles[link]

It is possible to hire bicycles, usually without gears and somewhat dangerous to ride given the traffic.

By hire motorbikes[link]

A great way to get around is to hire scooters or Motorbikes. On a daily basis which can range anywhere from ₨ 150 to ₨ 400, depending on what you hire. They may require a small deposit, but don't leave your passport, you can leave a photocopy if you are asked. Bikes are available easily, just ask the locals who own restaurants , and shacks. refrain from asking the locals who run road-side stalls or at flea markets. Also a good idea would be to ask the person at the reception at your hotel. If you're lucky, they can arrange one for you. If you do manage to get one please fill the tank to the fullest, as petrol pumps are far away from each other. Be aware that no one seems to wear helmets and the traffic can be busy especially in peek season, its not a good place to learn how to ride a scooter or motorbike. Also you should have an international drivers license to ride a bike. If you are going to go into Mapusa or Panjim find a helmet, the police will want a bribe (baksheesh) if you don't have one or an international license. The nearest petrol pump is Near Vagator, to get there head north at Starco junction until you hit the main T junction at Vagator, turn right and head for about 2 km (1.2 mile) just past where the road merges with the main road into Chapora, the petrol pump is on your left, join the queue of waiting bikes. Petrol is also available in one liter bottles at most of the stores around Anjuna, although the price would be roughly 60% higher than from the gas station and also purity is hard to guarantee.

By local bus[link]

These are very cheap and are a good way to get to other towns like Mapusa or Vagator but won't take you off the beaten track.

By motorcyle taxi[link]

These are a Goan specialty, simply pay the driver and he'll take you where you want to go, probably the cheapest form of public transport after local buses. Most short trips will be in the ₨ 100 range. You will find one at Starco Junction.

By auto rickshaw[link]

The usual indian autorickshaws are also available, cheaper than taxis more than motorbike taxis. Negotiate

By taxi[link]

The most expensive option but the best for getting further afield like the airport or if you want to visit Old Goa or the beaches in South Goa.

Buy[link]

Wednesday Flea Market[link]

On the way to the beach by main road, you'll cross the Wednesday flea market location. The Anjuna flea market is attracting so many people from all north Goa every Wednesday that the traffic becomes a problem in south Anjuna. if you're going with a 2-wheeler you'll have to pay a few rupees for parking. Inside the market, you'll find all the shops that are on the streets the rest of the week and some more. be careful not to be fooled by the sellers who will tell you that it's not even their cost price or that they can sell it to someone else for 3 or 4 time the price you want. If you plan to open your own shop in the flea market, it will cost you ₨ 100.

Ingos Saturday Night Market[link]

This one is a must go, more diversity in the shops, good quality items, food stands but also usually more crowded. Many foreigners are running business in this market (didgeridoo player selling didgeridoos,to travellers doing some business to travel more, Tibetan cooking Tibetan food to raise money for Tibetan refugees, etc.). It's on the way to Arpora from Anjuna. You can also find some smaller night markets around, some are worth spending some time inside, others aren't.

Unfortunately it seems that Ingos has been forced to move from its old location at Arpora to a new location on the other side of the new road bridge just north of Siolim, its yet to be seen if the new location will be successful. Many of the Westerner stall holders have moved to Mackies for the moment.

Mackies Saturday Night Bazaar[link]

This Goan run night-market has expanded recently and seem to have benefited from the problems experienced by Ingos, its worth a trip. It is located North of the river at Baga, to get there follow the windy road that heads south from Oxford Stores until you hit the T junction at Baga river, the entrance is just across the road to the left. Indian store-holders are concentrated in the first section, in the middle is a large bandstand with live music which seems to consist of popular covers from the package tourists from Calangute and Baga, you can buy beers here. Past the bandstand are the westerners stalls and the food stalls.

Inkman's studio[link]

Inkman's studio are known to be Printers, suppliers and distributers of promotional items. Apart from this they also deal in digital prints, papers, printers, inks. Inkman's studio products are known for their quality and economic prices. Inkman's studio first started in Mapusa, that is a business town close to where they have now moved. Located at the center of Anjuna,they cater to the tourism industry as well as the local markets. Known for customized printings for special occasions such as birthday's anniversary's weddings and all important events they have brought these products within the reach of the common man with extremely their low pricing.

Roadside and Beach Stalls[link]

It's impossible to miss these, you will be hounded by their owners saying 'come look my shop' at every opportunity. They have some good textiles and tee-shirts but mostly have the same items and there's much more choice at the markets. If you bargain hard you can get things for a good price but you may find the experience a bit draining.

Fashion showroom Miriam Strehlau[link]

The showroom of the designer is just behind the shore bar and offers the opportunity to purchase limited editions and customized pieces besides the actual collections as well as home accessories artwork. Characteristic for the design is the fusion of contemporary and tradition style. A mix of innovative materials, sustainable fabrics and handcrafted Indian textiles.

• Osama - Is one hip boutique in Anjuna that deserves a mention. They stock some really hip T shirts and accessories that is quite exclusive. And stuff that you don't find in the run of the mill shops around in Anjuna. Osama is a great place for the latest in Psychedelic Chique! They also have branches in Baga on Tito's Lane and in Arambol on the main road leading to the beach.

Money[link]

There are three ATMs in Anjuna now right next to Dominoes Pizza: AXIS bank, HDFC bank & Kotak Mahindra. This is as you enter Anjuna from Baga side on the way to Starcos. There is also a Corp bank ATM on the road that connects to Vagator/Chapora from Starcos junctions. These developements have happened in the last year and a half or so.

Do[link]

Chapora fort near Anjuna beach[link]

In Anjuna, there is everything a traveller may need an ATM (see Money section), it is possible to rent bikes, rooms, houses. you can also find many cyber cafes, restaurants with different kinds of food (Goan, Indian, continental, Israeli, Italian, French, ...), small grocery shops, a convenience store (oxford's arcade), and 24/24 open restaurant (Munchies).

Beach[link]

Anjuna Beach is to the south of the village with its usual lot of restaurants and bars. Not really the most beautiful beach you can see in Goa, and not really a quiet place (beware of the occasional skydiver landing on the beach, watch out for that one infuriated cow), but it's still possible to have good times there. Be sure to check Curlie's at the end of the beach, that's the place where people meet, chill or just listen to music

Nightlife[link]

Anjuna is also the home of the most popular night club of goa: Paradiso, and so despite the fact that they will try to charge some people with entrance fee (Rs 200 to Rs 500+) and not others. Most of the time the security service will prevent the locals to enter the club. even if it's worth going in once to enjoy the view, this is not the place where you want to go if you're looking for parties. Better go to nine bar or hilltop in Vagator and ask around for open-air parties. There are nightclubs catering to western package tourists in Baga and Calangute to the south that are easy enough to get to by taxi. Curly's This is definitely one of the best places in Goa during daytime for trance people, freaks, hippies & other positive people... :-) It is located just next to the Anjuna Flea Market place, on the extreme south of Anjuna beach. Nice beach shacks with really nice music (psy trance & ambient in Curly's bar, and Israeli psy trance in some another beach shack 50 metres further to the south), nice people - so this is really excellent place for some psychedelic relaxation before/after parties, or just for watching the beautiful Goan sunset while drinking some fresh pineapple juice.. )

Stay safe[link]

Corrupt police[link]

Around Anjuna/Vagator you may have encounter some corrupted policemen (or pretending to be policemen) trying to scare you to get bakshish. From illegal drug possession to driving without helmet/license, they will try to charge you with almost everything, even threatening to hit you with a bamboo stick. Their catchphrase is "if you help me, I will help you" and they ask you to help them with ₨ 500 to ₨ 5000+. This kind of encounter is not very common, but you have to be aware it may happen almost anywhere (not inside restaurants, parties nor on the beach)

Robbery[link]

There have been some cases of robbery in Anjuna, its best to not walk alone at night or to walk in out of the way places. Also keep your rooms locked there are thefts from rooms.

Traffic[link]

Traffic can be heavy and chaotic in Anjuna especially on market day and in the peek season. Inexperience, drinking, drugs are issues to be aware of. Potholed roads, cows and dogs, speeding busses, lack of helmets, speed and inexperienced westerner motorbike riders are all hazards to contend with. Its perhaps not the best place to learn to ride here. It may be wise to know where medical help is available.

Mosquitoes[link]

If you are a long stayer, a mosquito net is worth having. You can buy fancy ones at the markets or the German bakery. Oxford stores has ones for ₨ 450 and you can get them from the fabric shops near the Mapusa markey for ₨ 300 or bring one from home.

Scams[link]

Beware of Gem scams. These people hang around Anjuna and the surrounding cities and become your friend for a few days. Then they ask if you want to do business with them for their jewelry export business, and offer you a large amount of money to transport jewelry in your name to whatever country you're from as to save them taxes and such. They say that you will spend no money but somewhere along the line you'll have to cough up what they want. Research online for more details, but if you feel doubtful then don't do business.

Get out[link]

• Train: the nearest train station is Thivim a.k.a. Mapusa train station. As it is a dozen km far from Anjuna, you better go there by bus or taxi.

• Sleeper Bus: almost all sleeper bus are departing from Mapusa. you have to book you ticket from a travel agency, and get to the company office half an hour before departure time.

• Local bus: many buses to Mapusa during daytime. if you see one just wave your hand and it will stop for you (price is less than ₨ 10).Else you can wait at main crossing.

• Taxi: you'll find bikes and tourist vehicles willing to get you where you want for a price near main crossing. they usually don't use meter so be sure to agree on a price before you get in. Else you can ask in the place you stay, or in the garage you rent your bike, they'll be happy to get a taxi for you, most of the time for a reasonable price.

• Own vehicle: if you rented a 2-wheeler, you have to know that it's illegal to drive on the highway without a helmet. you'll probably be fined. With a small scooter, it's wise not to go further than Arrambol to the north, Mapusa inside land, and stop before the highway to panaji to the south.

If you have a decent scooter or bigger bike and a helmet you can travel almost anywhere in goa, but drive carefully: dogs, goats, cows and even elephants are wandering on the roads which are someplace falling apart.

you'll find many travel agencies in Anjuna where you can book plane, train or bus tickets, check schedule, confirm your flight, etc. one of the most reliable can be found on the post office street. - from main road, on the way to Mapusa, turn right between the 2 two speed breakers, then go straight and you'll see a change rates sign on the right side of the road, the agency is right there on the right side- by the way this agency has one of the best change rates in Anjuna.

References[link]

http://wikitravel.org/en/Anjuna

External links[link]

• Satellite map of Anjuna