Arambol beach in Goa, India, is a special place for many reasons. Not least, the Arambol beach party every sunset. Here, you can lose yourself in the freestyle drum beats and meet free-spirited people. Read my review of Goa Arambol beach to find out everything you need to know.
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Why visit Arambol beach?
Goa’s Arambol beach is creating a buzz with visitors from around the world.
Since it first gained popularity as a hippie beach resort in the 1960s, Arambol has kept its mellow atmosphere. The government’s restrictions on local development have helped it retain its laid-back charm. Instead of major hotels chains, the 16km (10 mile) shore is lined with independent wooden bars, restaurants and beach shacks.
Today, in and around Arambol village you can find a popular hippie flea market, yoga classes and tasty vegan restaurants. And every day there’s an Arambol beach party, as a drum circle gathers to play music, dance and celebrate Goa’s spectacular sunsets.
As well as wide sands and choppy waves, there are interesting things happening everywhere you look on Arambol beach. The sunshine brings everyone to the shore – jugglers, traders, yogis and even nonchalantly strolling cows.
Want to know all the top things to do in Arambol? Click here.
The best Arambol beach accommodation
For Goa’s authentic Arambol beach shacks, the best thing is to check them out when you get there and reserve the shacks at Arambol beach that you like.
Arambol beach cottages you can book in advance include the wonderful GoYm Resort at the south end of the town.
If you’re solo backpacking in Arambol, check out the popular and highly-rated Happy Panda hostel. This relaxed hostel has an on-site bar, kitchen and library, and its rooms have a shared bathroom including a bath.
Book your Arambol beach accommodation here.
How to find the Arambol beach party
One afternoon, I walked along the Arambol Beach Road towards the coast. Once on the beach, I headed a few metres south, close to the Love Temple Beach Resort.
As I relaxed nearby on the sand, I saw a juggler.
I spotted people start to gather on a bench a few metres away. I didn’t think much of it and continued to watch the sun getting hazy and ready to retire for the day.
As the amassed crowd of Arambol beach hippies and hangers-on got larger, my ears picked up the beat of tribal drums riding on the breeze. I was intrigued.
What happens at the Arambol sunset party
Locals and tourists from around the world gather in a circle on the beach to play musical instruments and dance as the sun goes down.
As I heard trumpets, tambourines, harmonicas and other instruments join in, I realised it was a jam, a free-for-all where anyone can pick up an instrument and play along.
Others started dancing close to the drummers and musicians, with hula hoops or just moving their hips to the hypnotic rhythm. Everyone became a part of the party – even the juggler joined in.
I moved closer, still sitting and watching, taking in every minute of it, as the beach dogs ran around and wagged their tails in excitement.
The sun dipped towards the horizon amid a rainbow of vivid colours – oranges, pinks and purples – and I breathed in the salty sea air. People whooped and cheered along to the infectious heartbeat rhythm and playful melodies, which steadily grew louder and more intense as the sun approached the sea.
Against the multi-hued backdrop I could see the silhouettes of everyone I had seen that day: the jugglers, the healers, the young and the old. Everyone was freely dancing to the pulsing beats.
The drummers were tapping their hands on the skins and generating a throbbing, vital heartbeat. Everyone had the widest smiles and I’m sure some new friendships were made.
The last of the sun’s rays finally disappeared behind the horizon and, at this moment, the entire group cheered with delight and appreciation for the end of another wonderful day.
Arambol has a heartbeat and everyone is welcome to play along to it.
Join the party – check out the best Arambol beach huts here.
Discovering more Arambol beach nightlife
If you are looking for more Arambol beach nightlife after the sunset beach party, look no further. Venues such as the Cocoloco Club towards the north of the beach and ASH to the south have evening events.
The most happening place for beach bars near Arambol beach is further south in Morjim and Mandrem. Check out the party nights at Bora Bora, Marbela Beach resort and Re:Fresh.
However, the local government is clamping down on drinking alcohol on Goa’s beaches, so over the years the rave parties have moved underground to more discreet inland locations.
Look out for posters and flyers about Arambol beach nightlife or check out What’s Up Goa for the latest listings.
How to find Arambol beach in Goa
Arambol beach is in the very north of Goa, close to the border with Maharashtra state. The only beaches further north in Goa are the remote Kalacha beach, close to the Arambol Sweet Water Lake, and Querim beach, also known as Keri beach. Just over the border in Maharashtra is Paradise beach, another popular beach attraction for Goa backpackers.
South of Arambol beach in Goa is Mandrem beach, Ashwem beach and Morjim. All the beaches join together so you can easily walk along them and visit them all. From Morjim beach to Arambol beach the distance is around 6 miles (10 km).
Further south are the popular North Goa beach resorts of Anjuna and Calangute. The distance from Calangute to Arambol beach is around 19 miles (31 km). To travel from Arambol beach to Calangute beach or the nearby Baga beach takes around an hour by car or 2.5 hours by bus via Mapusa Bus Stand.
Download this book now to plan your trip to Arambol beach
For everything you need to know about the Arambol parties and more fun places to go in Goa, check out the comprehensive eBook, The Insider’s Guide to Goa, written by Rachel Jones, an American who lived in Goa for five years.
Click here to buy the eBook and get all the details you need before you arrive in Arambol
Next up, read about all the best things to do in Arambol.
Very nice! Must confess it took me a while to take in the cows on the second picture!
Lots of love, Ad xxx