Agonda is in the southernmost Canacona taluka of Indian state of Goa
Get in and around
Agonda by road is a long detour from the normal route one would take to the more famous, beautiful and approachable Palolem beach. Lookout for a dilapidated signboard after diverting towards Palolem from the highway, travel a long while from the signboard and you will end up near Agonda.
Ask for Canacona - many locals know Agonda by this name.
Public transport also runs to Agonda from other beaches. Check local schedules as they are confusing and subject to change - many buses list Agonda as the destination - this refers to the inland village the beach is named after.
Get around
Agonda is a nice long pristine stretch of beach. Though the waters here might not be the most ideal place for swimming (you have better beaches with calm waters in Goa), Agonda is definitely a place for those who want to quit on a Monday morning. Most mobile connections do not work here (of those having SIM cards easily available to foreigners, only Vodafone does), so that is an added bonus for those looking forward to a quiet and relaxed holiday. Or, if you do need to party sometimes, Palolem is just 15 minutes by motorbike (10 km) away - but Agonda is generally cheaper, quieter, hassle-free and has much less "touristic" feel.
Agonda Beach basically has one long road parallel to the beach line, most rooms and bungalows for rent are located either between them or on the opposite side of the road. In the center of the beach, there is Agonda Church and even a local school/college (funny enough called Agonda University) to the right of it. Many local children go from/to there in the morning. Another road goes up from the church, crosses the river shortly after and goes through the village to the junction with a main road from Chaudi and Palolem, which are both to the right. To the left, this bigger road crosses the village until the beach road joins it near the river mouth and northern end of the beach, then continues on in the direction of Cabo da Rama.
Local buses coming to Agonda Beach stop on a junction near the church. Buses to Chaudi and Margao are available few times a day, ask locals about the schedule. There are more (still not too many) buses on the main road - but this means 10-15 minutes walk from the beach center. The price to Chaudi is Rs.7 or 8.
One or two tuk-tuks usually stands near the church during the daytime. As always in India, bargain (the normal price to Chaudi or Palolem should be around Rs.50, but many tourists end up paying Rs.100 and more).
Motorbikes and scooters are offered for rent, both by house owners and by tuk-tuk/motorbike guys near the church. A nearly-new Honda Activa or similar should cost Rs.150-200 (200 is an usual starting price, but during the peak period bargaining could be difficult), less if rented for more than a week or two
