'''Palolem''' is one of the most beautiful beach in all of Goa. it is surrounded by hills on both sides, resulting in a calm, idyllic sea in which you can walk into upto 100 metres.

Get in

The easiest way to get to Palolem is to get the train/fly to Margao (locally known as Madgaon), and then pay for a Government approved fixed-price taxi to Palolem. Fixed-price taxis are available from the train station and from Dabolim airport at Vasco da Gama.

Alternatively, Canacona is Palolem's nearest train station, approximately 10 minutes drive away.

Backpackers may also take a State Transport approved Bus from Margao Bus Stand to Canacona or Palolem. It takes around 80-90 minutes. If you get down at Canacona, you can take an autorikshaw (tuktuk) to Palolem Beach which is only 5 Km. The journey by bus is comfortable. The buses are not airconditioned nor dust proof.

Get around

Palolem is quite small, so easy to explore on foot. Mopeds and bicycles are available for hire on the main street.

Taxis and rickshaws are also readily available on the main street or though a travel agency. Day trips can be booked through agencies.

See

Cotigao wildlife sanctuary is a good day trip from palolem. you can also ride along the narrow but beautiful coastal road northwards to visit agonda beach and still further north cabo da rama(a ruined fort on a cliff)

Do

Palolem is a small beach town but do take long walks (carry a torch if walking along the beach at night!). Immediately to the south of Palolem, which gets busier every season, is the beautiful Columb Bay where you can stay in a comfortable yet eco friendly complex. Just beyond is Patnem beach which used to be much quieter than Palolem but has a few guest houses and beach shacks.

You can take a boat ride in the river joining the sea on northern side of the Palolem beach.

Very quiet and more in the 1960s than in the 21st c (thank goodness). No Jet Skis, Watersports - no rip-offs or touts - very good locals who make this a unique place in India - one that the authorities could learn a lot from - more the sort of place you come to compose music on the beach.

Don't

Don't spoil it. It is unique and idyllic in a very chilled out laid back sort of way. Don't drop litter, rush around shrieking like someone from "Castaway" and don't do ANYTHING that would bring trouble on the place.

Beach

One of the most beautiful Goan beaches, although not as peaceful as it used to be (sometimes referred to as the Goan lost paradise). Palolem Beach is long beach now entirely filled with rooms and huts (150-400 Rs.) and restaurants, sometimes with live music. There's also a market for tourists. Walk the beach at night with a flashlight and you'll be amazed by crabs running away from you.

A Walk to the butterfly island... You will spot this island to your left on entering the beach... you can walk along the beach and across some rocks during low tide and reach the island. the island has a network of trails to explore. for the more adventurous you can traverse the rocks on the periphery of the island. Its just beautiful make sure you carry your water bottle.

Buy

If you are part of the consumer rat race - a shoppaholic - this is not a great place for you - but there are great crafts people on the beaches (stone carvers, instrument makers etc). Be very firm but polite if you don't want their wares - they are much more polite and civilized than sellers on other Indian beaches - let's keep it that way!

On the beach front and inland there are many wonderful little music shops, spice shops and garment shops - some of which are mini bazaars. The hippy influence over the years means that they can let you chill out and choose rather than trying to hard sell you from the second you enter the store.

Eat

Some people are under the mis-apprehension that most of the food in Palolem is quite Westernised. Actually most places serve both "international" food and Indian - so you have the choice. There are great curries and rotis/nan/chippati/rice almost everywhere and these are great and very cheap to live on. Being more sensitive to local needs and choosing local brands is more environmentally sound, means that you help the local economy more - your money doesn't just go on exports, halves the cost of your stay and give you a more Indian experience - so call for a Kingfisher or Cobra not a Fosters as so many embarrassing "westerners" do!

Local trade is mainly tourism and fishing - so it can be guaranteed that your fish dinner is straight from the sea. A good fish main course usually starts from 300Rs upwards.

Dropadi - Near the entrance to the beach serves a good variety of food and the service here is great with friendly waiter who are willing to go the extra mile to serve you.

Magic Italy - the best pizza in Palolem, try their Four Cheese or Spinach pizzas. Cosy, with a selection of tables or cushions on the floor.

Palolem Beach Resort - Curries in Palolem tend to be quite lacklustre - but the Palolem Beach Resort does a great paneer butter masala and chana masala with garlic naan and rice. Chicken is great here too.

Cool Breeze - a jazz cafe that is quite popular with the locals, great food.

Smugglers Inn - British run bar serving old favourites like fish and chips, bangers and mash, bacon sandwiches. Go here if you want a big mug of British tea and HP brown sauce.

Sameer Restaurant - good breakfasts and their fish sizzlers are to die for. It's right on the beach, so fantastic views of the ocean.

Drink

There are many places along the beach serving alcohol and are usually your best bet if you want to mingle and meet new people. Try the Sameer Restaurant or Cafe del Mar which are supposed to be quite happening. There are two places on the main road with cable so you can watch football.

Also Cuba bar on the main road just before you take a left towards the beach plays good music, has a pool table and great atmosphere.

Sleep

There are plenty of beach shacks along Palolem Beach, not much point in booking as many of them don't answer the phone/take bookings. Usually your best bet is just to turn up and cross your fingers. Bear in mind that a local law prohibits permanent structures on the beach, so from May to October the shacks are supposed to come down (although this does not always happen!). Shacks should be 100% free of crawling insects.

Alternatively, there are many local hotels in the area on the main road.

'''Palolem Guest House''' is a nice place to stay if you don't like the beach shack concept. Neat & clean rooms are available from Rs. 600-1200 per night. WARNING: February 2009 - this place had a major BEDBUG problem, which the management of this guesthouse appeared entirely unwilling to address.

Other places include '''Om Sai guest house''' which has AC and non-AC rooms with TV and refrigerator. It is situated just 20 meters ahead of the left turn towards the beach from the Palolem market.

'''Virgin Beach resort''' which is just opposite the Om Sai guest house is a decent place to stay with budget accommodation available.

'''Le-Grand residency''' is opposite the turn to Palolem beach. The rooms are decent however there is some noise as the buses to Margao are parked just outside the hotel (opposite end).

'''Luke's Residence''' is the posh accommodation is Palolem. Though it is almost 2kms off the beach on the road towards Patnem beach. (ahead of Cleopatra resorts).

'''Neptune's Point''' stands a bit aside of the beach (on its left side) on an rock ground. There are wooden huts with cold showers, beds, big balconies, and with marvelous views over the beach. The price - 850 INR per hut per night.

'''Sundowner''' at the north end of the beach, is a nice place to stay, if you enjoy peace and quiet. During high tide getting to the beach might be difficult but the resort's staff are very kind, and will offer you a ride by boat. Prices from 600 INR, depending on the season.

'''Ordo Sounsar''' close to Sundowner, also enjoys peace and tranquility, but has the advantage of easy access when the tide is high, having its own bamboo bridge. Friendly Goan hosts, local Goan food in the restaurant, and the beach's best G & T's at the bar.

'''Ciaran's''' is a beachfront resort in the middle of the beach with a collection of environmentally friendly coconut coir huts which surround gorgeously manicured grounds fronted by a good restaurant overlooking the water. While this is probably the most expensive place on the beach it's definitely worth the price. For the 2008/2009 season prices range between Rs. 2500 to 3900 a night, breakfast included. Both the staff (mostly Nepali) and the management are friendly and relaxed but also attentive.

Don't forget to bargain for the prices of the beach huts - the more temporary it looks, the cheaper it's supposed to be. San Fransisco is one such place where a good shack above the restaurant can be had for INR 500 a night while a shack further inside the San Fransisco enclosure is 300-400 a night. The owner is very friendly, a family man, and protective of his foreigner guests. I remember that the waiters were also nice, to both Indians and foreigners alike and respected everyone's privacy. The only nit to pick here was the full course meal, but then you can drink here and move to a place like Draupadi - near the beach's main entrance from the road - for food.

  • Laughing Buddha Cottages. orth end of Palolem Beach. ttp://laughingbuddhacottages.blogspot.com. Laughing Buddha Cottages is a beautiful guesthouse comprised of 14 huts on the North end of Palolem Beach. Each of the spacious huts is en suite with western style bathrooms and private balconies. All double beds are equipped with mosquito nets. Safety lockers are available for your valuables. trarara

    Get out

    The local train station is Canacona - approximately 10 minutes drive from Palolem. It's very quiet with not many trains.

    If you want more choice, get a taxi to Margao - where you can link up with all the main lines. If you have a little extra time and you want to save, take the local buses. Dirt cheap, respectful locals and careful drivers. For a taxi ride that would cost you INR 1000 upwards (depending on what the cabbie thinks he can make off of you), you could get there for INR 17!!

    If you are interested in exploring nearby places, like the Putnam beach about 2-3 kilometers away, rent a bicycle. Better yet, rent an Indian scooter and have fun driving, or learning to drive :)