Palolem - Travel Destination

A popular tourist attraction in South Goa, the beach is spread amidst a beautiful coast surrounded by hillocks and palm and coconut trees. The beach is an ideal place for different types of water sports. Home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa, Palolem is a natural bay surrounded by lofty headlands on either side.

Tips

• Beware of stray dogs.
• There are no ATM's near the beach. Ensure you carry enough money with you.
• Local buses in Goa are not air-conditioned and at times quite dusty.
• Bus station to Palolem is walkable but might not be the ideal option on a hot sunny day.

Culture 

Unfortunately Palolem has been saturated by travellers, hawkers and over priced sellers: it is sometimes difficult to walk up the beach at high tide due to the restaurants jutting into the cresting waves and you will certainly be asked about your plans for dinner a few times.

Shopping

Palolem is not a great place to shop but there are great crafts people on the beaches. There are some mini bazaars on the beach front. Some of the stores are now owned by westerners offering western labels at cheap but fixed prices.

Where to stay

Basic accommodation in non-peak tourist season should cost Rs 200-500. Nice rooms with TV, etc. easily can go for around Rs 1,000 or even more. If you're looking for the better value, try next beaches to the south. Though there are plenty of beach shacks along the Beach advance booking is hard as the owners do not take booking on phones. Most of the average cost shacks would cost about Rs 500 -700 and are very basic. Do check before you pay. The beach huts are temporary and thus are cheap so don’t forget to bargain.

Where to eat

Most places in Palolem serve both international and Indian food.

Best time to visit

The best, and most popular, time to visit Goa is during the cooler months of November to March, when the weather is wonderful. Arriving in October, at the very start of the tourist season, you’ll find beaches luxuriously empty, but many facilities, such as shops, restaurants, beach shacks and beach-hut operations, aren’t yet up and running. Many Goans, however, feel that the monsoon, which douses Goa between June and the end of September, is when the state is at its very best.

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