Looking for inspiration or information to help plan your trip to Palolem beach in Goa? Want to know the very best beach resorts in Palolem?

Then you've come to the right place!

Palolem was recommended to us as one of the most beautiful beaches in south Goa.

A place where we could relax, unwind and recharge. A place where the all-night techno parties and commonplace clichés found further north were minimal. A place more isolated, more tranquil, and perhaps more to our tastes.

And it was kind of true.

You see, whilst Palolem may now be much more of a holiday destination than off the beaten track beach town, it still gave us so much of what we wanted from our time in Goa.

A mile-long spotless crescent-moon beach. Lazy days under the sun with cheap cocktails and a good book. Great curries for lunch and dinner. Romantic candlelit dinners next to the waves and under the stars. The chance to do yoga, hang out with other travellers at night, and share some beers. Bovines on the beach. A place where we could act like we were on holiday at the end of our month-long backpacking trip through southern India.

We can imagine that this place would have been utterly perfect a decade or two ago, but as has happened in so many other beach towns the world over, word gets out and change always arrives eventually.

So, although it's busier and more developed than other guides may tell you and has a blend of long-term slow travellers and short-term tourists in search of winter sun, have no doubt that Palolem is still beautiful, still very enjoyable, and still the near-perfect choice for a week or so at the beach in Goa.

(And everyone we spoke to confirmed that it is remains MUCH less busy and MUCH more chilled out than the beaches of north Goa!).

Our curated guide shares our favourite things to do in Palolem, plus personal tips on the best places to stay (including beach resorts and huts), where to eat and hang out, essential travel tips, and a clear overview of transport options to Palolem from elsewhere in Goa or from Kerala.

Things to do in Palolem

Have a Lazy Beach Day

After all, this is the main reason to go to Palolem Beach! The near mile-long curve, bordered by luscious palm tree forest, is home to dozens and dozens of beachfront restaurants and laid-back cafes set up to give you the most relaxing and enjoyable lazy beach day.

All of them offer free sunbeds with tables, wi-fi, and service from about 8 or 9 a.m and, as you walk along Palolem beach, you'll be inundated with offers by the guys working at these places trying to tempt you in.

For these facilities to be free, you’re obviously expected to buy a drink or some food. There's always a little fear that you're going be pushed or harangued to buy something every 15 minutes with this sort of set-up, but we found that the staff were really relaxed at every place we visited. We often ate lunch at the same place we sunbathed, but we once hung out on a beds for two hours and only purchased a big beer (of course, it’s important that you do buy some drinks or food to support the business).

By all means pick wherever is most convenient for you or takes your fancy, but we particularly liked Big Bamboo, Dreams of Palolem, and Cuba - however, they’re really all pretty much and such the same with similar menus and prices. The only place that disappointed us a bit with overpriced food and drinks (and our only bad juice in India) was Round Cube.

Do note that although the sun doesn’t set until a couple of hours later, you’ll be expected to vacate your sun lounger by 4.30 - 5 pm so the bar can set up for evening service and sunset drinks. It's totally their right to do that, but it always felt that they could have waited a little longer. Life's so hard eh?

Take a Boat Trip

The colourful and photogenic fishing boats gathered in the middle section of the beach offer a (too) short trip out to secluded Butterfly Beach and Honeymoon Beach, as well as the potential for spotting wild dolphins on the way.

We were told that the best time to do this ride is either early in the morning or for sunset (but bear in mind that since lots of other tourists will be heading out on boats during the day, going out early is probably your best bet to maximise enjoyment).

The best price we were quoted for an hour long trip was Rs. 500 per person (£5.2 / $6.6), but we were also quoted up to Rs. 1,250 per person. Therefore, our main advice if you're doing a boat trip in the morning or afternoon is to simply ask around at a few of the guys to get a guage on prices before making a decision. Negotiation is also possible, but just remember to be respectful so that everyone gets a good deal.

If you're on a budget, the cheapest option overall is to definitely go out on the boat with several others so that the price per person comes down.

Alternatively, you can simply do what we did and head out to explore on a sea kayak. Various kiosks and individuals rent these out on the beach, with a standard rate being Rs. 300 per hour (£3.1 / $4). SUPs are also available for rent at a few places.

Top tip | It’s possible to make it to one of the nearby islands (Monkey Island) without a boat - but you’ll need to time your visit carefully! Access is via a small sand bank at the north end of Palolem Beach which reveals itself at low tide. You’ll need to clamber over a few rocks so not one to be attempted in scrappy sandals but it provides a nice getaway from the crowds and there’s a few different trails to explore. Do note that this island is home to lots of monkeys, so be respectful, don’t feed or antagonise them, and you don’t need to get a photo with one or disturb them.

Rent a Scooter for the Day

We didn’t do this, but if you are only in this part of Goa on a short India holiday, then it would be a lovely way to escape the Palolem bubble for a day!

It's incredibly cheap to do, with guys in and around the main street offering rates for as little as Rs. 300 / 350 for the day i.e. taking out in the morning and returning by 6 p.m. in the evening. With this rate, you are dealing directly with a guy and taking out his own motorbike, so make sure you're comfortable with this arrangement.

Always be scrupulous in recording the existing state of the motorbike / scooter before you rent, and take as many photos and videos as you need for evidence in case anyone tries to pull a fast one.

From the more official places, such as the one on Ourem Road, the rate is still a bargain at Rs. 400 (£4.2 / $5.3). Typically rental is for the day (i.e. 8 am - 6pm), but it’s possible to keep it for 24 hours if arranged in advance.

Where to Visit on a Day Trip from Palolem

Agonda | We adored this little yoga-centric beach town. Much more relaxed than Palolem, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a few hours away from the crowds, perhaps give a yoga class a go or eat at one of the great little healthy restaurants. There’s a full blog post on Agonda coming soon!

The Animal Shelter | Given the number of stray dogs, it is of little surprise that there are a number of animal shelters in the area. Unfortunately, we didn’t hear particularly great things about the one in Palolem (although we’re sure their intentions are good), so decided to visit the rescue just outside Agonda that houses in need stray dogs as well as running a successful sterilisation programme. They’re always looking for volunteers (both long and short term), but if you’re only in the area for a limited time, they’re happy for you to drop in for a visit between the hours of 10am - 12.30pm and 4 - 6 pm. If you only visit, we’d highly recommend making a financial donation. You can find out more on their website.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary | Set up in 1968 to protect a stretch of woodland on the Goa-Karnataka border, this 86 sqkm area is home to native wildlife as well as a number of rare (and incredibly old) trees. Whilst this is very much a wild animal experience, and many of the species present are fairly shy, you may get a glimpse of flying squirrels and lizards, vipers, gazelles, sloths, porcupines - possibly even panthers or hyenas if you’re really, really lucky!

For those looking for a break from all the lazing around and relaxing, there are also a number of hiking trails that you’re free to explore. The park is just 9 km away from Palolem and easily accessible by motorbike. Click here for more information.

Cola Beach | The ultimate hidden away beach on Goa’s southern coast, Cola is somewhere we genuinely regret not visiting. Speaking with traveller’s who have visited it’s considered a bit of a secret with pristine beaches and a truly laid-back vibe. A great spot to watch the sun set before heading back to Palolem!

**We have noted that a number of articles and online resources recommend visiting Sahakari Spice Farm. However, upon further research, we discovered that in addition to offering tours of their gardens, they also provide elephant riding activities. Along Dusty Roads is vehemently against elephant riding, and we encourage you not to support this business. For more information on why you should not ride elephants, read this post.

Take a Walk to Patnem Beach

A very enjoyable 20 minute walk away along rocks and along dusty roads, Patnem beach turned out to be a little closer to what we thought Palolem would be.

It's much less busy, a lot more relaxed, and a little more remote - if Palolem is the popular sister, then Patnem is the quirkier, more boho, little rough around the edges one.

We had been put off staying there as the Lonely Planet said it was more 'family friendly' (that's enough to put us off any beach), but we didn't really see that to be the case at all. Although it had a bunch of the same restaurants & bars as its sister beach, plenty of sunbeds and cool beachfront accommodations, it just felt emptier, less developed, more open and more peaceful than Palolem. Family-friendly sure, but not necessarily a family beach.

So, if you're an older couple looking for a more relaxed Goa beach option, or a younger one looking for something slightly more serendipitous and romantic by the beach, the atmosphere and ambience of Patnem may be closer to what you're hoping for.

Whichever you choose to base yourself at, you can easily and conveniently spent time at both beaches during your trip to Palolem.

Tuk-tuks will run you the 2 kms between the two beaches for Rs. 100 (£1 / $1.3) or you could walk along the road, but the most enjoyable options is to walk independently along the little coastal trail. Simply go to the south end of Palolem beach, cross the little bridge, and follow the stairs up past Chaska Restaurnt (Google Maps). You will then descend into the little nook of Colomb Beach - walk over to the other side and you'll eventually come out on to a dusty road where there are some local houses. Continue along this road and you'll soon reach the entrance road to Patnem beach, marked by a few souvenir shops. If confused, just stick the pin in for Boom Shankar Restaurant (Google Maps) and walk towards that!

Don't walk this trail at night though, just get a tuk-tuk back.

If you’d prefer to base yourself in Patnem, then you should check out our short guide to Patnem (coming soon!).

Adopt a Yoga Pose

The beach towns of Goa are heaving with yoga schools, retreats and oceanside classes, and whilst Palolem is much more of a holiday-centric destination than others we visited, it still has its fair share of opportunities to perfect your downward-facing dog.

Drop in classes cost around Rs. 300 per person (£3.1 / $4), and are available at the following places:

If you’d prefer to join a more intensive programme (whether that be for your own practise or in order to gain a yoga teaching qualification), Earth Yoga Village - located at the northern end of Palolem Beach - comes highly rated.

For a full list of yoga school and retreats in and around the Paloelm area, see this link.

Savour Happy Hour Sunsets & Palolem Beach Nightlife

Each sunset we witnessed in Palolem was stunning, casting a burnt orange and pink veil over the beach.

And we savoured each and every one of them during our week with a cool, strong cocktail in hand!

There’s no simple happy hour in Palolem, but rather a drawn out affair from around 5 pm to 11 pm. Almost every beach bar will offer a 2 for 1 cocktail deal at sunset (never settle for a 3 for 2!) and, though the quality and accuracy of the cocktails varied a lot, but you genuinely cannot complain at these prices (around Rs. 190 - 250 or 300 for two cocktails).

We found that Dreamer Palolem usually had a decent version of whatever drink we ordered.

An alternative spot to watch the sunset, and possibly the best, is at the two corner tables at Chaska Bar (up the ramp and nestled amongst the rocks at the south side of the beach - Google Maps). It has wonderful views looking back on Palolem and its palm trees, whilst men cast their personal fishing nets below.

Or you could check out El Diablo, which is on the street back from the beach. It’s a bit ‘English’ but serves great (and affordable) selection of more interesting beers and ciders and was reliably busy towards the end of an evening when other places were closing up.

Nightlife Need to Know | Palolem's famous silent disco at 'Silent Noise Club' takes place every Saturday until 3 a.m., hidden away up on the rocks at the south end of the beach (Google Maps). The night's origins lie in the innovative way to get round a late-night music curfew (i.e. simply stick on some bluetooth headphones, tune into one of three DJ's channels, and have a silent party!). However, entry is relatively steep at Rs. 800 per person (£8 / $10).

The other option is Friday nights at Leopard Valley, an open-air nightclub in the jungle about 7 kms outside of Palolem. We didn't go (not our scene), and supposedly it often gets shut down early by police. Entry is also Rs. 800.

If there are other live music events or nights on during your stay, you'll usually get a flyer on the beach at sunset. Please note that Palolem is not a party or debaucherous beach town and locals wish to keep it this way - please respect that wish and respect the curfew.

The Best Accommodation in Palolem

We spent hours, and hours searching for accommodation in Palolem, trying to find just the right place for our week by the beach. We knew we wanted something with a sea view, possibly one of those iconic colourful beach huts in Palolem, and we didn’t mind pushing our budget a little to get it - we just had no idea how difficult it would be to find one that ticked all the boxes!

The fact is, finding good - and good value - accommodation in Palolem is tough. Which is why, through choice, circumstance, and some less-than-pleasant owners, we ended up staying in three different places during our seven days based there.

This section should help make your own accommodation decisions a little easier, whether you base it on budget, location, travel style, or sea view.

First off, there’s a few things to consider before booking anything:

Do you want to stay on the beach? This will usually be a price-based decision with the majority of hostels being along the smaller streets away from the beach (but only a 5 minute walk along dusty roads).
Which part of the beach? The north end of Palolem beach is much quieter but we actually preferred being closer to the bars/restaurants along the south side. We’d generally recommend avoiding the middle as this is where all the fishing boats are found meaning less privacy and no sunbathing opportunities outside your accommodation.
Do you really want that sea view? We discovered that many many places by the beach claim to have rooms with a sea view, but in actual fact that view is heavily obstructed or non-existent. It’s a common gripe of people staying in Palolem, and the reason that we had to turn down a reservation upon arrival.
Now, we are going to sound soooooooo fussy and pedantic here (long-time readers will know that we really really aren’t thought). e had read someone mention this issue on a TripAdvisor review before we visited, and guffawed at their pernicketiness. However, and this was a consensus when we mentioned it to other travellers in Palolem staying on the beach, the sea here is really really loud at night. On first arrival too, the small waves which gently break on the beach appear very tame. However, trust us when we say that during all our travels around the world and staying at so so many places on the beach, we have never stayed next to a sea which is so consistently loud during the night and early morning! Sometimes it was soothing, but sometimes it was unsettling as it sounded like massive crashing waves right outside the window (even though they were only tiddlers). Perhaps there’s something to do with the beach’s particular acoustics? For most of us, this won’t be an issue at all, but if you’re a light sleeper then we’d recommend you stay somewhere a little bit back from the waves!

Hostels

The best hostels in Palolem are all pretty close to eachother, and a 5 minute walk from the beach.

Rainbow Lining Hostel | We stayed here for our first two nights, and would have hung around for longer if our room wasn't already booked out by other people for later in the week. Run by a very cool local guy in a quiet spot, Rainbow Lining strikes the perfect balance between social traveller hostel and good place to stay. The beds are comfortable, there's good security, a free breakfast, the laundry service is cheap, the wifi is good, there’s a dog, the rooftop is a cool spot to hang out on, and guests get a free beer each night too - what more could you want? Their wristband also gives discounts at various restaurants and bars in town.

The only downside is that it has just one private double room (which is excellent value by the way), so if you're a couple you definitely need to book in advance. For solo travellers or groups, there are loads of 4, 8, and 10 bed mixed dorms plus female-only dorms.

Check availability or making a booking here on booking.com or hostelworld.

Summer by thehostelcrowd | Although it's not as highly rated as Rainbow Linings, Summer is still a great option for backpackers in Palolem. It's clean, bright, modern, and has a chilled out vibe. Breakfast is included for all guests, whilst the hostel arranges a number of events and trips for guests. Check availability or making a booking here on booking.com or hostelworld.

Note that you may have to pay a deposit to secure your online booking at various hostels in Goa, and the hostel contacts you directly about this.

Beach Huts in Palolem

There are whole host of different beachside huts and cottage options in Palolem, from relatively fancy (although it’s fair to say that this is not a luxury travel destination with beach resorts and all-inclusives - probably why we enjoyed it!) to very basic but cheap. Prices within individual properties often depend a great deal upon proximity to the beach, with garden views usually offering decent savings in comparison to beach facing.

Here are our pick of beach huts in Palolem across all budgets and travel styles:

Nest Cottages | Nest actually has two properties, but it’s this one that we’d recommend booking (the other has a few nice cabins towards the front of the beach, but many are woefully poor quality). Honestly, they were probably the nicest we had a look at, situated right on the beach with a good private patio area - perfect for a couple looking for somewhere a little nicer and more comfortable. Find out more and check availability here.

Palm Forest Palolem | This beautiful resort-style accommodation is stylishly designed, offers free yoga classes in the on-site shala, a fantastic breakfast and comes very highly rated. Technically located on the beach, the actual huts are set a little back in pleasant gardens so if you don’t mind not having the sea view, this is a great place to splurge a little. Find out more and check availability here.

Rosy Paradise | This is one for the backpackers (and actually where we spent a couple of days). Colourful raised beach huts directly on the beach with uninterrupted views over the water. It’s basic as hell - wonky fan, cold shower, rickety floorboards, minimal furniture, supply your own toilet paper etc - but also the cheapest beach front accommodation we found at £13 per night. If you’re visiting during peak peak season, we’d perhaps recommend booking ahead here, but we found the management happy to negotiate for longer stays in person.

As a side note, we also spent two nights in Sea View right next door, but left after an issue with the incredibly aggressive and confrontational manager over a misunderstanding on laundry. The rooms are of a similar standard as Rosie’s but oddly a little more expensive.

Le Petit Palolem | Another accommodation option at the quieter and more secluded north end of the beach, Le Petit Palolem is a popular option for the more bohemian traveller, with its cool communal areas, bar and lush grounds. Whilst it’s definitely got some of the cheaper double rooms we still feel that it might be a tad overpriced - although it has really rather excellent reviews. Find out more and check availability here.

Magic World | This is the accommodation that we booked in advance of arriving in Goa after hours or research - but we didn’t end up staying. Unfortunately, our reservation for one of the two (genuinely) beach front huts was changed to one that was pointing in the direction of the beach, but obstructed by the bar roof. This was the main reason we had booked the hut so it was really disappointing they did it - especially as we’d spent so long researching where to stay in Palolem and this place was was our budget-breaking splurge - so we chose to cancel our booking and seek an alternative.

The difficulty in discussing Magic World is that the two sea view huts are some of the best value along the beach, based upon quality and price. You just need to know that there’s no guarantee you’ll get what you book!

If you would prefer a more traditional hotel in Palolem, rather than a beach hut or cottage experience, then the only option is Palolem Inn which is on the main road behind the beach.

Where to Eat in Palolem

Often when we travel in hot countries, we find our food intake decreasing significantly. This was absolutely not the case in Palolem, or India in general - the opportunity to eat curry morning, noon and night is simply something we couldn’t turn down!

So, with that said, it’s fair to say we ate out an awful lot in this little beach town, spreading our meals out across the pricier options on the beach front, the simple eateries hidden down dark alleys and along the main road that runs parallel to the sea. Many, as you can probably imagine, are pretty much of a muchness, and whilst we liked every single meal we ate, we want to share just our picks here:

Magic Italy | We know, Italian food in India - sacrilege! However, it really is that good. A little more expensive than the local curries but worth every rupee and the only non-Indian meal we had during the entire trip. Highly recommend the eggplant pasta. Find it here on Google Maps.

Big Bamboo | Excellent curries plus a really, really great veggie/vegan menu meant we came back to this beach front restaurant more than once!

Zest | The epitome of hipster cool, it’s definitely not a cheap choice but provided us with some exceptionally good plant-based food and iced coffees for the day, whilst we used it as a base to get some work done. Can highly recommended the vegan breakfast burrito by the way. It’s on the main road behind the beach - find it here on Google Maps. There’s also a great clothes, interiors, and artisan design shop across the road from Zest which is well worth visiting afterward.

Dropadi | Standard Indian menu with plenty of veggie options, good portions and tasty curries.

Cuba | On the beach, it’s got lots of different meals on the menu but we’d say stick to the curries which were really rather good - especially the butter paneer!

Nireas Healthy Haven | The clue is in the name - it’s a fantastic option if you’re looking for a healthy brunch to even out all the indulgent dinners! They also have pretty good coffee. It’s also on the main road behind the beach - find it here on Google Maps.

Another alternative for plant based food is Little World. We personally didn’t feel like much on the menu when we visited, so enjoyed a delicious coconut milk coffee instead. Others rate the food very highly.

Top tip | If you’d like to learn a little whilst preparing a delicious traditional Goan meal, consider taking a cooking class with Chef Rahul. He hosts daily classes at his kitchen on Palolem’s main road, behind Cuba beach bungalow. Find out more here.

4 Little Things to Know Before You Visit Palolem

ATMS

There are currently no ATMs in Palolem. If you are arriving in Goa from overseas, then you’ll need to take out as much as you can from the ATMs in Vasco da Gama airport before taking a taxi to Palolem (it isn't possible to get rupees from a travel money exchange outside of India). There are a few ATMs a scooter / tuk-tuk ride from town, but these are notoriously hit and miss on whether they work with your card or work in general.

Thankfully, there are a handful of money businesses in town who offer a pretty seamless alternative to the ATM if you are in need of hard cash. In addition to money exchange, they allow you to take out money with your card at a 3-4% commission (e.g. you want to take out Rs. 10,000 (£100 / $130), you'll just pay them Rs. 10,300 with you card and you'll receive the Rs. 10,000 in cash from them).

All the businesses we asked on main commercial street charged 4% commission for this service, so we used Akash Travels on Ourem Road (Google Maps) as they only charged 3%.

It is also possible to pay by card, with no commission, at most restaurants and bars in Palolem.

High Season

Palolem's increasing popularity with Indian and non-Indian tourists means that it becomes much busier on weekends. High season in Goa runs from November to February (coinciding with the best weather conditions), but things really hit peak traffic from mid-December to mid-January. If you're visiting in that period, it will absolutely still be enjoyable, but just make double sure you've got somewhere booked in advance!

In terms of when to avoid visiting Palolem, monsoon season (June - September) could obviously prove problematic for your beach holiday whilst the Indian summer season (March - May) is going to be unbearably hot for most.

Read Next | If you’re going to Kerala too, make sure you read 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Kerala

Beach Hawkers

For some people, the constant requests from people working in and along Palolem beach is a bit of an issue. There are young women selling jewellery or asking you to visit their shop, various offers of massages, and repeated requests from restaurants and boat tour salesman across the mile-long stretch of beach; obviously, it can become a little repetitive and frustrating.

Support when you can, but always remember to be polite and respectful when saying 'no', as we're all much more fortunate to be the ones here enjoying the beach in the sun, rather than having to work on it.

Doggies + Cows

There are a myriad of doggies up and down Palolem beach, and they're all pretty friendly and mild-mannered - although most certainly have their disputes with one and other! Some are in great condition, with many partially ‘adopted’ in high season by particular restaurants, looked after by locals, but others are clearly struggling a little more and definitely very grateful for our naan or leftovers each night.

Note that if you're walking back along the beach or streets late at night, they do become more territorial and aggressive - so just be careful.

Several herds of beautiful cows also call the beach home, and they are incredibly chilled out. Don't be surprised if you end up having one sunbathing next to you!

How to get to Palolem

By Taxi from the Airport

Many international travellers will fly directly into Goa's Vasco de Gama International Airport (a.k.a. Dabolim Airport) and make a beeline right to the beaches of south Goa; this is undeniably the quickest and most direct option if you want to get your holiday started as soon as possible or with minimal fuss.

After arrival, just go to the official pre-paid taxi counter and let them know you want to go to Palolem - there is a board up with the fixed taxi fares to a variety of towns and city from the airport. They'll print off your ticket with the fare, and you simply present this to one of their drivers.

The journey by taxi from Vasco de Gama airport to Palolem is about 1h 40 mins, and costs around Rs. 1950 (£20 / $25). You can chose for a non-AC or AC taxi, with the latter costing a little extra.

If you are taking a taxi after 11 pm, the fare is 30-35% extra.

You can also go outside the airport to negotiate a an unofficial taxi deal with a local cabbie for a potentially cheaper fare.

By Train from the Airport

Alternatively, if you're arriving at Vasco de Gama airport and in no rush, then you can opt to go to Palolem by train.

The closest station is Dabolim Rail Station - about 1 km from the airport - or you can take a taxi to Vasco da Gama Train Station about 5 kms away.

From either of the above stations, you will need to find a connection to Canacona, Karwar, or Margao - and you may actually have to do a combination of train, train, and then taxi to reach Palolem via public transport from the airport.

By Train from Goa or Kerala

Whether you're starting from northern Goa, the airport, or making the journey up from Kerala, all roads (or tracks) lead to Canacona train station. From there, it's a simple 5 minute tuk-tuk ride for Rs. 100 / 5 minutes to your beach side accommodation in Palolem.

When looking for tickets from north Goa or from Kerala, you may be find that there are limited direct connections to Canacona.

The alternative option, which we did as it opened up more routes and saved time overall, is to take a train to Karwar Train Station. From there, you can get a 20-minute train to Canacona (Rs.10 per person), or decide to pay for a taxi or tuk-tuk outside to drive you directly to Palolem (32 kms away).

Margao, a city to the north of Palolem, is an alternative access point. From the train station there, you can connect to Canacona, take a 90-minute bus to Palolem (Rs. 40) or take a taxi for the 45-minute journey. The city also goes by the name of Madgaon.

Note that popular taxi apps in India are do not have permission to operate in Goa, and the taxi union has been very effective at maintaining this.