Area Code: 0832

Palolem has a beautiful, photogenic, crescent-shaped bay lined with palm trees. Over the last three years more and more budget travelers have been coming here. It is relatively undeveloped, but pleasant, and has received good ratings from people who have visited. Palolem is 40km south of Margao.

My friend gave it a really high rating (described it like heaven). The beach is about 2km long but is close to the water. If you go right from the downtown you eventually reach a river, which can be crossed during the low tide. If you keep walking you then come to an island that can be reached during low tide. It is a mountain jungle island with monkeys and thick jungle.

Nearby is Patnem Beach, about 15 minutes south, to the left. The beach here is wider than the beach at Palolem. It is really secluded and not many people come here, so it is good for seclusion. It is a very beautiful beach.

Practical Information
Bikes can be rented at a shop halfway along the main road for Rs 2 an hour. There is a discount for longer rentals. The phone in the Beach Resort charges more than usual for international calls. The STD/ISD booth near the bus stop has a better rate. There is no place to change money here (the nearest place is in Margao).

Boat trips can be arranged to spot dolphins. It is best to go in the morning between 8 am and noon. You can get a boat to go out and spot dolphins for Rs 150 per person, but you don't have to pay if you don't spot any dolphins. The ride is about an hour and a half.

There are facilities to send email and some pool tables in town. 

Where to Stay
There is no shortage of rooms available in the local villagers’ houses. Rooms are usually nice, but most places have only outhouse toilets. You can also rent houses here.

The living accomodations are fairly basic and you may have to look for a while to find a good room. A basic well secure room is around Rs 350. Most people stay in huts; the basic ones going for around Rs 200, or can be rented for a monthly rate. Huts with a bed, fan and lights costs around Rs 250 to Rs 300. 

There are primitive rooms behind almost every shack and most have lockers or you can keep your valuables in the owner's safe, but mosquitoes can be a problem. Some of them have lockable palm-leaf doors.

Fifth August Bar and Lodge (643-173) has eight, sea-facing rooms with small verandahs for Rs 350. There are also eight basic rooms in back of this place.             

L’Allegro Holiday Resort (643-173) has four basic rooms.
The popular Palolem Beach Resort (643-054), on the beachfront, has ten basic but clean rooms with attached baths and small verandahs for Rs 350 to Rs 450. It is located in its own quiet and shaded walled-in compound. Between November and March the resort also rents out good canvas tents for Rs 225 with electric lights, fans, and lockers. You can camp for Rs 80. It is often full and it is best to book this place a week in advance during the season.
Tonricks (643-239), 250m from the beach, is a modern, well-maintained facility with clean rooms with bath (some with kitchens) for Rs 450. Friendly and recommended.
Cocohuts has huts for Rs 450.

Where to Eat
The pure-veg Chinese Corner Dolphin Restaurant has good Tofu Sizzlers, enchaladsa, fried pasta, spaghetti, pizza and Greek food. It is one of the best restaurants in India. It is run by Buddist Nepalis and has great service. Recommended. 
Beach Resort is the most popular place.
Sun ’n’ Moon, on txe "Cabo De Rama" he main street, serves snacks, and good vegetarian food. The sizzlers are good.
Sunset on the beach, and Rosie’s near the main road are both good.
Classic Restaurant is a three-minute walk through the todi groves where the village’s main road turns left toward Chaudi. It is a branch of the German Bakery in Anjuna. It has a good selection of cakes, good breakfasts, desserts, and North Indian food. The prices are not cheap, but the food is good.
There is also a German Bakery, Ricki's Vegetarian Restaurant.

Travel
There are regular buses between Margao (2 hr, every 30 min) and Karwar (in Karnataka), which stop in Chaudi (2km from Palolem, on the main rxe "Palolem" oad). From there you can take an auto-rickshaw (Rs 40) or taxi (Rs 60). You can also disembark at the intersection before Chaudi (Palolem junction) and walk the 2km to Palolem. A couple of buses go all the way to Palolem from Margao. The last bus to Margao from Palolem departs around 4:30 pm. Check for the exact time.

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