Palolem Beach

It is one of the most idyllic and relatively unspoilt beach in Goa. Palolem beach is the southerly of all the beaches in South Goa and is in the Canacona region. The palolem beach is situated 47 kms south west of the Margao city and 2 kms away from the nearest railhead, Canacona. Canacona lies on the main railway line connecting Mangalore and Margao. Chaudi is the nearest market and the headquarters of the Canacona province. Canacona boasts of four beautiful beaches including the Palolem beach, other including, Rajbag beach, Patnem beach, Galjibag beach and Agonda beach.

The palolem beach is considered as one of the most beautiful beaches all over the world and was voted the world's best beach by the New York Times in 2006. Palolem beach is surrounded by the western ghats and they form a mystic landscape. Tourists can see the backdrop of mountains covered with lush green hills and small rivers meandering through them.

There is a small local population that inhibits the Palolem market and their prime occupation is to the needs to tourists and travelers.

Palolem beach, unlike the beaches in the North Goa, is not very well known for late night and rave parties. The beach is most suitable for backpackers and travelers who wish to move away from the wild party crowds. Not many Indian tourists visit Palolem beach. People come to Palolem to relax and unwind themselves and the answer to the question, what to do in Palolem is an obvious - do nothing.

However the scene is now changing with Palolem acquiring the image of a developed beach and with more and more visitors pouring in to Palolem, shacks, eating joints and night clubs are also opening up. Side to side aligned beach shacks offer facilities but nature lovers question the compromise on the beauty of this little heaven called Palolem. Water sports, including banana boats, paragliding and para sailing and snorkeling etc start during the high tourist rush season of December and January.

One major attraction on the Palolem beach is the trip to the butterfly island which includes dolphin sightings. Visitors usually see dolphins playing in the open sea. The rates for dolphin spotting might sore in the high season (as do all other rates). It is advisable that you bargain on them while on the Palolem beach.