JANUARY 2025
OVERVIEW
We have just finished Christmas & New Year in Candolim, Goa.
If you haven’t done so already, please read my India Tips, Tricks, and Traps post first. This will help you better understand what you are going to read in this post.
<<< we now hop down the West Coast of India >>>
<<< from Palolem (Goa) to Mangaluru (Karnataka) >>>
This is our first stop: Palolem Beach.
EXCHANGE RATE
The currency in India is the Rupee (the ‘INR’ or ‘rs’). At the time of writing, the exchange rates for the major currencies were:
| US$1 | EU€1 | GB£1 | |
| Published Wholesale Rate | 84.33 | 89.56 | 107.65 |
| Actual Exchange Rate (Wise Debit Card) | 83.48 | 88.67 | 106.57 |
| Actual Exchange Rate (Typical Credit Card) | 82.43 | 87.55 | 105.23 |
| Actual Exchange Rate (Good ATM) | 82.85 | 88.00 | 105.76 |
| Actual Exchange Rate (Bad ATM) | 76.74 | 81.50 | 97.96 |
Over time, these exchange rates will change. Please check the current rates.
For simplicity, think of a 500rs note as being US$6 / EU€6 / GB£5.
ATMs
Be careful which ATM you use.
I use SBI Bank ATMs WITHOUT CONVERSION.
WISE DEBIT CARD
I keep my costs down by using a Wise Debit Card.
WHEN TO GO
The West Coast has a tropical monsoonal climate with a dry season and a heavy monsoon the rest of year. There is no cold season.
The best time to come is December through April.
GETTING THERE
There is a public bus that goes along the main Fort Aguada Road in Candolim that takes you to Panaji Bus Stand. I find them difficult to rely on, hard to find, usually full, and hard to use when you are laden with luggage.
I could not book a 400rs taxi using GoaMiles because it would not let me use my foreign credit card. I paid 900rs for a private taxi from my hotel to go the 12km to Panaji Bus Stand.
At Panaji, I jumped on a standard local bus to Margao / Madgaon. This was 50rs and took 1 hour. My luggage went on board with me.
At Margao, I jumped on a small local bus to Palolem Beach. This was 40rs and took 1.5 hours. My luggage went on board with me. This bus went all the way to Palolem Beach and terminated within 150 metres of my hotel.
PALOLEM BEACH TRANSPORT
UBER
UBER does not operate in Goa. GoaMiles have the market cornered.
GOAMILES
I suggest that you download the GoaMiles Mobile App.
To book a GoaMiles taxi, you need to have money in your ‘GoaMiles Wallet’. Many people will be unable to do so because, in India, many Foreign Credit Cards are not accepted.
WARNING: Many locals have warned me against using GoaMiles. Rumour has is that you upload and pay for the taxi but the taxi never comes.
TUK TUKs & TAXIs
Tuk Tuks and Taxis are available. You will need to employ your negotiating skills.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
A bus leaves from the Palolem Beach Bus Stop every 30 minutes during the day. This bus will get you to Canacona Bus Stand and continues north to Margao / Madgaon Bus Stand (1.5hrs / 40rs).
SCOOTER RENTAL
Scooter Rental is 500rs per day. It seems that there may be a ‘cartel’ on this price … so you are unlikely to find one for less.
INTERNET / WIFI
I had an Indian SIM Card from Airtel.
I had a strong 4G signal everywhere.
AROUND TOWN
Palolem Beach is basically one main road that runs parallel to the beach with smaller lanes feeding that main road.
ACCOMMODATION
I wanted to be as close to the beach as possible. I waited until the last minute hoping for discounts. It was hard to find something decent for under 2,000rs / US$24 per night.
I used Agoda to book 4 nights at the Blue Mirage.
I paid a very discounted total price of 7,500rs which was subject to a 1,200rs Agoda Cashback.
Thus, the final price was 6,300rs (about 1,600rs / US$19 per night).
Palolem Beach suffered from several power outages each day but most were less than 1 hour in duration. The Blue Mirage internet also went ‘up and down’ even when the power was on.
You can stay anywhere in Palolem but note that the roads and properties north of the main beach road are noticeably more ‘rustic’.
THE BEACH
This is known to be one of the best beaches in Goa if not India
The beach is busy but not yet overly so.
NEARBY BEACHES
There are several beaches within 5kms of Palolem. Some readers may prefer to stay at one of these other beaches rather than Palolem Beach itself.
GALGIBABA BEACH
Galgibaba Beach to the south is secluded, laid back, and offers idyllic beachfront huts.
TALPONA BEACH
Talpona Beach is also quiet and it is focused around 2-3 restaurants.
RAJBAG BEACH
Rajbag Beach is off grid.
PATNEM BEACH
Patnem Beach is up market and busy around the main entry road.
AGONDA BEACH
Agonda Beach to the north is a sort of half way house between the solitude of Galgibaba Beach and Palolem Beach.
EAT & DRINK
Prices are very similar to Candolim: popular beach town prices.
A simple Indian breakfast such as a Puri Bhaji that costs 60rs elsewhere in India is 100rs here.
Likewise, a simple Indian Dinner such as a Veg Thali that you can get for 100rs elsewhere will cost 170rs in Palolem.
A slightly better Veg Thali will cost 190rs to 200rs.
You will pay 150rs for a large 750ml Kingfisher Premium beer in the cheapest restobars. You will pay 170rs to 250rs for the same on the beach.
You will find many Happy Hours offering 2-for-1 cocktails. Most cocktails are 350rs to 400rs. Beers are not normally included in Happy Hours.
There are many Liquor Stores in town where you can buy alcohol at MRP.
GETTING AWAY
There is a Bus Stand and a Railway Station in Canacona just 2-3 kms from Palolem Beach. Both offer good connections.
Here are the prices of the trains:
I am heading south to Gokarna. This is either a 4 hour bus or a 1 hour train. I chose the latter.
You do not need to book in advance. This is a local train (2nd class no aircon) with unpadded bench seats. You just turn up on the day and buy a ticket.
CONCLUSION
Palolem Beach lives up to its reputation and it is still easily affordable on a GRANDPacking budget.
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