1. Natural curvature at Palolem beach gives a picturesque view

Palolem beach is mainly preferred by the Indians and foreigners for its traditional culture and serene atmosphere and this is one of the best places for spending holidays in the district headquarter of South Goa. Situated in Canacona, the natural curvature of the beach gives a picturesque view of a complete portrait from both of its ends. You can also refresh your body and mind by dipping, playing ball in the group or swimming in the Arabian Sea. As far as safety is concerned, avoid places in the sea where big rocks or boulders are present. The beach was featured in a 2004 movie named “The Bourne Supremacy” that starred Matt Damon.

Palolem Guest House

Address: Ourem Road, Mohanbagh, 403702 Palolem, Canacona, Goa

Contact: +91 832 264 4879

2. Visit Agonda Beach at an early hour and get to know India’s original culture

Another large village in Canacona is Agonda, highly famous for its beach. The beautiful part of Agonda Beach is that it serves mainly in the month of September as a nesting ground for olive ridley sea turtles. Even the temperature during that time remains moderate and you will feel quite comfortable traveling from one place to another.

A morning walk on the shore of Agonda Beach can make you encounter a number of natural things that you will never get to see in your daily city life. Somewhere you will see fishermen hauling their huge net out of the sea to catch fish, cows enjoying their morning strolling, tourists exercising or jogging, some people involved in swimming and even a few involved in practicing asanas and meditation. A plethora of these mesmerizing views might make you feel that you are in a totally different world.

Agonda Beach Huts

Address: 403702 Agonda Village, Canacona, Goa

Contact: 91 99234 82112

3. Experience a sea of milk at Dudhsagar Falls

A glimpse of the brilliant cascade of white water (looks like dense milk or foam) incessantly gushing down the rocks almost vertical is tremendously overwhelming and enthralling. The name Dudhsagar literally means sea of milk and that’s what the scenery looks like here. You will feel like a huge flow of milk is flowing down over the steep into a lake filled with water.

Located on the River Mandovi, Dudhsagar Falls is around 70 kilometers (42 miles) away from Palolem beach and it will take around two hours to reach the destination. This four-tiered waterfall creates the border and divides two Indian states – Karnataka and Goa. We will suggest you avoid visiting Dudhsagar Falls during the dry season. The monsoon season is okay to visit but the best timing to see the jet flow of milk falling from 300 meters (1,000 feet) is the rainy season.

Dudhsagar Falls

Address: 403410 Sonaulim, Goa

4. Flora and fauna at Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

Most visitors to Palolem or any parts of Goa always try to be present at Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. Located in Canacona Taluka of South Goa District, this sanctuary is famous for its dense forest of tall trees. An entry into the forest during the daytime will give a picturesque view of evergreen trees, semi-evergreen trees, and deciduous trees. You can rise to the 25-meter (83-foot) high watchtower positioned above a watering hole, where you can see what the diverse animals are doing or where they go to satiate their thirst.

This sanctuary is home to diverse animals such as Indian pangolin, four-horned antelope, flying squirrel, speckled piculet, Malabar trogon, hump-nosed pit viper, golden-back gliding snake, and the draco or flying lizard just to name a few. The sanctuary is also home to several tribal groups like Kunbil and Velip and tourists can interact with them to collect more information about their culture and lifestyle.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: 403702 Canacona Taluka, Khotigao, Goa

Contact: +91 832 296 5601

5. Butterfly Beach famous for gold fish and butterflies

Just 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) north of Palolem Beach, Butterfly Beach is a tad different from other beaches because this is the home to some of the most exotic species of butterflies, crabs and gold fishes. The beach also has a tiny semi-circular bay that makes it very photogenic. You will be amazed to see the sands here absolutely white, water very translucent and no access to the beach by road. One needs to reach the place by trekking through the forest. Apart from this track, the tourists also reach Butterfly Beach by taking a short boat ride from Palolem Beach.

Butterfly Beach

Address: 403702 Canacona, Goa

6. Transform the yogic power within you at Parinama Yoga Centre

The mantra or hymn of Parinama Yoga Centre is making the transformation through the power of Yoga. This is one of the best places in Palolem or in entire South Goa that endows you with various transformational processes for the benefit of your both body and mind. You will get to see not only Indians from various states but also several foreigners from different countries come here, stay for a few days and participate in the yoga training. Parinama Yoga Centre’s executives believe that yoga is for everybody, regardless of age, nationality, sex, and religion. The final motto of this program is bringing a sense of balance life added with inner peace and consciousness to every activity for the benefit of human body and mind.

Parinama Yoga Centre

Address: South end of Palolem Beach, River Side Ourem Palace, Canacona, 403702 Goa

Contact: +91 86050 07600

Website: Parinama Yoga Centre

7. Cabo de Rama Fort opens the pages of several wars and bloodsheds

Cabo de Rama Fort is the largest and one of the oldest forts in the entire state of Goa. Sprawling across a large area of 180,000 square meters (1,800,000 square feet), Cabo de Rama Fort is just 18 kilometers (11 miles) and 23 kilometers (14 miles) away from Agonda Beach and Palolem Beach respectively. The history pages show that this fort had switched hands between Muslim and Hindu monarchs and even the Portuguese.

It has also witnessed several battles and bloodshed in the last couple of centuries. A church of Santo Antonio is situated inside the fort and devotees come here and pray regularly. Alternatively, Cabo de Rama is another major attraction here that should not be missed.

Cabo de Rama Fort

Address: Taluka Cabo da Rama, Canacona, 403702 Goa

8. Enjoy Canacona Island

Also popularly known as Monkey Island, Canacona Island is just a wooded tidal island located on the South Goa’s Palolem Bay. The island can be reached simply by walking at low tide and dolphins can be observed if luck favors.

Canacona Island

Address: Canacona Island, Canacona, 403702 Goa

9. Learn Indian cuisine at Rahul’s Cooking Classes

If you are always good in the kitchen or want to cook and offer your family some typical Indian cuisine, Rahul’s Cooking Classes should be attended at least for a day or two. This popular school offers vegetarian and non-vegetarian cooking classes and anyone can join them. The charge is very nominal – 1,500 INR per person for a three-hour course. We believe the practical application of this learning can be one of the best gifts to your family and friends after getting back to your hometown.

Rahul's Cooking Classes

Address: House No.209, At Peter Bar & Restaurant, Near Youth Club, 403702 Palolem Beach, Goa

Contact: +91 78759 90647

Website: Rahul’s Cooking Classes

10. A spectacular boat trip to see dolphins

If you really want to be encircled by dolphins, you can contact John’s Boat Tours in advance. The company has one philosophy – no dolphin, no pay. Dolphin spotting in Goa is a very popular activity and tourists from other parts of India and foreigners usually opt for this service.

John’s Boat Tours

Address: Near Newton’s Super Market, Bardez, Candolim, 403515 Goa

Contact: +91 832 6520190

Website: John’s Boat Tours

How to reach Palolem

The easiest way to reach Palolem is to take a train from Margao. You can also take a state transport bus from Margao directly to Canacona or Palolem. The journey by bus will take around 60 to 80 minutes depending on the traffic. We believe this article will help you accomplish a wonderful trip to Palolem. Never forget to share your experience during the tour with us.