Benaulim, Goa-a cozy village in the western part of India. People come here to meditate, relax from the hustle and bustle of the city and admire the colorful nature.
General information
Benaulim Resort is a popular holiday destination in Goa. This is a small village with spacious beaches and beautiful nature, where wealthy couples and families with children prefer to relax.
The resort is located in the western part of India, on the shores of the Arabian Sea. The state of Goa itself covers an area of 3702 km2, and is considered the smallest of all 29 regions of the country. The coastline is 105 km long.
The state of Goa is home to 3 million people who call themselves Goans, which means “shepherds” and “cattle breeders”. The only official language is Konkani, but many locals speak Marathi, Hindi, and Urdu.
Interestingly, earlier the village of Benaulim had a different name-Banavalli. Translated from the local dialect, it means ” the place where the arrow fell” (one of the Indian myths). It is believed that earlier on this place there was a sea, and after its disappearance, a city was built here.
Most of the population of the village of Benaulim is engaged in fishing. Some also have their own small shops.
Beach
The main attraction of the Benaulim resort in Goa is the beach of the same name. It is famous for its snow-white sand and its inhabitants-large colorful butterflies, of which there are a lot.
Entertainments
People come to Benaulim beach to relax from the city noise and get their nerves in order. There are really no parties and other entertainment in the village, so a good rest is provided. That’s what tourists like to do here:
- with yoga;
- enjoy colorful sunsets;
- watch the butterflies;
- meditative practices.
Despite the remoteness of this beach from cities, it is well equipped: there are comfortable sun beds and toilets, cafes and restaurants work. Hotels and hostels line the coastline.
This beach in India has a dozen rental points where you can rent a car.:
- bicycle;
- scooter;
- water skiing;
- jet ski;
- a boat;
- surfboard.
There are also many shops on the beach where you can buy souvenirs, Indian cosmetics, neckerchiefs, beach accessories, spices and tea.
Beach Features
The sand on Benaulim beach is fine and white. The entrance to the water is gentle, there are no rocks and algae. There is very little garbage, and it is regularly cleaned.
Please note that there are usually no waves until 14.00. This time is perfect for those who want to go swimming with their children or relax in peace. In the afternoon, the wind gets stronger, and water sports enthusiasts come to the beach. The water temperature in the sea is always +28 °C.
As for the shade, there is no shade on the beach. Palm trees grow quite far from the seashore, so it is not recommended to come here in the hottest weather.
The length of the beach is several km, so it is easy to retire, walking only 100-200 meters from the center.
Interestingly, the beaches of the Benaulim resort are not divided into private and public – they are all municipal.
Beach dwellers
Unlike many other beaches in India, there are almost no cows (with rare exceptions), but there are a lot of dogs. You should not be afraid of them – these animals are very friendly.
It should be borne in mind that small crabs appear on the beach in the evening, and in the morning they go into the water (by the way, no one forbids swimming at night here).
However, the beach is known for its butterflies – there are more than 30 species of them, and some are even listed in the Red Book.
Shopping
There are a number of shops on the beach where you can buy the following products::
| Product | Price (Rs) |
|---|---|
| Women’s Skirt | 90-160 |
| T-shirt | 100-150 |
| Men’s trousers | 100-150 |
| Sandals | 300 |
| Kurta (traditional Indian shirt) | 250 |
| Miniature figurine (Taj Mahal, elephant, tiger) | 500-600 |
| Benaulim Beach Photo Postcard | 10 |
Accommodation
Goa is very popular with tourists, so there are more than 600 accommodation options on the island. Prices start at $ 7 per night.
Specifically, the resort of Benaulim has 70 hotels, hostels and inns. So, a room for two in a 3* hotel in high season will cost 35-50 dollars. This price includes a simple but cozy room with a fan (in more expensive hotels – air conditioning), a TV and a beautiful view from the window (usually to the sea). Usually, the owners of the hotel are ready to provide an airport transfer and free Wi-Fi.
There are fewer 5* hotels in the resort – 3 options. The price ranges from $ 220 to $ 300 per night for two people. In addition to a large room and a good breakfast, this price includes access to the on-site swimming pool, various treatments (such as massages) and a gym. Also on the territory of the hotel in Benaulim there are many recreation areas – comfortable poufs on the verandas, large armchairs in the lobby, gazebos near the pools. Many hotels are ready to accept tourists according to the system “All inclusive””
Thus, in the village of Benaulim, there is a fairly large selection of housing at reasonable prices.
Where to eat
There are a lot of places to eat in Benaulim (Goa). Near the beach there are many small cafes called “sheki”. Prices and dishes in them are about the same, but not everywhere there is a menu in Russian or English. I am glad that there are images of dishes.
Almost all the dishes presented in the menu contain seafood and vegetables. Worth a try:
- sea wolf (fish);
- shark with potatoes;
- sea bass.
Also pay attention to fresh juices and desserts.
The cost of meals in the cafe:
| Dish / Drink | Price (Rs) |
|---|---|
| Chicken with rice | 100-150 |
| Lobsters (1 kg) | 1000 |
| Tortillas | 20-40 |
| A bowl of soup | 50-60 |
| Sandwich | 60-120 (depending on the size and filling) |
| Pancakes with filling | 70-180 (depends on quantity and filler) |
| Cup of coffee | 20-30 |
| Fresh juice | 50 |
| Bottle of rum | 250 (much cheaper in stores) |
Food sets:
| Set | Prices (Rs) |
|---|---|
| Soup + chicken + cheese cake + juice | 300 |
| Rice + Curry + Indian bread + Lassi drink | 190 |
| Rice + tortillas + vegetables + Lassi drink | 190 |
| Stuffed pancakes + rice + tortillas + vegetables + Lassi drink | 210 |
| Tea with milk and sweets (Masala tea) | 10 |
Thus, you can have a full lunch in the cafe for 200-300 rupees. Prices in restaurants are much higher, but they are not exorbitant:
| Dish / Drink | Price (Rs) |
|---|---|
| Rice + seafood + salad | 230 |
| Spaghetti + shrimp | 150 |
| Fish + salad + potatoes | 180 |
| 2 pancakes with fruit | 160 |
| Omelette | 40-60 |
Remember that the cow is a sacred animal in India, so you can hardly try beef in a restaurant. Even if you find such a dish, you will be disappointed – they do not know how to cook beef in India at all.
If you don’t want to eat in a cafe, pay attention to street food – along the beach there are many shops that sell takeaway food. It is usually cooked over a bonfire, so it has an unusual taste. Prices are low:
| Dish / Drink | Prices (Rs) |
|---|---|
| Tortillas (different types) | 10-30 |
| Curry rice | 25 |
| Fried fish (sea bass) | 35-45 |
| Fresh juice | 30-40 |
| Tea | 5-10 |
Since it is always very hot in Benaulim (India) and many European tourists get sick immediately after arrival, do not forget about the simple rules:
- Wash your hands.
- Eat only in trusted locations.
- Do not drink tap water.
- Always carry wet wipes with you.
- Do not forget creams and sprays from insect bites.
How to get to the beach
Most popular resorts in South Goa:
- Vasco da Gama (30 km)
- Utorda (10 km)
- Colva (2.5 km)
Benaulim can be reached by bus from Vasco da Gama. You need to take the KTCL bus 74A at Vasco da Gama bus station and get off at Margao. Then you need to walk or take a taxi 4 km away. The total travel time is 50 minutes. The cost of travel is 1-2 euros.
You will not be able to get from Bernaulim to the resort of Utorda or Kolva by public transport. You’ll have to either take a taxi or walk. Taxi fare from Utorda will cost 7-8 euros, from Kolva – 2-3.
If you want to visit one of the resorts of Goa located nearby, tourists recommend walking along the seashore – this is a shorter and more scenic road.
Useful tips
- Despite the fact that the resort of Benaulim is warm at any time of the year, it is better not to come here during the period from May to November – at this time there is high humidity and it often rains.
- Benaulim is perfect for those who are tired of the numerous merchants and animators on the beaches of North Goa – in the southern part there is nothing like it.
- Many tourists who have bought excursions from Benaulim to different parts of India note that the programs are really interesting, but because of the serpentine and hot weather, the trip is very poorly tolerated.
- If you want to buy something, be sure to bargain. All products are sold at a huge mark-up, so the seller is always ready to give up at least a little. The only place where such a number will not pass is pharmacies.
- Experienced tourists do not recommend ordering iced drinks in cafes and bars – India has problems with drinking water, and ice can be made from contaminated water, to which the European body is not adapted.
- Doctors recommend getting vaccinated against hepatitis A, typhoid, meningitis and tetanus before traveling to India, as these diseases are very common.
Benaulim, Goa-a picturesque place for relaxing family and romantic holidays.
