Is Benaulim the answer to my conundrum ?

Khandoma

Namaste Friends,

I need your input on my choice of a beach in Goa, a choice guided by circumstances.

I'm arriving in Goa, Magdaon, by train on Dec. 14.
Leaving the 17th by the 6AM train.
Meaning I must take a rickshaw / taxi around 5AM to get to Magdaon in time for the 6 AM train. So I need a beach close to Magdaon, approx. 30 mn by road.

I am on low budget, 1000 Rs max per night.

I'm looking for a reasonably quiet beach to just crash in.
My requirements : no beach parties, as few touts as possible, sea I can swim in.
And, I'm guessing, enough beach huts around so not everything is full when I get there. Which is a Friday !

I know I won't find a secluded paradise in these conditions. But is Benaulim an acceptable second choice ?
And what are my chances to secure a room if I just turn up there ?
Are Sernabatim and Varga alternatives better suiting my needs ? Is it any harder to have the rickshaw-wallah pick me up there at 5 AM ?

Many thanks for your answers !

__________________
Khandoma
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Ricco

Hi Khandoma

I'm in Benaulim right now. I'm staying at 'coco Huts' which is 10 minutes walk from beach road, heading towards Varca.

My hut is 200 a night. There is plenty of space, I should imagine you will have no problem in finding somewhere next week.

There is plenty of room on the beach; walk for 10 minutes towards Varca and you won't see a soul. It's a bit quiet for me really but if that's what you like, I can recomend Benaulim for sure.

butterball

Benaulim is a good bet - pretty quiet (no raves) and very easily reached to/from Margao. In fact, Margao is a pleasant town to visit from Benaulim for some shopping and tasty lunch.. Buses are frequent. For the early start, pre-book a taxi.

Enjoy

Khandoma

Hi Ricco,

This is excellent ! Live connexion to exactly the right spot ! Thanks much for your answer. Actually yes, a quiet place is what I'm after. But I'll be there next month (december 14), not next week, sorry if that was unclear. So it might get crowded by then, but from what you're saying I think I'll try my luck.

I have questions for you :
- About how long did it take you to get there from the train station, assuming that's what you did ? Did you use buses, rickshaws, taxis ?
- Are you happy with your hut ? I mean I understand it's basic. But in terms of cleanliness, not-too-terrible mattress, acceptable loos, and not-too-noisy late-night neighbours, how is it ?
- How is the swimming ? No strong currents, treacherous rocks, jellyfish ?
- And, since that seems to have been an issue in the past weeks, what's the weather like ?

Many thanks. Enjoy your stay !

Khandoma

Hello Butterball,

Thank you very much for answering. What you say regarding transportation and proximity is very reassuring.

A question though :
Everybody speaks of taxis in Goa. What's wrong with auto-rickshaws ? Are they harder to find there ? Any problems I should know about ? They usually are my favourite mode of transportation.

Unfortunately I won't have time to visit Margao. Pity, as I head the covered market was splendid and I enjoy that. But I'll get to Goa after 2 weeks of rather intense sightseeing so I believe I'll just want to sleep, read, and write a comprehensive study on Goan jumbo shrimp... More so as I'll have another week of travelling in front of me then. Margao will be on my agenda next time, I'm sure.

Thanks again !

kpnuts

If you are in Margao or at the station then it is easier from there to get a rickshaw, however at beach- villages this is difficult unless some is arriving in one from margao. You will find white maruti taxies everywhere near all major hotels and these can be pre booked for what ever time, make sure you negotiate your fare beforehand. Taxis in goa are not as cheap as Mumbai, they run on petrol not gas hence the cost of running is more. If you are sharing with two or three then this works out great.

ananda2193

Benaulim should be crowded in mid-december. It attracts alot of middle-aged europeans. But it's still not a bad place. Like was said above, just walk south for a little bit and you'll find emptyness. It doesn't look like you have too many options because of your early train.
And as there's lot's of places to stay, I don't think you'll have a problem finding somewhere. It might take a little searching though. I know of some nice places to stay, but unfortunately I don't remember their names.

ssharonuk

Hi Khandoma
Youll find Benaulim beach very peacefull there will be plenty of middle aged Europeans but they will all be looking for the same as you The sea is good but dont go out to far The weather will be in the low 90s perfect for sun bathing i have never seen jelly fish in all my time going to goa
The rickshaws and taxis in Goa do not have meters so always ask how much before you leave to your destination and to benaulim it should only be around 100 to 150rps from train station Dont know what time the buses start but that will cost around 10rps If yoy decide to stay in a beach hut then get a safty deposit box to keep your valubles in and take your own padlock for the hut dont let that put yopu off i always stay in a beach hut for 2 to 3 days of my time in Goa but its better to be safe
For a Great night out go to colva just a few miles down the road
Have a Great time Sharon

ssharonuk

Hi Khandoma
Youll find Benaulim beach very peacefull there will be plenty of middle aged Europeans but they will all be looking for the same as you The sea is good but dont go out to far The weather will be in the low 90s perfect for sun bathing i have never seen jelly fish in all my time going to goa
The rickshaws and taxis in Goa do not have meters so always ask how much before you leave to your destination and to benaulim it should only be around 100 to 150rps from train station Dont know what time the buses start but that will cost around 10rps If you decide to stay in a beach hut then get a safty deposit box to keep your valubles in and take your own padlock for the hut dont let that put you off i always stay in a beach hut for 2 to 3 days of my time in Goa but its better to be safe.
For a Great night out go to colva just a few miles down the road
Have a Great time Sharon

Khandoma

This is SO helpful !

Thank you, Sharon, Ananda & Kpnuts for all the badly-needed details. I'm pretty much all set now ! Must admit I was having second thoughts about such a quick stop in Goa . Last time I was there I stayed 3 weeks so had headed due south and never really worried about either transportation or crowds as I bicycled from one lonely beach to the next. The times are a-changing, but from what you all are saying I think I'll still enjoy my time very much out there.
Again, many, many thanks.

ananda2193

Watch out for sea snakes when swimming though. The times I've been to Benaulim, I always found sea snakes washed up on the beach.

Khandoma

Brrr - sea snakes are not my friends. I hate that they can follow you to very shallow waters, almost up to the beach. Even when wearing a wetsuit I'm not comfortable knowing they're around. Thanks for the warning, I'll check with the locals to find out whether snake season has started.
Take care,

butterball

I think there are also some snakes in the paddyfields along the stretch of road to the beach.. But I wouldn't worry too much during daylight hours.. And don't let this put you off!

A good breakfast can be had in the "....'s breakfast garden" (I forgot his name, but it's a little covered 'garden' set back a little form the main road to the beach on the right as you head towards the beach.. You'll know you're in the right place as he sits at a table at the back. He's a happy sort and is quite short!

Also, try Pedro's in the evening (on the main road to Colva along from Maria Hall) for a drink / fish snack / episode of "Who wants to be a Millionaire" (only it's in Rupees!)

Khandoma

Thanks much for the addresses, Butterball. Precious, as I won't have much time to scout around.

I absolutely must watch the "Millionnaire" show in rupees ! Though I must say I'm most curious about "Indian Idol", we've been getting a few clips over here. Anyway, glad to know that cricket is not the only option...

I won't be put off by land snakes as I know that the paddy field / banana plantation variety is much more at home in the undergrowth than on the road, so unless I'm stupid enough to walk into a field there's not much risk. Still I'll keep an eye out on that road. Thanks !

ananda2193

Yeah, there probably cobras. I heard they hang out in the paddy fields there, and I also read in a travel book years ago about Benaulim having them and to be careful in the fields.