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Benaulim

Area Code: 0832

Benaulim (also called Banaley) is located about 2km south of Colva and 10km west of Margao. It is a relaxed and friendly place at the more peaceful and pleasant end of Colva beach. The sea is safe for swimming.

Benaulim derives it name from the Sanskrit word Banali, “the place where the arrow landed.” It is said that Goa was created when Parasuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, fired an arrow into the sea. He ordered the water to recede from the place the arrow landed.

If you head south toward Varca you find fairly secluded beaches away from the hawkers and fruit sellers.

Practical Information
In the center of the village, at the main intersection (Maria Hall Crossroads), are two good general stores, the Bank of Baroda, a laundry place, some cafes, the bus stand, and an auto-rickshaw and taxi stand. There are several places here where you can rent bicycles (Rs 30 a day) and motorbikes.

Buses from Margao, Colva and Varca stop every half hour about 1½ km from the beach, in the center of the village. It is a 50 minutes ride to Dabolim Airport.

The Bank of Baroda can give a cash advance on a Visa card, but does not exchange money. To exchange money, you can go to the Sanatan Travel Agency in Colva, or a bank in Margao. The L’Amour Beach Resort exchanges money for guests.

Sarken Tour Operators and L’Amour can book and reconfirm flights. They can also arrange tickets for the catamaran boat, trains, and deluxe buses.

The post office is in Colva.

Domnick’s operates boat trips to Palolem for Rs 300, with meals included.

You can take a boat trip to the island for Rs 50.

Where to Stay
Most of the hotels and lodgings are small, budget guest houses located about 1km from the beach. During the high season, most of the mid-range hotels are booked. If you prefer to stay in one of them, you should reserve them in advance.
Along Benaulim Beach Rd and in the coconut groves on either side, rooms are available in private homes and cottages ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 200 per day.
Next to the Beach
Furtado’s Beach House (720-778), on the beach about half a km south of the main beach area, has rooms with bath for Rs 350.
Xavier’s Bar (730-780), nearby, has decent rooms for Rs 250.
Camilson’s Beach Resort (722-917), next door, has rooms for Rs 350 and more modern rooms for Rs 700 to Rs 1000. These three places are located in a peaceful area, all by themselves.
The well-managed L’Amour Beach Resort (733-720) on the beachfront, has thirty rooms and nicer cottages. The quality of the rooms varies, so ask to see several. It has a texe "Benaulim" rrace restaurant, money changing facilities, and a travel agent. Rooms go for Rs 350 to Rs 650.
O Palmar Beach Cottages (722-901), near the beach across from L’Amour Beach Resort, has rooms with bath for Rs 425. It is often booked during the high season.

Back from the Beach
Rosario’s Inn (734-167), Vas Vaddo, off Beach Rd, is a popular, family-run guest house with rooms with common bath for Rs 200 and rooms with bath and a small attached balcony for Rs 205. It also has dorm beds. It is a laid-back, recommended place, but is often full.
Jacinta Moraes Tourist House (722-706), nearby, has good rooms with bath for Rs 150.
Savio Rest House has rooms with a common bath for Rs 100 and with bath for Rs 125.
The friendly Tansy (734-595), near Maria Hall Crossing, has large, clean rooms and cottages for Rs 400. It is a good value and is recommended.
Libra Cottages, Vas Vaddo, Tambdi Mati, is a new place with good-sized rooms with attached bath for Rs 300.
Kenkre Tourist Cottages, about half a km from the beach, has double rooms with bath for Rs 110.
Pinto Tourist Cottage has basic rooms for Rs 125.
The friendly, family-run Priti Kunj, south of the Crossing, a fifteen-minute walk off the main road behind a church, has four nice rooms (three with bath) for Rs 250 and a large bedroom in the family house.
Caravan Tourist Home (739-953), near the bus stand, has basic rooms for Rs 200 to Rs 250. The sitting room has beautiful furniture.
The well-managed D’Souza Guest House (734-364), a half km north on the road to Colva, has clean rooms in an old family home for Rs 450. During the off-season they offer a good discount. It is often full during the high season.
The well-managed Oshin Cottages (722-707), secluded and set back from the road, has clean rooms with bath for Rs 250/300. It is in a peaceful location.
O Mangueiro Guest House (734-164) has rooms with common bath for Rs 125, and a kitchen.

Where to Stay—Middle
The well-managed Palm Grove Cottages (722-533), Tamdi-Mati, Vas Vaddo, is a secluded hotel, away from the beach and surrounded by a beautiful garden. It has rooms ranging from Rs 250 to 350, and larger rooms for Rs 500 to Rs 600. It has comfortable A/C rooms in the new building for Rs 500 to Rs 900. Friendly and recommended. It also has a good terrace restaurant.
The friendly Failaka, Adsulim Nagar, near the main crossing, is a new place with sixteen large rooms with balconies. They rent bikes. It has a good restaurant. Recommended.
The best place in town is the new Carina Beach Resort (734-166; fax 711-400) Vassvaddo, Tambdi Matti, about 1km from the beach. It has a small pool, garden, restaurant, and exchange facilities. It is a good value with rooms for Rs 1000/1100 and more expensive rooms for Rs 1400.

Where to Eat
Johncy’s is the most popular place.
L’Amour (223-720) on the beachfront is popular and serves good food.
Pedro’s Restaurant is also popular.
Domnick’s, back from the beach, is popular, as is Casy Rose Restaurant in the village.
Palm Grove Cottages has a good restaurant in their garden.
Travel
There are frequent buses from Margao to Benaulim. Some of the buses proceed further south to Varca and Cavelossim. A motorcycle taxi from Margao (15 min) costs around Rs 30, an auto-rickshaw Rs 40, and a taxi Rs 75.

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