Candolim, India - the cleanest resort of Goa

Candolim, Goa - a small cozy village in the northern part of the state. Known for the cleanest beach in Goa and the absence of annoying merchants.

General information

Candolim is a small Indian village 15 km from Panaji, the capital of Goa. 8500 people live here, most of whom work in the travel industry.

Interestingly, this resort looks a little like the neighboring ones. It is very clean, there are few merchants and almost no colorful public. Many tourists say that this part of India is more like Europe than Asia.

The main attractions of Candolim in Goa are the golden sand beach and Aguada Fort, located next door. Near the beach there are many worthy cafes and restaurants, there are bars and necks. In the menu of establishments you can find both local and European dishes.

The village has a large market, 2 shops and many shops where you can buy souvenirs.

Beach

Goolim Beach in Goa is one of the best in the state. It is clean, spacious and not noisy. Pale yellow sand is very fine, stones are extremely rare. Entering shallow water, large boulders and shell rock are absent. The coastline of Candolim is 1.5 km long.

Waves in this part of Goa are extremely rare, so Candolim has become a favorite vacation spot for older people and families with children from Europe. Also, wealthy Indians often come here.

It is interesting that there are always many tourists in Candolim, but the local beach cannot be called noisy - here you can always find a quiet place for relaxation and meditation. One of the reasons is that merchants and fishermen are not allowed on the beach. Also, police are often seen here, thanks to which Candolim is considered one of the safest resorts in India.

The beach has many sun loungers, straw umbrellas and tables. They belong to the owners of local cafes, so in order to use the infrastructure of the beach for free, you need to order some kind of drink or dish. Toilets and changing rooms are also available.

It is unlikely to find a shadow on the beach itself - palm trees grow 120-150 meters from the sea.

In the southern part of Candolim there are many rental locations for sports equipment.

In the evening, the beach comes to life - karaoke, bars begin to work, and many locals come to admire the setting sun. Do not forget to make a couple of beautiful photos of Candolim in Goa.

Things to do

You won’t be able to find water attractions and sport equipment rental points on the Candolima beach itself, so if you want to have fun, head towards the village of Sinquerim (south direction). There you can ride a banana, a boat and a catamaran.

Diving is one of the main attractions in Candolim. The underwater world, amazingly beautiful, contributes to this: colorful corals, large fish and seahorses. Many divers recommend diving into one of the wrecks nearby, an unforgettable experience.

You can find a good instructor either directly in India, on Candolim beach, or on the Internet (there are really a lot of diving schools in Goa).

Near the coast of Goa, fishermen often meet dolphins. Tourists can also see them. To do this, you need to rent a boat and go on a short trip.

The Sunburn Festival is an electronic dance music festival that takes place in February. The dance floor is located right on the coast.

Last year, the festival was not held in Candolim, but in Pune. Nevertheless, local residents hope that next year the holiday will return to them again.

To those places where you should go to Candolim, Goa, you should include night markets - at night they are popular among Europeans, and Indians are rarely seen here. Since sellers are guided by foreigners, here you can find those things that you will not see during the day: all kinds of amulets, minerals, figurines, Indian jewelry.

Usually local artists perform at night markets - they dance, sing and entertain the audience in every way. Tourists are advised to look at one of these events.

Housing

About 250 hotels and guesthouses have been opened in Candolim. There are both huge five-star hotels and modest apartments.

So, a room in a 3 *** hotel for two in the high season will cost 40-120 dollars (a very wide range of prices). As a rule, this price includes an on-site swimming pool and restaurant, airport transfer, free parking and free breakfast.

A hotel room 4 **** in high season for two will cost 70-140 dollars. Living conditions are very different, but usually the price includes free spa treatments, the opportunity to swim in the on-site pool and relax in comfortable gazebos, a very good breakfast.

Guesthouses are the most budgetary, but no less convenient option. On average, a night for two in the high season will cost $ 25-30. The price includes buffet breakfast, free Wi-Fi, parking and beautiful sea views from the room.

Please note that there are very few guesthouses in Candolim and must be booked in advance.

As such, there are no areas in Candolim, so stopping is where you can afford. It is clear that the highest prices are in hotels located on the first coastline.

Where to eat

Candolim in India is a paradise for lovers of good food. There are a huge number of cafes, restaurants, bars. They prepare both local and European dishes. Travelers recommend trying seafood and freshly squeezed juices.

Please note that unlike most Indian resorts, there are not a large number of shops with fast food. It is also unlikely to succeed in trying the food that the locals eat.

It is interesting that in addition to the dishes presented on the menu, in most cafes you can buy fresh seafood by weight. Tourists say prices are not higher than market prices.

Thus, in Candolim you can have a hearty lunch without spending more than 1,000 rupees ($ 14).

How to get there (from Dabolim Airport)

Dabolim is the only airport in the state of Goa, whose main task is to serve tourists. Both scheduled and charter flights arrive here. The airport receives more than 3.5 million passengers a year.

Candolim is located 14 km from Panaji and 40 km from Dabolim Airport.

This is the most comfortable and fastest option. For those who travel with a large suitcase - and completely the only one. Get to Candolim in 1 hour. The cost will be 900-1000 rupees (15-16 dollars).

Please note that there are 2 types of taxis in Goa:

1. Taxis of the Indian Department (black and yellow).
2. Goa-accredited taxis (white).

There is no significant difference between these taxis, but the prices are exactly the same.

There is a more difficult option - you must first get to Mapusa, and after that get to Candolim. The way from Dabolim Airport to Mapusa can be done by bus. Travel time is 1 hour. Cost - 20 rupees. Next, you must either transfer to another bus, next to Candolim, or get to your destination by taxi. Travel time is 30 minutes. Cost - 15 rupees.

Useful Tips

1. The best time to visit Candolim in Goa, India is from October to February. This time of year is not so hot here (no more than +32 ° C), there are no heavy rains and high waves. The only negative is the relatively high prices in these months.
2. In order to feel the local flavor, visit the markets. There are both day and night. Here you can buy fragrant spices, souvenirs and incense sticks.
3. There are 2 supermarkets in Candolim - Newtone and Delfinos. The first is quite large, but the prices are higher. And the second is the standard “near the house” store, where there is everything you need.

4. Officially, you can buy alcohol only in stores, and it is allowed to do this from 8.00 to 22.00. The rest of the day, alcohol can be found in bars, but here they are sold at a premium.
5. If you arrive at Dabolim airport, experienced travelers are advised to look for the same tourists as you in order to travel by taxi together (it will be much cheaper). You can also join various groups in social networks in advance, where you can not only find a company, but also read real reviews about Candolima beach, see Goa photos made by tourists.
6. Be sure to check out the fish market - here you will find freshly caught shrimps and fish. The prices are low.
7. The nightlife in Candolim ends early - already at 12 a.m., the owners of cafes and bars gradually turn off the music, as if hinting that it was time to relax. On weekends, work a little longer - until 01.00-02.00 at night.

Candolim, Goa is an ideal holiday destination for those who are tired of the dirty beaches of India and annoying merchants.

Visiting a supermarket and cafe in Candolim:

Watch the video: Top10 Recommended Hotels in Candolim, Goa, India (December 2024).