Goa
Colva and Palolem South Goa Beaches
Beaches & Coastline
Duration5 Days / 4 Nights
Trip TypePrivate & customisable
Best Time to VisitOct – Mar
PaceRelaxed
ThemesBeaches & Coastline
Starting From$465
Route Covered
Overnight stops in day order1Colva and Benaulim
Overview
Two stretches of the Goa coast in five days: this Colva to Palolem beach tour spends two nights at Colva and Benaulim (Salcete), then two at Palolem and Patnem (Canacona). Couples and families after unhurried beach days with some culture will enjoy it, October to March. A private car and airport transfers are included.
Who it suits
Beach-first travellers who want two quiet bases, short drives and some culture; not for nightlife seekers or monsoon visitors
Highlights
Colva BeachOur Lady of Mercy Church, ColvaBenaulim villageGoa Chitra museum, BenaulimChurch of St John the Baptist, BenaulimDolphin boat tripPalolem BeachButterfly BeachPatnem BeachRajbag
Good to know
Short drives
The longest road leg is the 64 km airport drop-off, and the move between the two bases is about 37 kmMonsoon
Rain is heavy from June to September, which is why the dates sit between October and MarchButterfly Beach
The cove is reached by boat from Palolem, so fare, return time and sea conditions are settled with the boatman that dayDress
Shoulders and knees need covering in churches, Our Lady of Mercy at Colva among themDay-by-Day Itinerary
Highlights
- First walk on Colva Beach
Arrive at Dabolim airport and settle in at Colva
- 1Your driver meets you at Goa International Airport
- 2About 21 km south by road to Colva
- 3Check in and rest
- 4A first stroll on the sand at day's end, time allowing
Dabolim airport to Colva, ~21 km, ~35 mins
Highlights
- Colva Beach
- Our Lady of Mercy Church
- Goa Chitra museum
- Church of St John the Baptist
- Optional dolphin boat trip
Colva beach, Menino Jesus church and Benaulim
- 1Start on Colva's 2.4 km beach, with a dolphin boat trip as an option
- 2Our Lady of Mercy Church, where the Menino Jesus statue stands
- 3Benaulim, about 2 km south, is known for its rosewood furniture
- 4A guided visit to the Goa Chitra museum and the hilltop Church of St John the Baptist
Local sightseeing between Colva and Benaulim, Short local drives
Highlights
- Palolem crescent bay
- Evening beach walk
Colva to Palolem and a first evening on the bay
- 1A slow morning, then about 37 km south from Benaulim into Canacona
- 2Check in near Palolem
- 3Stroll along the 1.6 km crescent bay, framed by two rocky headlands
- 4Boats and fading light to watch from the sand
Colva and Benaulim to Palolem, ~37 km, ~1 hr
Highlights
- Butterfly Beach boat trip
- Dolphin-spotting trip
- Patnem Beach
- Colomb Bay
- Rajbag
Butterfly Beach by boat and quiet Patnem
- 1A boat from Palolem to Butterfly Beach, a small cove backed by forest, or a dolphin-spotting trip instead
- 2Free afternoon on return
- 3Round Colomb Bay to the south for Patnem, a calmer and shorter beach
- 4Rajbag, about 2 km south of Palolem, as an option
Local sightseeing around Palolem and Patnem, Short local drives
Highlights
- Last morning on Palolem Beach
Last morning at Palolem and flight home
- 1A quick swim or last beach stroll if the flight allows
- 2Check out
- 3About 64 km north by road to Goa International Airport at Dabolim, with a safe margin before your flight
Palolem to Dabolim airport, ~64 km, ~1 hr 30 mins
Starting from$465Twin sharing, 3-star hotels, private car with driver, excludes flights.
Indicative — varies with season and hotel category.
Want a different budget?
Pick a range and we'll tailor the days, stays or extras to fit. Leave this blank to book as shown above.
Trip Facts
Activity LevelEasy. Beach walks, short church and museum visits, and boat rides if you choose them.
What to PackLight cottons, swimwear, sunscreen and a hat, sandals for the sand and a light cover-up for churches.
Local CustomsInside churches, shoulders and knees should be covered. Before a boat leaves the beach, agree the fare, the destination and the return time with its operator.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
4 nights' accommodation in 3-star hotels, twin sharingDaily breakfastPrivate air-conditioned car with driver for all transfers and sightseeingAirport pick-up and drop-off at Goa International Airport, DabolimEnglish-speaking guide for the Day 2 sightseeingParking and road tolls
Not included
FlightsMeals other than breakfastMuseum and church-site entrance fees, if anyBoat tickets for the dolphin and Butterfly Beach tripsWater-sports and beach activitiesTips and personal expenses
Quick Answers
Similar Packages
Other private trips that visit the same places.
4D / 3NGoa
Arambol Quiet North Goa Retreat
An Arambol tour package of four days and three nights on one North Goa base, with a walk to the Sweet Water Lagoon and a day among Mandrem and Morjim.
ArambolBeaches & Coastline
7D / 6NKerala
Kerala Honeymoon Escape
A Kerala honeymoon tour package: 7 days from Munnar's tea hills to a backwater houseboat cruise at Alleppey and the beaches of Kovalam.
Munnar → Alleppey (Alappuzha) → KovalamHoneymoon & Romance
4D / 3NGoa
Palolem Bay Retreat
A Palolem beach retreat in Canacona, South Goa: three nights between Palolem and Patnem, with Butterfly Beach, dolphin boats and a Cabo de Rama fort day.
Palolem and PatnemBeaches & Coastline