Patnem beach is an appealing alternative to south Goa's popular Palolem beach, for those who don't want to be right in the middle of the action but still want some entertainment. It's lined with beach shacks and huts, yet there's plenty of space for everyone.
Patnem Location:
Patnem is located in south Goa, 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Marago and 78 kilometers (48 miles) from Panaji, the state's capital. It's only 5 minutes from Palolem beach, with Colomb beach situated in between. The region's main town, Chaudi (also known as Canacona), is conveniently a couple of minutes away in case you need to go an ATM or buy supplies.
Getting to Patnem:
The closest railway stations to Palolem are Marago on the Konkan Railway and Canacona. Canacona is a 5 minute drive away from Patnem and the journey costs around 50-100 rupees ($1-2) in an auto rickshaw. Marago is 40 minutes away and costs 600-700 rupees in a taxi. Alternatively, Goa's Dabolim airport is around one and a half hours away. A taxi from the airport will cost 1,000-1,500 rupees ($20-30). After you've walked out of the airport, you'll find a prepaid taxi counter to the left.
Patnem Weather:
Patnem has warm weather throughout the year. Temperatures rarely reach more than 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day or drop below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) at night. Some winter nights can get a bit chilly from December to February though. Patnem gets rain from the southwest monsoon from June to August. The beach huts are dismantled during this time, and most places close down. The tourist season kicks off in late October and starts winding up late March.
Patnem Attractions:
At the far north end of the beach, perched on the hill, you'll find Harmonic. This eco-friendly healing place offers a range of wellness treatments and retreats, including yoga and reiki. The nightlife in Patnem is very laid back but sometimes there will be live music in the beach shacks, which encourage tourists to bring their instruments and play. However, the main attractions at Patnem are just lazing on the beach and swimming. There are a few shops lining the road leading up to the beach if you feel like shopping. They sell the usual tourist fare -- silver jewelery, hippie clothes, and bags.
Patnem Hotels:
The majority of accommodations at Patnem consist of beach huts. This guide to the best Goa beach huts offers some suggestions. Although Patnem is quieter than Palolem, it tends to be a bit more expensive. You'll find the cheaper huts located at the southern of the beach. At the far northern end, Hidden Gourmet receives great reviews. Home is Patnem offers cottages and a much sought after restaurant. Cuba, which has great huts at Palolem beach, also has a huts on Patnem beach (the apartments are more like 10-15 minutes walk from the beach rather than the claimed five minutes though). If you don't mind staying a little bit back from the beach, Nina's is very popular. The owner is Swiss. If you want to pamper yourself, for something very unique don't miss staying at Turiya Villa & Spa, in nearby Chaudi/Canacona village. This gorgeously renovated 100 year old Goan house is a peaceful wellness haven, with on-site Ayurvedic spa. It's possible to go for a treatment without staying there. Indeed, it's worth a visit just to see how the villa has been designed.
