I chose Gokarna over Goa and here are 9 'Not to be Missed' things

Gokarna over Goa?? Sounds weird? Keep reading.

Have you ever felt that you have missed out on a particular feeling which used to exist during a particular time but doesn’t exist anymore? I feel that for Goa. When I was younger, I have heard great stories about Goa. Then came “Dil chahta hai” and from then Goa was on my bucketlist.

But like everyone else, my plans kept getting cancelled and I could never visit it earlier. By the time I actually did, it was no longer the same Goa I used to hear about. It is heavily crowded, extremely commercialized, beaches are dirty. Also, there will be enough photo bombers in your pictures (basically too many people).

Must read: thalassa, kid friendly clubs in goa, Goa monsoon, Hidden places in Goa

This was two years back. Two years back, I visited Goa for 3 days and spent just one day in Gokarna. I regretted each moment spent in Goa. Gokarna is clearly a paradise. If you want "peaceful self-introspection" kind of experience with no crowd and simple people, Gokarna is the place.

To get over that regret, I visited Gokarna again during this Januray and this time with enough time in hand. Here are some things which no one should miss out in Gokarna.

9 things to not miss in Gokarna:

1. Sunset at Kudle Beach:

Please take this recommendation very seriously and do not miss this.

Kudle beach is 2 km from Gokarna bus stand and you can take an auto which will cost you around ₹ 100-150 or walk.

There are plenty of stay options available like huts, shacks and cafes. You will be staying right in front of the beach. Staying here will cost you between ₹ 300-1000, depending on the your bargaining abilities and duration of stay. I stayed just for a day and it costed ₹ 800.

If anyone is looking for a luxury stay, Kudle Ocean Front is one great options (Will cost more than 3.5 k though).

The beach is extremely clean and water is not very wild.

The sunset here is one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever witnessed.

Head over to my Instagram stories for some awesome videos or check it here:

2. Gokarna Trek:

In love with mountains but couldn’t resist beaches too?

Well, you are not the only one with this dilemma. Gokarna beach trek lets you experience the thrill of trekking while landing you at beautiful serene beaches. Best part about this trek is you get to see all the famous beaches. Now there are two ways to finish this beach. One is start before sunrise and you will be able to finish it in 5-7 hours or camp at paradise beach and finish it the next day.

Start from Belekan beach. This is the most unheard beach and you will find only local fishermen here, which makes it extremely clean. If you start before sunrise, you will get to see a really peaceful sunset here.

From Belekan Beach, it’s an easy way up to the paradise beach. Route is well marked too.

Paradise beach is the only beach where individual camping is allowed. You can spend a night infront of majestic sea under starry sky.

From Paradise beach, one has to trek to Half moon and then to Om beach.

The trek could be ended at Kudle Beach (Don’t miss the sunset). If you wish to not cover all the beaches, you can choose some from the map below and plan accordingly.

But, you will not regret taking this entire trek. Trust me on this. :)

3. Collect souvenirs:

Everyone loves memories, memories which give us hope, make us realize about great or bad times. I never buy souvenirs from any place I go to. Rather, I keep preserving my own version in the form of some sand from favorite beach, a fallen leaf or a some shells collected while watching the best sunset. This things will keep reminding me that I was living life and I am living.

You can do that too. (Thoda jyada gyaan, hai na?)

4. Mahabaleshwar Temple:

Now, I know I should be the last person to ask you to visit a temple. But, this is why you shouldn’t miss this one.

Remember the times in our childhood when we used to go to some old temples and it used to feel pure and serene. This will feel the same. Architecture enthusiast will find it more interesting because of the Dravidian architecture. The temple is 500 m from Gokarna Bus Stand.

P.S. there is free food. :)

5. Nirvana Beach:

Nirvana Beach is around 10 km from Gokarna bus stop. It’s in Kagal village, Kumta. To reach here, you can rent an active or any two wheeler, which you should rent anyway if you aren’t going to do Gokarna beach trek. The best thing about this beach is breathtaking sight of gleaming phytoplanktons. The beach will give you one of the best eye satisfying sights. You can spend a night here and have some quality time with a bonfire and stars above your head.

6. Water Sports:

What is a trip without some adventure, huh? Well, you can enjoy Banana Boat Ride or Jet ski. It costs around ₹300-500 and is really thrilling.

7. Beach Yoga:

You will see many people from foreign countries who must be living here for weeks. People come here for spiritual experience and you will find some people doing Yoga or exercising or just looking at the waves (and may be having an existential crisis).

If you want to clear your head, beach yoga is a good idea.

8. Introspect:

For me the purpose of travelling to a new place is also about conditioning my brain to a new surrounding and let it work naturally. This way, a lot of confusion gets cleared.

Spend some time with yourself, your choices and what do you actually want from life. Peaceful evenings with grand sea are for that, of course after you have had fun with waves and sunset.

9. Local Market:

Gokarna is actually a tiny village with a vintage soul. You will find locals peacefully sitting and enjoying life. Getting something vintage with bohemian vibe for yourself or your friends is one good step towards helping the locals earn. You can buy comfortable colorful clothes with hippie vibe or ornaments made with sea shell.

Don’t forget to share a light conversation and get clicked with them.

How to reach:

From Bangalore: Gokarna is around 550 km from Bangalore. There are plenty of overnight buses available directly from Bangalore to Gokarna and take 9-10 hours to reach.

From Delhi: You have to take a flight to Goa. From Goa, take a train from Madgaon to Gokarna Road( only 2 trains available). Train will take 2-2.5 hours. From Gokarna Road, Gokarna town is around 10 kms, take a local bus or an Auto.

Cost for 3 N4D for 1 person :

Transportation: ~₹1800 (Bus Blr-Gokarna-Blr)

Stay: ~₹ 1000 (2000 for 2 people)

Food: ~₹1000 (Simple vegetarian food if you remember)

Bike rent: ~ ₹ 700 (500 for Activa and 200 for Fuel)

Water sports: ~ ₹700 (300 for banana boat ride and 400 for Jet Ski)

Miscellaneous: ~₹500

Total: ~5700

Pro Tips:

1. Unless its peak travel season, do not book your stay online for Kudle Beach. Hut are very different from online pictures. There are plenty of stay options available. Reach to the beach, ask around, have a look at the place, bargain and then decide to stay.

2. Do not take trolley bags. Trolley bags could be real fun killer when you will be trailing down to reach to the beach from the main road. Take rucksacks and of course travel light. Gokarna is a tropical place, so you don’t need a lot of clothes anyway.

3. Most of the cafes accept digital payment. So, no need to carry a lot of cash.

4. I did not book hostels intentionally because most of the hostels were costing 500-800, which is high as per Gokarna standards for a hostel. For meeting new people, you anyway have beaches and cafes. So, go for beach side cafes or huts for your stay.

Also read: bioluminescence in gokarna

5. Travel responsibly. Our little care towards our own way of travel can prevent Gokarna from becoming another Goa. Let’s admire our privileges and keep the beaches clean.

If you liked this blog, check out my Instagram. You can drop a DM there or comment below in case of any query.

Also, check out my other travel stories, here.

(There is good hidden part of Goa which isn't that commercialized yet but not many people are aware of. I will write about that soon.)

Let’s Wander!