About Goa
Goa is India’s smallest – and some would say most friendly – state, boasting some of the best beaches in Asia. However, it’s not just sand, sea and sunsets. Goa’s mix of Indian and Portuguese heritage means you will find white churches poking out from the coconut palms alongside Hindu temples. Patnem beach is a very safe place for guests to arrive alone and go out at night.
Whilst some of north Goa has suffered from over-development, the far south is still unspoilt, with its lush mountain range, beautiful backwaters and long golden beaches. It is against this this peaceful tropical backdrop in Goa that Bamboo runs its yoga holidays and retreats.
Polem Beach
Bamboo Yoga Retreat is located at the far southern end of beautiful Polem beach in Canacona, South Goa. Polem beach is Goa’s southernmost beach, a serene and secluded 700-metre stretch of pristine golden sand fringed with coconut palms and native casuarina trees and flanked at the northern and southern ends by rocky hillocks, offering peace and tranquility amidst a stunningly beautiful natural setting which is reminiscent of how Goa was 50 years ago before the tourists arrived. The beach is perfect for quiet sunbathing and swimming, and there is even access by boat and by foot across the rocks to other hideaway coves and beaches.
There are very few tourists at Polem beach, even in the peak tourist season, so it remains quiet and secluded, making it a very good place for a relaxing holiday away from it all. Local town Chaudi, a 20-minute drive away, has banks and ATMs, a supermarket, well-stocked chemists, and a colourful Saturday fruit and veg market. The busier beach resorts of Palolem and Patnem are also only a 20-minute taxi or rickshaw ride away, with their wider mix of cafes, restaurants and bars, money exchange and travel agents, and shops selling clothing and souvenirs alongside everyday essential such as toiletries, are also only a 20-minute taxi or rickshaw ride away.
Local Trips & Local Excursions
If you fancy a day off the mat, of have some time after your yoga retreat on Polem Beach, there are some wonderful places to visit in Goa.
From boat trips to spot dolphins and kayaking to secret coves, to exploring the coastline by scooter. Drive through picturesque fishing villages to the close-by turtle-nesting beach of Galjibag, or seek out the freshwater lagoon at Cola beach and the spectacular sea views from Cabo de Rama Fort.
Nature lovers will enjoy Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots just a few kilometres south of Patnem. Whether or not you catch a glimpse of an elusive leopard or a troop of monkeys, the mountainous jungle scenery is spectacular.
If you’re an architecture buff, take a trip to the colonial Latin quarter in Panjim, Goa’s new capital, and to Old Goa, the historic city of the Portuguese eastern empire. The Lunch Club by KOKOindia offers a unique cultural experience ‘beyond the beach’, with a private tour of one of Goa’s grand mansions, and an authentic Indo-Portuguese lunch in a restored Palacio.
Shoppers and souvenir seekers will love the weekly flea and night markets in north Goa, where you can find everything from silk scarves and silver jewellery to sandals, sarongs and spices. Remember to haggle – it’s all part of the experience!
plane
Patnem beach is around and hour and a half’s drive from Goa’s Dabolim airport, where both international charter and domestic flights land. Many international scheduled flights land in Mumbai, an hour’s flight from Goa. We can arrange for one of our drivers to meet you from your flight at the airport no matter what time you arrive.
Two way transfer around 50 euros for a normal size car.
train
Canacona has a train station just 10 minutes away from Patnem by rickshaw, although many faster trains only call at Margao (Madgaon) station, an hour’s drive away. India’s trains are an economical and exciting way of covering longer distances, if you plan on extending your holiday with a visit to Kerala or are ending a hectic north India trip with some relaxing and rejuvenating yoga.
bus
Buses navigate India’s rather bumpy roads to Goa from all the major cities, such as Mumbai /Bombay and Bangalore, as well as via popular tourist destinations including Hampi and Gokarna. Chaudi has a bus station, although you may need to get a local bus here from Margao. Make sure you get a sleeper bus for overnight journeys!
Whatever your mode of travel, we recommend that you book as far ahead as possible, to get best prices and availability
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Air India
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Charter Flights
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Cheapflights.co.uk
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Getting to Bamboo Yoga Retreat in Goa
You can book a taxi pick up service through us with one of our friendly safe drivers and then our boys will meet you to carry your bags down Polem Beach to our resort.
Alternatively you can book a pre-paid taxi from at the airport, and Margao train station offer fair and fixed rates. Ask us if you need any advice on getting to Goa or to Bamboo Yoga Retreat on Polem Beach.
Getting Around Goa
Most of the time you will just want to stroll along the golden sand on Polem, but if you want to get into the local town or visit other local beaches like Talpona, Galgibag, Patnem, Palolem or Agonda or Palolem, there are lots of transport options, from hiring a bicycle or scooter to jumping in the back of a bouncy rickshaw.
For travel further afield we can arrange taxi hire at reasonable rates.
