Gokarna, also known as Mini Goa, is a coastal region located on the west side of Karnataka. Beaches all around, Gokarna offers beautiful scenic views and a chilled vibe. Gokarna has many beaches in OM Beach & Kudle Beach is the most famous. OM Beach is on the south side of Kudle beach, and it’s more chilled. Kudle beach is the happening beach in Gokarna with tons of activities, homestays and cafes.
Weather, Seasons & Best Time to Visit
Gokarna is always hot due to its geographical location. However, March to May will be the hottest time to visit. Monsoon might also not be the best time to visit. The ideal time would be between November and February as the weather is not too hot.
Cost of Living
Gokarna is an inexpensive place to visit. The beach guesthouses might be slightly expensive, but the city is much cheaper. Om Beach has many homestays, and it’s cheaper than Kudle beach. The main city area also has good stays and is much cheaper than the beach properties.
Best Area to Stay & Choosing the Best Hotel
My recommendation for a good stay would be in the city because Gokarna beaches are landlocked. It’s very difficult to climb and navigate. However, if you are interested just to stay at the beach, and enjoying the local cafe atmosphere, then Kudle beach would be the best choice. If you are looking to stay at the beach but just want to be away from the crowd then Om Beach is the best location as it’s generally empty.
Important Sightseeing Destinations
As mentioned, the sightseeing destinations would be the beaches. If you are religious, then you should visit Mahabaleshwara Temple and Bhadrakali Temple. A couple of kilometres away from Gokarna is Mirjan Fort, and it’s a nice place to explore.
What & Where to Eat?
Gokarna doesn’t have a restaurant that needs a highlight. Most of the restaurants are beach cafes and serve basic cafe food. The cafes in Gokarna are too basic with bad food. Pick any restaurant, it is just average. I did try a lot of food, and none excited me. Seafood is also costly compared to other coastal areas, and it’s not even good.
Travel Tips
Gokarna is a chilled place but make sure you are clear in your head about the destination because you might be at the wrong destination. However, follow the tips below for extra advice.
- Beaches are landlocked, so brace yourself to walk a lot.
- Magic Lassi / Special Lassi is not available anymore. Do not ask, as you could be subjected to legal arrest.
- There are a lot of street dogs. Do not harm them, just feed them something.
- Carry sunscreen
- Do not drink or smoke on the beach. There are dedicated cafes for it.
