Date: 1st March, 2010
Since this was my last day in Gokarna, and since I was all by myself, I decided to do things at my own pace.
Woke up at around 10am, did my business in the common restrooms, paid for my room/hut and then checked out. Stocked up on water and said my goodbyes to the staff at Sunset Cafe.
My second post has photos of Sunset Cafe but if you want to call for reservations, the numbers mentioned on the card they gave me are: (0) 94485 26270 & (0) 93410 79315. They have huts and rooms with prices starting from Rs. 250 onwards.
I thought I’d be of service to my readers and friends by checking out a few other hotel options that looked like decent places to stay on Kudle beach.
By far the most expensive hotel on Kudle Beach is Hotel Gokarna International.
And by ‘expensive,’ I mean this is the only proper hotel on Kudle beach. Just about everything else offers simple huts and small bricked rooms. Rates here range from Rs. 1200 ($26/€19) to Rs. 1500 ($33/€24) for double rooms. Not all rooms face the sea — so you can imagine which ones cost more. Hotel Gokarna International has a bar and a restaurant serving both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. And don’t worry, no shared bathrooms here.
Next up is a funky little place called Jazzmin Cafe & German Bakery. They were fairly accommodating and asked me to take as many photos as I wanted. So I did.
When I questioned them on prices, they told me it’s best I e-mail them with my “requirements” (e-mail: jazzmincafe@yahoo.com).
At the other extreme end of Kudle beach is Ganga Cafe, which looked like a pretty decent place too but I couldn’t have been bothered to walk all the way there with all my bags in the hot sun. Sorry.
UPDATE: A reader who visited in December 2017 was kind enough to share some numbers of places to stay on Kudle beach:
- Sangrila Cafe – 9611846251, 9535214217
- Sun Shine Cafe – 9686730995
- Sea View – 8884397213
- Shree Umamaheshwara Cottage – 8884073066, 9343596569
- Sea Rock Cafe – 9916729466, 7829814881
- Goutami Prasad Restaurant & Guesthouse – 9886897597, 9741397597
So with all my bags in tow, I made my way up the rabbit hole for the last time.
I took it slow as with a laptop on my back, a camera bag on the left shoulder and a tripod on the other — it was literally back-breaking.
I then took the same path over the hill to Om Beach, which is where I decided I’d spend the day before heading back to town. The reason I opted to stay back one more day was to take a lot of videos on my camera (Canon 7D). Of course, I did take photos in between.
It was already past noon by the time I reached Om Beach so I decided to have an early lunch. I walked into Namaste Cafe, by far the most popular joint on Om Beach and a preferred stay for many who tend to book rooms in advance.
Their restaurant was quite busy as well.
Namaste Cafe has a variety of rooms from basic huts to air-conditioned rooms and prices start from Rs. 200 upwards. For more information, call (08386) 257141/ (0) 94481 53643.
Om Beach attracted bus loads of people that day, guessing because some people got holidays for the festival of Holi.
After a long & lazy lunch, I decided to walk up Om Beach and climb up the path to Half-Moon beach. So I asked my waiter if I could leave my laptop bag at a safe location at the restaurant itself. After doing so, with my tripod and camera bag, I set off once again.
I had to wear socks this time as my feet were getting blisters and scratches from my floaters and from walking barefoot on the sand.
I took the same path we took the day before.
I stopped at the point from where if you were to take a left turn, you would be on the path to Half-Moon beach.
As it was nearing 5pm, I decided to head back to Om beach.
Back at Namaste Cafe, I collected my laptop bag, washed up, cooled off with a lime soda and then made my way up to the auto stand.
Got into one, and saw the beautiful coastlines of Gokarna one last time while I made my way back into town.
Since I had some time to kill before my boarding the bus, I went to the Gokarna beach area for some photographs.
By this point, my camera battery was dying from all the video I recorded during the day. But I couldn’t help but click these posters.
I don’t know what the play was about but I would’ve loved to have found out. Going by their faces I’m guessing it involves killing the make-up artist.
After this, I switched off my camera and made my way to bus. The VRL buses begin at the same spot they drop you in the morning coming from Bangalore. By 6:45pm, it makes it’s way to the town office where it picks up the remaining passengers.
I took this opportunity to go out and grab some grub. I had a sudden yearning to have some ice cream but some stores ran out. Others pointed me to an old rustic coffee shop up the road.
As I patiently waited for the old man at the counter to finish tabulating his bills, I asked for “ice cream”. And then he ran down the list of flavours he had. Going by what he listed, I realized this was home-made ice cream and not the usual mass-produced artificially-flavoured stuff.
I opted for a scoop of mango and he packed one up in a generic ice cream cup with a lid and spoon. All this for how much? Rs. 6 ($0.13).
In many ways, Gokarna feels like it’s stuck in time. A time and a place where you can get a cup of ice cream for just Rs. 6, where ATMs aren’t available in every nook & corner and amenities are basic at best.
The very same reasons I seemed to love Gokarna. It may not remain like this forever, that’s for sure, but I’m sure about one thing — I’m definitely coming back!
Book Gokarna hotels at Booking.com
Previous posts in this series:
Gokarna 2010: Day 2 – Gokarna town, Kudle Beach and Sunset Cafe
Gokarna 2010: Day 1 – Trekking from Kudle -> Om -> Half Moon -> Paradise beach
Mithun Divakaran
05/12/2011Yeah, I still think it won’t get as crowded as Goa’s beaches because, it’s still not as easily accessible as Goa’s popular beaches are.
RAHUL
08/12/2011when is the visit?
Kelly
15/12/2011Hi,
I tried to call the numbers you have given for sunset cafe, they both dont seem to work? Do you know if they are correct or a common mistake i might be dialling wrong? Do you know if they have an email address? I am hoping to make a reservation for next week.
Thanks!
Kelly Reply:
December 15th, 2011 at 11:01 AM
dont worry it worked. all full 🙁
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
December 15th, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Were you trying to book a place for the last week of December? Would be really tough to get rooms then :-/
aathira nair
22/12/2011hey this is really cool..feel like leaving for gokarna right now 🙂 awesome article
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:52 PM
Well, if you get a room.. go! 🙂
Sinduja
26/12/2011Thanks so much for the info. I hope this helps. Leaving for Gokarna soon, so this is really a lot of info. I esp. liked the store with the musical instruments.
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 9:17 PM
Have fun!
Mahendra
05/01/2012Nicely written with cool photos. Liked it. Keep writing like this.
Arun
01/04/2012Hi mithun, very well narrated travel blog and loads of informative stuff for traveler’s.
Since your focus was more on Kudle and Om beach. I would like to know if there are good shacks available on Paradise beach and Half-moon as well.
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
April 1st, 2012 at 3:42 PM
There are enough shacks available at both those beaches, so food and drinks are no issue on Paradise and Half-Moon beach. You have more privacy at those beaches as they are not easily accessible.
Arun Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:38 PM
Thank you Mithun for the details.
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 2:45 AM
No problem 🙂
Mark
26/07/2012Way to go…. wish I could find more such wonderful places to visit.. making a trip for sure. Cant wait to explore… Thanks Buddy.. let me know your other experiences like this for me to explore..
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:27 AM
Thanks for the comment Mark. Yeah, there’s more exploring for me to do in India. Otherwise there are plenty of such travelogues from my other experiences across Asia that may interest you 🙂
sangu
01/08/2012Hi ! it’s nice photos which i also visited the place, if any body send an email with details of sri sri shandilya maharaj of Gokarna whose samadhi in ramtirth Gokarn . It will be very helpful to me, I am his
devotee. I hear he stayed long period in Gokarn.
Kindly provide me his details as under.
His origin, his places of visit, his life style and events, his differant styles of phots
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
August 2nd, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Sorry, I know nothing about Sri Sri Shandilya Maharaj.
Tina
07/08/2012Wow, thank you for these pictures. They look amazing!
Leonard Dass
23/08/2012Hey Mithun,
This was brilliantly written. You covered each and every point [as if you were really paid to do so 🙂 ].
I had been to Gokarna in the March of 2011 , from my native place Bengaluru with my cousin, his friend and my friend my Mumbai( I’m from Mumbai too). And as your last line said “I’m definitely coming back!” , I am going again this September 🙂 . So I just thought of brushing up a bit before my trip and hence came across your blog. I am pretty much excited this time as I am taking with me my DSLR, so hoping to get some great shots 🙂
I will be traveling from Mumbai this time, and plan on staying in Gokarna for 2-3 days and then head to Goa for a couple of days and then back home. I read your entire blog from Day 1, and felt it would be selfish on my part if I did not appreciate the effort you put in with the great info you provided. So, thanks a lot bro… Keep up the good work..!!!
Cheers,
Leo
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
August 24th, 2012 at 3:21 AM
Hey thanks for the compliments Leonard! Send a link to your photos once you are back. I’d like to see what the same places look like now 🙂
Leo Reply:
August 25th, 2012 at 11:28 PM
Yes surely Mithun. I will do so.
Will send you a friend request on FB.
Cheers,
Leo
Keerthi
03/11/2012Hi Mithun,
Very nice blog.
Im from Bangalore, We are a gang of 10 to 11 friends and planning to celebrate new year in kudle beach and yes its very tough to get the contact details to book shacks there if you could help me out in getting contacts would be great.
Looking forward for your reply.
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
November 4th, 2012 at 1:35 AM
Sorry Keerthi but all I have is the information above. I don’t know if you have seen Gokarna Beach Resort, but try calling them up: http://gokarnbeachresort.com/ Obviously rates will be higher because it’s not a shack, but it would be easier to book.
luxury family resorts
26/11/2012Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m
not writing all that over again. Anyways, just
wanted to say wonderful blog!
Ria
26/11/2012Nicely written..i like your posts…interesting and informative
Akriti Rana
28/12/2012Hey. Thanks a ton for such detailed information 🙂 your blog is nothing like I come across usually, really impressive! I’m actually leaving for Gokarna tomorrow with a group of 6 and i was wondering if it’s really difficult to find hotels at this time? I haven’t made any reservations yet, would you suggest i make one? And what will be the rates that i come across? I’m just looking for a decent room with attached toilet, nothing fancy.. Hoping to hear from you soon..Cheers!
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
December 28th, 2012 at 7:54 PM
The only proper hotel on Kudle beach is Gokarna Beach Resort (pictured above) http://gokarnbeachresort.com/. You best call them before arriving because there are several hundreds just like your heading there at this time of the year. As for the other beaches, you best show up and pray they have something available 🙂 All rates will go up towards New Years Eve, and I’m sure rates have gone up since 2010. Have fun and be safe!
Anjana
17/01/2013I am not going to repeat the cliched observations of the others. Those are understood and established by now i guess 🙂 . What I do want to tell you is that you have an amazing sense of humor :D. The photo tag lines so easily crack me up 🙂 really really funny and unassuming 🙂
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
January 17th, 2013 at 5:49 PM
Thanks for that! And yes, I am funny 🙂
Jaita
08/03/2013Can anyone help with the number of Jazzmin Cafe ? trying to get in touch
Oliver Miguel
18/07/2013namaste yoga farm on kudle beach is the alternative to the international hotel.
check http://www.spiritualland.com and tripadvisor.com
Akshay
21/10/2014http://axaytravelandphotography.blogspot.in/
chandrakishore
19/01/2015Thanks for your motivational post! I guess that this article gives us lot of hope and confidence in the things we are gonna do!
armin
12/07/2015What if i go there with my GF…is it safe place to stay….
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
July 13th, 2015 at 2:15 AM
Yes it is. If you don’t encounter any drunks that is. And when I mean drunks, I’m talking about the local villagers near the beaches. The tourists there are mostly in their 20s and 30s.
Nishant Sharma
19/08/2015Hi
Hope you are doing good 🙂
I just check you have almost info for all the beaches and for cafe too.
The thing is we visit Gokarna last year and we all planing again for December again and we lost a contact number where we stay last time. The name of cafe is Gautami Cafe is there any way you can help me with that ? And this cafe is near by the that Ayurveda cafe.
Revert me back if you get any contact info
Ushendra
02/10/2015Hello mithun…
great help from your articles on gokarna.
planning to visit oct end.do we get two wheelers on rent.if so please suggest who.
require 1ac room for family opposite the sea n wifi.
please suggest and advice.
thanks bro.
regards.
ushendra.
wattsapp
+917708690985
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
October 2nd, 2015 at 12:30 PM
I haven’t been to Gokarna in 5 years, so it’s best you call up Hotel Gokarna International and ask if bike rentals are available.
Raj
01/11/2015Are there any call girl in this area???
Raghuveer
25/08/2016Hey,
I normally go there alone for a vacation alone most of the time. This year a few friends of mine are planing to tag along. Could any one help with the price for the shacks to budget the tip accordingly.
Thanks.. any one could help.
Shahbaz
19/10/2016Can you please help me regarding the stay options there. I’m going with gf and need a proper cottage beach side on kudle beach, as Om beach s crowded. Is it easy n economical to find stay at kudle beach? Like directly going and booking on spot? Or did you pre book online on any site? Please note travelling 30th October
Please help.
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
October 19th, 2016 at 2:40 PM
Is it easy? No, because most of these hotels don’t have websites. Economical, yes. Because much of the accommodations are pretty basic. I haven’t gone back to Gokarna in 6 years so I can’t make any suggestions because I don’t know how many of the above stay options still exist.
Chandan CM
28/10/2016Well written. It is insightful and informative too. This would help me during the trip
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
October 29th, 2016 at 12:12 AM
Glad my blog could help Chandan! 🙂
Madhu
15/12/2016Beautiful photographs and after looking into photographs came to know that there are many places which I didn’t visit, My bad luck did got any good resort also. Now am planning to visit again with all set.
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
December 16th, 2016 at 12:08 AM
Enjoy your second trip! 🙂
Madhu
16/12/2016Thank you, Mr. Mithun Divakaran. I would enjoy more this time, Kindly keep update us about new trips.
INDRA
20/12/2016Mithun need your suggestion booked for karwar stay after seeing your article feel like visiting gokarna is there public transport to karwar from gokarna upto( timings )
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
December 21st, 2016 at 4:17 PM
I don’t know about timings but there are buses from Karwar to Gokarna. Kumta – Gokarna buses are even more frequent.