Less than 2 km south of Colva is the even more peaceful and serene beach of Benaulim, well known as the location for Taj Exotica, Goa. The swimming is good and long beach walks, a staple of a Goa holiday are specially enjoyable north to Colva. Walks or rides on the Beach Road through picturesque countryside 4 km to Colva are also equally enjoyable. The otherwise tranquil beach tends to get crowded on weekends when it attracts local picnickers. 

Dolphin watching boat trips are amongst the fun activities available here.

Benaulim is one of the few places where one can glimpse typical Goa handicrafts. The best of the traditional rosewood furniture is made here.

Taj Exotica Goa features some of the most respected restaurants of the Goa travel industry. Numerous good value restaurants and beach shacks along the beach cook up delicious dishes from varied cuisine. On offer are Seafood, Chinese and Tandoori, along with juices and coffee. Adega Camoens is a bar & cigar lounge cum disco at the Taj Exotica Goa that regularly features live bands.

The small Church of St John the Baptist is situated on a hill beyond the village, and worth a visit. Feast of St John (Sao Joao) is celebrated on 24^th June as a thanksgiving for the arrival of the monsoons. This is one of the most fascinating Christian festivals of Goa or India, where young men wearing crowns of leaves and fruits tour the area singing for gifts. They also jump in the brimming village wells to commemorate the movement of St John in his mother’s womb when Mary, the mother of Jesus, visited her.

Taj Exotica, Goa is one of the best beach resort hotels in Goa or India. It’s beautifully designed and offers a plethora of luxuries including sea facing rooms, varied restaurants, large pool, health club, 9-hole golf and lush gardens (Taj’s three other Goa beach resorts are at Fort Aguada). Royal Palms is one of the leading partly timeshare apartment hotels in Goa, it also offers villas. Along the Benaulim Beach Road there are many budget and typically ‘good & cheap’ Goa hotels with basic amenities.