• Visit one of the four beautiful beaches to the south. Kudle (pronounced Kudlee) is the first that you come to, about a 20 minute walk. Om is another 20 minute walk, and an additional 20 and 40 minute walk brings you to Half-moon Beach and Paradise Beach respectively. Walking to Half-moon and Paradise are not advisable during the monsoon as the walk is quite treacherous. Kudle is popular with those that are staying in town but want to spend the day at the beach, while Om is popular with those wanting to stay a few days or weeks and stare at the sea. Accommodation in huts or shacks and food are available always on all the beaches from 100 to 600/- per night. At Om beach there are 3 or 4 cafe restaurants. Enjoy the sea,sunlight,beer by sitting in any of the cafes near the beach. Since it is not possible to go to Kudle beach when it is dark without a torch light (the way to the beach winds around a hillock) it is better to stay in the town for the night and trek to the beach the next morning.

• The beaches are pretty clean, but ask locally about swimming, as the currents can be very strong and people die here every year.

• Visit during Shiva Ratri(February-March) festival. The celebrations are a tremendous sight to watch as thousands of pilgrims descend on the town.

• The Mahabaleshvara Temple is one of the largest in town, at the western end towards the beach.

Distance from -- Margao : 125 km, Vasco Da Gama : 140 km, Mangalore : 225 km, Karwar : 55 km, Bangalore : 475 km.

By train

Gokarna is connected by rail from Karwar, Ankola, Hubli, Mangalore, Kumta and Margao. The Konkan Railway [1] passes through Gokarna - Kumta (35 km) and Ankola (20 km) are the nearest major railway stations. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation [2] operates buses from these places to Gokarna. Gokarna's train station is actually about 8 kilometers away from the town, taxis usually ask for around Rs 250 whereas Rickshaws should be in the Rs 120-200 range (unless you arrive at nighttime during the monsoon). If you want to save some money, just take a right at the road right in front of the train station. Once you hit the main road, there's a bus stop where you can catch a bus that will take you into Gokarna for Rs 10.

By bus

Two buses operate daily from Bangalore to Gokarna — one non sleeper push-back seat delux state transport bus and one non-AC sleeper VRL private transport bus. It is a 12 hour overnight journey from Bangalore to Gokarna. Till now there is no direct rail transport from Bangalore to Gokarna. Private buses also operate to/from Hampi/Hospet. National highway 17 is about 9 km from the town. The Bangalore - Goa highway passes through Ankola which is 20 km from the town.

By air

The nearest airport is in Goa at Dabolim. (Rail link via Margao)

Walking is the most common way to get around, as the town is small and compact. It is possible to get to Om beach by taxi or rickshaw (Rs. 100) but to get to the beaches beyond (half moon and paradise) you have to walk from Om. A handful of auto-rickshaws also ply the main road. They tend to be expensive charging you as much as Rs10 per kilometre. So be sure to check and agree upon the fare.

Malas (prayer beads), incense, cheap jewelry and religious paraphernalia are sold in dozens of stalls along the main road and gathered around temple entrances.

• There are a handful of local restaurants and dhabas in the town proper (including a couple of good options at the end of the main road where it hits Gokarna Beach).

• Excellent local restaurants on the right just before the arch that leads into the main street. Incredibly cheap all-you-can-eat thalis, just don't drink the regular water though; buy yourself some bottled water. Street food is good, particularly the little fried pies and bhel puri. And don't forget to enjoy fish (pomfret, kingfish, seer being the popular ones) served fried, roasted or curried; as you like it.

• All the beaches have basic accommodation and beach shacks (in season) serving food and drink.

• In Namaste cafe at Om beach you can get Mexican, Israeli and Indian food. Don't forget to taste delicious sea food like Prawn Masala and King Fish Sizzler. Some Nepali people also run a really good restaurant from a straw and bamboo hut on Kudlee beach.

• Fresh coconuts are widely available as are delicious lassis.

• You may be able to find beer at one of the guesthouse restaurants on Om Beach, which should be consumed with discretion.