When you need a break from your work, and you want to go to a place with great beaches and great food, Puducherry, or Pondicherry as it was called earlier, is the ideal location. If you are in south India, this place is easily accessible through road, rail and air.
Before setting out, you need to choose the right hotel. Puducherry has a large number of hotels suitable for all budgets. But you need to be careful when booking online. Although many third party websites like Agoda, Booking, Yatra, Make My Trip and others list a large number of hotels, it is best to call and check with the hotel itself before booking online. Many hotels do not accept online bookings through third-party websites, and insist that you pay at the time of check-in. You can get the phone number of the hotel either through the third party websites, or on Just Dial.
You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches in Puducherry. There is Rock Beach, which is near to the popular White Town in Puducherry. Then you have Serenity beach, Eden beach, Paradise beach and Promenade beach. Unlike the beaches in Goa, you can’t do sun bathing here. But you can have a good time watching the sea and splashing near the shore.
There are also a huge number of eateries near these beaches. You can choose from French cuisine and the local fare. The French food can be a little expensive, but the price of the local food is quite reasonable, and it is tasty, too.
You can rent a two-wheeler to visit the different attractions in Puducherry. Alternatively, if you have a larger group, you can also hire auto rickshaws and cabs.
Another attraction in Puducherry that you just cannot afford to miss is the Aurobindo Ashram here. You will find many foreign tourists here, including those who live here for a longer period, as well as those who have come only to pay a visit.
As far as the weather is concerned, be forewarned that it can get a little warm here. So, it is best to dress accordingly, and take an airconditioned room if you think you will just not be able to bear the heat.
Two to three days should be enough for you to cover all the major attractions in Puducherry. Once your vacation is over, you are sure to go back planning to come back in the not too distant future.