Benaulim is in Goa's Salcete district, and lies 3 or 4 kilometers directly West of South Goa's main town Margao. The village itself centers around a crossroad, with a few smaller guest houses and restaurants strung along the roads. There are better ways to walk to the beach, such as through the warren of lanes that lead under the shady palms, past scattered village houses and through the vibrant green rice paddies. These rice fields are often dotted with herons and other wading birds in search of food. Benaulim is indeed an enchanting place, sandwiched between the golden sands that lace the azure Arabian Sea in the West and the meandering River Sal, which moves Eastwards with green grace and grandeur.

The picturesque Benaulim Beach attracts tourists in large numbers all throughout the year. The capital city of Panaji is accessible from Benaulim at a distance of only 40 kilometers. The beach is quite popular not only for its breathtaking beauty but also has a mythological significance. Benaulim has a special place in Goan tradition for it is said to have been here that Parasurama’s arrow landed, when he fired it into the sea and created Goa.

The balmy coastal air interacts with the riverine charm and tranquility, to work up a totally exotic ambience, which has added Benaulim to Goa's burgeoning tourist map. The warren of quiet, palm shaded lanes that run between Colva and Benaulim and other surrounding villages make for a pleasant walk or bike ride, or hire a motorbike for longer sight seeing trips. There are some nice odds and ends of Portuguese architecture in the area, especially the striking and graceful white painted churches, such as Holy Trinity Church and St. Baptist Church.