Perfect New year destination, if you need a nice break, lots of nature, beach, adventure or if you are Sasidhar Akkiraju.
Two things you can buy at Pondicheery. First, pirated DVD, like crazy. You’ll have tonnes of choice, DVDs in heaps at throwaway prices like Rs. 20 and Rs. 30. The keyword here is bargain. The other thing, you can buy are clothes. Lots of cheap clothes. Don’t know where they get them from, but they are on the road, they are cheap and I saw everyone buying loads of them.
The town is very colorful, quite busy too actually, but does have a tourist feel to it.
Now, coming to the important part. The useful information that you should know before you go there.
There are two different places you can stay in Pondicherry.
First is the Town, where you will find good hotels, star as well as decent ones. There are a lot of hotels close to the bus-stand as well, but go for the town instead. Your other option ( and the one I recommend) is to stay at the numerous resorts on the outskirts of the town, near a beach called Auro Beach. You will find great resorts with private beaches ! And these are cheaper than the hotels in town. Rooftop huts, to awesome 2 level cottages made of bamboo, you’ll find it all here.
Again, there are two beaches ( I’m sure there are more, but these are the famous ones), one is the beach at the town which is a Rocky beach and the other one is the Auro Beach, which has the sand and the waves and all that. Rocky beach ( near Aurobindo Ashram ) is good for nice walks in the evening and night, with the waves splashing against the rocks and trying to break them open, only if you have a nice girl in your arms 
. The Auro Beach on the other hand, is quite serene, has lots of sand, and kindof a steep beach. Don’t try to go too deep, you maybe swept off. Great beach to hang out, play at the beach and generally chill.
Mode of transport in Ponicherry, is three ways. You can take the auto rickshaws( which will overcharge you everytime), or rent a bike, or rent a bicycle ! Yes, you heard me right, you can rent bikes and cycles. And trust me when I say, its the best option. The rates are good, there are no hassles, and you can choose the bike you want. You would have to have a license to rent a bike though and pay around Rs.1000 as returnable deposit.
There are good maps available on the internet alright, so it shouldnt be a problem to get around.
And, here are a few pictures from my trip.
I will add some good hotel names here, with contact information. Soon.
If you guys know of any place, please leave the contact information for that hotel/resort in the comments.
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‘The Roof Top’ Guest houses
Cheap, better & best stay – (As mentioned on the visiting card)
Periyamudaliarchavady, near Auro beach, Pin- 605 104
Contact Mr Kumar
94432 87324
94436 32442
sreesaikumar@yahoo.co.in
Posted 06 Feb 2007 at 2:25 pm ¶Hi,
Posted 20 Mar 2007 at 3:20 pm ¶Nice blog. I especially like your take on Pondi. Can you give the name / number of the place that u stayed at? And tell me more abt it?
Banyan Resort is the place I stayed the first time I went to Pondicherry.
Posted 02 Apr 2007 at 2:00 pm ¶http://banyan.hotelmass.com/
Contact info at the bottom of the page.
planning a trip to pondi…can u please share the name and the number of the place ….sounds really interesting
Posted 22 Apr 2007 at 1:34 am ¶Sasidhar I am contemplating on making a trip to Pondi around nov/dec. What is the name of the property in the second photo from the top with you in front of a thatched roof, sitting on a bamboo ladder? is it on the beach & what is the tariff like?
Posted 31 Aug 2007 at 3:31 pm ¶@rohini : thats the rooftop guesthouse
its perfect for the experience.
its not meant for comfort mind you.
no tv/ac inside
‘The Roof Top’ Guest houses
Cheap, better & best stay – (As mentioned on the visiting card)
Periyamudaliarchavady, near Auro beach, Pin- 605 104
Contact Mr Kumar
Posted 31 Aug 2007 at 3:52 pm ¶94432 87324
94436 32442
Your reply is appreciated. I’m not spoilt for luxuries thankfully so it shouldnt be much of a problem if I can time my trip during a good time in the year weather-wise. Thank you for the details. Cheers…
Posted 01 Sep 2007 at 2:56 pm ¶Hey I’m going to pondi in 2 weeks heard a bout a place called muttu’s guest house.. If someone can give me a number it would be real cool…
Posted 04 Oct 2007 at 6:35 pm ¶for visitng
Posted 04 Dec 2007 at 3:18 pm ¶La Maison Blanche is a beautiful guesthouse in Pondicherry (India) / La Maison Blanche est une belle maison d’hôtes à Pondichéry (Inde).
Click here to see the website – La Maison Blanche – Guest House Pondicherry
Posted 07 Apr 2008 at 2:10 pm ¶Tamarind House and Maison Trishul are two guest houses conceptualised by Manoj Dixit, aesthetically decorated by his own paintings and other creations. Both the guest houses have their own unique appeal. Manojs’ aim is to make his guests feel very much at home, away from their home and yet with complete independence.
Posted 22 Jul 2008 at 9:59 am ¶Guesthouse Pondicherry – Paper Boat
Hi,
Posted 06 Jan 2009 at 11:31 am ¶Nice post and thanks for the info..
Cheers for your next destination..
Hi Sasidhar
Can you please let me know where the rent a cycle shop is located and its name? How far is that from the bus stand?
Posted 13 Jan 2009 at 1:26 pm ¶Lots of cycle stands right across Aurobindo ashram near the beach.
I don’t remember seeing any near the bus-stop. You can take an auto from the bus stop though, to the cycle rental places.
Posted 13 Jan 2009 at 1:43 pm ¶Hi,
Posted 18 Mar 2009 at 3:00 pm ¶Thx for sharin d info..also wanted to knw d details of d other beach resorts dat r available in pondi..n also d address of d place wer 2wheelers r available for rent..
hi. i am plannin a trip to pondy.can u please inform me where i can rent a bike..
Posted 06 Apr 2009 at 1:46 am ¶hi,
Posted 10 May 2009 at 10:04 am ¶This is really very beautiful place i like it.i went first time pondichery to see the sea beach. I am very appriciateful.
Very nice place.
Thanks
hi,
I want to know which is the best beach resort i can get in pondi at a budget of 1000 bucks per night for a double bed room? and is booking a double bed compulsory for a college couple?
banking heavily on ur replies
Posted 30 May 2009 at 7:04 pm ¶hey,
where can i hire bikes and wat are the approximate rates? also, wat are the best economy hotels/resorts in town? names with rates, preferably
Posted 30 May 2009 at 7:06 pm ¶hey
Shashi, can u suggest some nice getaways for couples at reasonable rates?
Posted 30 May 2009 at 8:35 pm ¶This is Arun here frm Coimbatre.Sir jus mail me ur resort phone num as soon as possibile in within monday. so that its easy to reserve in ur resort.
Posted 19 Jun 2009 at 1:04 pm ¶Thanks.
This is Arun here frm Coimbatre.Sir jus mail me ur resort phone num as soon as possibile within monday.My id is arunah9574@gmail.com so that its easy to reserve in ur resort.
Posted 19 Jun 2009 at 1:06 pm ¶Thanks.
I have to visit Ponducherry in Friday 24th July to seek admission for my daughter. Please give me advice where to stay on minimum cost and safer side for both of us.
Posted 21 Jul 2009 at 11:22 pm ¶Worst place 2 stay, specially during season, lack of basic amenities & jungle full of insects.Dirty & filthy & swarmed by drunkards, not safe with a female companion.
Posted 27 Dec 2009 at 3:58 pm ¶Post a Comment