1 week in Goa - Nov '10. Help reqd

Dear users,

I'm coming with my fiance for honeymoon trip to India this year. In the end of our time there, we want to spend about a week in Goa.
Most probably, we'll be arriving to Goa airport on 02/11 in the afternoon. Our flight back from Goa to Mumbai is on 10/11, 5 pm.

This makes a total of 8 nights in Goa.

I'm doing my own research on places to stay and see in Goa, but nothing is worth more than experienced users' advice - I'd be totally grateful if you can give me any.

When in Goa, we want to mostly relax on the beaches. We don't mind going in the afternoons for short trips around. We may also want to go for 1 or 2 day-trips.

Our budget (accommodation, transportation, food) - I'd be happy if we can make it in 3000 INR/day (1500 INR per person). However - it's not a hard limit.

Now, it's time for questions...

1. What is the best place to stay? We'd like to avoid the main tourist places and see more of the real Goa-life. However, it would be amazing if we can easily get from that place to any location with good nightlife. We'd love to go out for a drink from time to time.

2. Is it wise to book an accommodation in advance or it's better to search for something when we get there?

3. If we decide not to book an accommodation, how to find one after arrival? Shall we just get a taxi driver and ask him for different places or is there a tourist center at the airport/town where we stay ?

4. What is the best way to move around Goa? taxis, rickshaws, rented car, buses ?

5. What are 3-4 top places to see in Goa?

6. Any other information, tip, advice you think is worth of giving - I'd love to get it.

Regards,

Bartek

Hi Bartek

Congratulations for picking India and Goa for your honeymoon trip. India can be a challange but in my opinion also very rewarding (if you can manage to stay healthy).


I would plan for about 3500 INR/day (1500 accomodation, 1000 food, 1000 transportation).

Here are my answers to your questions:

1. Baga in north Goa would be my choice. Yes, Baga can be busy with tourists, but it is also the place with the best selection of restaurants and places to drink.

2. About accomodation you could book for the first day, so you have a place to drop your bags and the time to look for a better deal for the rest of your stay.

3. If you do not book in advance, you can ask the taxi driver to show you a few places in your selected area but you will have to select an area to go to as Goa has over dozen beach areas to select from.

4. Buses are not comfortable, but they are the real India experience travelling with all the locals and school going kids in cramped quarters. Try the bus at least once! For less adventure and more comfort take the taxis.

5. Top places : Tiracol fort, Old Goa, Panjim City, Anjuna market and just going in the Goa interior in a taxi and watching old abandoned buildings.

6. Stay healthy and have Fun

Hello Bartek,

First of congratulations for choosing India and Goa for your honeymoon. You will be in Goa during the perfect time, when we Indians celebrate Diwali (Festival of lights). It will be from 2nd to 6th November.

Now about your questions :-

1. Here I would suggest you to stay at Colva Beach, Near Margao (or Madgaon, official name of the city). It is a tourist place but it is not extremely crowded. It is a mix of all tourist facilities and the real Goa life. It is only 6 kms from Madgaon Railway station (Main train Station in Goa) and 30-35 Kms from Goa airport. Colva has good night life during season (October thru March) and u can easily visit cities like Panjim from there (1 hr drive).
2. I would suggest you to book accommodation in advance as it will be the peak tourist season there in Goa. It may be possible that all hotels will be full during that time. Colva has many good hotels suitable to all budgets. I would recommend you two places in the order of my preference (1) Goa Tourism’s Colva Residency (2) Colmar Beach Resort. Both are right on the beach and very good options according to the budget given by you. I would suggest to search for them on the web.
3. I would not advise you to do on the spot hunting during that time, coz u may land in some ‘not so good’ hotel.
4. If you know bike riding and doing it regularly, there is no other best way to move around in goa on rented bikes. Buses are very crowded and slow, but if u want to have feel of real goa life, I would suggest you to just have a bus ride one for fun. Goa buses halt anywhere if u signal them to stop with your hand. Otherwise, rented cars and taxies are widely available in Goa and they arrange for local site seeing tours as well. If you are tight on budget, there are group site seeing also. Agencies regularly arrange for site seeing for groups of passengers upto 15-20 in a minibus. You have to book ahead. There are mainly 2 site seeing tours (1) North Goa tour and (2) South Goa tour. Each need one full day. Ticket may cost you around 200-300 indian rupees per person per trip.
5. Top places – Old goa churches, Vagator Beach, Anjuna Beach, Panjim city, (which includes Dona Paula and Miramar beach), Colva beach itself is one of the top places, Calangute Beach, For Aguada etc.
6. Tip – If you have time I would suggest u to visit Palolem Beach in down south Goa. By a rented car it will be a day trip from Colva.. it may cost Rs.2000/- for two persons. Or alternatively you may like to spend one-two days at Palolem. If so, Palolem Beach Resort is an excellent place to stay there. I have just been there in July 2010.
I love goa and have been there at least 10 times. You are welcome to get back if u have anything more to ask.
Unmesh, Mumbai, India

Bartek

Just recommended Baywatch Resorts in Sernabatim,South Goa to another Honeymoon couple on IM,is a nice place close to a queit beach,do check out the property on the net.Am afraid will not come for 3K a night,slightly more.

Cheers

Josh

Hi Josh

I would recommend Colva, it is a little touristy but mainly with Indian tourists so you get a real feel for the life out there. There are some good restaurants and bars that are open and some nice beach shacks.

If you want somewhere a bit livier you can always get a taxi to North Goa for the night.

I would get trips through a local taxi driver or a taxi driver recommended by the owner of the place you are staying.

Re: Accommodation - have a look on villarenters.com or www.sunshinegoa.com - this is where we are staying in October for 3 weeks. I suppose it depends what you are looking for - somewhere to rest your head and shower or luxury. Its worth looking around beforehand though.

Hope this helps and have a fab honeymoon

Hi bmatczak,

Greetings for the day....!!!!

1. I would recommend Palolem (most foreign tourist stays here) & Colva beach......Palolem has a good night life......as well as Colva...the only concern is Palolem is 40 kms from Panjim.

2.It would be better if you search for the hotel once you reach Goa....

3.I had hired a car which was delivered at the airport.....so didnt find it difficult to find the hotels.....driving in south goa is easy....if you drive south all the beaches would come on your right one by one as you head south......

4.I found it easy with the rented/self driven car....

5.Dudhsagar Waterfall, Arambol beach, St. Xaviers Church, fort Aguda, Dona Paula....

6. Just enjoy......

Feel free to ask any info.....

Regards
Vinod Bhakuni

Thanks guys for your answers .

Old goa is definetely a place we want to see during one of the day-trips. Also, some waterfalls or wildlife would be great.

Speaking about accomodation - we don't need anything fancy. We just want a place that will be on the beach, where we can sleep, shower and safely lock our belongins - I do hope these are not contradicting demands ;-).

Colva looks like a good place to stay, if it's not crowded with foreign tourists. Personally, I have some bad experience with the typical foreign-tourists spots in different countries and I'd love to avoid that in Goa.

Best regards,

Bartek

Hi Bobb

Thank you for the information but it is meant for Bartek who is on his honeymoon,I had mine 17 years ago but won't mind another one (with the same girl though) at Colva,based on your recommendation.Cheers.....