Goa and Kerala in November for the first time

Hi, forum members!

I am planning a vacation in Nepal and in Southern India for 1 month. Leaving home at 3. November. First 1 week in Nepal around Kathmandu, then flight to Goa, staying there for 2 weeks and afterwards 1 week to spend in Kerala. In Goa, I am interested in beach holiday and hopefully to visit some trance parties as well.

Currently I started to make preparations for my trip and therefore some questions have arised. Hopefully anybody could help me with that.

1) How about beach bungalows, are these available to use since the beginning of November and restaurants are already open?
Rubbish problem seems to be increasing. Anybody has stepped on a broken glass on the beach or in the water?

2) I have read that rain should end in October and that there might be some showers in November as well. How about swimming possibilities in Goa in November after monsoon season? Is the water dirty and not clear or is it OK for swimming?

3) Do you know if are there psy/trance parties held in November already or these events will be available only during high season?

4) How about Kerala. Rainy season should end there probably couple of weeks later than in Goa. This means that diving in Kerala should not be a good plan? Any good diving spots there?

Of course it would be better to go to India in December during high season but considering my work, I have to be back home in the beginning of December.

Please, provide me some useful information regarding my vacation. Appreciate it very much

Kristjan

November is well into the prime tourist season. November is less busy than December but everything is open in November and the tourist season is in full swing.

Agree rubbish problem is there and you might even encounter broken glass on the beach and you have to keep your eyes wide open as you are walking on the beach to make sure you don't step into something sharp and hurt yourself plus you should not walk barefoot in the dark. In my dozen holiday stays in Goa I have seen broken glass many times but so far luckily never stepped into anything sharp.

October/November is not considered monsoon season but it can rain now and then in these months and it is impossible to predict if and when it will rain in November. Generally it does not rain much in November and the water is clear for swimming.

There is a larger crowd of tourists in December and therefore more parties in December but I am sure there are parties on weekends in November in Anjuna/Vagator area and you will have to be there to find out more about them as they are not openly advertised and you can only find out about them by word of mouth.

Yes Goa is more active (crowded) in December compared to November but then it will be easier to arrange accomodation in November as compared to the very crazy X-mas and New Years period of December when you have to pay 2 or even 3 times the regular rates for accomodation.

I was in Goa in February and I love Goa and I am already looking forward to my next trip there and I am sure you will also enjoy your stay in Goa.

Good Luck

just to add that i have never seen broken glass on the beach in my several visits, though i certainly don't dispute those who say they have.

i haven't been for 4 years now and i go to the southern beaches which i think are better but very much lacking in parties.

regarding kerala, i think the south Goan beaches are better than the keralan beaches though kerala has more non beach activities. i also doubt if there is any decent diving in kerala.

Thank you guys for useful tips!
Regarding Kerala, yes, I plan non beach acticities, like backwaters and tea plantations etc. If I have enough time, hoping to visit elephant farms as well.
Perfect places for diving would be on smaller islands towards Maledives but its getting too expensive for 1-day diving experience (plane tickets, expensive hotels). So diving will not be in my plans this time.

While in Nepal, do not forget to visit POKHARA, 200 Kms SW of Kathmandu

Thanks
Alok