Goa - Palolem/Arembol New Years - too crazy?

Mary Poppins · May 25th, 2008, 19:01

Hello,

I am heading to India for my first time for 3 weeks around the Christmas/New Years period - I would like to go to Goa as it seems very different to the North area where we mostly will be travelling for the rest of time, and I'd like to see the old city Panjim.

I'm travelling with another female friend, we are both mid-twenties, not particularly into the electronic music scene. Like a few drinks and partying/meeting new people but definitely not raves and huge crowds of people.

I've gone through the goa forum and most reports seem to suggest it's pretty crazy - crowded and expensive - over New Years. Is this true for all the beaches, even South such as Palolem (which sounded nice)or just the usual 'party' beaches? I also liked the sound of Arembol but as that's in the North I assume that's crazy busy at this period.

If it's too crazy we might just head somewhere else for New Years and leave Goa for later/earlier.

Sorry if this is a silly question - any help would be appreciated!

GxMx · May 27th, 2008, 00:15

i think spending new years in Panjim would be a nice idea than going to the North(which is going to be packed and bursting at its seams)i think the South will be in almost a similar situation,unless you check into one of the bigger hotels or resorts but then they will have really expensive prices(in most Goa actually)Panji has nice restaurants,its a small town which is fun to discover on foot as well as most places are all around and nearby and pretty safe to walk around anytime of the night!

not a silly question at all and if you need any other recommendations or help about Panjim then let me know!

Brisso · May 27th, 2008, 05:14

you will need to arrive in Arambol prior to Xmas. Accomodation Xmas - New Year is very tight.

faustus77 · May 28th, 2008, 04:30

mary Poppins
a spoonful of sugar will help the medicine go down
i was in palolem in end feb and arambol in last nov.
If just a few drinks and just some socializing is on your agenda avoid both these places like the plague.
Go after the the new year vacation is over.
Incidentally both places are expensive when you compare to some other places
My room in Colva was twice as big the one in palolem with white bedsheets,white towels neat clean with a garden.The palolem was nowhere near this one px was same.Both were a couple of minutes walk from the beach
not to dampen you spirit but new year is a bit overrated
regards

faustus77 · May 28th, 2008, 04:47

correction i was in palolem dec 2006
In the last 10 years from a small village arambol has come a long way.It has been taken over by russian and israel tourists.Umpteen shops selling numerous wares.Still no piped water so you can imagine how small a place it is
regards

Oyar · May 28th, 2008, 04:57

When exactly do u intend reaching Goa & how long do you plan to stay there?

I agree with faustus... i think colva is a better option. However dont stay exactly at Colva .. go a couple of km south. There are some excellent beaches & the crowd is decent. The rooms rates vary from dirt cheap to quite exp. I can recommend a few places (based on your budget) if you are interested. I have stayed in many different places out there.

Definitivesound · May 29th, 2008, 23:19

I have been in Arambol for the last 3 years at xmas/new year. There is plenty of choice for entertainment which will always end up with a guitar, drums and a didgeridoo on the beach till sunrise. There are some hard-dance parties but they are restricted now and usually end around 1-2am. Arambol life is very laid back, Plenty of choice for accommodation (book in advance if you can but you will always find somewhere if not).

Hope you enjoy your visit. Myself and the wife will be there from the 7th Jan (spending xmas up north this year).

Tom

Mary Poppins · Jun 2nd, 2008, 15:59

Thanks for your help everyone. My friend is now going back to Australia on 28th - so I will be staying over NY period by myself (which I'm excited about!). I will be staying from 28th - 2nd Jan.

I am still considering Goa as well as other locations (hill stations, Varkala)...others have recommended Agonda as a good place. I want somewhere where I can relax and do day tours from, as well as having access to some nightlife for NYE.

I know NYE is overrated everywhere - it's the bane of my existence

This time I'm hoping by spending it by myself I can make my own fun!

puchoo · Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:19

I went to Goa once to specifically check out new years, one had heard a lot about it and it was curiosity much more than 'wanting to party' which got me there...got there..hated it..came back and have never gone to Goa since then over that time range.

Mary Poppins · Jun 3rd, 2008, 19:23

Eek...
I'm kind of set on the beach now - Varkala or Goa...I'm a bit scared though by some of these reports!

Oyar - I'd definitely be interested in finding out any of your recommendations for places to stay. Looking for something with a bit of character.

GxMx · Jun 4th, 2008, 14:22

you dropped your idea of visiting Panjim?can give you several reccomendations...let me know!

puchoo · Jun 4th, 2008, 14:36

everything in India has character...whether you like it or not is a different issue...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mary Poppins

Looking for something with a bit of character.

Mary Poppins · Jun 5th, 2008, 11:30

GxMx - definitely still interested in your recommendations for Panjim, though at this stage I am thinking I will prefer staying closer to the beach.

Thinking Agonda or Palolem...maybe Patnem?

Any recommendations for these places would be great. I contacted Madhus Huts - they haven't got back to me, but I liked the look of these.

Ideally a beachside hut on stilts would be fantastic!

ananda2193 · Jun 5th, 2008, 21:26

Patnem would be ideal IMHO because it's close to Palolem if you want alot of people and Patnem is just a nice beach that's not real busy most of the year. I've never been New Years so I'm sure it's probably very crowded then though.
I imagine Agonda is not super crowded at New Years because it's a long beach and there's not tons of places to stay like Palolem.
Patnem and Agonda are my favorite beaches in Goa.

Mary Poppins · Jun 6th, 2008, 09:30

^ ananda that sounds perfect for what I'm looking for!

I think I will definitely focus my efforts on Agonda and Patnem.

If anyone has any accommodation recommendations I would really appreciate....I have had a look on the hotels section here and also in the rough guide and on trip advisor.

In agonda I've found Palm Beach Lifestyle Resort, Madhus, MahnaMahnas and in Patnem I've found Home (but other reports suggested they only take min. 10 days booking over peak times). If anyone knows of any other places that are good or has experience with any of the places I've listed I'd love to know!

It will just be accommodation for one person - and I don't mind basic as long as it's clean and has a nice atmosphere....huts on stilts would be ideal

May 25th, 2008, 19:01	#1
Mary Poppins First time caller, long time listener Join Date: May 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 51	Goa - Palolem/Arembol New Years - too crazy? Hello, I am heading to India for my first time for 3 weeks around the Christmas/New Years period - I would like to go to Goa as it seems very different to the North area where we mostly will be travelling for the rest of time, and I'd like to see the old city Panjim. I'm travelling with another female friend, we are both mid-twenties, not particularly into the electronic music scene. Like a few drinks and partying/meeting new people but definitely not raves and huge crowds of people. I've gone through the goa forum and most reports seem to suggest it's pretty crazy - crowded and expensive - over New Years. Is this true for all the beaches, even South such as Palolem (which sounded nice)or just the usual 'party' beaches? I also liked the sound of Arembol but as that's in the North I assume that's crazy busy at this period. If it's too crazy we might just head somewhere else for New Years and leave Goa for later/earlier. Sorry if this is a silly question - any help would be appreciated!

Jun 2nd, 2008, 16:19	#9
puchoo Forum Leader Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi & Himachal Pradesh (Shimla) Posts: 4,082	I went to Goa once to specifically check out new years, one had heard a lot about it and it was curiosity much more than 'wanting to party' which got me there...got there..hated it..came back and have never gone to Goa since then over that time range. __________________ Cheers! Sidharth Indiamike Mod team............the new kid on the block! puchoo.wordpress.com

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May 27th, 2008, 00:15	#2
GxMx Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 175	i think spending new years in Panjim would be a nice idea than going to the North(which is going to be packed and bursting at its seams)i think the South will be in almost a similar situation,unless you check into one of the bigger hotels or resorts but then they will have really expensive prices(in most Goa actually)Panji has nice restaurants,its a small town which is fun to discover on foot as well as most places are all around and nearby and pretty safe to walk around anytime of the night! not a silly question at all and if you need any other recommendations or help about Panjim then let me know!

May 27th, 2008, 05:14	#3
Brisso Specialist muddler Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 585	you will need to arrive in Arambol prior to Xmas. Accomodation Xmas - New Year is very tight.

May 28th, 2008, 04:30	#4
faustus77 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: bombay Posts: 68	mary Poppins a spoonful of sugar will help the medicine go down i was in palolem in end feb and arambol in last nov. If just a few drinks and just some socializing is on your agenda avoid both these places like the plague. Go after the the new year vacation is over. Incidentally both places are expensive when you compare to some other places My room in Colva was twice as big the one in palolem with white bedsheets,white towels neat clean with a garden.The palolem was nowhere near this one px was same.Both were a couple of minutes walk from the beach not to dampen you spirit but new year is a bit overrated regards

May 28th, 2008, 04:47	#5
faustus77 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: bombay Posts: 68	correction i was in palolem dec 2006 In the last 10 years from a small village arambol has come a long way.It has been taken over by russian and israel tourists.Umpteen shops selling numerous wares.Still no piped water so you can imagine how small a place it is regards

May 28th, 2008, 04:57	#6
Oyar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 173	When exactly do u intend reaching Goa & how long do you plan to stay there? I agree with faustus... i think colva is a better option. However dont stay exactly at Colva .. go a couple of km south. There are some excellent beaches & the crowd is decent. The rooms rates vary from dirt cheap to quite exp. I can recommend a few places (based on your budget) if you are interested. I have stayed in many different places out there.

May 29th, 2008, 23:19	#7
Definitivesound Definitivesound Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London Posts: 9	I have been in Arambol for the last 3 years at xmas/new year. There is plenty of choice for entertainment which will always end up with a guitar, drums and a didgeridoo on the beach till sunrise. There are some hard-dance parties but they are restricted now and usually end around 1-2am. Arambol life is very laid back, Plenty of choice for accommodation (book in advance if you can but you will always find somewhere if not). Hope you enjoy your visit. Myself and the wife will be there from the 7th Jan (spending xmas up north this year). Tom

Jun 2nd, 2008, 15:59	#8
Mary Poppins First time caller, long time listener Join Date: May 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 51	Thanks for your help everyone. My friend is now going back to Australia on 28th - so I will be staying over NY period by myself (which I'm excited about!). I will be staying from 28th - 2nd Jan. I am still considering Goa as well as other locations (hill stations, Varkala)...others have recommended Agonda as a good place. I want somewhere where I can relax and do day tours from, as well as having access to some nightlife for NYE. I know NYE is overrated everywhere - it's the bane of my existence This time I'm hoping by spending it by myself I can make my own fun!

Jun 3rd, 2008, 19:23	#10
Mary Poppins First time caller, long time listener Join Date: May 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 51	Eek... I'm kind of set on the beach now - Varkala or Goa...I'm a bit scared though by some of these reports! Oyar - I'd definitely be interested in finding out any of your recommendations for places to stay. Looking for something with a bit of character.

Jun 4th, 2008, 14:22	#11
GxMx Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 175	you dropped your idea of visiting Panjim?can give you several reccomendations...let me know!

Jun 5th, 2008, 11:30	#13
Mary Poppins First time caller, long time listener Join Date: May 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 51	GxMx - definitely still interested in your recommendations for Panjim, though at this stage I am thinking I will prefer staying closer to the beach. Thinking Agonda or Palolem...maybe Patnem? Any recommendations for these places would be great. I contacted Madhus Huts - they haven't got back to me, but I liked the look of these. Ideally a beachside hut on stilts would be fantastic!

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Jun 5th, 2008, 21:26	#14
ananda2193 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: you essay Posts: 1,573	Patnem would be ideal IMHO because it's close to Palolem if you want alot of people and Patnem is just a nice beach that's not real busy most of the year. I've never been New Years so I'm sure it's probably very crowded then though. I imagine Agonda is not super crowded at New Years because it's a long beach and there's not tons of places to stay like Palolem. Patnem and Agonda are my favorite beaches in Goa.

Jun 6th, 2008, 09:30	#15
Mary Poppins First time caller, long time listener Join Date: May 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 51	^ ananda that sounds perfect for what I'm looking for! I think I will definitely focus my efforts on Agonda and Patnem. If anyone has any accommodation recommendations I would really appreciate....I have had a look on the hotels section here and also in the rough guide and on trip advisor. In agonda I've found Palm Beach Lifestyle Resort, Madhus, MahnaMahnas and in Patnem I've found Home (but other reports suggested they only take min. 10 days booking over peak times). If anyone knows of any other places that are good or has experience with any of the places I've listed I'd love to know! It will just be accommodation for one person - and I don't mind basic as long as it's clean and has a nice atmosphere....huts on stilts would be ideal