Is Goa really a hell hole ?

pix

Can I get peoples ideas about Goa...I know some people who will be there around the same time as me...so will probably go there. But i have heard mixed reports about the place, such as its full of terrible drunken package tourists, thats it really dangerous for women to wallk around at night, and so on and should really be avoided....i imagine some beaches/areas are like this but surely not eveywhere ??

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Jorge Reverter

Pix,

Don't hear such kind of stories about Goa. Goa is as dangerous/not dangerous as any other place in India.

Most of the sites in Goa are like a Paradise. Life there is so good that I have in mind to spend my time partially there when retired (very soon).

Of course Goa is not this strange thing that some "connoiseurs" call "Real India".

I'm absolutely sure you'll enjoy your holidays there.

BTW, my favourite place in Goa is Palolem

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Lotus-Flower

In the mind of most of the people of west (and the rest) Goa has a reputation of being a hippie paradise (sex drugs and rockn roll)
so u can definetelly expect a lot of drunk and drug people there
dont worry!!

Casey

I was in Goa in October and it was quite peaceful at that time. The party season had not begun and I enjoyed my stay. Panjim, the city, is a gorgeous place, with beautiful architecture and a sleepy laid back feel. I was there by myself and wandered around on my own both in the city and the beaches without any problem.

ananda2193

I don't know what beaches they were at, but I never really saw any heavy things like that. I suppose it depends on the beach you are at. As there are many beaches, many are nice and calm. Try Patnem next to Palolem, or Agonda if you want something more quiet and laidback.I will go back 1 day as there are nice hidden beaches not spoiled.

Here's some of my pics from goa.

www.virtualtourist.com/m/86eca/

Lotus-Flower

so then conclusion is one should simply go there when there r no parties!
?

goangoangone

Don't walk on the beach on your own late at night..........anywhere
There are no more drunks here than any other holiday resorts.

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GoanCanuck

Goa is a very safe place for a single female tourist. Period.

passingby

Goa is whatever you make it. And I truly believe that.
And that goes with your life too, I guess.
If you want to make Goa a hell hole, you have plenty of possibilities and opportunities. if you want to make it a relaxing nice vacation then you can do that too.
it is all up to you, how much you allow yourself to get dragged into the party scene and how deep you want to push yourself into that crazy scene.

colin c

i think you might have been reading the latest rough guide to goa ,
in this book it describes goa as having a very high level of drunks , the beach is full of hawkers who wont take no for an answer , any thing not a major road is full of dangers [ snakes , rabid dogs and monkeys , corupt police etc etc etc ]
the food is suspect , water including bottled is unsafe even the beer was dodgy [full of glycerin ] .
i could go on and on , i presume the researcher wasnt impressed by goa .
this was not a good advert for goa .
if i had not found this site and read different it could seriously put me off .
but i leave for goa in just over a week for 5 months and i am really looking forward to the experience .
colin

shanthi

My Sister, God luv 'er has frequented Goa for the past decade each year in January-February - and I'm afraid she's one of a clan of approximnately 40 that meet up there every year, who believe that unloess they have a minimum of 5 blackouts where they remember nothing, that they haven't had a good holiday! Just telling it like it is - personally I've never stayed in Goa, only got second hand stories from my Sis and photo's that you'd never show your grandchildren!!

pix

hi everyone thank for the input ! Ok, yep, i like the 'its what you make it' approach...works for me in my life, why not for a beach!
I havent read a guide book yet, just bought myself the new LP but havent done much more than look at the pictures yet ...most of what i had heard was from other travellers i met on the road in SE Asia this year.....maybe they were looking for something different to what they found. They just told stories of nasty package tourist...which i have to admit i am keen to avoid...not bothered by partying at all...in fact i quite like it...just those pesky drunks !

pix

..i dont like

cyberhippie

You know this popular image of Goa coupled with the major reservations of the "seeking real India set" it's suprising Goa gets any vistors at all. Well unless you've been there of course!!
Goa suffers in some respects to people harking back to a byegone age, both of pristine beaches and the infamous drug fuelled parties.
To all intents and purposes both have virtually disappeared! The naked banshees high on............ ??? Pulling together sometimes thousands of like minded souls to party, somthing omnipresent throughout Goas history, is fast being resigned to the annuls of myth.
The wonderful beaches that brought all the smiley happy people are mostly gone, not physically but the charm is fading fast with the coastline seeing some major impact! Many top Goan beaches of yesteryear are now swallowed by the ever increasing masses ...........Intent on wonderful beaches and a good rave??????

Goa's hay day has probably passed but one thing I think many will agree upon. The people of Goa are as welcoming now as they were when the first zany bus of deshevelled travellers pulled up on her shores.
The state remains beautiful away from the main coastal attractions and there are still wonderful beaches to spend some time on regardless of your tastes, some with nobody on them!!!
The cuisine in general is unsurpassed within India, in it's variety and Goa is still a top destination in India for so many reasons.
Hey what's wrong with letting your hair down sometimes and pretending your not in India???

Lastly all the compliants above do exist but they are easily fended off and there are still beaches where these kind of problems are minimal, usually these places are low key with no shopping or "scene" find these beaches and you can enjoy Goa like you were the first Beatnik there!!


Bom

colin c

sounds good to me ,
is the best way to find these places asking the locals , or do they want to keep them a secret ? .