Goa End of July???

Lemonade_Pockets

Hi,

My friend and I are thinking of going to Goa at the end of July for 10days.

I realise its off season. Does this make it a complete no go or is still worth it???
Would like it to be reasonably lively but i don't care if thats with locals or tourists. Weather worries me a little too, don't mind a few showers.

Secondly my friend has had the Taj Exotica hotel recommended to him has anyone got thoughts or opinions on this place??

Thirdly anyone know of any amazing deals. Found flights and hotel (as above). Leaving on the 26/7 for 10days for £780 any better out there?

Thanks for your help.

sturll

Here is what my Travel Handbook says:

India has 3 seasons; hot, cool and wet. Heat starts to build in February peaking in June. In May there is high humidity prior to the monsoon. The rain starts in June in the South and spreads to include the North by July, it ends for most areas by October.

I suppose thats why it is off season. If it were me id be looking to holiday somewhere with less chance of it being 10 days of rain.

littlereddevil

Indian locals holiday here all year round.

Lemonade_Pockets

Don't really wanna spend circa £1k for a wet holiday where there's gonna be no-one around. Is it likely to be a ghost town since its off season. Or is it better going a little bit further to thailand???

Pollycat

Lemonade Pockets
check out these 2 websites, both have busy Goa forums:
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/

The main tourist season starts around the beginning of November with the last charter flights returning around the end of April.

Outside of this period, you would have to fly scheduled via Mumbai.

I think by the end of the main season, most of the beach shacks have been dismantled and some of the restaurants will be closed.
A jeweller that I'm friendly with spends the season in Goa then returns home to Mumbai when the tourists have gone home.

Some people do actually go to experience the monsoon and as littlereddevil says, lots of Indian people holiday there outside of the 'main season'.

If you're looking for sun, Goa in July is NOT the right choice, IMHO.
Wherever you decide to go, I'd recommend checking out the typical rainfall for that month.

Lemonade_Pockets

Cheers for the input guys. Seems like it'd be a bit of a risky option all things considered.

Does anyone know of any similar places that are in season? I guess thailand is probably the obvious one but are there any others that are a little bit different?

Pollycat

Take a look at Bali, the rainfall there in July is less than most other months.

You'll not get a non-stop flight though.

HolidayTruths & Tripadvisor have Far East & Bali sub-forums (respectively).