Goa in December

Matt2389

Hi guys, wondering if any of you have been to Goa in December? Seen a few good deals, but wondering what the consensus on Goa is?!

soil_2

General consensus is it's in India.

Otherwise you could try the Gambia, Sharm-el-Sheikh, Cape Verde for winter sun.

Matt2389

soil wrote: »

General consensus is it's in India.

Dude, if you don't have anything productive to say...

Otherwise you could try the Gambia, Sharm-el-Sheikh, Cape Verde for winter sun.

Have considered these.


Could those who HAVE been to Goa around December comment on whether you would recommend it.

soil_2

Matt2389 wrote: »

Dude, if you don't have anything productive to say...



Have considered these.


Could those who HAVE been to Goa around December comment on whether you would recommend it.

That depends on your personal circumstances.

You're going to have to give more details on what you are considering, whether a resort holiday with kids or something more backpackerish on your own, or what. Also exactly what you consider to be a good deal - during the bird flu nonsense we did Mexico for cheap, it perhaps wasn't the best place for us to go at the time, but the price was so good it made sense.

I'm sure you can find people to counsel for and against Goa, just as you can find people who go to Benidorm or even Blackpool every December.

budgetflyer

Goa is height of season in December.

littlereddevil

The weather is perfect in December. Great place, very good and cheap food. I have to say I liked Goa better around 20 years ago but still a great place for a holiday although there are more and more Russians these days

Bob_the_Saver

littlereddevil wrote: »

The weather is perfect in December. Great place, very good and cheap food. I have to say I liked Goa better around 20 years ago but still a great place for a holiday although there are more and more Russians these days

Lots and lots of Russians and the gorgeous girls have no money at all, at least they can't afford proper swimming costumes!!!!

:T

December is one thing Xmas is another - AVOID

PS. Google Indian Visa, that is a whole new can of worms

soil_2

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

PS. Google Indian Visa, that is a whole new can of worms

Yes, mine cost me at least £300, two trips to central London and various knock-on problems also (some still unresolved).

Personally for a simple beach holiday, I would go somewhere more welcoming to tourists.

Matt2389

Thanks everyone

Pollycat

Matt2389 wrote: »

Could those who HAVE been to Goa around December comment on whether you would recommend it.

I would never, ever recommend Goa.

I've been 12 times, the first time in 1994 and then often twice a season since 2005.

Goa is like marmite - some people love it and some hate it and that's why you need to do some serious research.
I happen to love it but I have at least 2 sets of friends that I know would hate it.

Both Tripadvisor and Holidaytruths have very busy Goa discussion forums and that's probably a good place to start.

Bob the Saver has mentioned visas - you can't get these on arrival as you can for a lot of destinations and applying for an Indian visa can be a process fraught with tension.

Visas cost £30 plus £9.24 processing fee plus £2 consular fee plus the cost of postage to and from VFS unless you're close to an Application Centre.
I'm not sure what Soil's particular problem was but I've read some nightmare experiences on TA and HT - even people losing their holidays because of visa problems.

soil_2

Pollycat wrote: »

I'm not sure what Soil's particular problem was but I've read some nightmare experiences on TA and HT - even people losing their holidays because of visa problems.

Had to call the visa line (£60/hour). They told me that I could re-enter India from Singapore within 2 months provided it was on one itinerary. Accepted this, booked flights

Had to get numerous documents, go to solicitor to swear things, birth certificates for kids, all kinds of nonsense.

Went to London to apply for visa. Took over two hours ON A VERY QUIET DAY.

Was supposed to take two days but they called me after five and told me while I can re-enter, 'not from Singapore'. 'Can I re-enter from Thailand?' 'Yes. You must send us an email to note this.'

Two days later receive notification about visa being ready, go back to London to pick it up, receive it straight away (well, 15 minutes), but have to wait 1 hour to speak to manager about re-entry. 'You can only re-enter from neighbouring countries - not Singapore, not Thailand, Malaysia, etc. You will have to request re-entry permit from Singapore.' 'We are only passing through Singapore, we are staying Indonesia.' 'Well apply in Indonesia - good luck.'

My flights within India have now increased in price by 50%, trains no longer available in my preferred class, hotels outside 14-day cheaper booking deadline, and I no longer have time to apply for a tourist visa for Indonesia, so I will have to apply for visa-on-arrival there, and then extend, which involves THREE visits to a crappy immigration office somewhere.

The £60/hour visa info line does not give reliable information, they are separate from the High Commission and do not have any authority at all.

My advice personally would be don't bother unless you have a specific reason to go to India other than 'it's cheap'.