Lots of questions re holidaying in Goa

Fay_Ibbott

Can anyone help me please? I am getting married in September but really want to go to Goa for our honeymoon and I know that it's the monsoon season is then. So I was considering postponing the honeymoon until mid October when the monsoon would have finished? The monsoon would have definatley finished by then, yes?

I understand there are a lot of mosquitos around just after the monsoon so, is it enough to take lots of insect repellant, make sure we have mosquito nets and take the malaria tabs when we're out there (cheaper I understand)? Or do you definately need to take them for a week before you go and if so what's the cost and do you get them through your doctor or elsewhere? Would the mosquitos at that time of year ruin our holiday? What about if we went inland to a wildlife sanctuary or something I've heard they are worse when you move away from the sea air.

Also I'm thinking of staying in beach shacks for 1 week and then in a nicer perhaps 4* hotel for the second week to get a bit more pampering. I just wanted to check that in the beach shacks you've got hot water and showers? Is electricity pushing it a bit? Is there anything else I need to consider as a typical take-everything-for-granted westener? I will probably not do a package deal because of what we're doing accomodation-wise so where should I go for flights? Don't mind having to get 2 flights if it works out cheaper.

Oh and also visas are £30 plus £12 postage approx (is that special delivery). I assume I can send it second class recorded for less if turnaround time isn't a problem?

It seems like I should take cash (rupees) with me rather than TC or withdrawing money out there. Is this at all dangerous?

I know I've got to check with my doctor about jabs and they'll tell me if they charge. I've heard NHS direct do them the cheapest otherwise.

Any comments about best places to go, where to avoid etc would be appreciated.

Sorry for all the questions but I haven't really been abroad except when I was a child so it's all a bit scarey. Perhaps I should just go to Spain!!!! LOL

Diamond_Olly

Firstly, Goa is usually reached by direct charter flights from the UK. These stop during the monsoon season. First flights I can see online are from 11 October - so this might well answer your first question.

Not sure about specifics on the rest - but I've had lots of clients go to Goa and love it (lots of return visits - one client met someone recently out there who had been over 30 times!)

My_Fathers_Daughter

I went to Goa in April last year so I will try to help on a few things...

We stayed in a 4* in Goa (Sun Village near Baga) and it is nothing like the standard of a 4* here, or anywhere else I have been come to that. I don't think our hotel was bad, I just think standards differ.

I loved Goa but DH struggled to deal with the poverty and conditions etc, he also struggled with the food. Be sure that going somewhere like this will suit both of you.

You can't buy Rupees here - we bought some from an indian friend before we went. I would recommend TC - not sure that we saw a cash machine when we were there!

Make sure you get your jabs and malaria tabs early - you don't have to get the malaria tablets from the docs, the local chemist does them.

If you are not used to travel you must be pretty brave to try non-package Goa for your first holiday for ages lol - braver than me at least. Having said that, lots of people love it and wouldn't dream of doing package there, it is full of travelling brits so maybe I am just being silly

Voyager2002

We are not allowed to give medical advice on this board, so please ask your GP. However, I have worked in India and so feel able to comment on malaria:
current advice is that malaria tablets are not needed for cities in India, but are essential for rural areas;
there are a number of different anti-malarial tablets available. Some people react badly to some of these tablets, so the main reason why you are asked to begin taking them before leaving home is to see if you react badly. If so, there is still time to find an alternative medication that is suitable for you;
the anti-malarial that is usually recommended for people from Britain is malarone. This is far more expensive than any of the others, and is not available at all in India. I have never used it, but if you decide to take malarone then you MUST buy enough for a full course before travelling.

Oh: the need for visas is a pain. The embassy may insist that you use special delivery, and in any case may take its time, so allow plenty of time to get them. You will not be able to travel without a visa.

wannabe_a_mum

Hope I can provide some information that may help you.

The first time I went to India, I also went to GOA, we stayed at the Dona Sylvia resort (check out the website). It's a mediteranean style resort. So you get all the home comforts, gorgeous food and a private(ish) beach but you can experience traditional Goa as soon as you venture out of the resort. Our package included a couple of tours as well (we went all inclusive)

In terms of Malaria - sorry can't comment, but have been told that there's a new injection??? Might be better than tablets?

Flights 0 as another poster said, there are direct flights to Goa which may be cheaper than flying to Bombay and then getting a domestic flight. For a real experience, why not fly into bombay and get the Goa express train down to Mudgao station. It's certainly an experience!!!

In terms of the poverty and life in Goa, it'll come at you from each and every angle, but the unique thing with Indians in general is, no matter how poor they are, there is no arrogance and self pity, they do the best that they can with whatever they have. So even though they may be pushy with selling and begging, they are only trying their best and won't get either violent or aggresive, so really no need to be afraid. I believe that there's little to no real crime there in Goa.

Anyway - I would really recommend the Dona Sylvia. Especially the Seagull buffet restaurant!!!!

HTH

Saint_Chris

I would go to tripadvisor and there goa forum

it is a wealth of information

can i say that since nov 7th goa has been classed as high risk for mosquito

inface in january this year a swedish packpaker died of this

i will find the link

odowdchr

Consult your doctor...better to be safe than sorry. You don't want malaria.
Malaria's a funny one in Goa. This time last year the Foreign Office was on the verge of lifting the need for medication, but then some natives caught it and there was a bit of an outbreak. It's thought it was brought in by migrant workers from other parts of India....so Goa isn't actually a high risk malaria region...but there are regional variations with weather changes.
Mozzies tend to stay near stagnant water and still air...so if you're on the breezy coast etc..

odowdchr

Oh...and post your VISA application Special Delivery including a Special Delivery SAE envelope for the return...you dont want your passports going missing in an Indian High Commission. I think it's required on the application anyway?

dj66

A place I would recommend for beach shack would be Ciaran's at Palolem Beach. It is way more luxurious than your usual beach shacks so is more pricey but is definitely worth it. I saw but didn't stay in the round room which was stunning. They have a website and think there may be some pics on youtube if you did a search.

MrSmartprice

I have been to Goa a couple of times, though not that recently. It is absolutely true that the place is the least threatening place you could ever wish to visit. You can walk around in safety without a problem, day or night. The people really are delightful and we came home each time with tales of their hospitality and generosity.

I didn't regard the poverty as a problem there. They are generally not dirt-poor, as in some parts of India. You will not see people starving on the street. You may be approached by children begging, but I was told not to give them money as it discourages them from going to school. Give them a sweet or a cheap biro, I was advised. Beach hawkers can be persistent, especially if you are pasty white, as you are obviously new arrivals. If they won't take no for an answer, go into a shop or beach shack, they will not follow you in.

The hotels will advise you not to eat in shacks, giving tales of poor hygiene etc. It is nonsense, they are just drumming up business for their own restaurants. The shacks are great fun, and the food is fantastic. Try some of the eating places in Panjim and Margao too, we found some superb food there for no money at all! If you are out for the day, your taxi driver may know good eating places.

Saint_Chris

You can walk around in safety without a problem, day or night

Nowhere is safe in this world nowadays.

On the sky new yesterday morning they were reporting an incident about a young girl found dead on the beach. It also said that last year 40 British citizens died in Goa, with 4 more dying already in 2008 under strange circumstances

the problem is, people when going on holiday forget to pack there common sense

If you are out for the day, your taxi driver may know good eating places

.


We did this, and ended up at the worse place to eat in the world, funny that the taxi driver and the shack owner were in laws.

Before you go get yourself over to

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

input goa and then forums all the answers you need are there.

and there is www.holidaytruths.co.uk

there is a wealth of information on these sites.

I went armed with a list of recommended restaurants this year, and then when i searched them out i made my own mind up, but was glad that i was prepared. Never had 1 bad meal.