Goa Travel Forum

Hiya Folks,

I'm looking at Goa for two weeks in October, I've been to India before but not Goa, on this trip I'll probably book a package from the UK and my first question is who (what company) do you recommend booking with?

I like to swim in the sea and would like a reasonable quiet beach but I wouldn’t mind a few bars (other than the hotel bars) not too far away to visit at night, so my second question is which resort?

I don’t like huge hotel complexes and resorts and don’t mind paying a bit more for a smaller hotel with a little more atmosphere, any suggestions on hotels would be much appreciated.

I’m a Goa virgin so any information, advice, warnings etc would be very welcome.

Regards

Mark

Hi,
I stayed at Varca beach which is comparatively quite,yet lovely and has the places you mentioned within reach.there are shacks selling sea food,bars and two people offering water sports.the crowd is not much at all.
we stayed at the club mahindra resort and another time at the marriot.(check my goa pages)however,these are slightly expensive but are clean.the club mahindra is not a five star,but yet very good.
you could check out their websites for exact tariff,these places are also safe.there is also a ramada hotel,but i havent stayed there.
hope you have a good trip

Thanks, I'll look today

Sounds good to me, thanks for the info, I'll get looking.

Mark

suggest you stay for a week in North Goa(Candolim/Baga stretch) and a week in South Goa(Varca/Betalbatim), here are some places i would suggest, which offer good deals and comfortable rooms and facilities - tariff around $50/ to $60 a night for bed & breakfast :

North Goa :
Casa Blanca
Estrela Do Mar
Cavalla

South Goa :
Coconut Grove
Martins Comfort(great rooms/contemporary decor) - part of the Goan institution "Martins Corner"
Varca Palm Beach Resort
Dona Sylvia(slightly expensive at $100 a night, but great facilities and food)
Majorda Beach resort( 5 star property @$125 a night, great buffer breakfast)

Places to eat :

North Goa : Souza Lobo, Britto's, St.Anthony's Cafe and the whole lot of beach shacks

South Goa : Martins Corner, Fisherman's Warf(opposite Dona Sylvia), Zeebop Shack(beside Royal Orchid Hotel)

Clubs :

North Goa : Tito's & Mambo's - next to each other, Club Cubbana, Club Paradiso

Generally most of the eat outs mentioned above have live band performance on friday's & saturday evenings, retro songs & goan song's, you can also use the dance area.

Must visit beaches/places :

Park yourself at a resort and visit these beaches hiring a bike($5 a day)

North Goa : Morjim, Anjuna, Chappora Fort, Arambol(infamous for russian's & israeli drug scene), Baga Beach, Mapusa(local goan shopping)

South Goa : Betalbatim beach, Palolem Beach(one of the best beaches in Goa, quite & scenic), Agonda Beach, Cola Beach, Patnem Beach

Have a great trip, enjoy the sea sand fenny/booze and people

that's great info, thanks

try the local drink "FENNY", you'll either love it or hate it :)....it's got a strong smell...it goes best with Limca(lemon drink) its priced damn bloody cheap...$3 a bottle....try to get "Big Boss Cashew Fenny" - thats one of the best available....there are other variant's of fenny - coconut & palm fenny....its a nice drink relaxing on the beach and dipping in water with some goan sea food delicacies....

Goa is known for its sea food...when in goa be a goan...try the goan cuisine, most of them are slightly sweet, you may want to ask the chef to spice it up to your taste...

there are good apartments in goa...i know of a British guy - Michael Moore who own's a couple of apartments in North Goa - Candolim area....good decor and the apartment's have a pool and kitchen etc al...he also has few bikes and jeep to rent out on daily basis...contact him on +919850469029

You can refer my name - Agnelo from Bangalore...

if there is any more info you require, feel free to check it out...

You may also want to check out BluBlu's Goa pages/tips...he's an expert on Goa...

Thanks for this additional excellent advice Agnelo.

Incidentally, Bangalore is another place I want to visit, when is the best time?

Regards

Mark

Your welcome, Mark!

Bangalore has the best climate among Indian cities, anytime between July to January is pleasant. You may want to visit Hampi on your way from Goa to Bangalore, one of the oldest heritage (kingdom's) site.

If you require any info on bangalore, feel free to contact me

P.S. A good place in South Goa which offers good deal's www.martinscomfort.com and in north goa www.casablancagoa.com


cheers!
a