Goa Holiday Reviews

Little to see locally, but taxis cheap and accessible. Many people we talked to at resort didn't go exploring at all, but it's well worth taking a visitors guide and finding the places where fewer tourists go

The resort is ok for the over mature adult. There are plenty of bars and eating places but remember this is a third world country

Great for those looking for a holiday centred around the beach, but sea can be choppy and currents quite strong. Short walk to the beach from the village, good beach shacks for sunbeds, lunch and drinks. Nighlife centred around restaurants but same entertainment does the rounds at locallly. Lots of 'market style' stalls selling local clothing and souvenirs, and shops with leather goods, handicrafts and jewelery........beware though, I bought a ring as 18ct gold and found out later it was just plated. Panjim about an hour away in a taxi and the nearest non tourist town Margao about 30 minutes away, but beware for a culture shock!

The resort is well-placed with just a short daytime walk on the beach to the nearby town of Colva. The resort is not overly busy and has plenty of beach shacks to choose from to eat in. Life-guards monitor the beach to ensure that tourists (mainly from other parts of India) are sensible as there have been a few incidents of drowning due to drunkeness. The resort was appropriate for small children, no unruly behaviour or bad language to be heard - an ideal bucket and spade holiday. Beware of the 'skin-tax' as locals call it. For example taxi drivers may try to overcharge tourists but from Colva a tuk-tuk can be flagged down to take you back to the hotel at half the price of a taxi (100 rps). Betalbatim is very relaxed and slow, ideal for those not wanting beach parties or jet skiing.

Canolim is not a resort. It is an area in Goa. It has a beach - which is great. but the hotel does not have it's own beach - it is a short walk away.

You had to take a taxi into the nearest resort but it did not cost much. There was a cafe not far from where we stayed where you could get a nice breakfast or snack. Nothing else to do so you had to go out

I travelled with my boyfriend to Goa last March(09) for a week and stayed in Calangute, Bardez. I'd been to Goa twice before, but my boyfriend who had never been was a little sceptical at first but loved it after a week. A chilled out holiday, lots of exploring, eating and drinking. Great for a week or two or more if you want to make this a base for exploring the rest of India. Food at the beach shacks is good, lots of seafood and fish. Nightlife/ entertainment is based around drinking at the beach shacks some of which have fire eating and shows on the beach or going to the hippy night market which you've got to see even if its just to watch the hippies dance and play their music. There are a few nightclubs in Baga, but most have closed down or are very quiet. Tito's and Mambo's is still there but no one in them in March as its coming to the end of the season. The best club of all Cubana's has been closed by police. Take a trip to Panjim, the closest city for shopping, there are a few clothes shops selling designer gear, a Nike shop, some other sports shops, nice restaurants, some casino ships. The traffic getting into Panjim is amazing especially if you go by scooter, but make sure you wear a helmet. Taxi (2 seater) transfer from the airport to Calangute/ Candolim costs around 700 rupees one way, you will have to exchange some money at the airport but don't exchange more than the taxi ride as you will get a better rate of exchange somewhere in your resort. Just ask in any shop if they exchange, they normally have a little sign up outside.

Patnem is a lovely unspolit beach but not best for night life with most places shuting at about eleven at night, palolem beach up the road is much more lively. For those who dont want to stay up all night and prefer to just chill its perfect. Plenty of space and still free of the terrible sunbed syndrom found on so many beaches. The beach is wide so despite a small hand full of beds directly outside the restaurants most of the beah remains empty

Nice resort, quieter than neighbouring Calangute and Baga with a good selection of restaurants but not much in the way of nightlife.

Candolim is substantially quieter than its neighbours Calangute and Baga which is ideal as you can dip your toe if you fancy the hustle and bustle of these resorts whilst returning to somewhere more sedate. It consists on one main road which comes complete with Bus, Lorry, Taxi, Tuk Tuk and Bovine traffic and quieter lanes off to more bars, restaraunts and the beach. The beach is basically one long strip of Golden sand stretching from Sinquerim to Baga. The Beach is accessed by walking through lanes between houses, stepping over and through discarded rubbish before you will be approached to use one of the many beach shacks that frequent the length of the strip. The shacks are great VFM for food and drink but their toilet facillities are somewhat basic at best. Much better we found was to hire a taxi for the day and travel to one of the beaches further north ( Mandrem, Morjim and Ashwem ). Don't pay more than 700 rupees and you'll be rewarded with quieter and cleaner beaches with less hassle from hawkers and beggars. Paradise.

Candolim is a really good resort. I much preferred this resort to Calangute and Baga. It is much quieter in Candolim and you get hassled way less. It is close enough to the other resorts so you get amongst the thick of it but it's nice to stay in the quieter resort of Candolim.

Goa is everything its painted to be. Fantastic beaches, lazy afternoons and of course, lots to explore. The Hippie Market at Anjuna and Macys have to be seen to be believed; with the colours, sounds and smells just out of this world.

One thing I didnt expect was the dentistry on offer - 3 crowns , replacement white fillings and root canal surgery all for less than £270 - a return trip to get a new bridge in 2010 is already on the cards!

Our only disappointment was the elephant safari, although a fantastic experience on the whole - it was let down by the lack of narrative from our guide on the jungle walk. Considering Ashanti is an "eco centre" I was a little saddened to see the drivers mate throwing his empty plastic water bottles out into the road as we drove. And the driver should have shown a little more consideration to his 40 or so passengers and driven with due care and attention as he overtook a tipper overtaking a tanker!

Apart from that, this was a great value-for-money holiday and a fantastic introduction to what Goa has to offer. I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone (apart from my sister who would expect nothing less than 5 star accommodation!)

Cavalossim is a place to relax. Once you’re settled (over the beach sellers), there are some excellent places to eat out (Mike’s place for one) and the beaches are endless with plenty of excellent huts and a warm sea.

Canacona was so interesting! Much better than European holiday resorts. The beach was lovely, and it was a fascinating place. Some people seem so poor though, and there are a lot of beggars.

Busy Not for us. Loads happening but ok to visist just would not want to be staying that close to the action