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Goa. December. Ten days.

Replies: 21 - Last Post: Nov 18, 2012 9:45 AM Last Post By: Donkeystone

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caveboy18

caveboy18 avatar

Nov 14, 2012 10:31 AM
Posts:  76

Goa. December. Ten days.

Hey guys, during my three-and-a-half India trip I'll be in Goa from December 5th in the afternoon (coming by Mandovi Exp. from Mumbai) until December 14th in the evening (departing by train from Margao to Ernakulam). I already have the train tickets. I't my first time in South India.

So I have nine entire days. I'm on a rock bottom budget. Like 850 rupees per day, without transport. So far, it was fine... I manage to eat on a 300 rs. per day, sleep for 200-400 maximum.

I was thinking getting off the train near Old Goa and sleep that evening in Panaji, visiting next day Old Goa. After that moving for three days to Arambol, and later on another three days in Palolem. I'm not a party guy, I don't care about anything than beach walks, peace and a nice sand landscape.

What do you recommend??

Thank you.

Pirate_at_50

Pirate_at_50 avatar

Nov 14, 2012 6:15 PM
Posts:  3,756

1

Just a little wakeup thing. If you find an empty hotel/guest house room, you'll pay what they ask. Good luck even finding a room for 850.

caveboy18

caveboy18 avatar

Nov 14, 2012 7:57 PM
Posts:  76

2

So no cheapies in early December in the entire state? Even in Panaji, Margao, etc?

Pirate_at_50

Pirate_at_50 avatar

Nov 14, 2012 8:12 PM
Posts:  3,756

3

I dunno, biggest holiday period of the year? Crappy weather everywhere in winter?

Donkeystone

Donkeystone avatar

Nov 14, 2012 10:00 PM
Posts:  841

4

You might be able to book a 1* room / cocohut for around R750 per night on the South coast for early December, the closer to Karwar the cheaper. Your best bet would be to book a room in any 1* hotel / guesthouse / cocohut for one night, then have a look for something else, but remember Dec / Jan is the only time these places make any money, you may have to up your budget.

fivejacks

fivejacks avatar

Nov 14, 2012 11:33 PM
Posts:  470

5

You can always sleep in the tree line,just off the beach with the budget Indian male travelers.It's free!.

vatsal

vatsal avatar

Nov 15, 2012 2:57 AM
Posts:  33

6

1. Mandovi Express does not go to Old Goa. I believe it ends at Madgaon which is 30-35kms from Panaji. Old Goa is near Panaji.

2. Rs 850 per day is little on the lower side.

3. December is that time of the year when everything gets little crowded in Goa as many people come there for party.

4. Weather is good at this time of the year

5. Try Agonda Beach (5 km from Palolem)...it is one of the few non commercialized beaches in Goa and as you said you like beach walks, peace etc. this beach will be better suited for you...Price for a beach hut there is Rs 1200-1400 however, if you can find a person to tag along with you, you can split the share into as beach hut is more than comfortable for 2 people

caveboy18

caveboy18 avatar

Nov 15, 2012 4:14 AM
Posts:  76

7

1. I intend to get off the train at Karmali station so I can sleep the first night in Panaji.

I can't believe there's no single cheap hotel or guest house in Panaji, despite being the first days of December, I mean like maximum 500 rupees.

Oh, I've booked a beach hut for the first three nights (Dec 6-9) in Arambol. A place called Woodstock Village, I've used booking.com to book it. It's 450 rupees per night.. But I also wanted to sleep at least one night in Panaji and also in Palolem.. otherwise my dream of visiting whole Goa would'n be complete.

Pirate_at_50

Pirate_at_50 avatar

Nov 15, 2012 6:53 AM
Posts:  3,756

8

Good for you.

cyper

cyper avatar

Nov 15, 2012 9:12 AM
Posts:  26

9

I have lived, studied and worked in Goa. December time is cool, and the beaches are crowded like anything sorry to disappoint you. Again, 850 rupees a day is a bit of a challenge. Even the government youth hostels start at around 1200 a night. You might find some beach-side shacks, but I wouldn't recommend these as these are the places where the most scams occur. Theft, murder, prostitutes, drugs, blah blah you get the idea, and they can get you in unnecessary trouble.
I would suggest boarding with a local, if you know any. If you're very good at befriending people, you could try your luck with the fishermen, who might allow you to stay at their place, especially if you offer to bear some costs. Again, at your own risk, though they're usually safe.
You'll be hard pressed to find accommodation in Panaji for less than a thousand bucks. It's not impossible, just highly improbable. As for transport, a bus usually costs anything from Rs. 2 to Rs. 50-60 depending on your location. It's quite hard travelling in one, especially if you're a foreigner and not used to Indian buses.

Do enjoy your stay in Goa.

fivejacks

fivejacks avatar

Nov 15, 2012 11:07 PM
Posts:  470

10

No one stays in Panjim with the beach so close.Why?.The train,you are getting off is in Margao,you must take 2 buses to Arambol.If woodstock whatever has a place for you at 450Rs,grab it and stay there,you will not beat it...I doubt it.But grab it and cling to it.

caveboy18

caveboy18 avatar

Nov 16, 2012 1:38 AM
Posts:  76

11

I wanted to stay in Panaji so I can visit Old Goa as a daytrip next day. I can get off the train in Karmali before Margao so I'll be very close to Panaji for the first night (5th dec.) and after that I've booked five nights in Arambol for 450 rs. per night.

So you think is a good balance of Goa (2 days Panaji-Old Goa, five days Arambol and three in Palolem)??

fivejacks

fivejacks avatar

Nov 16, 2012 11:18 PM
Posts:  470

12

Skip staying in Panjim!.You can take a cab to Old Goa.I skip Old Goa every year.You will regret Panjim,there is no night life unless you take a taxi To The Beach!.You will regret Panjim..

Pirate_at_50

Pirate_at_50 avatar

Nov 17, 2012 3:47 AM
Posts:  3,756

13

The only time Panjim MIGHT be worth a trip is when they drag Frankie X out, and that won't happen again until 2014 - If they do, since they threaten to stop it every time they do. Millions attend, many go several times.

Donkeystone

Donkeystone avatar

Nov 17, 2012 4:06 AM
Posts:  841

14

He's doing a tour of Australia at present.
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