hi denham, me and hubby were in Candolim last xmas and new year and usually go end january through february. The big day in Goa is christmas eve, then after that everything is normality. Was nice sitting in a shack on the beach on xmas day thinking of everyone freezing back home Some restaurants you had to prebook a table as they were doing an xmas meal, which were quite expensive. But we found a restaurant that wasn't taking bookings and had a lovely three course meal with alcohol and was their normal menu prices.

It was busier with domestic tourists, but the Sunburn festival is on between xmas and new year, and everyone from all over India seemed to descend into Candolim for this. The roads were blocked and it was just manic. Wouldn't go at xmas again, much prefer our usual time, but glad to have experienced it Hope this info helps you with your decision.

We have gone for the last few years over Xmas and New year but I can't say you get ripped off, prices don't seem to change in the restaurants unless you are going for a special meal. The rupee does tend to drop in value though.

Thank you silver angel & brenliz for your replies.If the festivities are over after xmas eve it should not be too bad.We do expect it to be busier then and can probably cope with it.Silver Angel can you remmember the restaurant you ate in xmas day?.We are flying out on 27th december this time so after new years day it should be quieter.When does the sunburn festival start and end?.Last year we spoke to a couple and they was dissapointed with xmas in candolim,they said they just went down to the beach with their santa hats on and it was just a normal day and no festivities and would not go anymore.I suppose it all depends what you expect from xmas,if its too much you will be dissapointed.Thanks again Denham

hello denham, the restaurant is Friends at JJ's guesthouse - they really made our xmas evening lovely, the food and staff. Was a lovely atmosphere there, while over the road were charging an exorbitant amount for a special three-course xmas meal without alcohol, that was separate. And you had to book a few days in advance.

Reflecting on the holiday now, Xmas was disappointing to me as expected it to be much more in the way of celebrations. And new year was just so heaving and manic that it wasn't enjoyable either. So will go january/february time again in future. Sunburn is on for 3 days, either 27, 28, 29th, or 28, 29. 30th - can't remember.

Have stayed at Sunset Beach twice, and other places too. But Sunset have got very expensive now. Glad to be of help

Thanks Silver Angel,still carn't decide if to go xmas or not,but have taken onboard all your imfo.Will try Friends when we go to Sunset this year.Am going to give it some serious thought first.At least if we go we know we are not going to be ripped off just because its xmas.Thanks again Denham

Hi Denham we've been going for Xmas for the last 13 years or so . As its peak season you will pay more for flights and accommodation but food and drink wise you will pay the same as the rest of season.

You can still have a reasonably priced holiday for time of year though if you shop around this year we booked our flights in January with Qatar flying out on Xmas eve for 3 weeks cost £ 570 each. We stay in a small apartment in Candolim for 900 rupees a night for the two of us. So in total for the three weeks it's costing around £700 each. Unless we managed to get a late deal with a travel agent I doubt we could get cheaper than that for Xmas

It's great spending Xmas and new year there granted at times it can be a bit manic but there's something very special about lying on your sunbed on Xmas day and tuning in to a bit of dolphin spotting rather than the queens speech

Hi Nejulie,that was a great price for your flights with qatar,when do they come onsale for next xmas.Did you book them through a travel agent or direct online.Called in travel agent on wednesday to enquire about them booking flights with qatar for me and they put me off as they said if anything goes wrong we would loose our money by booking flights only.When you book your hols diy is it not hard to marry flights and accomodation together.For example if we booked our hotel for next year while we was there this december how do you know what days qatar will fly from manchester next year as don't think they will be on sale untill after we go to goa at the end of december,hope that makes sense to you.Thanks for your reply

Hi Denham schedule flights are usually on sale 300 days in advance however this year thanks to a tip off on TA I found my flights on sale with Opodo around the end of January before they were on sale with Qatar themselves so snapped them up straight away. We use the same guest house each year and once I've booked I just email them with the dates. I think with the schedule airlines they tend to stick with the same days and times year after year so easy to make a provisional booking for accommodation and confirm exact dates later.
In the past we've used BA Jet and Air India this is our first year with Qatar. I don't worry about the airline having problems but I do take out Independent Traveller on my insurance so if anything happened like ash clouds or snow and we are stranded at least we will be covered for hotels etc albeit we would probably have to arrange our own as we won't have a rep but I can't see that being hard to do in Goa.

The only problem with going scheduled is that you have to pay the full price when booking but you do get much more flexibility with dates. As I am in Newcastle we have to travel to London or Manchester which takes about the same time by train so flying from Heathrow this year as it was cheaper than Manchester and there was more choice with the flight times.

I am hoping to do the same for next Xmas and will give you a shout if I find any good deals

Thanks nejulie,its just a bit daunting when you are used to booking package hols.So when we go this december we could provisionally book our room at hotel,then book flights later and email hotel to confirm dates.Maybe its easier than we think.If you could send me a message when qatar flights are on sale i would be greatfull.By the way qatar are good to fly with,we flew to thailand with them but as a package with thomas cook signature.Thanks again for your help,Denham