if you want the really good beaches then its better imo down south, but i like up north for the restaurants i like both, cant you do both??
jane

Personally I prefer North - and you can always catch a taxi to spend the day in the South.


Have a great time

Jo

I don't intend to be unkind but after reading your two posts, I can't help but think that Goa is not the place for you.

Goa is a fantastic place to come to after you have explored and experienced what travelling is all about, India is not for the faint hearted and from what you say you want, you would be better off in the USA or Australia

Watch Kevin Mc Cloud "Slumming it" because that is what a lot of India is like. Goa does have some great hotels and a few nice beaches but you will still have to rub shoulders with dirt, poverty, beggars and cows every day.

I love the place warts an all, but it can be very basic and that is where it's charm is

Michelle,

Goa is like no other place on earth.

But it is very basic and can easily shock.

Reading the forum can give you a great insight and it is indeed a great place to go to.

Come with an open mind and pretty low expectations and one of two things will happen.

You will hate everything and be horrified by the poverty, rubbish, exploitation, beggars etc etc.

Or you will see past all that and be captivated by the peace, the wonderful people, the amazing food,
The sights you will see, and the fact that some days you can just spend the whole day sitting on the beach watching the world go by and be truly happy.

Only one way to find out which sort of visitor you will be.

Good luck.

Papa

You took the words right out of my mouth Papa!!! Well very nearly Paula

Or you will see past all that and be captivated by the peace, the wonderful people, the amazing food,
The sights you will see, and the fact that some days you can just spend the whole day sitting on the beach watching the world go by and be truly happy.

This^^^^, without a shadow of doubt, is Goa in 2 sentences.

Personally i prefer the south we love the south its sooo chilled out , we love to stay in the south and visit the north both are great depends what you prefer

i much prefer the north and for first timers try calangute

i much prefer the north and for first timers try calangute

Nearly agreed with you Dragon but Baga is even better and apart from that you are only ever likey to bump into a Dragon and his little brother up north, went down south once and it was closed

Its the South Cavellosim for us ,great beaches,but we also have a week in Candolim [North]for meeting
friends and shopping,Calangute and Baga far to busy by far,thats just our opinion
annx

South Goa is ok for me, for a day only - but I would pick North Goa every time.

I want out of this world beaches, a good spot for sightseeing, loads of tours/excursions, good choice of restaurants, not clubbers so not worried about clubs.

North or South and which resort/hotel?

We love yoga and want plenty of beauty treatments available.

Out of this world beaches... stay off Calangute and Baga beach for starters.Wall to wall sunbeds, beach shacks, people selling things etc etc. If you are looking for paradise in the form of palm trees and crystal clear and clean water you need to look elsewhere in the world. You can find more stretches of deserted beach in the south of Goa than the north but the swimming can be dangerous and the water polluted.

Sightseeing and tours.... in the traditional style there are not many "special" places to visit but sightseeing is all around you. If you have never been to India before you will have all your senses bombarded with new experiences. Some you will not like, some you will.

Restaurants... incredible value, quality and variety, and not just Indian food either.The North has the larger number by far. Don't book an all inclusive or half board holiday, you'll regret it !

Which hotel .... depends on your budget. There are some truly luxurious hotels but they are expensive. If you go budget expect basic, very basic.

I'm not sure that Goa has what you are looking for but you might find something else instead that you find equally appealing.

South Goa every time! Quiet beaches, great food and shacks, all depends whether you want Blackpool or a chill out zone!!!

Hi Jannibabe

South Goa every time! Quiet beaches, great food and shacks

You missed out, no one to talk to, early nights to bed, need a hundred books to read, there's such a thing as chilling out or drying of boredom.

If you need to get out of the grave yard, come and join the fun and the living up north we also have quiet beaches great food, brilliant shacks and a fantastic group of fun people at the HT meets
You can bring a book if you want

Why not try both they are not that far apart distance wise, but so far apart when it comes to cleanliness,quieter beaches nice restaurants ect. For the last few years we have headed south for 5 days, and Cavelossim has all the restaurants, beaches, places with live music you need. I am not to sure if we would stay for 2 or 3 wks but we enjoy the North as well......
Cheers Keith
PS
Meagain is Drying of boredom something to do with to much coffee and not enough to do

While it's true that the beaches in the South are better and more chilled out, the North has more of a variety of things to do such as night markets and a day market as well as many other options. There's also a greater number of bars and restaurants to be found in the North than the South but, It all depends on your own personal preferences.

Meagain is Drying of boredom

That must have been a psychological typo KJF As I typed that I was probable thinking it must be nearly sunset in Goa and cocktail time

North every time for me Michelle .... love the South... but only for a few days at a time.... why not do both, i think thats a great idea... as both have there upsides, and have to agree with meagain...

and a fantastic group of fun people at the HT meets :glynis

yes, we all have a ball in the north, night after night, and have made some fab friends for life through the HT meets...

... not drying out are you meagain that could take some doing
chilly