Thanks for all those replies, certainly food for thought and some things I had not thought of yet. We have 2 months off school at Christmas time would this be a good time to go? How does everybody go about finding accommodation as I would ideally like to rent a house or appartment so that I have a base, not keen on hotels.

Hi

I totally agree that taking your children to Goa will be a very good experience. There is much more to life than just learning the basics..... in a country like India you can also learn about life which in my opinion is just as important. There can be a problem with pavements although we looked after a little disabled girl that needed a pushchair and we didn't have a problem getting everywhere we wanted to go.

Christmas is a good time of year to visit Goa although it is probably the busiest time of year too. There are mormally loads of apartments for rent that are very nice and vary in price from 3000/- (£35) to 10000/- (£125) a month for a two bedroomed place. If you need any help finding a place then pm me and I will do my best to help.

The food in Goa should not be a problem as everywhere sells english food now. Yes there might be a problem with having to get bottled water all of the time but you would soon get used to that. The children would certainly get alot of attention over here as the locals love talking to all of the tourists children and I must say that on the whole it is a very safe place for children.

Hope this helps. If you do have any more questions then let me know and I will do my best to help

I'm taking my kids to Goa for a month in Jan, aged 5 and 14, I have no worries about taking them out of school and have already started working with the school to get a working pack for eldest sorted out. Whilst there he will do an independant study project on climate and cultural change. He will send his work back to the teachers by email...depending on internet facilities which I'm told is good. The little one I'm told will learn more there than being at school and will be just taking her reading books and Jolly Phonics CD's.

I selected Goa as I'm told it's so child friendly as opposed to Gambia, West Indies etc which were my other choices, sure the roads are dangerous but so are the roads dangerous in Italy, London etc etc etc.

Thinking about taking our family to Goa - so I have just started to do some research.

I am looking for advice please, so here goes:

Is there much for a 16 yr old lad and 11 yr old girl to do?

When is the best time of year to go?

Is it cheaper to book a package holiday or DIY?

Thanks a lot.

Mcgroogle

Absolutely nothing for children to do - get up - have breakfast - go to the beach - go home at 6 - get ready to eat out at 8 - go to bed and get up tomorrow.
Go on trips to see crocs and turtles.

Adults love to go to Goa but it is not a place for children - easily bored - take them to Disney Land when they are young or leave them with Gran when they are 15. Honestly they will be bored in Goa - we have seen so many of them sulking and parents fed up with them. There is lots of shopping to do but how many days do you want to shop - parents want to chill on the beach.

Absolutely nothing for children to do - get up - have breakfast - go to the beach - beach sports - bananas and jet skis.
Unless you have children who want to bird watch - go to local villages to meet real Goan children - go to historical sites etc.

I have to disagree with the last post.

Although there is not loads for children to do no adventure parks etc. i have been there with children, my son was 14 the first time we went and we were with friends who had 12 year old, and they fell in love with goa and loved every minute of it.

there is jet-skis and bananna boats. there is also a go-kart track which is very enjoyable,

the first year we went the kids had a lovely time on the beach with the beach workers and made some good friends. So as long as they are not expecting theme parks and arcades the children would love it.

I would recomend North goa as it is more lively with more things going on. even in the evening along the beach there is always a beach shack that has something happening. and they will welcome children just as much in the evening as they do during the day.

It was a real eye opener for the children that i went with as they were still fairly young it made them realise how lucky they were.

We had a family with 2 boys aged aprox 8 & 12 staying in our apartments at easter, they loved every minute and are planning to go back next year.

Lin

Mcgroogle,

Goa is a fantastic place for kids. I totally agree with Haley and Lin.
We have two nieces aged 13 & 16, they came over to Goa last season and fell in love with the place. Best holiday they have ever had!!

Over the past 2 seasons i have noticed a big increase in the number of kids out in Goa. There's loads of stuff to do to keep them occupied and get them away from the dreaded playstation!! Holidaying in Goa will teach them about a whole different way of life and give them an insight into a totally different culture.

Crocs, Dolphins, Go-karting, elephants, boat trips, beaches, water sports, the art of bartering!!! and so much more.

I urge you to get your holiday to Goa booked now!!!

See you on the beach, Goldenflipflop

I think there's lots to do also.... Goa is a great place for Children to realise how easy they really have it, it's very educational and I think a fantastic place for kids... Goa even has a skate park (half pipe and ramps) in Assagao, which I enjoy going to, but very rarely have time, lots of water sports, trips, football and cricket with locals etc

I'm taking my 14 yr old boy and 5 year old girl to Goa for the first time in January. We are going for 4 weeks and staying in the south. I'm only worried about the travelling to and from really(as it's supposed to be a bit gruelling for adults let alone kids).

We are going to book trips to the elephant sancutary and places like that once a week. But from what I have read here on this forum and elsewhere it's supposed to be great for Kids. I can't wait.

hi i disagree with the post were people say goa is not for children, my son was only eight the first time he went, along with his niece and friends we knew, he loved the place, and people, there is so much for children to learn in respects to the different way of life and their cultures. we visited the orphange on numerous times.my son has made very good friends with the locals who take him to lots of different places, last year he went to two hindu festivals for diwalli, how many children get to experience this in our own country? again mixing with the locals he has picked up their language not just goan but kankani has well which results in him being able to have conversations in there language.

kids being in goa broadens their education and their knowledge of a completly different country, and the locals love them and look after them like their own.

agree with cashmot - goa is a once in a lifetime experience for kids - possible now but not a few years ago - try to get them to also see India as it is if at all possible - memories for ever!

hi i hope no controversey ! we first went to goa 18 months ago (south) with our then 12 year old daughter who had a fantastic time. we then had the family conference for next holiday, she voted for goa again, show of hands , not a lot of counting involved. goa it was . booked again for next year. she really has learnt so mutch from having traveled there.

Hi onesix, no controversy on this forum The 1st time we wen't I didn't think I would like it let alone my son, but a lot of years on he loves it almost as much as I do, A few years ago I would have said not suitable for children, It hasn't really changed, there are no childrens clubs, theme parks ect, but there is so much more, and it will keep them away from the TV, Game boys ect, an experience not found in a classroom, they will be fine on the long flight (As long as they are not next to me)

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Our kids are equally at home doing the theme park bit, like Florida or doing watersports, visiting the countryside, looking at the wildlife and visiting places.

So Goa sounds exciting

So answers to my other questions please

2. When to go?

3. DIY or package holiday (I'm not afraid of DIY - done it several times already)

Thanks you people

McGroogle

Hello again McGroogle,

I would say the best time to visit with kids would be Mid November through to Mid March as humidity is lower then. Don't go in April....it's far too hot and even the locals complain.!!!

DIY is a good option as there are lots of guest houses and hotels in north goa that are not in the brochures. You can pick up charter flights quite easily with jewel in the crown or Somak. However, going from experience I'd say a package is probably the cheaper option.
My friend booked a package yesterday, staying at the silla Goa Resort in Calangute. She checked the hotel website, and flight only with jewel in the crown but it worked out much cheaper doing the package.
She booked a Thomas Cook Package through:
http://www.hays-travel.co.uk
Hays discounted £250 whereas going directly through C Thomas Cook the discount offered was only £60!!!, it proves it's worth while shopping around.

Have Fun Goldenflipflop

*Edit to fix link and remove bold - Glynis*

I picked January to go as it's the coolest month so I'm told. we picked a B&B package with Jewel in the Crown.

what date in Jan do you go, Im flying from Manchester to candolim on the 19th