We went the last 2 weeks of April last year and stayed in Baga. Loved it wasn't too manic but was enough going on. It was humid but you did get used to it. Staying in Calagute this year booked yesterday yah hay! as that's where the deal was. Would definatly have stayed in Baga again.

Hi Fiona,
Just got back 27th Jan Wonderful fab place!

Stayed at Marina Dourada - great hotel, gorgeous views, rooms cleaned to good standard, (wouldn't leave anything lying around in room though as we had our own decent bottle opener/corkscrew whizzed) and its central to everywhere. Will go back there.
Baga beach lively, fun - beach shack food is better quality than the hotel, the Bistro is good and go see Raj.
Calangute is more authentic with the Indians skinny dipping in their underpants! Candolim is quieter and nice (shipwreck still there)
Vagator beach is 15-20mins taxi ride and is like what Baga used to be like, quiet, more relaxed and beautiful palm trees - Ancoves restaurant is at the top of the steps and serves good stuff - plus if there at sunset, view is magnificent.
Ashven beach is further (30-40mins taxi) but really quiet and great for a walk to rescue washed up starfish - few beach shacks - but enuff for a breather for a kingfisher!
Good taxi driver is Sagi (we called him shaggy ) mobile number 9422056432 we had him for about 10days reliable friendly and funny, will pick u from airport for about 550-600 Rs - you can ring him from here. He doesnt get drunk either when he spends 5hours waiting for you! Tell him mark told you
If you like clubbing then Paradiso (100rs each) in Anjuna is tops (trance music if you like that) otherwise Club Cabana for more commercial dance (we didnt go as we dont like that music).
All in all Fiona you gotta go!!

Mark.

thanks everyone!( think I'll pass on the clubbing though! Bit too old for that!)