The beach shacks have floors, usually marble laid on sand. (Very upmarket)
We found Colva & Cavelosim much quieter than the north and not at all like Palolem.
A few places stay open late but as usual live music stops at 10pm.
We found it strange that the little shops didn't open until about 11am, for water soft drinks etc.
There is not the selection of restaurants or shacks you get in the north but we found some good ones.
There also didn't seem to be as many guest houses / small hotels.
Why not do a week in the South and a week in the North and see how they compare at the same time of the year.
We found prices to be higher than the north especially taxis, there seems to be a cartel operating in certain parts of the South fixing taxi prices and they would not haggle. One example of this was a trip to Palolem from Cavelosim was 1100rps, only 100 less than from Candolim.

Thanks for your reply, that has helped a lot.
I think we will do as you suggested, do a week in the North then a week in the South next season.

Nicola

Just back from Egypt so just a quick post as I am shattered but I disagree with samtheboater on the type of shacks in the South as well as the times the music stops, live music ends around midnight and the restaurants/shacks close when the last customer leaves and the small shops are open early morning I always get my morning paper before 8am sit in a local cafe' enjoy a coffee a read and watch the village wake up......here are some pics of our last couple of trips based in the South http://www.flickr.com/photos/goanjock/sets/72157602342688440/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goanjock/sets/72157602342688706/
p.s. There are also guest houses, small hotels etc.
p.p.s. Cavelossim and Benaulim are similar to Baga etc. in the early 90's

Hi Callum, hope you enjoyed Egypt, we cant make Goa this year as we are off to Oz for 6 wks on the 16th Jan.Just been looking through your photos were you staying at Luissa by the Sea ? Great photos by the way....Keith...

Have a great trip to Oz Keith...we had a great time in Egypt it doesn't have the magic of Goa (but where does) but it was nice to try a new place and Goa doesn't have the Pyramids, Valley Of The Kings, Mt Sinai etc. etc. Yes in the 07 album we were based at Luisa I even sat on the bench in your photo and watched the sunrise over the River Sal

The South

Cavellosim
Very quiet and very exposed so can be VERY HOT. For me there wasn't much to do there unless you want to fry on the beach. Good boat trips from here but are probably very busy by now. A few big hotels and other accom.

Benaulim
I quite liked here, some great shacks and prices and quality was very good. The beach round here is great as it isn't too busy with enough shacks to keep anyone happy. Quite a good mix of tourists giving a cosmopolitan feel.

Colva
Didn't like it here too much, a few really loud karaoke bars, seemed like a miniature Blackpool catering very much for British packagers. market here on Saturdays but very small.

Bogmalo
Know nothing about it.

If you are into cycling you can cycle up the beach on the hard sand when the tide goes out and do a bit of exploring. I stumbled on the big 5 star hotels by accident as they are well hidden away so no big eyesore. I enjoyed getting up early hopping on the bike and viewing country life (roads are quiet).

Accomodation is cheaper if you haggle, the vibe is very laid back, loved the shacks around Benaulim at night. Some stay open later (no problem there).

If you want to stay at the same place every day you might find it boring but take a day trip to Agonda or Cabo de Rama and get out and about. Taxis are slightly more expensive but not that much. Found food/drink to be cheaper.

You just have to get used to the fact that this is not North Goa and appreciate the quietness and chill out. Don't expect the North and relax!!!!

I personally would only go back to either the South or somewhere inland North around Vagator/Siolim. But that's me.

Thanks everyone for your replies, think i will be giving South a go in 2009.

Nicola