Quite cheap? Oh, angelface, you're in for a lovely surprise.
Generally, we budget on between £25 & £30 total per day for 2 people eating lunch & dinner with a couple of beers/water at lunch, G&Ts watching the sun go down then a few more G&Ts in the evening.
We tend to eat a lot of Indian/Chinese, kingfish or pomfret and the odd steak.
Or to put it another way, we spend about half on food & drink in 3 weeks in Goa than we do in 2 weeks in Greece or Turkey.
Here's a website that gives prices for a lot of the trips you can do, it will give you an idea of prices:
http://www.daytrippergoa.com/index.html
Alternatively, you can hire a taxi for the day and 'do your own thing'.
Massages? I personally don't have these because I have an intermittent back probelm and wouldn't trust anyone other than my own guy to massage me.
The money problem starts when you begin shopping.
There'll be 2 night markets close to you with unimaginable delights.
Fake designer handbags in lots of shops in Candolim, fabulous gold and silver jewellery, not to mention the T-shirts, beach dresses, carved elephants, bedspreads etc for sale on the beach.
Generally, we budget on between £25 & £30 total per day for 2 people eating lunch & dinner with a couple of beers/water at lunch, G&Ts watching the sun go down then a few more G&Ts in the evening.
We tend to eat a lot of Indian/Chinese, kingfish or pomfret and the odd steak.
Or to put it another way, we spend about half on food & drink in 3 weeks in Goa than we do in 2 weeks in Greece or Turkey.
Here's a website that gives prices for a lot of the trips you can do, it will give you an idea of prices:
http://www.daytrippergoa.com/index.html
Alternatively, you can hire a taxi for the day and 'do your own thing'.
Massages? I personally don't have these because I have an intermittent back probelm and wouldn't trust anyone other than my own guy to massage me.
The money problem starts when you begin shopping.
There'll be 2 night markets close to you with unimaginable delights.
Fake designer handbags in lots of shops in Candolim, fabulous gold and silver jewellery, not to mention the T-shirts, beach dresses, carved elephants, bedspreads etc for sale on the beach.
Hello angelface 
to the goa forum
A bottle of GIN £1.30
A bottle of whiskey about £2
200 cigs local ones about £4 .
.to go on the bus 10p ...
soap 10p toothpaste small size 10p..
.a drink while your out about 40p
coke or fanta 20p ....hope this helps you .colleen
to the goa forum A bottle of GIN £1.30
A bottle of whiskey about £2
200 cigs local ones about £4 .
.to go on the bus 10p ...
soap 10p toothpaste small size 10p..
.a drink while your out about 40p
coke or fanta 20p ....hope this helps you .colleen
Never been at Xmas but I understand that prices go up during that period so I would allow more than PPC or Irish Colleen suggest.
No doubt they will correct me if I am giving duff info
Our last holiday (February) worked out at £46.40 per day over two weeks including taxis, meals drinks and a couple of small presents.
No doubt they will correct me if I am giving duff info
Our last holiday (February) worked out at £46.40 per day over two weeks including taxis, meals drinks and a couple of small presents.
Hi Del - no correction from me.
I've never been over Xmas/New Year so your advice is probably better than mine.
Our £25-£30 per day is just for food & drink plus the odd bottle of gin, tonics and water from the Elephant Shop and local bus fares.
We don't take taxis.
I keep our prezzie spend separate.
Regards
I've never been over Xmas/New Year so your advice is probably better than mine.
Our £25-£30 per day is just for food & drink plus the odd bottle of gin, tonics and water from the Elephant Shop and local bus fares.
We don't take taxis.
I keep our prezzie spend separate.
Regards
a slight word of warning, the bargain, the £2.00 bottle of whiskey, bears little comparison to any scotch whisky you may be in the habit of drinking, and the last time I purchased a bottle of Gordons Gin in the bottle shop in Calangute, it cost an auful lot more than £1. Having said that if you are going to use a lot of mixers with your drink, fare enough, but if you are in the habit of taking your topple neat, or with a splash of water, remember and stock up in the duty free !.
Alan
Alan
As far as I know, having been over Christmas and New Year, a few times. It's the accommodation prices that go sky high, and any Festive events at the hotels and restaurants.
Otherwise, the prices stay the same.
xx lassi
Otherwise, the prices stay the same.
xx lassi
I'm going to Goa again for my third visit this December, and it won't be the last!
Here are some suggestions to make your first visit hassle free:
You'll often be be asked "Is this your first time in Goa/India?".
Always say that you've been before. (If pressed, just say you stayed at the same place last time, then change the subject of conversation to avoid further probing questions.)
The reason for this is that if you admit it's your first visit, you'll be seen as being 'green' and unwise to the various ways of being ripped off, especially when shopping.
Every local trader is after making the best income they can during the tourist season. Fair enough, because for many what they earn during this time has to last them for the year (just like in many popular tourist destinations.)
Apart from local shops where prices are on display, NEVER pay what a seller asks. Haggling is part of Indian culture and they will be surprised if you don't do this. The 'asking price' is exactly that, and is always hugely inflated. Offer around 20% of what they ask for to begin with, and settle for paying around 35-45%. Definitely no more than 50%, no matter how much you like what's on offer. Try walking away from a deal and be amazed how much the 'final offer' drops!
Beware of beggars:
If it's children, they are often sent out by parents to prey on gullible tourists, or they are avoiding school to get some easy pocket money.
If you see a mother with a baby begging, it's the same motivation.
If it's a crippled person, they're likely to be genuinely in need, but rather than offering money, offer to buy them some food. If they refuse and ask for cash, you'll know what their motivation is as well.
Ear doctors:
You'll likely be approached on the street by men pointing at your ears and suggesting they are registered 'doctors', showing you convincing ID. They want to 'clean' your ears, and will often demonstrate, producing (by sleight of hand) some earwax that they suggest is yours, proving that you need their services. Don't fall for this.
Please don't take any this the wrong way. The Goans are wonderful, lovely people and their company will probably make your visit to Goa just the first of, perhaps, many - if you enter into the culture of the place, don't resist it, relax and have fun!
Hire a taxi for a whole day (at a ridiculously cheap price) and have your own personal chaufeur show you places the holiday reps won't.)
Enjoy your holiday.
Here are some suggestions to make your first visit hassle free:
You'll often be be asked "Is this your first time in Goa/India?".
Always say that you've been before. (If pressed, just say you stayed at the same place last time, then change the subject of conversation to avoid further probing questions.)
The reason for this is that if you admit it's your first visit, you'll be seen as being 'green' and unwise to the various ways of being ripped off, especially when shopping.
Every local trader is after making the best income they can during the tourist season. Fair enough, because for many what they earn during this time has to last them for the year (just like in many popular tourist destinations.)
Apart from local shops where prices are on display, NEVER pay what a seller asks. Haggling is part of Indian culture and they will be surprised if you don't do this. The 'asking price' is exactly that, and is always hugely inflated. Offer around 20% of what they ask for to begin with, and settle for paying around 35-45%. Definitely no more than 50%, no matter how much you like what's on offer. Try walking away from a deal and be amazed how much the 'final offer' drops!
Beware of beggars:
If it's children, they are often sent out by parents to prey on gullible tourists, or they are avoiding school to get some easy pocket money.
If you see a mother with a baby begging, it's the same motivation.
If it's a crippled person, they're likely to be genuinely in need, but rather than offering money, offer to buy them some food. If they refuse and ask for cash, you'll know what their motivation is as well.
Ear doctors:
You'll likely be approached on the street by men pointing at your ears and suggesting they are registered 'doctors', showing you convincing ID. They want to 'clean' your ears, and will often demonstrate, producing (by sleight of hand) some earwax that they suggest is yours, proving that you need their services. Don't fall for this.
Please don't take any this the wrong way. The Goans are wonderful, lovely people and their company will probably make your visit to Goa just the first of, perhaps, many - if you enter into the culture of the place, don't resist it, relax and have fun!
Hire a taxi for a whole day (at a ridiculously cheap price) and have your own personal chaufeur show you places the holiday reps won't.)
Enjoy your holiday.
Some excellent advice in the last post, especially the ear cleaners who operate on the beaches and in the markets.They are the ones most likely to annoy me. I don't want anyone trying to stick anything in my ear without asking but it makes for a much better holiday not to loose your cool. Be firm but polite when being hassled.The seller usually accepts your position without further need for confrontation.
Lots of people don't like the fact you can't walk down the street without being bombarded with enquiries about your need for a taxi.
I have even been asked by another taxi driver if I need a taxi as I climbed out of one !
I think that this all adds to the atmosphere and actually makes Goa what it is. It would be really boring if no one asked you to "Come and look in my shop" and everyone was quiet.
The local Gin, Blue Riband is OK and that's only £1.50 a bottle.
I haven't looked to see if you can buy them out there but a supply of ice cube bags is worth taking with you as they weigh little in your luggage and the reward is great !
Lots of people don't like the fact you can't walk down the street without being bombarded with enquiries about your need for a taxi.
I have even been asked by another taxi driver if I need a taxi as I climbed out of one !
I think that this all adds to the atmosphere and actually makes Goa what it is. It would be really boring if no one asked you to "Come and look in my shop" and everyone was quiet.
The local Gin, Blue Riband is OK and that's only £1.50 a bottle.
I haven't looked to see if you can buy them out there but a supply of ice cube bags is worth taking with you as they weigh little in your luggage and the reward is great !
Hi Angelface the prices also vary depending how close you are to the 5 star hotels where we stay in the south the shacks and restaurants near the big hotels charge a lot more for drinks and food
thanks Dave that is the Gin Im talking about ,,I know I love the apple vodka and the most I have ever paid for that is deffo £1.30 ohhhh cant wait to get my first one inThe local Gin, Blue Riband is OK and that's only £1.50 a bottle.
colleen
Angelface.....my only advice would be for you to catch the very contagious Goan disease called "Goanitis". It comes at you quite quickly and unsuspectingly and once caught, awfully difficult to get rid of. Most people suffer from it for around 50 weeks a year.
I am sure that all members of the Goa Forum have caught this disease and have to make a huge effort every year to suppress the affects of suffering from it.
The only known cure is to endure a 10 hour flight back to Goa once or more per year. Once there, try a combination of the various remedies available. A large dose of beach shack, great food and cold beer, great company, amazing prices and some fantastic sights + many many more. This works for most people but a few have to repeat this more than once a year......it's an individual thing!
Sadly this is not available on an NHS prescription only a private one!
I am sure that all members of the Goa Forum have caught this disease and have to make a huge effort every year to suppress the affects of suffering from it.
The only known cure is to endure a 10 hour flight back to Goa once or more per year. Once there, try a combination of the various remedies available. A large dose of beach shack, great food and cold beer, great company, amazing prices and some fantastic sights + many many more. This works for most people but a few have to repeat this more than once a year......it's an individual thing!
Sadly this is not available on an NHS prescription only a private one!
Ian I must have what your talking about .....colleen
Thank you all for the wondeful advice, im really looking forward to this holiday, what is the HT meets and do they welcome newbies.
Some further suggestions for you Angelface.
I do recommend this company for excursions: Day Tripper Tours (easy to find on Google)
Their prices are a little cheaper than what the holiday reps offer, but they are exactly the same tours.
These are the ones I enjoyed and can recommend:
Khola Beach (overnight stay):
It's like being on a private beach (no sellers), staying in beautiful Rajastani tents, and you will NOT want to come home!
Backwaters (day trip):
Lovely cruise, that gets you close to the wildlife, including the crocodiles!
Devbagh Island (overnight):
Stay in log cabins in a beautiful pine forest. Lovely beach with no sellers!
Interact with Elephants/Spice plantation (day trip):
Insight into Goan life and very informative.
Dudhsagar Falls (day trip):
Deep into a nature reserve, swim under the waterfall and feed the cheeky monkeys.
Enjoy!
I do recommend this company for excursions: Day Tripper Tours (easy to find on Google)
Their prices are a little cheaper than what the holiday reps offer, but they are exactly the same tours.
These are the ones I enjoyed and can recommend:
Khola Beach (overnight stay):
It's like being on a private beach (no sellers), staying in beautiful Rajastani tents, and you will NOT want to come home!
Backwaters (day trip):
Lovely cruise, that gets you close to the wildlife, including the crocodiles!
Devbagh Island (overnight):
Stay in log cabins in a beautiful pine forest. Lovely beach with no sellers!
Interact with Elephants/Spice plantation (day trip):
Insight into Goan life and very informative.
Dudhsagar Falls (day trip):
Deep into a nature reserve, swim under the waterfall and feed the cheeky monkeys.
Enjoy!
welcome to holidaytruths,,,the ht meets are held at the carvery restuarant in candolim,every wednesday night.any members of holidaytruths who are over there meet up for a great night out,we went for the 1st time last season,and was made very welcome by everyone,we will definatley be going again this season as it was the best nights out we had last visit to goa.
got that goanitis everyone i talk to in my cab gets the full hit as well
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