We all know Goa is cheap for food and drink however this year we found that some places were very greedy charging double the norm for a beer alone.
We travelled to Ashvem and stayed at Seaview beach huts which we have done on previous occasions. However this year they charged 700 per night and when the bill came when we were checking out there was no breakdown of what we had had, just an amount of what we had to pay which was more that double on previous years.
We had never ever questioned a bill before as it seemed trivial but we had been blatantly ripped off. We didnt question it we just paid and left I was so angry.
Ashvem used to be a quiet undisturbed beach. Now you are hounded by beach sellers and we were so disappointed with the state of the sunbeds. They were falling to pieces all the horse hair was falling out of the sides and they were very dirty
Needless to say we will never go back there again its a shame but greed seems to be a number 1 priority with a lot of people now.
My husband refused to use the taxi's because they constantly try and overcharge you unless it is your regular driver. If you forget to ask how much before you get in they think they can charge what they like. When walking down the road all you hear is taxi taxi taxi, it drives you up the wall some days.
We will give it one more chance in 2007 and if its worse then we are going to visit other areas in India and give North Goa a miss for a while.
We will probably go South in 2007 as we have read some good reports on HT
Rgds
GL
I have spoken with lots of people and they are all saying the same thing, "this is my last time in Goa", the degree of comfort at the hotels doesn't compare with say Thailand, (for a lot less) many also are saying the same thing about bills and not running up a bill but paying for each drink as it comes, it is a sad affair but when the visitors are down they charge more to make up the deficit in their profits, myself if I go in a new bar now I ask for a menu even before ordering a drink and check prices.
I made the mistake at 2 bars paying Rs40 for a small brandy when I can get a large one for Rs30 any place.
Still lots of good places to eat and drink just got to be on your toes.
Lez
I made the mistake at 2 bars paying Rs40 for a small brandy when I can get a large one for Rs30 any place.
Still lots of good places to eat and drink just got to be on your toes.
Lez
I know what you are saying Leslie
The hotel bars and the rip off joints will lose out in the end.
When you walk past Nino's Nook in the evening its always packed.
Cheap booze and lots of good conversation with lovely people.
What more could you ask for.
Who needs waiter service anyway.
I think you will find a lot more of these little bars popping up as people find they are getting ripped off more and more.
GL
The hotel bars and the rip off joints will lose out in the end.
When you walk past Nino's Nook in the evening its always packed.
Cheap booze and lots of good conversation with lovely people.
What more could you ask for.
Who needs waiter service anyway.
I think you will find a lot more of these little bars popping up as people find they are getting ripped off more and more.
GL
RE/the price of things in goa this year I must say I have seen a big difference since november last year ..as lez said small drinks in some bars were more than a large ones in other bars and restaurants ....the biggest shock I got was we paid 200 rupees for a slice of apple pie and my brother and his wife only paid 170 rupees for their steak dinner ....that was in the spice garden like you ginlizzy I feel we should have asked was the price right I think it was 20 rupees and the waiter got it wrong ....but im to blame cus if your not sure you should ask 
Les & Lizzy, do you think there has been a change in the type of tourist visiting Goa lately,by which i mean people who are more used to european holidays.I am only a novice compared to some other H/T members but over the last 2 years noticed more people staying around the hotel pool all day,eating and drinking at the hotel of an evening or worse still asking if anyone can recommend somewhere that does good English food.Dont get me wrong i like a laugh & adrink as much as the next person,but the 1st time i went it was usually up for breakfast, off out for the day (beach or trip someone had reccomended)back late afternoon,showered changed down to the hotel bar for a drink and to catch up on what others had done,pick up some tips on where to eat ( cant beat advice from those who have been going for years)then after our meal a little stroll stopping here and there for the odd drink, then back to hotel bar for a nightcap & a natter but lately some people dont even bother to get changed of an evening let alone venture more than 2 miles from the hotel... (although i must point out at the moment these people are in the minority)and because everything is cheaper than europe the new tourists will pay the asking price not knowing they are being ripped off
KJF
good points.
i was last there in april 2004 so when i go on saturday i wonder how much of a difference i will notice with the clientelle
will let you know in my holiday report
good points.
i was last there in april 2004 so when i go on saturday i wonder how much of a difference i will notice with the clientelle
will let you know in my holiday report
i just think its quite sad that the ones who go year after year and help keep the shacks/restaurants/shops/taxis going end up the ones who get ripped off if they dont double check their bills/fares etc, 
I noticed last January that prices were going up and taxi drivers were making the prices up as they went along.
I've been to Goa 5 times and will probably go to Kerala this time.
Who knows what the solution to being ripped off is in Goa. I hear of a lot of people saying 'we are not going back'.
I've been to Goa 5 times and will probably go to Kerala this time.
Who knows what the solution to being ripped off is in Goa. I hear of a lot of people saying 'we are not going back'.
the only GREAT value for money is Dr Ambert the dentist!!!! he gives you the price beforehand and gives excellent work and does not push you to get "extras" done to your teeth that you dont need!!!! (not like the dentists over here!) 
Must say that Goa is sounding less appealing. Have just booked for Kerala in March (thought we would try somewhere different) not sure what to expect though!
Ginlizzy,
I couldn't agree with you more about Ashvem. We have stayed at Seaview several times now and have always been happy with the bill. This year a group of us stayed in the ensuite huts for two nights and when we got the bill we were shocked at the price increases, as you say nothing was broken down, and the price of a hut at 700 ruppees for a night was a bit steep to say the least. (Perhaps we were charged extra for the en suite rat which came up the drain in the night !! ) The sunbeds were terrible, at least they could buy some new mattresses, after all the good thick ones are only 300 each at the most.
We still love Ashvem, but agree that the sellers were a real nuisance this year, and things just weren't the same. We will not be going back there this year.
On the subject of price increases in general, we didn't find we were overcharged anywhere else, but taxis are getting a bit expensive, we used tuk tuks whenever possible as they are still cheap and good fun too.
We have been going to Goa for fifteen years now and find that things are getting more and more commercialised, we will continue to go as we love it there, but I can see it losing its charm rapidly. I would love to find somewhere else with the charm of Goa as it was fifteen years ago, any suggestions ? Don't say Kerala, we have been and I'm sorry but it isn't a patch on Goa, the people just aren't the same.
I couldn't agree with you more about Ashvem. We have stayed at Seaview several times now and have always been happy with the bill. This year a group of us stayed in the ensuite huts for two nights and when we got the bill we were shocked at the price increases, as you say nothing was broken down, and the price of a hut at 700 ruppees for a night was a bit steep to say the least. (Perhaps we were charged extra for the en suite rat which came up the drain in the night !! ) The sunbeds were terrible, at least they could buy some new mattresses, after all the good thick ones are only 300 each at the most.
We still love Ashvem, but agree that the sellers were a real nuisance this year, and things just weren't the same. We will not be going back there this year.
On the subject of price increases in general, we didn't find we were overcharged anywhere else, but taxis are getting a bit expensive, we used tuk tuks whenever possible as they are still cheap and good fun too.
We have been going to Goa for fifteen years now and find that things are getting more and more commercialised, we will continue to go as we love it there, but I can see it losing its charm rapidly. I would love to find somewhere else with the charm of Goa as it was fifteen years ago, any suggestions ? Don't say Kerala, we have been and I'm sorry but it isn't a patch on Goa, the people just aren't the same.
India is a huge country with plenty of coastline, i'm sure in years to come the other states will cotton on to the benefits of tourism.
On the other hand there are still loads of places to eat and drink where you don't get totally ripped off
On the other hand there are still loads of places to eat and drink where you don't get totally ripped off
I must say the only price increases we have noticed this year are the taxis.However the costs of trips etc are at a fixed price in this area so you know what you will pay.As for food and drink still the same as pevious years,it does seem to show it depends where you stay.
jc
jc
Hi ginlizzy
You are so right we know Seaview at Ashwam and used it regularly for a number of years, seems they have had a bank loan for the en-suite huts and they are trying to get it paid back this year by you!! Went to Bernards in Baga this week always been good food but this year our party had 3 roast dinners and given 2 portions of gravy we asked for a 3rd. and some horseradish sauce paid an extra 50 rupees for each item (pleased we never used the salt and pepper), a kingfisher beer 80 rupees which is dearer than the Taj a 5* hotel.
Always ask how much before getting into a taxi and a return price if you want it. If it's too dear vote with your feet.
Fishermans Cove at Candolim has always been a good eating place, however just opposite is San Ramosa a smaller well run resturant good staff excellent food and prices to match quality is superb and quantity even better. Try their mash or chips instead of rice if you prefer and this is not an extra,with a great Irish coffee to finish.
It woul be unfair not to mention Bending Bamboos known as Savios and even Snows Inn opposite the football ground, not so much a locals house any more.
"Don't say Kerala, we have been and I'm sorry but it isn't a patch on Goa, the people just aren't the same."
Can you expand on this statement, just would like to know your comparisons with Goa.
After having been to Goa 5 times and I do think some of the people are lovely it's charm is wearing off. There seemed to be more rip-off artists and false friendships (wanting money all the time) coming my way. It's now getting to the point where I just want my own space and good service, it's no point Goa milking tourism. The tourist infrastructure is BAD, money only being spent on building and not making the place cleaner, more pollution EVERYWHERE.
I'll be back in November but this Feb I'll try Kerala and monitor what's going on in Goa via this board.
For me it's time to discover other parts of India or just go to Thailand where they really do make an effort to make the tourist welcome.
Can you expand on this statement, just would like to know your comparisons with Goa.
After having been to Goa 5 times and I do think some of the people are lovely it's charm is wearing off. There seemed to be more rip-off artists and false friendships (wanting money all the time) coming my way. It's now getting to the point where I just want my own space and good service, it's no point Goa milking tourism. The tourist infrastructure is BAD, money only being spent on building and not making the place cleaner, more pollution EVERYWHERE.
I'll be back in November but this Feb I'll try Kerala and monitor what's going on in Goa via this board.
For me it's time to discover other parts of India or just go to Thailand where they really do make an effort to make the tourist welcome.
Hi everyone
Sorry I am late replying.
I am glad you all agree on Ashvem and Seaview. I did speak to our taxi driver about it and he was shocked at the cost.
We definately wont be staying there again we will try other places. We had planned to visit again but decided not to after that episode. Its their loss. Never mind, I hope its not going to get worse or people will not return.
Rgds
GL
Sorry I am late replying.
I am glad you all agree on Ashvem and Seaview. I did speak to our taxi driver about it and he was shocked at the cost.
We definately wont be staying there again we will try other places. We had planned to visit again but decided not to after that episode. Its their loss. Never mind, I hope its not going to get worse or people will not return.
Rgds
GL
I have seen a lot more football shirts this year mostly the three lions .
Indian tourists are up and they are the, how can I put it, the decent type, friendly like the 4 young men who flew down from Bombay on their motorbikes and wanted to chat to me about living in the UK, to the family man with his wifeand two well behaved daughters who wanted to eat with their fingers but said they had to use a falk and knife, talking English.
As others have said all you need is to be on your toes, and the spice Garden I wouldn't eat there for a bet, Floyds 50 yards away is far better and they can add without adding a 0 or two to your bill.
lez
Indian tourists are up and they are the, how can I put it, the decent type, friendly like the 4 young men who flew down from Bombay on their motorbikes and wanted to chat to me about living in the UK, to the family man with his wifeand two well behaved daughters who wanted to eat with their fingers but said they had to use a falk and knife, talking English.
As others have said all you need is to be on your toes, and the spice Garden I wouldn't eat there for a bet, Floyds 50 yards away is far better and they can add without adding a 0 or two to your bill.
lez
I stayed at the Seaview 2 years ago and was 300 RS per night. It was OK for the money. Food was good though. Shower area IF YOU DARE! Mosquito pradise!!!
Dropped in last year briefly (didn't stay) and would say that there didn't seem to be double the price difference, 700 RS sounds too much. That whole area is growing at an incredible rate. Something is going on!
Dropped in last year briefly (didn't stay) and would say that there didn't seem to be double the price difference, 700 RS sounds too much. That whole area is growing at an incredible rate. Something is going on!
BigNeil,
Let me expand on Kerala v Goa, I'll admit I've only been there once and therefore am no expert on Kerala, but it just didn't have the same atmosphere. The people were not as welcoming or warm, and as I like a drink or two, I found it frustrating not being able to get a drink that easily. Our hotel didn't have a bar, the manager would come to our room, take an order for beer and then deliver it to us in a box under cover of darkness. This was several years ago now and I understand things have relaxed a bit, but when I'm on holiday, part of my fun is sipping a cocktail on the beach as the sun sets.
We found the sea was rougher than in Goa and not particularly inviting.
On a more positive note, Kerala is beautiful, it is lush and green and a lot cleaner than Goa, the food is delicious, hot and spicy with lots of variety.
If you've been to Sri Lanka, then it is very similar to there in my opinion.
I hope you enjoy it.
Let me expand on Kerala v Goa, I'll admit I've only been there once and therefore am no expert on Kerala, but it just didn't have the same atmosphere. The people were not as welcoming or warm, and as I like a drink or two, I found it frustrating not being able to get a drink that easily. Our hotel didn't have a bar, the manager would come to our room, take an order for beer and then deliver it to us in a box under cover of darkness. This was several years ago now and I understand things have relaxed a bit, but when I'm on holiday, part of my fun is sipping a cocktail on the beach as the sun sets.
We found the sea was rougher than in Goa and not particularly inviting.
On a more positive note, Kerala is beautiful, it is lush and green and a lot cleaner than Goa, the food is delicious, hot and spicy with lots of variety.
If you've been to Sri Lanka, then it is very similar to there in my opinion.
I hope you enjoy it.
I thought I could tag my question onto this thread, as we're talking about prices etc. 
What's your opinion on the MRP? (maximum retail price as I understand, not our UK Manufacturer's recommended price).
I find it a little annoying to pay X amount then get back to my hotel or use it for the first time and see that I've been charged double Do you question the price at all? What's your experiences?
Helen
What's your opinion on the MRP? (maximum retail price as I understand, not our UK Manufacturer's recommended price). I find it a little annoying to pay X amount then get back to my hotel or use it for the first time and see that I've been charged double
Do you question the price at all? What's your experiences?Helen
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