The "Benidorm Brigade" have tried to win the battle in Calangute but I'm not sure if they are winning (they just look lost). I would suggest you avoid the Candolim-Baga 'Strip' and go elsewhere in Goa.

I'm going next week and have the same feelings as you but you can find a quiet spot somewhere (I hope).

I was in the South for 2 weeks all over Christmas ( meant to be the busiest period) I certainly didnt see anything like you have described. I wanted peace, quiet and tranquility and thats exactly what I got....lovely............

there were lots of football shirted holidaymakers this time. i think its only a matter of time before the benidorm brigade take over which will send the prices soaring

DONT SAY THAT...

Hullsmoggy......where were you, it makes a difference.

I care nothing about the prices rising, I care about the relaxation, downtime and quiet I want.

To clarify, I started in the north in 1997, which was lovely then. Same area in 1998 was already starting to get too developed. 1999 I was in the north of the south, and that was the same as Calangute on my first visit. By 2005 I had moved down nearer the far south, and it was more developed and busier than my first time in Cal.

So..... how is it now? Do I think of returning, or look elsewhere?

hi
there is still places you can go to find the peace.just avoid the main drags like main calangute & baga beach - worst places, but candolim end of calangute beach you can still find peaceful shacks as in places like ashwem, morjim etc.
yes there is a lot of football shirts around but i dont think its fair to tar them with the same brush, not all football shirted fellow holidaymakers want noise & commercialism, personally i hate seeing british men o/s in nasty polyester football shirts but a lot like them & i think it would be very snobby of me to assume they are all the same, we have met lots of lovely people in goa over the last few years & a lot of the men were wearing their football shirts so now i reserve judgement & try not to judge on appearances.
the good thing about goa is that the 10hr flight will always put lots of people off!!!! esp gang of lads/girls on stag weeks etc...........now i was young once ( & some might say a bit wild ) but now im a sensible responsible (ahemm) 40 something ( still cant actually belive that i AM 40 something :shock: ) i dont want to spend my holidays surrounded by paralystic 18 yr olds....nothing against them they deserve their fun like i used to have at the same age, just dont particularly want to holiday with them!!!!!!!

millym......how true, i feel exactly the same, in goa now if you want hectic and noisy you can find it, but also there are so many peaceful places (ashwem) is my favourite as you say, the long haul flights put some people off

went to palolem for a couple of days this time it was a bit quieterthan baga or calangute but there were still a few gangs of people worse the wear for drink even mid afternoon.
my wifes younger sister and her mates want to go this autumn and they are usually magalluf or faliraki types. i have told them that it is not the place for them. hopefully they will take notice.

I was reading my Goa diary last night from 1999. At the time we were staying in a place for 80rs a night (honestly!!) and we hired a scooter and went to Calangute and Baga. This was 1999 and we couldn't get out of there fast enough. Ashvem Beach had about 6 huts to stay in back then, and the only people we saw there were a nudist couple. Bet things are different now!

Luckily Goa is big enough to accommodate all sorts, but the North does seem to get the vast majority of the `Benidorm brigade`. We`ve been going to Colva for about 8 years, and the only difference on our beach, is they`ve increased the beach shacks from two to four, thats the truth.

Not a football shirt in sight, only shirts you`ll see are the locals wearing an Indian cricket top. This really suits us, as the youngsters will find it far too quiet for them. So the up-shot is look around, and you`ll still find a nice quiet place somewhere. Ask me that question in 20 years time though.

Stephen99, we have been going to Goa for 4 years now twice a year, still love the place but fancied a change so we are off to kerrala in March. If you want peace and Q why not try there? Its supposed to be underdeveloped compared to Goa.

Once you get past Arpora hill everything get's quiet.

Is over the arpora Hill where they will be building the new airport?

doesn't look like it http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=012437
Must agree with Big Neil, much quieter further up north. So if you could all stay on the Baga- Candolim stretch We'll chill all day long with no hawkers to bother us

I'm thinking it might be my last year in Goa - also been going for about 8 years - north and south. I'm afraid yes - different people are coming - I too like it quiet - somewhere to chill out away from work. Now you will see a fair few children, 18-20somethings and some lager louts, not always young. anyone that finds somewhere that's like how Goa used to be please let me know! I don't like Thailand - probably would 15-20 years ago!

like bobbsy we are also trying Kerala in March love
Goa but been there 3 times in 12 mths so time for a
change, hope its good, will wait and see,leaving 1st march
for 2 weeks.
ann&john

Hi aarond the wife and i are going on the 15th march. Enjoy your time there.

I'm rather disturbed by the attitude of some towards football shirts. I wear my Sunderland football shirt , my England football shirt and my England Cricket shirt, my Durham Cricket Shirt.
I'm a season ticket at Sunderland Afc and Durham County Cricket Club and fail to see what that has to do with the people who go to Goa.
I've also been to Benidorm so I've no chance.
If you do not like certain people just go somewhere else, but don't tar us all with the same brush.
Do what the the Goans do be tolerent and get on with your own life

I have to agree with Rokerender. I think we can say what we like and what we don't like without decrying those who like destinations which may not be on our own particular "to do" list.