To think about going to goa

[Yellowpolkadot]

DH and I both have big birthdays coming up and wanted a big holiday to celebrate. I’m browsing the usual holiday websites and have seen some good deals for Goa. I’ve never really heard of anyone going so was just wondering if anyone has?

We will be taking DD who will be just shy of 2 when we travel 😊

I've been.
It's lovely. Amazing food, beautiful beaches with warm sea. Lots to see and do, massages, shopping!
South Goa is much nicer. North Goa is a bit brits abroad in areas.
When were you looking at going as it's coming out of season now and going into monsoon.

Yes it is lovely and the people are very kind and friendly. I'd say go to south Goa too.

It's a very long flight for a two year old though.

We would be looking to go over Easter next year. So around the start of April. DH really wants to go to Bali, but I’m just looking at alternatives!

You just need to check if you need malaria tablets.
I wanted to take my dc to India was was advised to wait until they were 7 and could take medication. But it was a different area altogether.

I took DS to Bali partially because they have amazing nannies for £3ph. Was nice for him to have a break with someone focused solely on him and me to get out and do some adults only stuff.

That said Goa is lovely.

I’ve been to both and I’d choose Bali over Goa with a young child - although flight is longer. When we last went to Goa we needed to take antimalarials, not sure if they’re still recommended. Check here travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries
Have you considered Thailand? We’re there at the moment with 8 yo DS.

It's lovely.

No malaria in Goa. I've been multiple time and we have never taken tablets (DH is Indian and locals don't either)

Grab a copy of Lonely Planet to read about the beaches and find what would suit you. Some louder with more young people and parties, some very quiet, my favourite (Palolem) is beautiful and quiet but with plenty of bars and restaurants so not at all boring.

I'd personally recommend avoiding hotels and renting small beach front bungalows, very cheap and a great experience.

I made the mistake of going off season once and it was horrible - rains every day, all the small huts / shops /bars being taken down (to survive monsoon, will be rebuild back on season)

Go between November - February

Here you go. In Goa malaria risk is low and for healthy adults no prophylaxis needed BUT possibly different for young children:

“For the rest of India (including Goa and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands) there is a low risk of malaria: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended. There is no risk of malaria in the Lakshadweep islands.

Special risk groups
In low risk areas, antimalarials may be considered in exceptional circumstances for travellers who are at higher risk of malaria (such as long term travellers visiting friends and relatives), or of severe complications from malaria (such as the elderly [over 70 years], the immunosuppressed, those with complex co-morbidities, pregnant women, infants and young children).”

I think Monsoon in Goa starts around June but in April it will be pretty hot and humid.
We went at the end of the ‘season’ in March one time and deffo preferred it in November.

Been to Bali&Goa few times,tho Maldives much better for littlies.Goa was interesting -hiring scooters,cheap apartment rental,excellent food..obv just watch the usual stuff(ice/water based drinks&food,hand gels,deet mozzie repellent)Bali proper'Oz abroad'-loud,singlets&thongs beered up oiks.
The flight to Goa isnt that long..My DC been regularly flying longer haul(Oz&S.Pacific)since6mths..at2the inflight movies,games&travel pack they give out keeps them happy..just get a dose of anti-histaminePhenergen down(see how they go with it by trying in the weeks before you depart) has great calming/sedative effect&good adjusting to different timezones for jetlag too.Have a great time.

I went backpacking in India in my early 20s and absolutely adored goa. We stayed on various beaches in beach huts or guest houses (paying something like £4 per night! - although this was 15+ years ago)
Palolem, Anjuna and Arambol were my favourites.
It was very much backpackers “hippy trail” territory, I can’t vouch for what the larger holiday makers resorts are like (or to be honest what any of it is like now as it was such a long time ago)

My dh and I used to live in India, a few hours from Goa, so have gone there on many holidays. No way I’d take a 2 year old though. We do plan to go when ours are older, 8+ maybe.

It is essentially a developing country, with sometimes poor road and health infrastructure outside of the major cities. There is some risk of infectious disease, dengue mostly and GI infections. Dengue is hell. Also you need to be careful when you go. June through early autumn is the monsoon season and roads and train tracks can be impassible if there is flooding, which could be why you are seeing some good deals now. The ‘season’ in Goa is usually just before Christmas to early spring.

I went there as a student about 30 years ago. It's not somewhere I would take a tiny child. The sea isn't that nice to.swim.in and even then parts of it were full of English tourists on cheap package holidays. There are lots of nicer places imo.

I'm in Goa at the minute, we went to India for Easter, started in Delhi.

It's very hot and humid. The sun is punishingly hot between about 11 and 3 every day, so your sightseeing, shopping etc is best done morning or evening.

We are in a resort hotel so you can just retreat to your ac room when it's too much or dip in the pool, or go to the gym or the spa. There's a kids club and stuff. Bad points - it's very difficult to get anywhere from where we are, so pick your hotel carefully.

I think a beach shack would be great in different weather and if you didn't have children with you. If it was just you and your husband your probably be ok. But the heat is a lot.

But Goa is beautiful, the little bit I've seen. We've had some amazing food and had a very lazy time

Goa is a fantastic experience although it does have a very district vibe compared to many long haul destinations. Parts of North Goa are really commercial- Calangute, Anjuna etc and attract back packers and cheap package travelers- not judging but this does make it very busy in season and there are some unsavory aspects - bits can be decidedly seedy. Other resorts are dominated by all inclusive compound resorts. April also isn't a great time to visit weather-wise.

I think Thailand might suit you better - there are two monsoon seasons so swerve Phuket and that side and try Koh Samui where you will get great weather around Easter. Its really easy to sort out your own flights etc - there is loads of choice - try Qatar. Accomodation is a much higher standard than India and I would feel safer with a toddler.

Reminded me of the Alabama 3 tune 🎶

There are lots of lovely places in Bali and it is very child friendly. Just avoid Kuta and you will miss most of the pissed up holiday makers. If your budget allows it there are some amazing Eco resorts around Ubud, Nusa Dua has lots of resorts perfect for families. Seminyak is foodie and I would suggest villas (though you probably want to avoid pool villas with a small child), Canggu is good for villas too. Lots of great deals, look on Luxury Escapes. Goa is on my "places to go" list but I wouldn't have done it with such a small child. Thailand on the other hand I have/would.

We went to Goa probably 15 years ago and I have no desire to go back. It was fine and I’ve happily been elsewhere in India but it wasn’t great. I had a particularly unpleasant GI upset which probably didn’t help!
I wouldn’t take a young child.
Have you looked at Sri Lanka?