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Original poster

Goa, India - holiday on my own, late 50s?

86 replies

LandSight · 06/08/2022 21:13

Thinking about this at the moment for next year. It will be after a long Winter, but also as a treat for myself after alot of struggles.

I would travel on my own, maybe backpack in hostels or small hotels. Can't afford expensive ones.

Probably stay two weeks, give or take. I have the time, but not lots of money.

So .... if anyone could help me that would be great ...

Is two weeks enough? Should i stay longer? If I was backpacking but staying in one place I would be concerned I'd be a bit bored after a week. If I got bored I could maybe do a tour with a travel company once I'm out there?

Is it relatively safe for a woman on her own? I've travelled to other closer places on my own but I wouldn't like to get into too many problems by myself in India - I'm also a bit of a wuss about insects and stuff, lol. But I get the impression women travel fairly commonly in Goa on their own.

Or should I just pick a hotel package and stay there for simplicity (though they do seem a bit pricey and I'd also have to stay in the same place and it might be away from the interesting parts)?

Any thoughts welcome ..... ?

Another alternative might be Thailand (though I have been there once before many moons ago, but might be interesting to re-visit.) I just need somewhere relatively warm and free for a couple of weeks wondering and peace.

Sorry for essay!

OP posts:
SallyWD · 08/08/2022 22:35

To the poster who said they don't see Goa as India - it absolutely is! My DH and family are Goan and very Indian, strict Hindus etc. They would be appalled to see Goa described as "not India". They are proud Goans! Yes there are lots of western tourists there but that doesnt stop it being India.

Blueberrywitch · 08/08/2022 22:42

CockingASnook · 06/08/2022 23:51

I’ve mentioned this on other travel threads: at the moment I would not go to India at all because of the prevalence of horrific sexual violence (even if rarely directed at foreigners). Boycotting the country seems the least that I can do. In the past I have travelled from top to bottom of India and I found Goa one of the least interesting and most corrupt places. I felt the south was slightly easier going: Kerala, temple cities like Madurai etc, also Pondicherry on the east coast though it’s 20 years since I’ve visited.
I would have suggested Sri Lanka as a suitable and safer alternative but not so much right now! I’d probably consider Vietnam or Japan as alternatives but travel to both is more complicated currently.

I agree. After having watched the documentary India’s Daughter, and subsequent articles and research India is not at the top of my list for tourism until there is massive improvement.

Carpediem15 · 08/08/2022 22:43

LandSight · 07/08/2022 23:41

Sooooo interesting ….. 🙏

I am coming round to the idea of a structured tour of some kind, then maybe some time for choosing somewhere I like for a short time on my own at the end.

Structured tours all depend on how much money you have to spend. This is how we started off in 1984 and they were brilliant and have done quite a few over the years to find out if we liked the country - Japan, China and Taiwan then did the rest on our own. Have a look at this for an idea of prices.www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/asia/incredible-india
We met a lady on a Wendy Wo tour of China who had never been on holiday on her own before but loved it as she was included in everything then we met up with her in Vietnam when we were there and she was on another tour and she still keeps in touch when she goes on another one. You will love them instead of Goa.

MsTSwift · 08/08/2022 22:51

I had a terrifying experience in Goa in my twenties. I escaped gang rape by a very very narrow margin. Only time in my life I realised that “gibbering in fear” is an actual thing. So no I would never go back.

Redwinemaestro · 08/08/2022 23:02

CockingASnook · 06/08/2022 23:51

I’ve mentioned this on other travel threads: at the moment I would not go to India at all because of the prevalence of horrific sexual violence (even if rarely directed at foreigners). Boycotting the country seems the least that I can do. In the past I have travelled from top to bottom of India and I found Goa one of the least interesting and most corrupt places. I felt the south was slightly easier going: Kerala, temple cities like Madurai etc, also Pondicherry on the east coast though it’s 20 years since I’ve visited.
I would have suggested Sri Lanka as a suitable and safer alternative but not so much right now! I’d probably consider Vietnam or Japan as alternatives but travel to both is more complicated currently.

Boycott? Based on this logic, countries like US and UK should be boycotted first as rape/sexual violence rate is higher than countries like India.

There are dangerous locations in all countries.

frazzledasarock · 08/08/2022 23:21

I wouldn’t personally travel to India as an unaccompanied woman.

it’s different if there’s a man with you.

if you go go with a tour or a group or something.

and I am Indian (born here) but with family back there and visited very frequently.

this isn’t about racism or anything, it is actually about a very real danger of being a lone female who doesn’t know the language and the place it could end very badly.

Nanny67 · 08/08/2022 23:26

I really want to do thus too, and I'm coming up 56, no commitments or dependents, so also tempted to go for 2/3 weeks..

frazzledasarock · 08/08/2022 23:28

The prevalence of rape and female killing is very high in India. Statistically you’d not know as India is so vastly populated the rapes are not all going to be reported due to the stigma (to the victims obviously) and preservation of male reputation. Police are known to cover up rapes. The legal process takes forever and the case might never get to court.
also who’s going to listen to the poor women (financially poor) who are raped if the perpetrator is rich and has connections or the ability to bribe the problem away?

this is not a white country v a non white country thing.

It’s a fact india is not a safe place for a lone woman.

Redwinemaestro · 09/08/2022 09:53

Thousands of women travel unaccompanied in India. Most tourist destinations in India are lively, shops don't close until midnight, and there are people in the streets, parks or beaches till late.

Avoid dodgy areas, that's all. Don't get into strangers' cars. Use common sense and take care.

Compared to this, most streets in the UK become deserted by 7 pm, shops close, high streets become empty. Chances of getting assaulted is higher in such a deserted location compared to a lively street or area in
India that's full of human activity most of the time.

ThisWasMeTooo · 09/08/2022 13:05

Utter madness.

SouthWestChief · 09/08/2022 13:31

ThisWasMeTooo · 09/08/2022 13:05

Utter madness.

What is utter madness?
going to India?

it certainly isn’t. I have been alone and had a great time- probably better on my own than with DH

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