Has anyone been to Goa?? on holiday.  Can you give me any advice/tips??
Thanks

We went to Goa about 4 years ago,and throughly enjoyed it.We stayed close to Anjuna,and oppted for a premier all enclusive.However especially once outside the hotel,we found it extremley cheap - however we came across much poverty and large amounts of stray dogs that can be upsetting to see.
So I wouldn't personally go all inclusive.Drink and food is extremely cheap.We were lucky to met a wonderful taxi driver - Daido.He acted as a personal driver for my OH and our 2 girls.He went that extra mile and sought out non touristy places.EG we stayed at a marvellous elephant plantation and were the only guests their - rode the Elephants to the local water falls and bathed them etc.He also took us to his favourite beaches,family resurants(more like shacks but the food was wonderful).Local shops would sell bottles of coke for about 5pence.We ended up using the hotel for a place to sleep only.
We went in Mid March,but by late April the weather can turn rainy.
The main airport is a military airport so security was very tight,luggage searched and tied with plastic ties,myself and the girls were searched.
You will need a visa so apply in plenty of time,I think we paid about £50.
Markets are good value,I managed to bring a huge throw home with me.But there are plenty of beach sellers etc who find it hard to take no for an answer.
The flight is long,esecially as the stop over is a bit of a drag,but brill duty free.We stopped in Bahrain,and OH spent all his monet on a Tag watch - but could have spent loads more.
Enjoy,we certainly did.

I went quite some time ago, about 15 yrs ago now.
I had a friend then who had been going every year for over 10 years - he had the sort of high-paid job where he could work like stink for 6mths, then spend 6mths overseas. He told me everything I needed to know, and in addition I bought the Rough Guide.

I got a cheap flight with accommodation, this is usually dormitory accommodation but you don't have to take it, and you can just part from the holiday rep at the airport and head off. It is so cheap there, it's very easy to do this. From my Rough Guide I had read about an old Colonial guesthouse in Colva which sounded marvellous and had 4-poster beds, so I just hired a taxi to take me there. It was all it promised, and Colva was a lovely small town, but after a couple of days continually being hassled on the beaches by peddlers I got a bit fed up.

My friend had astutely guessed I might find that a bit much, so he had given me directions to a favourite haunt of his, just outside Goa in "Real India". I got a train in Margao and went to Gokarna in Karnataka and really couldn't believe my eyes, it was amazing. My accommodation was very primitive but cost next to nothing, and I was right in the middle of real India - after all, I kept saying to myself I couldn't go all that way without seeing proper India. It was one of the most spectacular and memorable things I've ever done.

I was due to fly home on Boxing Day so I just hired a driver in Gokarna to drive me back to Colva pn Christmas Eve (I had left some luggage at the guesthouse there for a minuscule fee). The journey took the whole afternoon, was about 80 miles. and the road snaked through the Western Ghats, stunning mountain scenery, and cost only £12! Spent Christmas Day in Colva, and a taxi picked me up the next morning to catch my flight home.

Would do it all over again if I could!

I'm going to India shortly, mainly to try to see tigers, and spending a few days in Goa for some R&R at the end of the trip.  But we've decided to stay inland and avoid the beach resorts, hawkers, partying, etc.  My dad's side of the family are originally from Goa, but don't go back there now as it's changed so much.  A lot of the locals are not happy with the behaviour of the tourists, particularly the Russians and Israelis, who apparently make the Brits looks well behaved in comparison!  But it seems that different beach areas are quite distinct in character, and in general it's quieter in the south and livelier in the north, so it really depends on what you're looking for. I agree that Kerala is beautiful, and apparently much more unspoilt (I would have chosen to go back there at the end of the trip we've got coming up, but the itinerary meant that it was easier for us to go to Goa).  We stayed in a lovely hotel in North Kerala (near Kasaragod) at the end of our honeymoon, which was a tour of south India.  And there is more to do in Kerala if you want to do some sightseeing (tea plantations, wildlife parks, backwaters cruises, etc.).  The country certainly has its challenges for a traveller - the poverty, dirt and hassle are confronting, even if you are used to African and other Asian countries.  But if you can see beyond those things, it's a really incredible country with stunning landscapes, a rich culture and wonderful people.