hello every one new to this site . going to goa (calangute) in april anyone got any ideas for day trips etc using taxis or organised . staying in silla goa resort is it any good many thanks chris

Your hotel used to be called Hotel Mira. Half a dozen years back it changed name and ownership. It is a typical Goan 3* hotel with very basic rooms and standards. That is not a criticism, they are all like it!

Its position is pretty good, just south of the main roundabout at the the coast end of Cal high street, a few minutes walk from all the hubbubb but reasonably peaceful (in Cal terms) once you are there.

For excursions, try Day Tripper (if you Google it you will get all the info). If its your first time, the best trip is to the Spice Plantation.

April will be very hot asnd humid, an A/C room might be a good idea. Also a lot of the seasonal businesses will have closed (bars, restaurants, shops). I hope your travel agent when selling you this holiday made it clear that you are going "out-of-season"?

Welcome Victor - hope you enjoy your stay. It will be very very hot in April, it is getting too hot for us now. but when you hit the beach there is a breeze.
The shacks will stay open until the last charter leaves which is usually towards the end of April - perhaps you are on it.

Have a read of the good resturants posts.

Spice Plantation is really good - it is much cheaper to go with a taxi, I could give you the name of a driver who not only is fair priced but will tell you all about the villages as you drive through. The dolphin trips from Coco beach are also enjoyable, cheaper to get a taxi to Coco beach, than use an agent or the hotel rep. Same with the Crocodile river trip.

p.s I am not on commission

Enjoy your holiday.

Hi Victor

Good advice from Noni. If you are coming on a package, avoid buying any of the trips from the tour reps during the 'welcome' meeting ! Find a nice local taxi driver and go independently - it is much cheaper and much better. Get quotes from a few drivers before you book them so you don't get taken advantage of as a newbie to Goa !!

If you like the beach, you will find that it is manic near to the main steps to Calangute Beach, but walk along further either direction and you can find some quieter shacks. Quiet beaches are further North in Keri or Ashwem, or down South Goa (taxis can be taken at reasonable prices or rent a bike).
There is a nice shack at Ashwem called S2 where you can stay in en suite huts on the beach overnight which is a very nice experience. Also in Agonda in South Goa, you can stay in tents on the beach - very quiet and relaxing if you want a real get away.

Don't spend a fortune on anti mosquito bite sprays in the UK - buy ODOMOS from any local chemist in Goa which works better than anything Ive tried before (and costs less than a pound for a bottle or tube !!)

Hope you have a great time here in Goa

Dread - enjoy your hols
x

many thanks for advice looking forward to it . we are traveling out on 1st april will things still be open ?

Yes, Victor. Most things will still be open until the end of April.

Last year most places were shutting in March. By late in the month Cal/Can was starting to look like a ghost town............and it was a lot busier last year!

If you look back at posts placed on the forum at that time, live, you will see what I mean.

Of course there will still be some shacks and restaurants open, but lets not try to kid anyone that the season will still be in full swing

Can you really say it has been in full swing at all this season?

One last thing Victor....
.....all the beggars you may see in the streets of Calangute, Candolim and Mapusa (including the disabled ones) are con artists - they are all actually very rich people from begging, so save your money if approached by them !!

Have fun in sunny Goa

Dread - x

Maybe I should clarify. I have been to Candolim during the last two weeks of April for the last 2 or 3 seasons and there are still enough restaurants, shops, shacks and markets open to make a decent holiday.

I didn't mean to imply that everything will be in full swing but early April, which is when Victor is arriving, should still have plenty of places open.

Victor, it will be very hot and sticky so make sure your room has a/c.

Victor,
Try Vietnam.
Wally.

how far is ashwem beach from calangute. how much in taxi. and do you have to book beach huts .? many thanks again chris

Ashwem is about 40 mins from calagute should be around 500 rups in a taxi.
Try going to the last shack on the beach towards Morjim rum by a guy called Pemo great guy good shack he has beach huts with showers.

Another good shack at Ashwem is S2 - en suite huts and very clean.
I don't know if Jagger has quoted taxi for one way but there is one very nice guy called Blossom tel 9822 987556 - Calangute based - who will charge about 600 rupees return and if it is a day trip will stay all day and wait until you are ready to return.

Ashwem is lovely so well worth a trip there.

Dread - x

Yes that was one way assumed you would stay a few nights 600 rups is very good for return.Just remembered the shack name it is silver sands try it very very good mention me and my wife to Pemo if you visit please.