Traveller’s paradise? - Not really, I’ve had equally good experiences elsewhere as well.Sun & Sand, exotic beaches, vibrant culture? - Hmmmm... yes, sure. But that doesn’t make it any better than other tourist destinations in India.
Cheap booze? - And you want me to spend so much getting to the place and paying exorbitant hotel rates; you gotta be kidding.
Now don’t get me wrong. I have been to Goa many times, and I have seen many places and had fantastic experiences there. But I donot see any justification for all the hype that this place gets. Let’s rate the place on the basis of a few general factors:
TOURIST SPOTS:
Beaches: I’ve seen beaches of northern Goa (Anjuna, Baga, Calangute) as well as Southern Goa (Margao, Colva, Paloleim)... no doubt, these are some good beaches... but are they really THAT good? I think the entire west of India is dotted with such beautiful coastline, and you will definitely find such picturesque spots in Maharashtra, Karnataka & Kerala. Most importantly: The really good beaches in Goa are the "private" beaches that are right in front of the sea-side resorts, especially in the southern part of the state. Most of the "public" beaches are just not that good anymore.
- Major towns & places I’ve visited: Panjim, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa, Pernem, "Old Goa", University of Goa campus, Fort Aguada, Dona Paula. Most of the place can be, at best, described as semi-urban... no really BIG city to talk about (Panjim is the closest to a big city, followed by Margao). However, if you’re craving for a rural experience, I don’t think you’ll get that over here, either. True, the places have a distinct atmosphere of their own. But it’s all attractive only to a first-time visitor.
- Moving around: Local transport is not much to speak of, and although a few trips with the "pilots" (cabbies who will take you from Point A to Point B on motorbikes) is a welcome novelty, you will find that you really need your own set of wheels. Rentals are readily available, so no problems on that front.
- Tourist experiences, safety etc: It’s quite safe, and I’ve made a couple of friends out there too. The recent unsavory incidents are one-offs, and there is NO law-and-order problem in the place. The local people are NOT drunkards and drug-addicts who roam around the beaches having orgies every night... they are normal people like you and me. Let’s not get carried away with sensational depictions... Goa is a very nice place, and you will find nice, kind and friendly people there.
PRICING: Seasonal rates are just too much... I guess it’s because foreign tourists/backpackers bring their almighty $$dollars$$ with them. Off-season rates are okay, but then let me describe the off-season scene below.
SEASON vs OFF-SEASON: It’s hard to explain the difference.... During the peak season, the place is just fantastic, everything and every place is "happening". But try going there in the rains. Even those rain-clouds must get bored of the place --- it’s absolutely dead! More than half of the restaurants and "spots" are closed, and there’s hardly any people around wherever you go.
CONCLUSION: Go Goa, but just once... then head for other places. There’s a lot of good (perhaps even better) stuff on offer, in India itself.