Danger in Goa?

[synthia]

Welcome, chablis! It's nice to hear a positive response from someone living there. I know a lot of people do stay long term. I liked the south better, too. Actually, I only saw beaches.

[chablis]

Hi Australia, you do not need to register (residency permit) unless you intend to stay more than 180 days - indeed you're not allowed to. You will find that most visas - even a year's one will be stamped with 180 max stay at one time. You do not have to be a resident to rent an apartment/villa. Anyone has any more queries on Goa and the current laws (they seem to change them every week) I will help if I can.

[jane1112]

Originally Posted by gordy

Well we were all set to make our plans for an idylllic 6 months in Goa, cheap living, sunny skies... until... we came across two seperate posts(wish i'd kept them), which were quite alarming. They were from two seperate women who must have had bad experiences there as they did not recommend Goa at all. They mentioned that there was a lot of corruption, that you were often befriended as an opportunity to rip you off, and that the police could not be trusted, in fact they suggested that if the police try to stop you to drive at them!
This I find incredulous but can anyone advise us. Is Goa safe to live in. I have visions of being robbed as I get off the plane. I am really disappointed as we were so looking forward to our trip there.

Hi , Gaon people have left Goa in droves due to corruption . It is true that security is a huge risk especially in the beach rooms . The police are a big part of the problem , and protect the criminal fraternity as well as benefiting financially . There is a tangible hatred of tourists from the police . North Goa is not worth the risk , this is the most dangerous area and many foreign criminal's gather on Baga at night . Please be careful and avoid being alone at any time , take care not to enter a taxi alone etc. There are too many paranoid and volatile individual's in Goa and it takes nothing to 'offend' them . Goa is the second most dangerous area in India , and India is the second most dangerous destination for any traveller . 58 foreign deaths last season in Goa alone . that is just the tip of the ice-berg . It is beautiful but so are the greek islands !!! try indonesia ...

[jane1112]

Hi , this person is being sensible , Goa is very dangerous and the police are corrupt . Ask any Goan ! For a holiday ...Goa is not worth the risk and crime or bakshheef is probable .

[indica]

Originally Posted by jane1112

Hi , this person is being sensible , Goa is very dangerous and the police are corrupt . Ask any Goan ! For a holiday ...Goa is not worth the risk and crime or bakshheef is probable .

Couple of questions Jane1112. Are you a Goan by any chance? When was the last time you visited Goa?

Happy new year.

[chablis]

hmmmm seems to be a very volatile subject. I am still living in Goa but like anywhere in the world there are pitfalls. Jane 1112 suggested Indonesia - well I lived there for 3 years and really you will find corruption in any third world country! Goa is safe if you listen to advice from 'residents'. I have my own car but when using a taxi please try and find a regular that you can phone at any time - if he is not available he will send one of his friends. There does seem to be a tendency now of 'locals' groping expat boobs so do watch out for the motorbike 'pilots'! Not much to grab here so reckon I am ok lol ! One thing I will say is - please girls, respect the locals and do not venture off the beach in a skimpy bikini top and shorts to sit on a roadside cafe in the likes of calangute! They are not used to seeing so much flesh.
Tourism is well down this year mainly due to the visa garbage that went on at end of 2007 and with a result taxis/stalls etc are raising their prices - be firm and all will be well. Sadly I feel if 'they' dont get their act together this year then Goa will be doomed. What then happens to all the loans that the goans have taken out to purchase taxis and shacks? Shame really but the government is to blame

[synthia]

Visa garbage? Here I am planning to return to India next year using my 10-year multiple-entry visa! I assume that since I have the visa it is still valid?

[chablis]

Originally Posted by synthia

Visa garbage? Here I am planning to return to India next year using my 10-year multiple-entry visa! I assume that since I have the visa it is still valid?

Hi Synthia, If your visa is still valid then you have no problem at all. The 'visa garbage' seemed only to be applicable to the UK, especially around Nov/Dec. Birmingham for example were only giving out 50 visas per day so people were lining up from the night before to be first in Q. Going through 'agencies' was a total rip-off as they were charging up to £60 over and above the cost of visa. They also cancelled postal applications. People with long established businesses here suddenly found themselves with a 6mths tourist visa. British tourism was down by at least 40% over xmas and New Year. It was so bad that travel agents were recommending tourists to go to Thailand as opposed to Goa. There are many theories as to why this chaos came about but who knows the truth? But one thing is for sure, there are many regulars here who will never come back. Shacks didnt open until December, noise pollution was cut to 10pm - so no dancing after that time. Club Cabana has never opened.