What is the weather like in December? Meant to be at a wedding in Mumbai at the end of December & wanting to incorporate a bit of a travel around while I've made the effort over there. Is it better North or South of Inida at that time of year?
2007-01-09 04:40:26 · 10 answers · asked by Natalie 1 in Travel ➔ India ➔ Other - India
December is really a great month as the weather is much more pleasant in this season.....unless you want a monsoon wedding.
Its basically more comfortable compared to summers which are unbearable even to locals. Besides, it's also the festive season so if you need to shop there will be plenty of sales and discounts, and if you need to party there's a lot of that too....
However, the west coast of India is a prime location for tourists...so make sure you do your bookings well in advance.
North India gets quite cold, and often there are cold waves...if you enjoy snowfall or extreme cold - go for the north. As from North India, they include states such as Rajasthan, Bihar, utteranchal, Jharkhand, UP, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh.
Don't know about the Gypsies tho - been in India all my life and none of the places you mentioned have 'gypsies'.
South India gets cold too but not as much as it is in the North... Mumbai or Goa are better in anycase considering their cuisine (you get a variety here that is unmatched), hotels etc...
In South India you can go traveling as in touring - but it's not a place where you'd like to party - it's more of sight seeing as there are beautiful temples and monuments....South India is also famous for its silks....people tour South India mainly for shopping.
If you are coming for a month or so, Visit Mumbai for a week, Goa for 10 days and then tour....
If you visit Goa, don't forget to visit the beaches and the churches....The Churchg of Bom Jesus has the body of St. Francis ...that one, and the churches in the temple complex opposite as well as St. Cajetan are amazing examples of Baroque and Corinthian architecture.... and the beaches with their shacks (serving sea food) and clear water are an amazing experience at night for candle light dinner. Resort Mello Rosa and others offer accomodations at varying rates to suit your budget....
In Mumbai, there is a lot of night life with salsa parties, discos, multiplexes as well as other tourist attractions like the elephanta caves, Kanheri caves, Mahakali caves, bassein fort, the Prince of Wales Museum and several art galaries. This is more of a cultural centre, a financial hub and houses the film industry of India popularly known as 'bollywood'. Though the beaches aren't as clean as those of Goa, it's a fun place....there is always activity - festivals, shopping malls, trade fairs(you can get stuff here from any country and any state or region),exhibitions , various cuisines, dance programmes, music concerts, dance etc.....and the city wakes up early so there is something to do at any time of the day....
Good luck with your reservations.....
2007-01-13 03:56:26 · answer #1 · answered by honey007rmsas 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was in Goa in October and I absolutely melted! It was horrible, I was so hot. I think end of December should be much more reasonable. My husband is from North India and that's what I'm used to so Goa was a bit of a shock. They speak a different language there (although they still speak Hindi) and use English a lot more often. Also where there are temples of Hindu gods everywhere in Northern India, they have temples for Catholic saints in Goa! Very interesting. We stayed in Southern Goa which was lovely. We stayed in a resort called Palm Grove Cottages on Benaulim Beach and ate every single meal at Malibu Restaurant. The cottages were beautiful and if you like a quite, relaxing vacation, then Benaulim Beach is for you. However, if you like more action, check out Colva Beach. The Spice Farm is a nice day out too. I think December is right in the middle of tourist season so there should be lots to do.
If you are in Mumbai, I would stay in Juhu Beach if you can. We stayed near CST this time and don't have very good memories of Mumbai because of it! Make sure you check out Elephanta Caves, they're beautiful. If you get down at Mumbai Central and have a cab driver named Mohammed Hussein approach you, make sure you hire him. He's the best cab driver ever!
You can't go to India without seeing Delhi or Agra. Make sure you go to Agra to see the Fort and the Taj Mahal. You won't regret it. The weather will be quite cool at that time though. And if you are going from Mumbai to Delhi, make sure you book first class on the Rajdhani Express. That is a really nice experience!
2007-01-14 19:25:14 · answer #2 · answered by Rachel K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
direct flights from the UK only operate between November and March, after that you have to fly to Mombai then change to internal flight down to Goa (1 hour flight, usually 5 or 6 hour wait in Mombai for connection)
If you go in November the scenery is a lot fresher following the monsoons and if you visit waterfalls there is plenty of water, by the time you get to March obviously the land and vegetation has dried out giving it a more barren look.
December and January the prices go up and accommation is sometimes a problem in the more touristic areas if you arrive 'on spec' as this is the time that many Indian families take their holidays coming from Mombai and Channai. Obviously Christmas and NY are ultr expensive - especially for taxis as there is such a demand the roads are one massive traffic jam and therefore the usual 5 minute journey takes anything up to 1 hour.
There are usually plenty of rooms to be had in February, especially from the second week onwards.
In March the weather starts getting very humid - this usually coincides when the the changes, apparently after the full moon - so the locals tell us anyway
The north of Goa is now very commercialised but as yet the south is not as yet built up - but one thing for sure no matter where or when you go, you will absolutely love it.
on't take many dressy clothes - ultra casual is the order of the day as there are very few proper pavements and it is so dusty that you need things that can be washed through and footware that can be left there at the end of the hols
Enjoy
2007-01-13 06:15:50 · answer #3 · answered by PMF 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends a lot on what you mean by North and South. I have seen many foreigners call Rajasthan as North . The Indians consider anything upwards of Delhi as North and everything else as South ; )
In December most of India would be relatively cooler and so its a great time to go either North or South, depending on what your ideal holiday is like.
If its beaches, then Goa (Temperature 25 Degrees Max, very pleasant)
If its forts, grand palaces, desert , then Rajasthan and Agra.(Temperature 25-30 Degrees Max but still pleasant)
If its temples , culture, then Chennai and Tamil Nadu(Temperature 30-35 Degrees Max, Lot of humidity)
Backwaters and tranquility , then Kerala (Temperature 25 Degrees Max)
If its mountains and himalayas, then go up North(Temperature could go as low as -5, depending on where you go)
Hope this helps and you have a great holiday
2007-01-10 10:24:07 · answer #4 · answered by Indian Tintin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been to Goa 3 times now ( South Goa ) we always travel between November and April although it is very hot March onwards. We don't tend to travel around much but if you want to Travel around Goa taxis are cheap and the drivers will wait for you where ever you go visit and bring you back. Accommodation is cheap and basic and the people are wonderful. I would recommend Goa to anyone. Hope this helps you a little.
2007-01-09 12:47:47 · answer #5 · answered by goes_down_like_baileys 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Went to Goa a few years ago in May and it was hot without being overbearing. Can't tell you about December. If you enter Goa into a search engine you ought to be able to find a weather link for that part of the world which will give you a year through temperature and climate average. Goa was very enjoyable hope you like it too.
2007-01-09 12:55:03 · answer #6 · answered by david a 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
November thru Feb
2007-01-10 04:07:48 · answer #7 · answered by Foodie1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
december should be ok, after the rain season and before serious hot summer season, expensive flights at that time of year though
have a nice time
2007-01-09 12:49:47 · answer #8 · answered by qwerty 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i work in goa any time from nov to april is great red hot all the time
2007-01-10 09:00:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its great, no problems there, its cheap. and travel is ok, I use the bus to go anywhere, No problems, some speak good English.
and are very helpful, just watch out with the gypsies..cant trust those too far. Give it a go, enjoy yourself.
2007-01-09 14:12:06 · answer #10 · answered by welsheather 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋