Kovalam
State rank: 2 out of 40 Places To Visit In Kerala
Weather:
Ideal duration: 1-2 days
Best time: Sep-Mar (Read More)
Nearest Airport: Trivandrum (Check Flights)
"Beaches, Ayurveda and Shopping"
Kovalam Tourism
An idyllic village along the coastlines of the Arabian Sea, Kovalam is most famous for its three pristine beaches with shallow waters and low tidal waves where one can go surfing, wooden and motorboat riding.The beach town of Kovalam has three famous beaches - Lighthouse beach, Samudra beach and Hawah beach, which together form its majestic rocky crescent. Kovalam essentially means a ‘grove of coconut trees’ and the little town is filled with these palms.
Kovalam shot to fame with its hippie epoch in the early seventies and still sees the influx of tourists from Israel and Europe. The Samudra Beach, Kovalam Beach, Hawa Beach and the Light house beach are the places from where Kovalam derives its beauty and attraction. Ayurvedic treatments are one of its most popular indulgences along with yoga, meditation as well as other cultural activities. Kovalam perhaps comes full circle as it is also a shopping destination given the rich spices, wooden statues and handicrafts that can make popular takeaways.
Top Things To Do In Kovalam
Kovalam Packages
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Alluring Kochi, Munnar & 3 places | 8 Days 7 Nights
₹ 22,000 onwards
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Graceful Munnar, Thekkady & 2 places | 7 Days 6 Nights
₹ 17,949 onwards
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Thrilling Kochi, Munnar & 4 places | 7 Days 6 Nights
₹ 15,250 onwards
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Kovalam Reviews
Kovalam is a beach town that is internationally known for its three connected beaches - Hawa beach, Palm backed beach and the Samudra beach. All these three beaches together form Kovalam beach. The leisure options are plenty such as sunbathing, sea swimming, health resorts along with various health, yoga and ayurvedic centers.
My favourite part about Kovalam was the banana boat ride on Kovalam beach. Unlike the rafts that are passed off as banana boats on the beaches of the rest of the country, the banana boats here are very shallow, wooden boats. These boat rides are sure to give you an adrenaline rush like never before. Other than that, what I loved about that area was the abundance of backwaters. You can hire a houseboat for the night or for a few hours and spend time in the backwaters. I had hired a houseboat for the night. The guy rowing the boat was a delight. He made a stop at a place where we could get ayurvedic massages and cooked us a nice local dinner.
- Swimming in the ocean here can be dangerous. It is strictly advisable to keep to the marked areas. You also have to be careful of the jellyfish. The small orange jellyfish are dangerous, the purple ones are harmless.
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What's Great?
The place has many resorts and home stays available which provide you with yoga programmes and various ayurvedic spa treatments. Kovalam is a destination where you can connect back to nature and yourself.
What's not so Great?
It does offer much to those who are looking for something beyond relaxation.
For Whom
If you are looking for a place to detox, free from the hustle-bustle and pollution, and relax in a calm environment listening to the sounds of nature, then Kovalam is an ideal place for you.
Top Hotels in Kovalam
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Niraamaya Retreats, Surya Samudra, Kovalam
Staring from INR 7,762
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Taj Green Cove Resort and Spa Kovalam
Staring from INR 8,100
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Hotel sunrise by Cave
Staring from INR 500
Beaches of Kovalam
The Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach/Eve's Beach and Samudra Beach are located close to each other and these beaches are the highlight of this destination. The Lighthouse beach is the largest beach of them all, named after the 30-m high lighthouse located on the beach. The Lighthouse houses an observatory which can be accessed through a lift or by climbing a flight of stairs consisting of 142 steps. The observatory provides a beautiful panoramic view of the beach and you can also see the Poovar and the famous Beemapalli mosque from there.
Facilities for various water sports are available at this beach at a price starting from INR 800. Other than the water sports like Hawa Beach stands out with it palm groves that line the shore. It's also a good place to try out the local cuisine in the small restaurants that you find near the beach. This beach provides the best view for sunset and also has an experience in store for you in the mornings when the fishermen set out into the sea chanting and singing the folk songs. Samudra Beach is located in the northern part of Kovalam. It's the least crowded of them all and is ideal for those who are looking for some tranquillity and peace. This coastline is also preferred by the fishermen for fishing.
Ayurvedic Massages in Kovalam
Kovalam is known for its therapeutic ayurvedic treatments and massages. Some popular massage centres include Ayur Kerala Ayurvedic Centre, Lakshmi House Ayurveda and Spa and the Chakra Ayurvedic Resort. They offer many options for treatments like rejuvenation therapy, body purification therapy, anti-stress treatment and rheumatic therapy, among others. Some places like the Chakra Ayurvedic Resort offer special packages during the monsoon season, which is considered to be the best season for treatment. The Leela Beach Resort Kovalam is also a good choice, which is India’s only cliff top beach resort.
Nightlife in Kovalam
The mellow night-life of Kovalam can be enjoyed at one of the few bars of the town. Enjoy a relaxed evening with good food, drinks and a fantastic view at The Sky Bar in Leela Kempinski. Other good options include the Neera Bar at the Taj and The Bar. Kovalam’s nightlife is generally a low-key affair, intended to be a soothing mix of great music, peppered with drinks and food.
Shopping in Kovalam
Kovalam offers some exciting shopping options. At the Kovalam Lighthouse beach, there are beautiful silk sarongs, colorful lungis and exquisite ornaments made from sea-shells for sale, in addition to other trinkets. The Heritage Handicrafts shop has handicrafts made from teakwood, and other souvenirs. Shop for authentic Malabar spices and other condiments cardamom, fenugreek and saffron at the Joseph and Sons shop. The SM Handloom centre is a good option for getting some traditional garments.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Reach Trivandrum by morning and travel to Kovalam by road. Reach Kovalam before noon. In the afternoon go to the beach for activities like sunbathing, surfing, water sports etc. Watch the beautiful sunset on the beach. Don't miss out on going to the observatory of the lighthouse in the lighthouse beach to see the beautiful view. Day 2 - During the day get one of the ayurvedic spas to feel rejuvenated and detoxified. Spend the evening on the beach and watch a starlit sky which has become a rare site in the polluted cities. Depart from Kovalam the next day. You can also explore the areas near Kovalam by hiring a tourist vehicle which would be the most comfortable and affordable option.
Fishes, fruit salads, chicken and regular Malayalee preparations are available here. Along with this one will find the widespread Idli, Dosa, Vadas and Uttapam along with an almost exotic range of seafood like a lot of areas around it. This range includes crabs, prawns, lobsters and more.
Sometimes slightly Indianized Israeli and European grub is also available. Alcohol is easily available, but must be discreetly consumed.
Latest questions by travellers on Kovalam
Yes, kovalam is good place. There is public transport. AC low floor buses are there . otherwise you can also take taxi.