Kovalam Tourism (2019) - Kerala > Top Places, Travel Guide

"Beaches, Ayurveda and Shopping"

Kovalam Tourism

Kovalam is an idyllic coastal town located around 13 km from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Famous for its three adjacent crescent-shaped shallow water and low tidal beaches, Kovalam is dotted with resorts and ayurvedic massage centres.

Earlier a fishing village, Kovalam started attracting tourists in the 1930s and shot to fame in the hippie epoch of 1970s. It still sees the influx of tourists from Israel and Europe.

Lighthouse beach, Samudra Beach and Hawa beach/Eve's Beach form the highlight of this town. Kovalam essentially means a ‘grove of coconut trees', and the little town is filled with these palms.

Ayurvedic treatments and massages 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.

Places to Visit In Kovalam

Water Sports in Kovalam

Lighthouse Beach

Hawah Beach

Halcyon Castle

Vellayani Lake, Kovalam

Samudra Beach

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Camping and Surfing at Kovalam, Chennai

2 Days 1 Nights

Deals start ₹3,199

5.0 /5

110 ratings

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Kayaking in Kovalam, Kerala

30 Minutes

Deals start ₹2,350

4.0 /5

41 ratings

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Bond Safari Scuba Diving, Kovalam

30 Minutes

Deals start ₹4,750

4.0 /5

40 ratings

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Scuba Diving in Kovalam, Kerala

40 Minutes

Deals start ₹6,000

4.0 /5

33 ratings

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Camping with Scuba Diving in Kovalam

2 Days 1 Nights

Deals start ₹4,800

4.0 /5

30 ratings

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Backwater Kayaking in Alleppey, Kerala

6 Hours

Deals start ₹3,800

4.0 /5

27 ratings

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Kovalam Packages

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Enchanting Alleppey & Kovalam

3 Nights

Starting from ₹7,500

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Exciting Kovalam, Trivandrum, Thekkady and More

6 Nights

Starting from ₹15,250

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Riveting Kovalam & Kanyakumari

3 Nights

Starting from ₹8,504

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Alluring Kovalam, Kochi, Munnar and More

7 Nights

Starting from ₹22,000

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Beautiful Kovalam, Kochi & Kumarakom

4 Nights

Starting from ₹10,999

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Unforgettable Kovalam, Alleppey, Munnar and More

6 Nights

Starting from ₹17,000

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Beaches of Kovalam

1. Lighthouse Beach
The Lighthouse beach is the largest beach in Kovalam named after the 30-m high lighthouse located on the beach. It 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.

2. Hawa Beach
Water sports facilities are available at Hawa Beach, and it stands out with its palm groves that line the shore. People come here from the bus stand and railway station. 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.

3. Samudra Beach
Samudra Beach is located in the northern part of Kovalam. It is the least crowded and this coastline is also preferred by the fishermen for fishing.

Ayurvedic Massages in Kovalam

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 exclusive packages during the monsoon season, which is considered to be the best season for treatment. The Leela Beach Resort Kovalam is also the right 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, colourful lungis and exquisite ornaments made from sea-shells for sale, in addition to other trinkets. The Heritage Handicrafts shop has handicrafts made from teak wood 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.

Restaurants and Local Food in Kovalam

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.
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Suggested 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.

Best Time to Visit Kovalam

Commuting within Kovalam

Kovalam Photos

Kovalam Beach,Trivandrum,Kerala,India.__MR__

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Holidify's Opinion

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

Niraamaya Retreats, Surya Samudra, Kovalam

9.0 (118 reviews)

₹ 8,426 onwards

Taj Green Cove Resort and Spa Kovalam

8.8 (274 reviews)

₹ 13,100 onwards

Treebo Trip Waters Edge

8.8 (35 reviews)

₹ 1,345 onwards

OYO 6777 Star Inn

8.5 (6 reviews)

₹ 1,029 onwards

Hotel Sunrise by Cave

8.5 (112 reviews)

₹ 509 onwards

OYO 13590 Saanvi Beach Resort

8.3 (5 reviews)

₹ 970 onwards

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How To Reach Kovalam

Trivandrum has both the nearest airport and railway station. Regular buses connect Kovalam to various cities. The drive across the Trivandrum bypass is also another delightful take-away.

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Kovalam Reviews

Your rating

Kokil Das 10 months ago

Best time is to visit in the month of January to March. Ideal time should be around in the mornings, usually the night is more calmer. One con though, the place gets closed by 11p.m

Gopal Jindal 1 year ago

There is Shankumugham beach which is the best beach here and Old Coffee house there is really good for all day food. Also, visit Sree Padmanaswamu temple and Napier Musuem.

Arushi Gorsi 1 year ago

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.

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