Kovalam

Surfing is one of the more popular activities during a holiday in Kovalam. The waves can reach up to 2 meters high. Body boards and surfboards can be hired from the hotels for as little as $5 for a whole day. A life-guard is also available and it’s always wise to follow their instructions just to be safe.  Holidays to Kovalam are not complete without riding in one of the wooden boats. The best place to enjoy a boat ride is at the Main Beach or Leela Beach, where you go out into the ocean with the Catamaran. The boats are rowed using bamboo paddles by the experienced locals. Each ride is about 1 hour 30 minutes. But a Kovalam Holiday is not all about the beach. Venture out, and you will find treasures such as the  Palaruvi water falls, Agasthyarkoodam peak, Akkulam lake and Vizhinjam where you can view some spectacular scenes and sunsets. The Neyyar River nearby is also rich in golden sand beaches and enjoyable swimming.

There are plenty of restaurants to grab an Indian or European meal. One of the best place to experience the variety of foods available is at the Kovalam junction. This junctions’ specialty is the fried chicken in red Masala paste. Remember some pastes are spicier than others, so make sure your request is specific and in line with your tolerance threshold. Some of the restaurants other prominent restaurants include Ayur Restaurant, The German Bakery, Bethel, Coconut Grove and Suprabatham.

Indians are very strict when it comes to respecting their temples and how to dress. Women are not allowed to show off certain parts of their bodies. As a tourist in a hot climate it can be hard to obey these traditions but you should try your best. The shoulders and the knees should always be hidden. Wearing tight clothes and shorts in public is also not recommended. It is also advisable to wear light material such as cotton so as to stay comfortable and cool throughout the day. When you visit a Hindu temple, never place anything on their gods as this is considered to be a sign of disrespect. Although non-Hindus are not allowed to walk into temples, if you get a chance to do so, never leave your shoes facing the temple or any holy place. When you are invited to a Hindu house, make sure you serve yourself the correct amount of food that you can manage. If you don’t finish your food, this shows a sign of irresponsibility. Also make sure you remove your shoes when walking into someone’s house, this shows respect to the owner of the house.

Traveling around the village is relatively easy. The best way to travel is using a taxi or rent a scooter if you are experienced. The nearest airport is the Trivandrum International Airport, which is about 10 km from the village. The nearest railway station is about 16 Km away. Rail or Air are the best transport options for getting into Kovalam from far away locations. If you are travelling from nearby, consider choosing a luxury bus. This will help you enjoy the scenery and have some time to familiarize yourself with the region before you get to your destination. There is also public transport for those who want to experience the lifestyle of the Indians. The village is not as congested as other cities, making Kovalam holidays stress free.

November to February marks the mild winter season and the best time for a holiday to Kovalam. The temperatures are within 16 to 34 degrees Celsius making the environment favorable for most activities.

Carnivals and beach festivals are performed during the winter season. Something else that will get your attention is how the Indian community celebrates the Christmas season. The nightlife around the Kovalam holidays is very enticing.

Summer

The hot and humid summers move in between March and May. While this might push a majority of the tourists away, you can capitalize on the off-peak hotel rates and the less crowded beaches.

Monsoon

June to August marks the monsoons. It is a great time to go sight seeing as the flora and fauna would be at its best – just don’t forget to bring a raincoat and an umbrella.