Kovalam

Literally meaning “a grove of coconut trees”, Kovalam is barely 10 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. Three small beaches comprise the town of Kovalam. Among them, the southernmost beach, Lighthouse Beach, is the most visited one. Once, this beach was an angler’s ecstasy. It still is home to some small villages, just a few kilometers away, which belong to the fishing neighborhood. With time, it has been converted into a happening tourist spot. The typical Kerala massage-providing sessions of rejuvenation are available at the parlors sited a few kilometers away along the beaches.

One of the chief tourist destinations in Kerala, the town of Kovalam experiences heavy influx of tourists all through the year from various parts of India and the world. Kovalam Beach actually is broadly composed of three adjacent crescent beaches, Lighthouse, Samudra, and Hawah each separated by rocky promontories. Best visited during the months from September to March, the Kovalam Beach is one of the choicest holidaying options comprising aquamarine waters, gleaming sands, and palm fringes.

Kovalam Beach
The Kovalam beach is probably the finest among all tourist attractions in Kovalam with its coconut fringes, palm beer, seafood and the revitalizing Ayurvedic massages that are available at the adjacent parlors. Furthermore, the comforting sunbath and suntan facilities at the beach are some of the major tourist attractions. Swimming, yogic exercises, fresh seafood and diving in the Arabian Sea are among some of the other entertainment facilities at the beach.

Catamaran cruises
Some of the most popular activities here include the Catamaran cruises, on the country rafts. Very recently a new tour operating company of Trivandrum has found a new package suitable for deep-sea fishing. This new project revolves around the Vizhinjam fishing harbor, at hardly 4 km to the eastern side of Kovalam Beach. Water sports lovers can make good use of surfboards and boogie boards that are obtainable on rental basis on the beach.

Ayurvedic Massage
Among other alluring tourist activity options are the Ayurvedic massages and treatments provided at several resorts and hotels on your tour to Kovalam. In Kovalam There are a number of Yoga centers as well. Recitals of some of the cultural Kerala art forms like Kathakali and ethnic martial art, Kalarippayattu can be extremely fulfilling.

Private Beaches
Kovalam Ashok Beach Resort, Somatheeram, Coconut Bay Beach Resort, Niki’s Nest, Uday Samudra Beach Resort, Surya Samudra Beach Garden, and Hotel Samudra are some of the most frequented among innumerable beach holiday resorts. Most of these private beaches are positioned in close proximity to Vizhinjam at hardly 8 km away from Kovalam.

Excursions around Kovalam
At just sixteen kilometers north of Kovalam, the holy city of Anantha, Thiruvananthapuram City can make for an exhilarating trip from Kovalam. Sri Padmnabhaswamy Temple is a significant tourist site of this city. Puthan Malika or Horse Palace is a wooden palace, situated near the Temple. The assets of the royal family and the very structure of the palace are some of the appreciative elements of the place. Located few meters away, the Chalai Market is a sprawling typical Keralite marketplace. The Napier Museum constructed in Indo-Saracenic Style, is positioned just 3 km away.

Positioned about 60 km away from Thiruvananthapuram city, the hill resort, Ponmudi is known for its tea plantations and jungle streams. Another lovely site to be visited is Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent. Sited 90 km to the east of Kovalam where three oceans converge, Kanyakumari is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. A few moments on the Vivekananda Rock here located exactly on the sea can be an extremely soothing experience. Padmnabhapuram Palace, the second largest wooden palace in Asia, on your way to Kanyakumari, is a major tourist attraction in Kovalam.

Best Season, Climate, and Clothing
Kovalam is best visited during the months between September and March. In winter the average temperature ranges between 30 and 32 degree Celsius while the summer temperature hovers around 30 to 35 degree Celsius. Rains start around the first week of June and continue till early August. The second turn of monsoons starts towards late October and lasts for the next two weeks.

How to Reach Kovalam
Kovalam is comfortably reachable by air and rail alike. The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is hardly 14 km away from the Kovalam town. Kovalam is linked with the major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore by Indian Airlines and Jet airways. Regular rail services are accessible to and from Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station which happens to be the nearest railway station to Kovalam connecting to all major parts of India.