Kovalam, meaning "a groove of coconut trees," is just 10 km from the state capital of Kerala- Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam is actually a combination of three small beaches. Among these, the southernmost beach, named Lighthouse Beach, is the most frequented beach in Kovalam. Earlier this beach of Kovalam was an anglers' paradise. It still has some small villages, just a few kilometres away, which belong to the fishing community. Gradually, this beach of Kovalam has been transformed to a tourist spot of great interest. Kovalam is an ideal place for a sunbath during the winter. Tourists to Kovalam can also experience the typical Kerala massage from the parlours available a few kilometers away along the Kovalam beaches.

Facts File

Languages : English, Malayalam and Tamil

Best Time to Go : November to February

Location : The beach paradise of Kovalam is located 16 kms. from the state capital of Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum).

Climate : September to March is the best time to visit Kovalam. In winter the average temperature of Kovalam is 30 - 32 degree Celsius whereas the summer temperature of Kovalam is 30- 35 degree Celsius. The monsoons in Kovalam start at the beginning of June, which lasts till the beginning of August. The second turn of monsoons in Kovalam start at the end of October and lasts for the next two weeks.

Festivals : The village temples of Kovalam hold festivals during the months of January, February and March.

Shopping : Shopping in Kovalam is fun. You may pick up handicraft items and spices from Kovalam besides sunglasses.

Tourist Attractions : Apart from the usual sunbath and surfing, many marine activities are possible at Kovalam. The local fishermen provide sunrise and sun set cruises in fishing boats.

Catamaran Cruises : The Catamaran cruises, on the country raft is very popular here. Very recently an innovative tour operating company of Trivandrum has introduced a new package for marine Angling for deep-sea fishing. This new project is concentrated near Vizhinjam fishing harbor, just 4 km away east of Kovalam beach. Surfboards and boogie boards can also be hired on the beach.

Ayurvedic Massage : At Kovalam many hotels and resorts offers the Ayurvedic massage and treatment. Yoga (Indian way of meditation) centers are also plenty in Kovalam. Some theatres perform the traditional Kerala art form, Kathakali and ethnic martial art, Kalarippayattu.

Private Beaches : Among innumerable beach holiday resorts Kovalam Ashok Beach Resort, Surya Samudra Beach Garden, Somatheeram, Niki's Nest, Cocunut Bay Beach Resort, Uday Samudra Beach Resort, Hotel Samudra etc own private beaches famous for their cleanliness and secluded location. Most of these private beaches are located near Vizhinjam at least 8 km far from Kovalam.

Excursions Around : The holy city of Anantha, Thiruvananthapuram City is located just sixteen kilometers north of Kovalam. Sri Padmnabhaswamy Temple is the major landmark of the city. Though non-Hindus are not entitled to enter inside the temple one can visit the premises, which is an architectural marvel. Puthan malika or Horse Palace is a wooden palace, situated very near to the Temple. The belongings of the Royal Family and the very construction of the palace make the visitors amazing. The Chalai Market is a big market just meters away to the temple is a fine example of the typical market of Kerala. The Napier Museum is a building in Indo-Saracenic Style, situated just 3 km away is yet another site to be visited.

The hill resort, Ponmudi is located 60 km away from Thiruvananthapurm city. The resort is famous for its tea plantations and jungle streams.

Another important site to be visited is Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), the Southern most tip of Indian subcontinent. Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu state is 90 km East of Kovalam is the place where three oceans meet together. A visit to Vivekananda Rock located exactly on the sea is worth full. Kanyakumari is famous for sunrise and sun set watching. Padmnabhapuram palace, the second largest wooden palace in Asia is on the way to Kanyakumari, which is a major center of tourist attraction.

Accommodation : Kovalam beach resorts offer picture perfect accommodation to the holidaymakers on the Kovalam beach. The Kovalam beach resorts are so romantic that honeymoon in Kovalam beach resorts and wedding in Kovalam beach resorts are popular. For the tourists the Kovalam beach resorts offer the best of facilities. The luxurious and exotic Kovalam beach resorts are picture perfect for memorable holidays in Kerala.

The Kovalam beach resorts are well equipped. The best of facilities are offered to the tourists at the Kovalam beach resorts. You may savour multi-cuisines in Kovalam beach resorts. The Kovalam beach resorts also offer several Ayurvedic rejuvenation packages especially during the monsoons. Yoga and meditation programs in the Kovalam beach resorts also help the tourists feel refreshed. Just like the Kovalam beach hotels, the Kovalam beach resorts offer conferencing and banqueting facilities too. It is recreation that dominates the Kovalam beach resorts. While in the Kovalam beach resorts you may enjoy sunbathing, swimming, catamaran cruises et al. The volleyball court and the hammocks are the spots around the Kovalam beach resorts, popular with the tourists in Kovalam beach.

How to Reach : Kovalam is easily accessible by air, and rail. Reaching Kovalam by Air The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is just 14 km away from Kovalam. Indian Airlines and Jet airways link Kovalam with New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Banglore.

Reaching Kovalam by Rail Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Kovalam. From here trains are available to all major parts of India.