Kovalam Travel Guide & Tips

Swimming, sunbathing, beach and water sports, herbal and ayurvedic body massages etc. are some things that you should definitely try when touring in Kovalam. It is just 16 kilometers away from the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. It is not a hassle getting to the capital from Kovalam. This city has some specialties that you should know about, hence, here are some facts about Kovalam. Besides all this, Kovalam is world famous for its backwaters and many tourists take advantage of that by going surfing there.

Stay in Kovalam:

Kovalam is famous for its crescent shaped beaches. Along these beaches, there are many cottages and other sorts of accommodations available for tourists. There are Ayurvedic health resorts, budget cottages, and small hotels. You can even opt to stay in a 5-star hotel in Kovalam. The best time to visit Kovalam is from September to March, so if you want to avoid the high prices, you can go during the off season. Pre-booking hotels will save you a lot of money, so it is advisable to do that. However, on spot booking for a night is also possible. In Kovalam, you can even opt for homestays during which you will have the privilege of staying with a local family.

Food in Kovalam:

Kovalam offers a variety of cuisine. The food at restaurants ranges from continental to authentic South Indian. We would advise you to try out puttu. It is a breakfast dish and is very common in Kovalam. Its ingredients include rice or wheat with grated coconut. Appam is another popular dish there. It is usually served with meat and other non-vegetarian dishes. Kappa is a spicy but a unique dish. It is a herb that is garnished and cooked to create an exquisite dish. You will often be served your food on clean palm leaves. Seafood is found in abundance in the south. You will, however, be able to taste plenty of South India spices in your food.

Language and Festivals in Kovalam:

People in Kovalam converse mainly in Malayalam which is their mother tongue. English is also widely spoken in the city. The Kovalites are generous and welcoming people. Do not hesitate to pass a smile to a local, they will reciprocate.

People in Kovalam like to celebrate their festivals with grandeur and pompousness. The Elephant Race is a popular festival celebrated in the month of January. Elephants can be seen marching the streets of Kovalam. The Kerala Village Festival is a 10-day long celebration in a village near Kovalam, where the locals display their music and folk dances with great enthusiasm.