Coonoor Travel Guide & Tips

Coonoor Weather

The weather of Coonoor in May and June, even in the peak summer season, remains pleasant for sightseeing and other outdoor activities. The temperature in May hover between 22 and 37 degrees. Humidity is lower in Coonoor due to its higher elevation in the Nilgiri Hills. Monsoon in Coonoor lasts mainly from July through October, however, rainfall is common at almost any time of the year. It’s the best season to visit Coonoor for nature lovers and budget travellers. The winter season is the most time of the year to plan a honeymoon in Coonoor. The weather of Coonoor from December through February is a welcome respite for people in Tamil Nadu. The Christmas and New Year’s holiday season is a good time to visit Coonoor, despite increased hotel prices.

Shopping in Coonoor

Coonoor offers great shopping options for people looking to pick up some souvenirs from a vacation in Tamil Nadu. The hill station has a number of shops where tourists can bargain for South Indian artefacts. Shopping lovers can buy linen and South Cotton fabrics at reasonable prices. Needlecraft shop at Singara Tea Estates is a popular shop to buy beautiful linen fabrics. Embroidered shawls, jackets, and ethnic wear, eucalyptus oil, honey, and lace-work are the best items to buy while shopping in Coonoor.

Make sure to browse through handicrafts and jewellery made by the local Toda tribe in Tamil Nadu. Foodies can pick up gourmet cheese and jams of peach, pear, and mulberry – all made and available locally. The Green Shop in Coonoor is a popular haunt to buy local tribal crafts, jewellery, and more. Do not forget to pick up organic wild honey, dried nuts, chocolates, and of course, tea.

Food in Coonoor

Being a famous hill station, Coonoor has several establishments serving traditional South Indian specialties. During the peak season in Coonoor, the restaurants offer a diverse menu of different cuisines from Italian to Mughlai. There are also some typical North Indian restaurants serving delicious meals. For vegetarians, there are plenty of restaurants in Coonoor to have a hearty meal. Idlis, dosas, sambar, rasam, pizzas, and vegetable soups are popular food in Coonoor. For non-vegetarians, biryani and seafood platters are favourite items to order. The traditional or local food in Coonoor is rice-based dishes, much like the rest of Tamil Nadu. Irrespective of the preferences, toothsome food in Coonoor is not hard to find. Street food is another option to savour while enjoying sightseeing in Coonoor.

Festivals in Coonoor

The Tea and Tourism Festival in Coonoor is held in the month of January. Many tea connoisseurs gather in Coonoor to enjoy tea tasting. The local tea plantations in the Nilgiri Mountains produce some of the better-known brands like the Orthodox, CTC, and Green Leaf. The Fruit and Vegetable Festival in Coonoor is another major event. Held in the month of May, this festival in Sim’s Park focuses on local produce of the region.

Travellers should always keep a Coonoor tourist map with them to enjoy sightseeing without any delay or confusion. In case of any emergency, travellers can find information at the government tourism office.