Kovalam, India, whose name means “coconut grove” in Hindi, is a small village offering everything you need for a comfortable and fulfilling holiday. Young people rarely come to the crescent of Kovalam, and this is what European tourists call the local beaches. It is mainly used by middle-aged people who want to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and traditional entertainment.
General information
One of the most popular resorts in India is located 15 km from the capital of Kerala – the city of Trivandrum. Until recently, Kovalam was an ordinary fishing village, but today its entire coast is built up with restaurants, shops and large chain hotels offering European-level service. But perhaps the main feature of this place is the abundance of Ayurvedic clinics, yoga classes and wellness programs.
The best time to travel to Kovalam is considered to be September-May, when hot and dry weather sets in India. At the same time, the largest number of people can be seen on the eve of the New Year and Christmas holidays, falling at the peak of the tourist season. But the rest of the time there are a lot of tourists-this is facilitated not only by the climatic conditions, but also by the developed infrastructure.
An active holiday in Kovalam (India) is represented by traditional water sports, sightseeing of ancient Hindu temples, churches and mosques, as well as excursions to Padmanabhapuram, the former palace of the Raja of Travancore, which is one of the few examples of Kerala architecture that has survived to this day. You can also go to the Cardamom Mountains, 54 km from Trivandrum, visit the zoo located in the same city, the Kutiramalika Palace Museum and other attractions in the state.
No less noteworthy is the local population, which combines European looseness and traditional naivety and spontaneity for Hindus. People in Kovalam are calm and friendly, so in the evening you can walk through the streets of the village without fear.
But there is practically no night life in this resort. The main part of the establishments closes around 11 pm, and the main evening entertainment is watching the sunset on the beach. Although sometimes after it, discos and theme parties are still arranged.
As for Ayurveda, for which this part of Kerala is so famous, not only various types of massages (with oils, sandalwood paste, shirodraha, etc.) are provided to vacationers, but also a special therapeutic menu, as well as other Ayurvedic treatments.
Beaches
The entire territory of Kovalam (Kerala, India) is divided between several beaches, each of which has its own characteristic features.
Ashok
Ashok Beach, Main Beach, Lila Beach or simply Kovalam-the main beach of the resort has not one, but as many as four names. However, even this did not help it become a popular tourist destination – mainly the local population has a rest here, the largest influx of which is observed during holidays and weekends.
Despite the sandy bottom, smooth entry into the water and a fairly calm sea, Ashok is absolutely not suitable for a holiday with children. First of all, it is very dirty here. The reason for this is all the same Hindus who leave behind whole mountains of garbage. Secondly, it is from here that high-speed boats sail on boat trips, spreading around them a specific “aroma” of gasoline and motor oil.
There are no hotels on Lila Beach at all, and cafes and restaurants can be counted on your fingers – their places are occupied by simple food stalls. There is a public toilet on site, but its condition leaves much to be desired. As for umbrellas, sun beds and other beach amenities, they belong to the local hotel and are paid. But Kovalam beach is perfect for surfing, snorkeling and parasailing. In addition, a public bus stop is located next to it, from which you can go to any other point in the resort.
Samudra
A small sandy beach located in the northern part of the village. Unlike the” neighbors ” who live in lagoons, Samudra is a narrow and completely straight strip surrounded by rocks and large boulders. Another important feature of this beach is the rough sea-the waves hit the rocks with such force that they can easily carry you a few meters from the shore. In addition, the bottom in this part of the Arabian Sea is quite steep, and the depth comes unexpectedly quickly, so if you do not have good swimming skills, you need to go into the water with extreme caution.
The range of beach services on Samudra is limited to a few good restaurants, paid sun beds and a number of comfortable hotels, from which narrow paths lead to the coast. In general, this whole beach is quite quiet and secluded – a suitable place for those who are looking for peace and quiet. Well, the main feature of Samudra is unusually dark sand, which sometimes turns black. It looks very nice.
Gava
Gava Beach, surrounded by high picturesque cliffs, is considered the main base of local fishermen who come here almost daily (either in the early morning or in the late afternoon). Here you can not only buy fresh fish, but also order a boat for a trip to distant beaches. This is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kovalam, so taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers always crowd around it.
Sun beds and umbrellas on the Beach are paid, but if you want to save money, rent them for the whole day ($4.20 versus$ 2.10 paid for 1 hour). As a last resort, hide in the shade of a dense palm grove that stretches along the entire coast. The bottom is flat, the entrance to the water is smooth, there are no sharp cliffs. The sea is clear, transparent and much calmer than in other parts of Kovalam. Soft volcanic sand and a wide strip of shallows make Gava Beach a good place to relax with children.
The entire coastline is dotted with cozy cafes, grocery stores and Ayurvedic rooms offering services for the budget tourist. In addition, on the beach you can find a medical office, proudly called “Upasana Hospital”, but you can not expect serious medical care within its walls.
As night falls, life on Gava Beach goes quiet. But during the day you will not get bored here — diving, surfing, water skiing, catamaran rides and other outdoor activities simply will not allow this. In addition, this is the only place in Kerala where women can sunbathe topless.
Lighthouse
Lighthouse Beach or Lighthouse Beach is located in a picturesque location at the southern tip of Kovalam. Its main characteristic features are considered to be a gentle bottom, a smooth descent to the sea and clear, almost transparent water. However, it is unlikely to be possible to swim calmly here – waves roll over this part of the coast constantly, only their strength and frequency change. Not far from the shore there is a rock and coral reef, near which snorkelers, surfers and mussel collectors swim.
Sun beds and umbrellas are available, but both are chargeable. Among the vacationers there are both Hindus and Europeans. The latter either live in one of the many hotels, guest houses or resorts, or simply come here from other parts of Kerala. The rest and safety of the vacationer is protected by a team of rescuers.
Lighthouse Beach got its second name because of the proximity of the lighthouse, which has an excellent observation deck. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Opening hours: 10: 00-13: 00 and 14: 00-16: 00. The ticket price is slightly less than$ 1 + 20 cents for permission to take photos and videos.
Not so long ago, a music elevator was installed in the lighthouse, but it does not reach the very top of the structure. You will have to walk the rest of the way, overcoming a rather steep climb, so don’t forget to really evaluate your physical abilities.
Accommodation
As one of the most popular resorts in Kerala, Kovalam offers a huge selection of accommodation for every taste and budget. Both in the village itself and in the immediate vicinity of the sea, you can find many ultra-modern hotels, hostels and apartments. Most of them are equipped with gyms, outdoor pools, restaurants, spas and Ayurvedic complexes. The cost of such accommodation is quite high, but the service meets all European standards.
Kovalam also has several Ayurvedic resorts with comfortable rooms, private ponds, palm groves and a protected coastline. The most expensive of them are located at some distance from the village, so you will have to get to the public beaches on the provided shuttle service.
But a budget tourist will not be lost here either. So:
- the price of a double room in a 3* hotel starts from$16,
- you can rent a room in the guest house for$14,
- and accommodation in a beach bungalow will be even cheaper-from $ 8 to $ 10.
As for the area, each of them has its own characteristics, so the choice is only yours. So, renting a house in the village itself, you will have to make daily walks to the coast, and settling on the first line of the sea-almost around the clock to smell the cooking food and listen to the endless screams of not only other vacationers, but also local merchants.
Where to eat?
Even with a well-developed tourist infrastructure, Kovalam continues to be an ordinary fishing village, where small fish restaurants are literally found at every step. In them you can taste not only fish of all possible types, but also various seafood caught almost before serving. In addition, the resort has many establishments specializing in international, European, vegetarian and Ayurvedic cuisine.
Prices in most of them are quite reasonable, and the food here is delicious. A hearty dinner in the restaurant will cost$ 8-11 without alcohol. With the latter in the village is tight. The fact is that Kerala has a dry law, so alcohol is sold here only in one specialty store, which opens in the afternoon (around 17: 00). A bottle of beer costs up to$ 3, local rum – $ 5.50, wine-about$25. But let’s tell you a secret: the rest of the time you can buy a bottle of this or that drink in almost any “edalna”. It is enough to make a subtle hint to the waiter.
It is also worth noting that the most expensive establishments in Kovalam are located on the first coastline. And we are talking not only about beach shakes, but also about local markets built up close to the sea. In this regard, many tourists prefer to shop in regular supermarkets – prices there are much lower:
- 10 eggs – up to$3;
- Water, soda with mango, cola – $0.50;
- Juices (grape, guava, etc.) – $1.5;
- Pizza with chicken and cheese – $3.50;
- Paneer cheese – $1.30;
- Curd (local yogurt) – $0.50;
- Pineapple – from $ 0.80 to $ 1.50 depending on the size;
- Drinking water (20 liters) – $0.80;
- Ice cream – $ 0.30.
Many restaurants offer not only takeout options, but also free Wi-Fi. There are also several inexpensive Internet cafes in Kovalam.
How to get there from Trivandrum?
Kovalam (Kerala) is located 14 km from the international airport of Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapur), which can be overcome in several ways. Let’s look at each of them.
Method 1. By bus
The trip from Trivandrum to Kovalam beaches takes about half an hour. Buses run every 20 minutes. The ticket costs a little less than$ 1 (with air conditioning – a little more expensive).
Method 2. By tuk-tuk (rickshaw)
There are no special stops for this type of transport, so you can catch them just on the street. The cost of travel is about$ 4, but you can bargain for a smaller amount. Travel time is 30-40 minutes.
Method 3. By taxi
You will definitely not have any problems finding a taxi – you can find them both at the exits from the terminals and in Trivandrum itself. The journey will take about 20 minutes. A one-way trip will cost $ 5-8 (as you bargain).
Most importantly, don’t forget to specify which beach you need to go to. The fact is that only Ashok has a normal access road, so if you just say “Kovalam”, they will probably take you there.
Useful tips
When traveling to Kovalam (India), do not forget to read useful tips that will make your vacation even more enjoyable:
- Do not rush to exchange money in the first place you see. Go through several exchangers, compare the exchange rate, and even better – say that you found a better offer. After that, you will probably get a good extra charge.
- To avoid getting an intestinal infection, always wash your hands with soap and water. Running water is present in every cafe, even the smallest. As a last resort, use antiseptic hand products.
- But with toilets in India, everything is not so simple. If those that are located in decent public institutions are in good hygienic condition, then it is better not to use the rest.
- Food on the beaches of Kovalam in Kerala is not very spicy, but if you do not tolerate traditional Indian spices at all, remember one phrase – “No spices”, that is, no spices.
- Most of the trendy restaurants offer baby bassinets and cribs, so if you are on holiday with small children, but really want to arrange a late dinner, go to one of these establishments.
- While walking through the local markets, be sure to buy pickled fruits (mangoes, gooseberries, etc.). You can not only eat them on the beach, but also take them with you as a delicious souvenir.
- In Kovalam, as in any other resort in India, there are a lot of mosquitoes – do not forget to buy a special spray.
- Many Indian cities have 2 or even all 3 names. Don’t be alarmed if your bus or train ticket contains a completely different locality.
- The streets of Kovalam have a specific layout, so it is better to travel around the resort by tuk-tuk or taxi. Their parking spots are located in 3 different places: near the bus station (main), on the Lighthouse Beach promenade and on Main Road, a small sandy street leading to one of the Indian temples.
- Even the calmest beaches of Kovalam in Kerala often experience whirlpools. And they are formed almost at the very shore. To avoid falling into one of these traps, pay attention to the red flags near the water and follow the instructions of the beach “whistlers”.
