Kovalam Beach| Paradise for Beach Lovers
You Are Not a Beach Lover if You Haven’t Visited Kovalam
Kovalam is a cute-n-cozy town nestled along the Arabian Sea in Thiruvananthapuram. It has all the essential ingredients of a superb beach experience. Certainly, it is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. And, it is one of the top-draws today in terms of Kerala tourist places. You must include Kovalam beach when planning for a Kerala tourism vacay. It is sure to make it one of the best decisions of your life. A visit to the beach will change your perception of the stereotyped ranking of Indian beaches.
There are a gorgeous lighthouse and lively shopping & eatery arcade for tourists sunbathing on the beach chairs. It’s sassy, it’s scintillating and it’s sensuous! And unlike those popular (read: over-crowded) sea views of India, Kovalam beaches are more relaxing. It is absolutely tranquil. Now if that sounds interesting enough, we bring you some first-hand titbits from a travel diary. They will come in handy when you plan your trip.
Best Way to Reach Kovalam Beach
For busy bees who are hard-pressed for time, air travel may be the obvious choice. Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest one (10 km from the city centre).
However, the best way to enjoy Kerala tourism is a train or road journey. You can alight at Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station. You have the KSRTC bus terminal bang opposite to it to serve you. Here, you can check out the buses plying frequently between the city and the Kovalam beach (16 km distance) for a budget option. Prepaid autos and cabs are available aplenty as well. Once in Kovalam, you have more options at your disposal for commuting in and around the town. Self-drive cars and two-wheelers are available with ease.
Car or Bike – What’s Your Kind of Freewheeling?
There’s a general perception that Goa and Pondicherry are the only beach cities where you can zoom on bikes. However, two-wheelers are available for rent even in Kovalam. Experience the fun of freewheeling on lovely roads surrounded by lush greenery and rustic beauty. You have to drive it to believe it! Available options are:
- Rent car with cab driver
- Renting self-drive car
- Renting two-wheelers
Comfy Cocoons by the Sea
Budget hotels for minimalistic stay, boutique hotels for that luxury feel, and the best spa Kovalam beach resort for Ayurveda treatment, all are there. Kovalam has umpteen options for scenic accommodation by the sea. International tourists making the most of the tropical weather. They enjoy traditional healing therapies and ayurvedic massage experience in Kovalam. It’s a common sight, especially at the Lighthouse beach. For your very own sea view, check into a beach-facing hotel with its own sun deck. Can you ask for more!? Kovalam hotels won’t disappoint you for sure. These wonderful hotels have been a torchbearer of Kerala tourism.
Kovalam Beach: Baywatch!
Three beaches make up the coastline of Kovalam: Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach (Eve’s Beach), and Samudra Beach. All the three have their own vantage views. Still, Lighthouse Beach is a must-visit for sure! On one end of the beach is a 30-meter lighthouse (it’s functional!!). It is one of the major tourist attractions. All those of you who are fit enough to climb up the 130+ steps of the lighthouse should not miss the opportunity. Catch a breath-taking view of the Arabian Sea and the surrounding greenery. This one is definitely going to be one of those ‘wow’ moments of the trip. Talk about a heavenly Kovalam beach experience!
Things to do
- Go up the lighthouse for a ‘wow’ view
- Window shopping of handicrafts and much more
- Go for a rejuvenating massage
- Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium is one of must-see places to visit near Kovalam beach
- Watch the fishermen sweating it out to get the best fish on your platter
- Fish ‘n’ Chips with your favourite sip by the sea!
- Capture the golden moments for creating life-long memories!
Backwater Cruising & Other Sightseeing
Another nearby spot, Poovar backwater is one of the best places for sightseeing. Where else can you experience serene backwaters, sprawling mangroves, golden sands separating the sea and river water? Then there are the tiny islands and floating restaurants in a cruising experience! Do stop by to admire some fascinating churches dotted on the way to Poovar. It makes for a fairy-tale Kovalam sightseeing experience. These places to visit in Kovalam will be enough to make your vacay a memorable one. That is for sure.
Thing to Remember: A cruise trip on a speed boat costs Rs 3000+. Works best for a family of 5 – 6. Advice for couples: Try boat sharing or bargaining for a cost-effective deal.
Places to visit near Kovalam: Padmanabhaswamy temple, the richest Hindu temple in the world, in Thiruvananthapuram city. Shankumugham Beach, located 12.7 km from Kovalam. Veli Tourist Village, located 17.5 km from Kovalam.
Coastal Flavours
Many sea-facing restaurants at the Lighthouse beach display fresh, raw seafood outside their eatery. All you have to do is pick your favourite. They will prepare it to your taste. Treats such as plain rice and spicy fish curry to exotic prawns, squids and crabs are there. Kovalam brings the best of coastal delicacies on your platter.
Well, are you a vegetarian wondering how to survive in a coastal town? Or are you a typical north Indian craving for hot aloo/gobi parathas? It doesn’t matter to you where you are! Worry not! Kerala tourism won’t disappoint you! Here’s Sharmaji at his small-yet-well-maintained Sukar-Punjab restaurant. He churns out some of the most mouth-watering North Indian dishes. They are the best regional vegetarian and non-vegetarian specialties you may have ever tasted.
On your return journey, you can easily take the Kovalam to Trivandrum road to the airport. You will be carrying with you memories that will last a lifetime!
When you think of an exotic beach in India then what instantly pops up in your imagery is Goa. But it’s not always the much-talked-about destinations alone that give you a unique holidaying experience. You ought to look beyond the regular travel itineraries. More so in a country like India. Explore the length and breadth of diverse landscapes to enjoy your kinda vacation. And there’s no place like the Kovalam beach to make you agree with us.
Gastronomic advice: Don’t miss indulging to your heart’s content at Sukar-Punjab. You are missing something if you leave Kovalam without doing so!
Suggested Reading: 10 Best Souvenirs to Buy in Andamans
Also read: What does a true-blue Kolkatan feel about her annual trip to the City of Joy