The state of Kerala in southern India is known as a tropical paradise with palm trees and white sandy beaches. Still would! The state is a narrow strip of coastal territory that slopes down to the Arabian Sea, forming lush green terraces that are blown by cool sea breezes even during the hottest weeks of the year. Mountains, coconuts, waves, spices, beautiful beaches, art objects – here is a short list of what Kerala is good for. It is also the most peaceful state in the country, where all kinds of religions and undertakings coexist perfectly: Hindu temples side by side with mosques, Christian churches side by side with synagogues, wild ecotourism sites side by side with luxury resorts for Ayurvedic treatments.. Add to this virgin rainforests, high blue mountains and a variety of hotels for every taste and budget – and you get the quintessence of a good holiday. By the way, there are not so many Russian tourists in Kerala yet – especially in comparison with Goa.
The capital of Kerala is Trivandrum (actually Thiruvananthapuram, but we are not monsters). According to petwithsupplies, Trivandrum is one of the largest cities in India.
How to get there
There are no direct regular flights from Russia to Kerala. Regular flights from Moscow to Trivandrum and Cochin are operated by the following airlines: Qatar Airways via Doha, Emirates Airlines via Dubai and Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi.
Weather in Kerala
The local climate is tropical, mild and very even. There are two monsoon periods: in June-July and in October. Rain is possible throughout the year.
The hottest period is March-April, the air temperature during the day is +28…+36 °C, at night +24…+30 °C. The rest of the time, the average air temperature during the day is +20…+28 °C, at night +18…+25 °C. The high tourist season lasts from December to April.
Kerala beaches
Each resort in Kerala is its own Ayurvedic center, where you can fully experience this unusual method of treatment.
All beaches in Kerala are public and free, usually small.
In some areas, the sea is turbulent, and it is not safe to swim there. But near many resorts there is a lagoon, on the far shore of which there is a clean, beautiful and calm beach. Guests are taken there by boat.
Kappad is a “historical” beach where Vasco da Gama personally landed at one time (now, in honor of this memorable event, a column was “landed” there, at which motley flocks of tourists immediately got into the habit of taking pictures). The beach is sandy, very quiet and calm, not too crowded.
Alappuzha is popular as a place of relaxation. The area there is very picturesque – lagoons, lakes, many rivers. The beach is sandy, at one end there are dense palm thickets. The Vijaya Beach Amusement Park is also located there with picnic areas, a playground and boating.
Varkala is one of the most popular resorts in Kerala, mainly due to the local healing mineral springs gushing from the high cliffs surrounding the beach. The locals know the art of a special massage and apply it to the bodies of vacationers for a moderate fee.
Kovalam is a natural bay ideal for kayaking, swimming, surfing and water skiing. In many places, small coral reefs stretch along the coast here, between which you can swim on catamarans. Coastal waters are clean and calm. The local beach can be divided into three sections: southern (“Beach at the lighthouse”, the most popular), middle (Hawah) and northern (Samudra). Along the entire coast, there are many shops and stalls with national clothes, jewelry, handicrafts of local craftsmen, as well as various restaurants.
Marari Beach, which has not yet become a well-known place, offers its rare visitors a long stretch of excellent sand and palm groves. It is best to come there for those who are looking for maximum privacy. A new hotel, The Marari Beach, was built on the beach, designed in the style of a local settlement, but equipped in accordance with the latest requirements.
Beypore was one of the most developed seaports of Kerala in ancient times. Local docks are still inspected by curious tourists, while ordinary Indian people are building “uru” – traditional Arab merchant ships – with might and main there. An impressive bridge of huge stones was built there, protruding into the sea for almost two kilometers. Not far from the beach is Pukot Lake, where you can rent a boat to ride on the lake and visit the freshwater aquarium.
Moppila Bay is a natural fishing harbor located near the ruins of Fort Sant’Angelo. The beach is still untouched, but the harbor itself has recently been modernized. The sea wall separates the open sea from the beach waters.
Muzhappilangad is a four-kilometer beach located 15 km from Kannur. This is the only beach in India where you can drive a car. Black rocks protect it from sea waves, making coastal waters comfortable and relatively safe.
Bekal is a sandy beach surrounded by palm trees, very quiet and calm. From the local historical Fort Bekal to the beach stretches a gentle hillside, cut by ravines and overgrown with picturesque greenery, a wonderful area for hiking.
Kerala Hotels
Hotels in Kerala are always successfully “inscribed” in the stunning beauty of the natural landscape. Usually they are located in numerous bays on the coast and on the shores of lakes, the largest of which, Vembanad, is the center of Ayurveda. The comfortable 4 * and 5 * hotels located here offer their guests a high-quality and varied vacation that combines Ayurvedic procedures, entertainment shows, trips to numerous lakes, waterfalls and mangrove jungles.
Entertainment and attractions of Kerala
In Kerala, tourists are waiting for traveling through the jungle, nature reserves and spice plantations, sailing on houseboats through lagoons and backwaters, visiting lake, mountain and beach resorts. There is also the famous Cochin – a city on a dozen islands. For the past twenty centuries, Arabs, Chinese, Jews, Portuguese, Dutch, British and Indians have been in charge there in turn. And everyone managed to decently “inherit”, so there is something to see in Cochin.
In the village of Kumarakom, sprawling like Vishnu on Ananta, on a scattering of small islands of Lake Vembanad, there is a bird sanctuary.
So huge flocks of birds are the main local attraction. You can take a boat trip to their habitats. There are also great places for fishing and just riding through swamps full of white lilies.
In the small settlement of Guruvayur is the sacred Temple of Krishna. In addition, the Javkhar National Park is interesting, vast and very beautiful.
