Kovalam Beach - Kerala

Kovalam is famous for its beaches, among the most pristine in India. Kovalam is extremely popular among westerners due to shallow waters and low tidal waves. It is also one of the oldest tourist enclave in India, which known among tourist circuit right in 1930s. Kovalam shot into limelight in the early seventies with arrivals of the masses of hippies. That started the transformation of a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in all India- the Kovalam beach.

History

Kovalam was brought to the public eye by Her Highness The Queen of Travancore Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai decided to build a palace for herself at a rock top near the beach, as her private residence better known as Haylcon Castle. Later, in 1936, the next Queen, HH Karthika Thirunal choose this palace for her honeymoon with her newly wed husband, 1st Prince GV Raja. It was Prince G.V Raja who found immense tourist potentiality of the region and decided promote the region among state guests, by inviting Thomas Cook & Sons- UK to develop the region. The Maharaja of Travancore soon started hosting regular state banquets and accommodation of his European guests in Kovalam Haylcon Palace. This made the beach popular among European families living in nearby Madras and Bombay Presidencies as well as elite Travancore families to spend their holidays. Thus, the move helped to lay foundations of modern tourism industry in South India. Post independent India, the beach was popular among Indians and few tourists. It was 1970s, the hippie culture helped to revive the beach, with vast influx of tourists, spending their wild holidays here. When Kerala government thought of making tourism as a major industry, towards 1990s, Kovalam was the first tourist destination to be highlighted and promoted. Today its an intentionally renowned beach.

Kovalam has 3 major beaches in its 17 km coastline. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach is the most popular of the three. Many hotels, restaurants, lodges and shops are located here. It is frequented by outsiders who stay and enjoy Kovalam.

The Northern most crescent, (with the different names Main Beach/Leela Beach/Samudra Beach) - is crowded on weekends, is very popular with the locals, day-travelers, and passing-by tourist buses. During the week it's quiet. Hawa Beach inbetween is among one of the beaches in India where top-less sunbathing is tolerated and well appreciated by the locals. The tourism department provides a vigilant life guard service on both Lighthouse and Hawa beach.

Note that many tourists in Kovalam are between the ages of 40 and 60 years young. Those expecting a replica of Goa will be pleasantly surprised by the more relaxed atmosphere, a bit more laid back, the food a touch softer and lighter. 

How to get there

Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 16 km 

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 10 km

Best time to visit: September to March

Kovalam is about 16 km (20 minutes in a taxi) from Trivandrum. Taxis can charge around ₹400-₹500 to get to Kovalam. When asked where you want to go, say Hawa Beach, Leela Beach/Main Beach or Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam.

In an auto-rickshaw ₹150 - ₹170 is a fair price, avoid going above ₹170. If in doubt ask to use the meter, but in reality they really don't work at all. Advice being if they are trying to rip you off go to leave for another rickshaw and they will often back down and offer you a fair price, if not, get in a different rickshaw. Even if India is a cheap country, the prices for gasoline are international standard, so don't expect super cheap private transportation. If you go by public bus from Trivandrum-East Fort to Kovalam Beach you only pay ₹8. for the half hour trip.

Buses to Trivandrum can also be caught from Kovalum Junction as well as Ambassador taxis and Autos to pretty much anywhere.

What to do:

Surfing - Some fine waves from time to time (0.5 - 2 meters). You can hire surf boards and body boards on the beach from $6USD a day. During peak season they will try and charge more unreasonable amounts but just say no. Body boarding can be enjoyed by anyone. Surfing takes a bit more skill. It is wise to follow the life-guards' instructions as there are some strong currents that can suddenly whisk the unwary out to sea.

Wooden Boat Ride - At Kovalam's Main Beach/Leela Beach you can go out on the ocean with a traditional Catamaran. These ancient boats are rowed with a bamboo paddle and maneuvered by experienced local fishermen. There are 11 registered boats available. Rides last from about 15 to 120 minutes and cost between Rps. 300 to 600 p.p. .The best time for going snorkeling from the boat is in the early morning. Most romantic are the "sunset cruises". No advance booking necessary. First come - first served.

Motor Boat Ride - In 2009 local fishermen/catamaran people added a few motor boats to their fleet, destroying the peace and serenity of the coves. They hope to make some extra money from Indian tourists, but are not aware of the impact on the environment and Western tourism. 

What to Eat

There are many restaurants along the beach front at Lighthouse Beach. The days catch is usually laid in front of them in the evening for those who like fish. Most restaurants have a leisurely approach to life and an hour between ordering and receiving your food is not uncommon. But don't get uptight, just relax and enjoy.

Head up the hill from the beach to Kovalam Junction and sample some of the many local restaurants. The specialty of the area is Chicken Fry. Fried chicken in a red masala paste with freshly cut chillis. Some places are spicier than others. For between $2 & $3USD you will get 2 pieces of chicken fry, vegetable sambal and some paratha (a richer version of roti). Beef fry and fish fry are sometimes available as well. Note: These establishments are very local orientated so do not expect cushy surroundings: it's very much eat, pay, leave. Expect great chicken.

Ayur Restaurant, Hotel California, Lighthouse Beach Kovalam, Vizhinjam PO Thiruvanathapuram, 695527 Kerala, ☎ 9947359808. Ayur Restaurant at Hotel California offers great vegetarian food cooked fresh. It has an open kitchen concept, with frendly english speaking staff. Though vegetarian, the menu is extensive and the food is healthy, made with top quality ingredients.

The German Bakery - Go for the date shake and the excellent banana pancake. A full range of baked goods are available too, plus one of the best views in Kovalam. Easily the most popular place for breakfast on the main beach.

Bethel, (down the alleyway between Fusion and Swiss Cafe). - A good vegetarian restaurant in Kovalam. Friendly staff and comfortable, cozy, open-air seating with two levels. They serve delicious Keralan and other Indian foods, as well as a medium selection of (equally tasty) Continental and Chinese cuisine. The owner (who cooks there) was a chef in an upscale veg restaurant in Varkala for 8 years. Mains Rs. 50-110.

Coconut Grove, Lighthouse Beach.

Fusion restaurant, Lighthouse Beach, ☎ 0471 2484153 (fusion_in_kovalam@yahoo.co.in). First floor restaurant on the beach front (recently moved to the end of the beach near the lighthouse) with beautiful ambiance and great food. Unique menu offers food from the East, the West and fusion of both.

Spice Restaurant, Lighthouse Beach.

Suprabatham, Kovalam (200m away from Lighthouse Beach, acessible via a path between German Bakery and Hotel Orion). One of the best vegetarian restaurants in Kovalam. Friendly waiters.

Malabar Cafe (Malabar Hotel), in front of light house beach. , Lighthouse Beach.

Fusion restaurant, Lighthouse Beach, ☎ 0471 2484153 (fusion_in_kovalam@yahoo.co.in). First floor restaurant on the beach front (recently moved to the end of the beach near the lighthouse) with beautiful ambiance and great food. Unique menu offers food from the East, the West and fusion of both.

Where to Stay

Budget Hotels

Vedanta Wakeup! by Lighthouse Beach Kovalam, (Near Avaduthura Devi Temple, Temple Road, Hawa Beach, Kovalam, Vizhinjam Post Thiruvananthapuram – 695 521), ☎ +91 22 67471628, +910471-6050010, +91 0471-2484211 (reservations@vedantawakeup.com).

Arunodhayam Resort, (Near Theruvila,Light House Road,Vizhinjam P.O., Kovalam Thiruvananthapuram – 695 521), ☎ +91 9744865764, +91 9847856622 (Arunodhayam3a@yahoo.com).

KOVALAM HOMESTAY - GANESH HOUSE, (it is 2 minutes walking distance from Samudra beach (Grow beach),and 15 minutes sea way walking distance from light house beach.), ☎ +91 9995012627,+91 9446 557372 (manojkovalam@gmail.com),  Ganesh house is one of the family based home stay near Samudra Beach Kovalam Rs:950-2000.

Muringa Vila, (Located at Kovalam's Main Beach (or Leela Beach) right behind the Ganesh Temple.), ☎ 9656170759,  A small family run guest house with stylish apartments (some with kitchen) and The Little Shanti Coffee Shop, serving local and international foods on their sea- view terrace. All rooms with private bathrooms and sea facing balconies.

Chalet Resorts, Kovalam Beach (50 metres walk from the Eve’s beach, Lighthouse beach and Ashoka beach), ☎ +919847022037 (chaletresorts@gmail.com). checkin: 12Noon; checkout: 11AM. Offers clean and cozy rooms. 850-2000.

Hotel California, At Ayur Arya Ayurvedic centre, Lighthouse beach, Kovalam, ☎ +91-9947359808 ([bookings@ayurarya.com]). checkin: 24 hrs; checkout: 24 hrs. Clean, spacious rooms with fan has an attached bathroom (shower, toilet) and a terrace with views of tropical garden. The Arya Ayurvedic centre also offers massages and ayurvedic treatment packages supervised by qualified doctors. The centre also has a vegetarian restaurant, Ayur, with open kitchen in the garden. Double room around Rs. 900/night.

Beach Florra Inn, Kovalam Hotels (Beach Resort), Light House Beach, Kovalam (20 metres walk from the Light house along the tiled pedestrian pathway), ☎ 9895909494 (contact.beachflora@gmail.com), checkin: 12:00pm; checkout: 12:00pm. The hotel is perfect for holidays and beach vacations. It is located right on the beach front with beautiful view of the beach and the Light house offering simple, clean and cozy rooms with homely ambiance. 1000-3500.

Greenshore Apartments, Lighthouse Road (100 Metres West of lighthouse opposite Rockholm junction), ☎ 0091 471 2480106 (enquiries@thegreenshore.com), * Green Valley Cottages, (indira_ravi@hotmail.com). Room service with good vegetarian restaurant right next door. Located next to the remnants of a former rice paddy field just off the beach. Rooms from Rs.500 per night.  Rooms from Rs.500 per night.

Hotel Sea Breeze, Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam, ☎ +91 471 2480024 (hotelseabreeze@india.com), From Rs. 600 

Hotel Shirleys Beach, Temple road Kovalam (near avaduthura devi temple), ☎ +91 963 32 00 137,  A family run place. The rooms are spotless and well managed.They also conduct fixed departure tours which are so cheap and they also run their houseboat company in alleppey.its all under one roof! From Rs, 600/-.

Devi Beach Resort, Lighthouse beach Kovalam (Next to Spice Village restaurant), ☎ +91 0471 3191807 (asokansudhakaran@gmail.com). a brand new hotel opend December 2011 with basic large rooms which are spotless, ideal for those with difficulties using stairs the hotel has 5 ground floor rooms and 5 first floor rooms ideally situated for the beach and overlooking paddy fields each room has western style en-suite shower room and private balcony from 2400INR. 

Mid-Range

Kovalam Beach Hotel (A Superior Heritage Boutique Hotel), ☎ +91 471 248 3200 (info@kovalambeachhotel.com). Arabian Sea View AC room from Rs. 3,000 onwards, very good guest satisfaction rating. 

The Leela Kovalam (The Leela Kovalam), ☎ (+91) 9895758991 (kerala@helpmego.to), The Leela Kovalam-Beach View room Rs.8000 per person sharing a Beach View room.

The Beach Hotel, ☎ +91 471 2480179 (info@thebeachhotel-kovalam.com), Private veranda towards the sea. Double non AC room Rs. 4,000 - 11,000.

The Beach Hotel II, ☎ +91 471 2480179 (info@thebeachhotel-kovalam.com), Double non AC room Rs. 3,000, Double AC room Rs. 4,000. 

Hawah Beach Resort, Hawah Beach, Kovalam, ☎ +91 471 2481951, [16].

Pappukutty Beach Resort, Hawa Beach, Kovalam, It has 38 well furnished A/C Rooms with all modern amenities inside. It also has a beach facing restaurant, swimming pool. From Rs. 1,200.

Splurge

Turtle on the beach is a new 4 star boutique luxury hotel.

Taj Green Cove Resort Located on one of India’s most popular beaches the property is spread across 10 acres of land, offering a breathtaking view of the backwater, lush landscapes, coconut palms, and unspoiled beaches. The resort is located on the most northern beach of Kovalam.

The Leela Kempinski is a 5 star hotel with a private beach. The Heritage wing houses the famous Halcyon castle, the honeymoon palace of Travancore Queens which costs almost thrice than other rooms. Almost all suites are sea facing, as sea surrounds all the three sides of the property.

Travancore Heritage is a seaside resort in Chowara near Kovalam. It is built with traditional Kerala style architecture in 15 acres of land, landscaped with coconut palms.

Varma Beach Resort & Cottage, Lighthouse Road, Kovalam, ☎ +91 471 2480478 (varmabeach@hotmail.com), Varma Beach Cottage is located at Lighthouse Beach; Varma Beach Resort is located on top of a cliff behind the lighthouse. 

Ayurveda and Health Resorts

Ayurvaidya health and wellness centre, Kovalam. Over 11 years experience in taking care of patients from all over the world with varying health problems. Experienced and friendly staff.

Somatheeram Ayurvedic Health Resort

The Leela Palace Kovalam, Soothing décor, warm aesthetics, and graceful elegance. Natural richness in every amenity, every detail. Spoil yourself in Indian opulence found only at The Leela Kovalam. 

Agastyaa Heritage Centre -http://www.unnidoc.com/ experienced and friendly staff. Treatments individualised for care of patients different health concerns.

You can grab a top fruit salad from the fruit ladies with all the trimmings for less than $1USD. But, they'll remember you and if you don't buy from them again they will take it very personally.

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