- Best time
- September to March
- Nearest airport
- Thiruvananthapuram International (about 15–18 km)
- Nearest railway station
- Thiruvananthapuram Central
- Main beaches
- Lighthouse, Hawa, Samudra
The beaches
Lighthouse Beach is the liveliest, with a red-and-white striped lighthouse of about 35 m on the headland that you can climb for views. Hawa Beach, next to it, is quieter and fringed with coconut palms. Samudra Beach, to the north, is mostly used by fishing families and is the calmest of the three. Varkala, with its cliffs and the Janardhana Swamy Temple, is a longer day trip up the coast.
Other places to see
- Vizhinjam rock-cut cave temple, a tiny 8th-century shrine
- Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple on the Karamana river
- Halcyon Castle, a 1930s summer palace now used as a hotel
- Vellayani Lake, a large freshwater lake good for birds
- Kovalam Art Gallery, with work by Kerala artists
- Valiyathura Pier in Thiruvananthapuram, popular at sunset
Things to do
Swimming (only in flagged zones; currents can be strong), surfing lessons, snorkelling, kayaking and catamaran rides are all available. Ayurvedic massages and longer treatment packages are a big part of Kovalam's appeal. Shops along Lighthouse Beach sell spices, handloom cottons, silk and Tibetan crafts.
Best time to visit
September to March is the ideal season, with winter days around 30°C and cooler nights. March to May is hot and humid. The monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas, but it is also a traditional season for Ayurvedic treatment.
How to reach
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is about 15–18 km away, and Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station about 16 km. Taxis, autos and frequent buses connect the city with Kovalam. Carry photo ID, follow dress codes at temples, and pack sunscreen and a hat.
Also nearby
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