Kovalam
Golden sands by the Arabian Sea
The sheltered coves, the picture perfect tropical beaches, the palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, the surf shampooing the shores ... all these make Kovalam a beach-bummers delight. Like Calangute, Anjuna, and Colva in Goa , Kovalam has shed its hippy idyll.
Sip organic juices while you watch the fishermen heave their heavy wooden boats into the sea and cast their massive nets. These traditional vellams and catamarans have been used for years. Be there when they bring their catch early in the morning, and you'll be able to strike a bargain for some fresh barracuda, sea bass, catfish, tiger prawns, crabs, sardine, tuna, seerfish, pomfret, or mullet that you can get grilled at any of the stalls on the beachfront.
During the day, sprawl on the white sand in the mellow glow of the winter sun and enjoy the tropical fruit: succulent ripe mangoes, papaya, grapes, coconut water, bananas and pineapple. Then settle down for another snooze.
Climate
Summer (Mar. to Jun.): Warm
Monsoon (Aug. to Sept.): Warm
Winter (Oct. to Feb.): Mildly warm and pleasant
Clothing
Throughout the year-Cottons
Getting There
Road links to Thiruvananathapuram (formerly Trivandrum ), Ernakulam and Kanniyakumari.
The nearest railhead and airport is at Thiravananthapuram (16 km).
Where To Stay
Hotel Blue Sea
Hotel Palm Garden
Hotel Rockholy
Hotel Samudhra Tara
Kovalam Ashok Beach Resort
Lobster House Hotel
Mas Plaza Hotel
Paradise Rock Lodge
Sea Rock Lodge
Seaweed Hotel
What To See
Beaches
Hawah Beach and Lighthouse Beach are where the action is.
Cuisine
Try the sea food, especially the prawns and lobsters.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the traditional Indian art of healing. There are a number of ayurveda spas in Kovalam. Some offer just an oil massage, while others offer intensive treatments that last upto 21 days and include a special diet and daily massages.
An ayurveda shala you could enroll yourself at is the Kovalam beach village complex of Chowara near the Kovalam Vizhinjam tourist trail. Dr Franklin's is a specialized boutique ayurveda shala that offers you neat little cottages in its institute near the seashore.
