Kovalam

Situated 16 kms from the Capital of Kerala is a city with four sandy bays called Kovalam. The meaning of Kovalam is 'groove of coconut trees'. This spectacular beach resort in 1930's broke the shackles and emerged as the most magnificent tourist attraction in the south. In earlier days it was a virgin land with not a lot of tourists, but later with the influx of tourists looking for peace & tranquility coming here, there was no looking back. The four sandy beaches are are a sight to behold; all the four bays are separated by rocks. The Samudra Beach, Kovalam Beach, Hawa Beach and the light house beach are what gives Kovalam its beauty. Kovalam is also famous for its Ayurvedic massages and many yoga resorts. Meditation and herbal body toning are some of the things which travelers are treated to for a rejuvenating experience. A number of cultural programs are also organized along with a catamaran cruise to add to your Kerala experience

Sightseeing in Kovalam -

Hawa Beach: The Hawa beach, also called Eve's Beach is ideal for travelers looking for virgin,secluded & calm stretches of sandy shores. Hawa and Kovalam beaches are separated from each other by the Edakallu foreland. The sunset in all its beauty can be viewed from this headland.

Lighthouse Beach: In the extreme south of Kovalam is the magnificent Lighthouse Beach. The name comes from the towering Vizhinjam lighthouse which is built on a rocky headland. Though tourists are not allowed to go inside the lighthouse, the memorials of Ayyanappilla Asan and Ayyippilla Asan around the light house are worth a visit. The beach is a long sandy strip, safe guarded by life guards along the shore. The lighthouse is illuminated and a great place to enjoy a quiet evening. Delicious & fresh sea food available along the shore is just the thing to round up a relaxed evening. The approach to this beach is fairly easy as transport is easily available.

Samudra Beach: To the north most part of Kovalam beach is yet another scenic jewel called the Samudra Beach. The view of few fishing vessels & ships on the horizon is a beautiful sight to see.

Ponmudi: Situated at a distance of 61 km from Kovalam is Ponmudi. It is a place blessed by scenice beauty. Ponmudi is famous for its mountains and beautiful landscapes.A number of tea plantations can be seen in the region. 

Varkala: Varkala is located 55 km away from Kovalam. It takes about 2 hours to get there by road. On your way to Varkala you can also vist Trivandrum- Ananthapadmanabhaswamy Temple, Kaudiar Palace, Napier Museum, which are also famous tourist spots. Varkala is a tranquil beach resort which can be enjoyed by families & couples alike. It is believed that the mineral water running from the hills in the region have medicinal properties. One of the hidden jewels in Varkala is the Edava beach which remains unexplored by tourists. A little beyond the beach towards Kapil, travelers are treated to blue lagoons where the sea & backwaters run parallel divided by a stretch of 1 km road. An estuary in the vicinity connects the sea with the backwaters.

Shopping in Kovalam- You can go shopping in Kovalam and buy a number of items like handicrafts and spices. Rose wood and teak wood statues are popular at Kovalam beach. There are a number of shopping shacks lined along the beach. 

How to reach -

By Air: Nearest airport is Trivandrum International airport which is about 15 km away from Kovalam.

By Train: The nearest rail head to Kovalam is Trivandrum Central (Thampanoor) railway station. It is about 15 km away from Kovalam. Trivandrum is well linked with all cities in India through rail.

By Bus: Kovalam is well linked by the city bus services from Trivandrum and other main junctions in the district. Tourist luxury buses are available from many cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Madurai and Nagarcoil to Trivandrum.