Kovalam - Beaches, Ayurveda and Shopping.
Kovalam is an idyllic coastal town located around 13 km from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Famous for its three adjacent crescent-shaped shallow water and low tidal beaches, Kovalam is dotted with resorts and Ayurvedic massage centers.
Earlier a fishing village, Kovalam started attracting tourists in the 1930s and shot to fame in the hippie epoch of 1970s. It still sees the influx of tourists from Israel and Europe. Ayurvedic treatments and massages are one of its most popular indulgences along with yoga, meditation as well as other cultural activities. Kovalam perhaps come full circle as it is also a shopping destination given the rich spices, wooden statues and handicrafts that can make popular takeaways.
Being situated close to the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram makes Kovalam an easily accessible destination in Kerala. The place is well connected with cabs and buses with Trivandrum, which is only 12 - 13 kms away and is connected with all means of transport with other major cities of Kerala as well as other states in India.
BY AIR: Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) in Thiruvananthapuram is the nearest airport and is around 15 km away from the main city. From here, tourists can take a cab or taxi to reach Kovalam comfortably.
BY RAIL: Trivandrum Central Railway is the nearest railway head and is located at a distance of 12 km from Kovalam. The Railway Station is connected perfectly with all the major cities of Kerala and other parts of India as well.
BY ROAD: Kerala State Road Transportation Services offer many buses and volvos from different parts of the state to reach Kovalam. Luxurious as well as other buses can be easily available at a very reasonable rate. Driving to Kovalam gives tourists the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty along the way.
September to March is the best time to visit Kovalam in terms of weather for travelling. Monsoons experience heavy rainfall, but this is a good time if you want to just rejuvenate yourself in great weather within your resort or to take Ayurvedic treatments. Kovalam experiences heavy rainfall during monsoons. It is not advisable to go here during these months as mobility is highly affected during the monsoon months.
Spread over an area of 17 km long coastline, Kovalam is a set of three adjacent beaches, sharing shores with each other- Lighthouse, Hawah, and Samudra. All these beaches together form a crescent shape. The top attraction and the show stealers amongst the three beaches is the Lighthouse Beach. The beach side is a rich amalgamation of breezy air, rocky waves, swaying palm fringes and aquamarine water which best suitable for watersports activities.
Second and the most dramatic travel place is the Hawa alias Eve's beach. The limelight of the beach is the palm fringes that are covering the seashores. The calmness and tranquillity of this beach make it an ideal tourism place to get some moments of relaxation away from the humdrum of the city life. Samudra is the third major beach of Kovalam. Here everything is simply pristine and untouched as it is least explored. Beach activities in Kovalam include camping at the beach, sunbathing, canoeing, kayaking, etc.
Term 'Kovalam' is derived from the Malayalam language that means 'corpse of coconut grows.' The name is very apt for the town since it has an abundance of groves of coconut trees. Kovalam beach has been a favorite tourism place since 1930. It was Britons who founded this peaceful land to indulge in some quaint time. The beach was constructed by Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore as a private holiday destination. The beach rose to popularity in 1950's when people from major neighboring continents started coming here to indulge in leisure. Thiruvanthampuram, the capital city of Kerala, is just a kilometers away.
A scenic trip to Kovalam from Thiruvanthampuram is a journey worth remembering.
Other than indulging in beach activities, there are several must see places in Kovalam. Ashoka Beach, Halcyon Castle, Rock Cut Cave Temple, Vellayani Lake, Neyyar Dam, Karamana River, Vellayani Lake, Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium, Shri Chitra Art Gallery, Napier Art Museum & Gallery are prominent spots worth a see on a trip to Kovalam.
Unmatched luxury, stunning golden sand beaches and an amazing underwater world, makes it the obvious choice for tourists to come here for vacation. Life at Kovalam beach is very laid back. Soothing aura oozes in every nook and corner of the beaches. Relax, Rejuvenate and refresh after enjoying an amazing Ayurvedic spa session on the bank of Kovalam beach. For those who are seeking a break from the rigorous metropolitan lifestyle, Kovalam beach is the place to be. The beach offers the perfect backdrop for yoga as well. Bestowed with everything picturesque and delightful, no doubt Kovalam is an important sighting place with golden sand and picturesque surrounding. Kovalam radiates golden hues that lure tourists in large number.