10 Reasons to Visit Kerala in the Monsoons

Most people end up going to Kerala at some point. Some of us are born there and then leave to go live in a big city. That’s when we really come to realise just how beautiful home is. But it’s during the summer and winter vacations that I see people packing up and heading to Kerala. That wouldn’t be my advice if you’re going to Kerala for a break – if you really want a break, you should go during the monsoons. But you should time it right and make sure no dams are being opened when you’re there or you might get a few nasty shocks.

This is not even a tourist area.

Pic: Prasad Pillai

1.       Green, green, green everywhere. Kerala is at its best when the monsoons start, making the trees extremely happy. There’s nothing like how green everything looks when there’s a light sheen of rain over the leaves.

 

Can’t you feel the green even in black and white?

Pic: Vinoth Chandar

2.       Varkala is awesome in the monsoons. Stay up on a cliff and watch the rain meet the ocean, with grey clouds storming the skies. It’s an incredible feeling, right out of a fantasy book.

 

Pic: Annie and Andrew

3.       Mangosteens – you’ve seen them in supermarkets, usually for ridiculous prices. Go to the villages around the backwaters, one of which I spent my pre-school days at and still go to every chance I get, and you’ll find mangosteen trees that are full of fruits in the monsoons.

 

If you haven’t eaten this glorious fruit, you’ve got to.

Pic: Hafiz Issadeen

4.       Kerala has some great tea estates and coffee plantations. So you’re assured fresh tea and coffee if you stay in the hillier regions. Know what’s perfect when you’re all cosied up with hot chai or coffee? Rain.

 

Imagine being indoors with a lovely cuppa when this is going on outside. Or see point 8.

Pic: Ananth BS

5.       Hartals are commonplace in Kerala. No matter how well you plan, odds are that one day will be washed out because somebody calls a strike. But monsoon hartals are more half-hearted – they don’t want to be out in the rain enforcing blockades!

 

Nobody’s got the political conviction to be out on the roads all day in this.

Pic: Abhishek Shirali

6.       Every waterfall will be full and ferocious during monsoons. There will even be loads of waterfalls that aren’t marked on any maps, and little streams, and brooks. They will also all be far less crowded. Just make sure you ask people about how ferocious they are before you head out.

 

An actual babbling brook.

Pic: Ramkumar

7.       Rates are lower in the monsoons, especially in beach and hill station destinations. Plan a vacation that involves more lazing around and less driving around, though. If you must drive around, remember that locals are more than used to it.  

 

Top tip: Tell resorts to give you discount for swimming pool since so many on the roads are free.

Pic: Kerala Tourism

8.       Do the real rain dance. When resorts advertise ‘rain dance’, everybody goes for fake rain. Well, the real deal is guaranteed in Kerala during monsoons. No extra charge.

 

Or ride around under a rainbow umbrella. Whatever floats your boat.

Pic: Prasad Pillai

9.       Rainy cricket and football are awesome, especially because when monsoons really hit, almost every school will have holidays. Kids are always more than happy to play in the rain and will welcome you to join their game!

 

Don’t join this game. But see the puddles? We’re tough. We play tournos in the rain.

Pic: Roberto Faccenda

10.   Kappa-meen curry (tapioca and spicy fish curry) with a glass of kallu (toddy) tastes better when it rains. Don’t ask me why. It’s just a thing that all Mallus know.

 

 My mouth is watering even if it’s boiling hot and sunny as fu... heck.

Pic: Ramesh NG