No matter which month of the year you plan your travels in, Kerala is a promising destination. The dramatic diversity in the landscape of Kerala makes it a tough task for any traveller to generalise the best time bracket to visit this state. Truth be told, there some best tourist places in Kerala that make it the destination it is.
During the months of June and July when destinations in South India start burning up, places such as Thekkady and Vagamon still promise the bliss of a cool breeze with temperature ranging from 10° to 29°. Monsoons in Kerala add vibrant hues to the lush green landscapes of Wayanad and make it an ideal escape to explore the tea and spice estates in the region. Meanwhile, exploring the backwaters is just the right vacation idea for winters. To add a touch of cultural vibrance, local festivals celebrated across the year can make for great vacation ideas too.
Check out the following best tourist places in Kerala for every season at God's Own Country that make it an all-season destination for travellers
Summer in Kerala
When summer knocks at the door during the months of February to May, Kerala still has just the right answers for your vacation plans. While the beaches go completely off travellers lists, hill towns foray into the travel scene and bless us with some respite.
Vagamon is located in the Kottayam-Idukki district of Kerala and when the entire state is struggling with the summer heat, Vagamon enjoys pleasant breezes amidst the tea plantations. The true charm of this destination lies in its unparalleled serenity, remoteness and the stunning view of the pines. Off late it has also emerged as a great paragliding destination in South India and is one of the best tourist places in Kerala.
Suggested accommodation: Holiday Vagamon; rooms start at Rs 2,500
You might also like: Vagamon to Kumily - The Unexplored Tea Route by Uday Manivannan
The vibrance of the culture of Kerala is best highlighted during the annual festivals dedicated to the village deities. Thrissur Pooram is one of these post-harvest festivals that promises a grand spectacle to travellers who wish to be a part of local culture during their travels. The festival is celebrated from April to May and showcases a spectacle of an assembly of village deities on bedecked elephants from around the region. The procession reaches the Vadakumnathan Temple, where a strict ritual for 36 long hours is an absolute sight to behold for any visitor in town.
Suggested accommodation: Clayfingers - Art Cottages; rooms start at Rs 4,000
You might also like: Vadakumnathan Temple, Thrissur: A stillness within the chaos by Shilpa Shinde
Monsoons in Kerala
Kerala experiences rainfall throughout the year. The actual monsoon season is divided into parts – the south-west monsoon from June to August and the north-east monsoon from October to November. The start of the season sees intermittent rains and during the latter half of the season, it rains almost daily. The hues of the landscapes turn darker and the vibrance of the green hillocks after the rains does not go unnoticed.
On a rainy day, the mist-covered spice gardens of Wayanad make for an out-worldly sight. For outdoor lovers, the spots to explore in the region are numerous. During the month of July, strolling along the tea and spice estates in the Kalpetta region unveil a unique shade of green. Hiking to the heart-shaped lake of the Chembra Peak, exploring the Edakkal Caves, gazing at infinite blue below the Banasura Dam are experiences that touch hearts. A 3-day monsoon carnival is also organised by local tourism authorities to help you explore the best of Wayanad during this season.
Suggested accommodation: Harmony Farm Wayanad; rooms start at Rs 3,600
You might also like: 4 Wanderers and their wonderful Wayanad tale by The Travelling Assassin
The enchanting beaches of Kerala become even more so with the fresh showers of the monsoon. This coastal town at the southern end of Thiruvananthapuram offers stunning vistas of the Arabian Sea under the constant play of clouds during monsoons. The beaches are quieter and promise a more private experience. Fresh seafood and authentic Kerala Ayurvedic massages add to the divine experience in this offbeat beach destination.
Suggested accommodation: Soma Palmshore; rooms start at Rs 2,900
You might also like: Vivacious Kovalam by Monika Roy Chowdhury
Winter in Kerala
From January to December, Kerala becomes a hub for travellers for the sheer bliss of the winter winds that do not allow temperatures to rise above 25 degrees. It is also the time of the year when God's Own Country celebrates some local festivals and the small towns come to life with a vibrance that is hard to see in these otherwise sleepy towns.
A thousand shades of green await you at the tea estates of Munnar, which becomes one of the best tourist places in Kerala during this time of the year. As the clouds subside, the charm of the landscaped gardens overpowers the senses. The cool wind is never too chilly and it's always pleasant to walk in the tea estates of the region. Spend a day at the 160-year-old Lockhart Tea Factory and understand the journey of the leaves from the gardens to a hot cup of tea. Walk over from the city to old Munnar for some cafe hopping to enjoy the best of continental fare with locally-brewed tea and coffee that are just right for winter.
Suggested accommodation: Greenspaces B&B; rooms start at Rs 3,600
You might also like: Munnar, a piece of heaven on earth by Traveller In Me.
No matter what your travel plans are for winter, you would always be happy to swap it for a blissful stay on a houseboat in Alleppey. The backwater tours in Alleppey are the best way to explore the coastal life of this town. Winter time is also the time of celebration in Alleppey and the festival of Mullackal Chiraq is celebrated with full fervour. Hop off the boat and get a taste of the natural wonders around Alleppey during a visit to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and the Punnamada Lake. Evening are meant to be spent at the beachside and the beaches of Alleppey and Marari are just the right spots to watch the sea swell.
Suggested accommodation: Soma House Boat; rooms start at Rs 7,500
You might also like: A New Me and a New Year in God's Own Country by Ankita Jaiswal
Shoot your comments and suggestions for more season-specific destinations around Kerala and tell us how you made the best trip of the season in the wonderland.
Have you experienced any of these best tourist places in Kerala? Share your own travel story on Tripoto and help other travellers plan a trip to the offbeat spots at the right time of the year.
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