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Kerala Tourism and Travel Guide

Kerala (/ˈkɛrələ/), historically known as Keralam, is a state in South India on the Malabar coast. It was created on 1 November 1956 following the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam-speaking regions. Spread over 38,863 km2 (15,005 sq mi), it is bordered by Karnataka to the north and north east, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. With 33,387,677 inhabitants as per the 2011 census, Kerala is the thirteenth largest state by population and is divided into 14 districts with the capital being Thiruvananthapuram. Malayalam is the most widely spoken and official language of the state.The region was a prominent spice exporter from 3000 BCE. The Chera Dynasty was the first prominent kingdom based in Kerala, though it frequently struggled against attacks from the neighbouring Cholas and Pandyas. In the 15th century, the spice trade attracted Portuguese traders to Kerala, and paved the way for the European colonisation of India. After independence, Travancore and Cochin joined the Republic of India and Travancore-Cochin was given the status of a state. Kerala state was formed in 1956 by merging the Malabar district, Travancore-Cochin (excluding four southern taluks), and the taluk of Kasargod, South Kanara.Kerala has the lowest positive population growth rate in India; 3.44%, highest Human Development Index (HDI); 0.790 in 2011, the highest literacy rate; 93.91%, the highest life expectancy; 77 years and the highest sex ratio; 1,084 women per 1000 men. The state has witnessed significant emigration, especially to the Gulf states during the Gulf Boom of the 1970s and early 1980s, and its economy depends significantly on remittances from a large Malayali expatriate community. Hinduism is practised by more than half of the population, followed by Islam and Christianity. The culture is a synthesis of Aryan and Dravidian cultures, developed over millennia, under influences from other parts of India and abroad.The production of pepper and natural rubber contributes a significantly to the total national output. In the agricultural sector, coconut, tea, coffee, cashew and spices are important. The state's coastline extends for 595 kilometres (370 mi), and around 1.1 million people in the state are dependent on the fishery industry which contributes 3% of the state's income. The state has the highest media exposure in India with newspapers publishing in nine different languages; mainly English and Malayalam. Kerala is an important tourist destination, with backwaters, beaches, Ayurvedic tourism and tropical greenery its major attractions.
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All You Need To Know About Travelling to Kerala

Get to know everything about Kerala, from upcoming events, latest news, and everything you need to know to discover Kerala!

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Reasons to travel to Kerala
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15 Places to Visit in Kerala
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6 Day Budget Trip To Kerala 
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7 Temple Festivals in Kerala
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11 Best Things to do in Kerala
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20 Places To Visit In Munnar
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25 Places to visit In Wayanad
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A Guide To Varkala Beach

Where to Stay in Kerala?

Choose from best hotels, resorts or homestays in Kerala within your budget.

Perfect Itineraries BY Travellers For Your Next Kerala Trip

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Where to Eat When in Kerala?

Are you ready to dive into the authentic tastes of Kerala?

Take a Virtual Kerala Tour: The State In Pictures & Videos

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Best Time to Visit Kerala

Best season to visit Kerala: September to March as Kerala’s weather is cool during this period.

Peak Season: The months of  September-March see the most tourists in Kerala. This is when the monsoon season has given way to the winters, making for sunny skies and pleasant temperatures. Also, Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Kerala is a delight to experience.

Shoulder Season: The days during these months, June-August are very sunny, while the evenings are usually frequented by thunderstorms

Off-season: The summer months from April to May bring to Kerala fewer crowds, cheap tariffs and humid weather due to frequent rainfall. The state is less congested during this season and if you can brave the heat, this is the best time to plan a trip for the budget backpacker.

 

Budget for Kerala

Budget options:

  • Information about budget stays in Kerala: Cost per person will be Rs 500 to 800 per day
  • Information about mid-range stays in Kerala: Cost per person will be Rs 1500 to 3500 per day
  • Information about luxury stays in Kerala: Cost per person will be Rs 5000 and above per day

For Budget Travellers: INR 500 - 800 a day

  • Accommodation in hostels and inns: INR 150 - 550
  • Food in local cafes and street eateries: INR 50 - 100
  • Public Transport in local trains and buses: INR 7 - 100
  • Sightseeing and Plays: INR 10 - 200

For Mid-range Travellers: INR 1500 to INR 3500 a day

  • Accommodation in mid-range hotels and homestays: INR 800 - 1500
  • Food in mid-range cafes and restaurants: INR 500 - 700
  • Local transport in local taxis: INR 250 - 400
  • Guided Tours: INR 10 - 1000

For Luxury Travellers: INR 5000 and upwards a day

  • Accommodation in 4* or 5* hotels: INR 3500 and upwards
  • Food in upscale restaurants and bars: INR 700 and upwards
  • Local transport in private cabs: INR 500 and upwards
  • Activities and Guided Tours: INR 500 and upwards

Popular Tourist Places in Kerala

God's own country has been a favourite among travellers from around the world for centuries. It is a place that is known to excite, entrance and enrapture. Here's Tripoto's hand-picked list of attractions that you absolutely cannot miss while exploring Kerala tourism.

 

Kerala Backwaters: One of the things you must see when you are there are the backwaters of Kerala. One of the most important contributors to Kerala tourism, they are called backwaters because the freshwater that comes from the rivers merges into lakes and is then used for paddy fields or goes to the ocean from the lakes. Some of the best Kerala backwaters are Alleppey Backwaters, Kuttanad Backwaters, Kumarakom Backwaters, Cherai Island Backwaters, Cochin Backwaters, Kottayam Backwaters, Kozhikode Backwaters, and Thiruvananthapuram Backwaters. Backwaters are one of the topmost things that should be there in Kerala tourist places list.

 

Kerala National Parks: Kerala in India is rich in biodiversity and landscape beauty. Kerala National Parks are amongst the best places which make up Kerala tourism. Following are the National Parks in Kerala that should be in your travel itinerary when you explore Kerala tourism. Eravikulam National Park is rich in flora and lush green vegetation and is open from November till April. Silent Valley National Park, home to elephants, panthers, tigers and many more species, is open from September to March, Periyar National Park known for safari, rafting and other activities is one place you should definitely explore. These National Parks contribute to most of Kerala Tourism and the best time to visit to explore these beautiful wildlife habitats is from December till March.  

 

Kerala Beaches: Beaches in Kerala are a symbol of calmness and peace. These beaches are a bit different from the beaches that you must have seen in places like Goa and Kerala tourism has made sincere efforts to preserve their beauty. With white sand, coral reefs and tranquil blue waters, these beaches offer a wonderful experience. Kerala state is a centre point between the Arabian Sea and the western ghats and provides you with a great view. Some of the best beaches in Kerala are Kovalam Beach in Thiruvananthapuram, Marari Beach in Mararikulam, Varkala Beach in Varkala and Alappuzha Beach in Alappuzha.

 

Kerala Waterfalls: Kerala is home to many waterfalls and is considered to be one of the best waterfall destinations in the country. Kerala waterfalls are also amongst the famous tourist spots for Kerala tourism. Some of the best waterfalls in Kerala are Athirappilly Falls (82 ft) where activities like jungle safari, rafting, camping, bird watching and trekking are done. Some of the other waterfalls in Kerala are Meenmutty Falls in Ponmudi (984 ft), Soochipara Waterfalls (656 ft), Palaruvi Falls (299 ft) and Adyanpara Falls (350 ft). Most of the Kerala falls are surrounded by abundant greenery and deliver a scenic view.

 

Kerala Temples: A trip to Kerala is not complete if you don’t visit Kerala temples. There are various places in Kerala but temples of here depict a lot about the history and culture of this place. So, if you are one of those people who wish to experience different cultures, then you must explore all the temples of Kerala. Residents of Kerala are spiritual and follow some rules in the temples and at their homes, which you must respect. Some of the best temples in Kerala in terms of architecture are Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple  Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple, Guruvayoor and Chottanikkara Devi Temple, Ernakulam.

 

Places to see in Kerala state: Kerala in India is the thirteenth largest state in terms of population and is divided into 14 districts. Various tourist destinations in Kerala contribute to Kerala tourism. There are beaches- Kovalam Beach, Varkala Beach, hill stations- Wayanad, Munnar,  temples- Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple, Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple, forts- Palakkad Fort, Bekal Fort, and many more, museums- Arakkal Kettu Museum, Ethnological Museum, and many more other places to see. Kerala state has a lot to offer, so, visit Kerala to know about Kerala’s culture, Kerala’s history, and Kerala points of interest.

 

Best party places in Kerala: There is a lot to know about Kerala tourism, Kerala’s culture, and Kerala’s history when you visit Kerala but partying in Kerala is a little offbeat. Though you get served alcohol at some places, Kerala’s nightlife is something that Kerala tourism doesn’t really promote. Some of the good party places in Kerala include Mezzo, Avenue Regent in Kochi, Armoury Restrobar, Brunton Inn Courtyard in Kochi, and Seagull, Fort Cochin in Kochi.

  

Places to see in Kerala:  Most of Kerala Tourism is attracted towards Fort Kochi, Muzuris, Kerala Backwaters, Marari Beach and Munnar.

 

Famous tourist places in Kerala:

  • Tourist attractions in Kerala- Alleppey, Kochi  
  • Visit Kerala destinations- Kumarakom, Bekal  
  • Kerala points of interest- Munroe Island, Jatayupara Earth Center

 

Best places to visit in Kerala:

  • Information about Kerala- Know about Kerala’s history, culture, seasons, people & life and visit Kerala tourist spots.
  • Best places in Kerala- Kovalam, Cochin, Wayanad
  • Kerala Tourism recommends- Hill stations, Beaches, Museums

Explore Kerala

Kerala, India suitable for: Couples, Families, Friends

After several campaigns launched by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, Kerala is now a well-known tourist destination and Kerala tourism is only growing. Tripoto’s travel guides are brought up to support you with the best available options in Kerala. With this informative Kerala Travel Guide, you can plan a hassle-free trip. By curating articles, places to visit, hotels, resorts, and user-generated travel content, you can find complete information about Kerala, right here on this page.

 

Kerala tourism has endless tourist attractions. Filled with lush green forests, outpouring waterfalls, backwater resorts, exotic wildlife and fabulous monuments, Kerala tourism is globally famous for its beauty. The main Kerala points of interests are Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Alappuzha lighthouse, Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, mountains of Munnar and Kovalam Beach. This is not it, there are many more temples, beaches, monuments, waterfalls and forts in the state. This state is suitable for everyone, especially if you are planning a honeymoon. Check out the video to see the well-known beauty of Kerala.

 

Though Kerala state just constitutes 1% of the total area of the country, it is a region of beautiful natural beauty. Hence, Kerala tourism is rising gradually, as there are several tourist spots in Kerala. The main Kerala tourism points of interest include Athirappilly Waterfalls, Kovalam- a beach town, Munnar- a hill station, Alleppey- a network of backwaters & houseboats, Thekkady- a national park, Kochi- a sea bordering city, Varkala- a city surrounded by cliffs, Munroe Island, and Wayanad- a hill station. Read some day-wise itineraries by real-travellers and plan a trip that includes all the top attractions in Kerala.

 

Kerala is known for its palm-lined beaches, backwaters, coconuts, spices, and various art forms. Visiting Kerala is like visiting a tropical paradise. With the following Kerala vacation packages, you can get the perfect holiday tan along with endless memories. Most Kerala tourism packages offer individual tours, cars, and houseboats to make your transfers seamless. Whatever you have in mind when planning your Kerala tourism package – be it oriented towards culture, wildlife, food, honeymoon or a family trip, we have it covered. If you are looking for Kerala tour package that ticks all your boxes, we bring you the best Kerala tour packages.



Things to Do in Kerala

  • Visit Kerala Beaches- Kovalam Beach, Varkala Beach               
  • Visit Kerala Temples- Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram,   Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha
  • Visit Kerala Hill Stations- Wayanad, Munnar
  • Visit National Parks- Eravikulam National Park, Kumarakom National Park

Getting to Kerala

Kerala Airport: Kerala Tourism is rising as there are five airports in Kerala state.

  • Kannur International Airport
  • Cochin International Airport
  • INS Garuda
  • Calicut International Airport
  • Trivandrum International Airport (Naval Airport)

Apart from these airports, there are some more upcoming airports in Kerala, India.



 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Kerala tourism is usually associated with greenery, unique culture, Kerala temples, densely forested hill stations in Kerala for hiking and trekking, wildlife habitat, lakes and Kerala beaches. Apart from this, Kerala backwaters centred around Kollam, Kumarakom, and Alappuzha is also a major tourist attraction in Kerala.

Some of the best tourist places contributing to Kerala tourism include Alleppey, Munnar, Kumarakom, Wayanad, Bekal, Vagamon and more. For Kerala beach fun, you can visit Kovalam, Varkala, Kannur, Kasargod, Kizhunna beach, and Kavvayi Backwaters. Experience canal cruise at Munroe Island and go for wildlife sightseeing at Thekkady. Best places to visit in Kerala also include Thrissur and Guruvayur that offer travellers an insight into the spiritual and cultural heritage of Kerala India.

Famous hill stations which are a part of Kerala tourism include Munnar, Thekkady, Vagamon, Ponmudi, Lakkidi, Vythiri, Idukki and Peermedu. Other hill stations in Kerala such as Ayyampuzha, Gavi, Athirapally, and Charalkunnu are among the lesser known locations and are considered to be very peaceful destinations that are a big part of Kerala tourism.

Some of the best tourist places to see in Kerala tourism during a short trip (4 Days) are Munnar, Thekkady, and Alleppey. If your Kerala state trip extends for more than 4 days, then you can also include Kovalam in your Kerala itinerary.

Cheapest Kerala tourism packages start from INR 9,000/- (without flights). The price of Kerala vacation packages differs based on the included amenities. Check out Kerala travel packages on our website if you're planning on booking a holiday. We hand-pick packages from various sites ensuring you have multiple options to choose from.

The most convenient Kerala airport is Cochin International Airport located in Nedumbassery, Kerala. Cochin International Kerala Airport is located near most of the famous tourist destinations in Kerala that making it a popular and accessible choice amongst tourists.

Temples in Kerala showcases the rich culture and heritage of Kerala tourism along with finely architected wonders of Kerala state. Popular Kerala temples include Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, and Udiyanoor Devi Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Tali Temple and Lokanarkavu Temple in Kozhikode, Sivagiri Temple in Varkala, Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple in Kottayam, Chottanikkara Devi Temple in Ernakulam and Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple in Mannarasala. Some Kerala temples are also listed amongst the 'World's Richest Temples'.

Kerala witnesses pleasant weather throughout the year. However, September to March is the peak season for Kerala tourism. Kerala weather is categorised into three tourist seasons, i.e summer off-season from March to May, monsoon from June to August, and peak season from September to March. The best time to visit Kerala is between September to March since Kerala weather during that time is cool and comfortable, ensuring that you get to explore all Kerala tourism destinations and points of interests.

Beaches in Kerala are one of the major sources contributing to the popularity of Kerala tourism in India. There are various commercialised as well as lesser-commercialised Kerala beaches to enjoy the Kerala trip to the fullest. Some of the famous Kerala tourism beaches are Kovalam Beach, Varkala Beach, Marari Beach, Kannur Beach, Cherai Beach, Thottada Beach, Kappil Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Beypore Beach, Kappad Beach, Alappuzha Beach and Bekal Beach.

Being one of the most famous tourist destinations in India, Kerala tourism offers easy and affordable transport options for travellers. One can easily travel within the Kerala state using public transport or private cabs. Public transport facility in Kerala India includes Bus, Local Train, Autorickshaw, and Taxi. Also, Kerala Transportation Authority offers waterways transportation services such as Ferry, Boats and Jhankar for promoting Kerala tourism.

If you're travelling to Kerala from any state in India, then you can opt for a train rather than a flight for an affordable trip. Kerala tourism has a well-connected Indian Rail Network for easy transfers to and from Kerala India. Also, if you're travelling to Kerala from nearby cities or states, then you can travel via inter-state buses heading to this destination for convenient and relatively cheaper transfers.

Kerala tourism has numerous budget hotels offering basic amenities for a comforting stay. Some of the budget Kerala hotels include Hotel Hillview Munnar, Krishna Inn, The Wind Munnar, Old Lighthouse Bristow Hotel, Hotel Samudra KTDC, Park Residency, Srivar Hotel and more. These Kerala hotels offer basic amenities along with reliable customer services for a decent stay to complete your Kerala trip.

Kerala history dates back to millions of years, assumed to be a part of Stone Age and Neolithic Era (5000 BC approx.) due to the presence of pictorial writings and carvings at Edakkal Caves. Being known as Chera Nadu during the prehistoric era, Kerala has been a major spice trade epicentre since ages. During the rule of Maurya Emperor Ashoka, Keralaputra (Kerala state) was divided into five kingdoms - Chola, Tamiraparani, Satiyaputra, Pandya, and Ashoka empire. 'Kerala' state was formed in 1956 by merging the Malabar district of Madras State, Kasaragod taluk of Dakshina Kannada and the state of Travancore and Cochin.

There are several 5-star hotels located around various tourist spots in Kerala to make Kerala tourism popular. Some of the best 5-star hotels in Kerala are Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kochi Marriott Hotel, Parakkat Nature Hotels and Resorts, The Leela Kovalam, Forte Kochi, Novotel Kochi Infopark, Le Meridien Kochi and more. These 5-star hotels in Kerala offer luxury services and recreational activities to guests for a refreshing stay.

Basic Kerala tour packages include internal transfers, airport transfers, sightseeing, meals, accommodation, and flights (varies). You can customise your Kerala tour package as per specific requirements depending on your budget. You can also check out Kerala travel packages and Kerala tourism guide on Tripoto.

The scenic Kerala destinations have several resorts that offer a comfortable stay to travellers. Some of the best resorts in Kerala are Carnoustie Ayurveda and Wellness Resort, Bethsaida Hermitage, Poovar Island Resort, Samsara Harmony Beach Resort, The Leela, Coconut Lagoon, and Kumarakom Lake Resort in Kumarakom, Kerala India.

On average, 4 to 5 days is an ideal Kerala trip duration to explore some of the famous destinations which are a part of Kerala tourism such as Kumarakom, Alleppey, Thekkady, and Munnar. 

Kerala's culture is a mix-bag of Dravidian and Aryan cultures. The culture of Kerala reflects the organic and authentic continuity of rituals, style, and classic layout of traditions by the Malayali people. One can easily witness the beauty and simplicity of Kerala culture through its temples, architectural wonders, prehistoric carvings, and modest lifestyle of people living in Kerala India.

Kerala tourism is a combination of various types of places, starting from hill stations to beaches and lush green landscapes. Some of the sightseeing places in Kerala are Kuttanad Backwaters, Marari Beach, Cochin, Pathiramanal, Krishnapuram Palace, Mannarasala Temple, Mattupetty Dam, Karumadikuttan Statue, Pothamedu View Point, Arthunkal Church, Anamudi, Blossom Park, Ambalapuzha Temple, Devikulam and more.

The peak season of Kerala tourism is starting from September to March. During this season, Kerala weather is relatively pleasant and cool.