Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.
The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres.
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is just 16 km away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle. But if you are on holiday it is better to stay in Kovalam and visit the city.
The City of Thiruvananthapuram has interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Ponmudi hill station etc. SMSM Institute, a State owned handicrafts emporium, is the ideal place to pick up ethnic curios and other articles.
Best time to visit: September to March, though it is an all-year-round destination.
Location: Just 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, South Kerala.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 16 km.
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 10 km.
Hotels:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach
Kovalam
Thiruvananthapuram -695527
reservations.kovalam@theleela.com
www.theleela.com
+ 91 471 2480101, + 91 471 2481522
Tariff Rs.8500 - 55000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surya Samudra Private Retreats
Pulinkudi,Mullur P.O.
Thiruvananthapuram - 695521
reservations@suryasamudra.com
www.suryasamudra.com
+ 91 471 2267333, 2480413, +91 471 2267124
Tariff Rs.8300 - 83800
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vivanta by Taj - Kovalam
G.V. Raja Vattapara Road,
Kovalam
Thiruvananthapuram - 695527
vivanta.trivandrum@tajhotels.com
www.vivantabytaj.com, www.tajhotels.com
+91 471 6613000, + 91 471 2487744
Tariff Rs.12500 - 82500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karikkathi Beach House
Cliff Beach Garden, South of Kovalam, North of Chowara,
Via Nagar Bhagavathi Temple, Mulloor Thottam, Pulinkudi, Thiruvananthapuram
karikkathi@gmail.com
www.karikkathibeachhouse.com
+ 91 471 2400956, + 91 98470 69654,
Tariff Euro 75 - 590
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Poovar Island Resorts
K.P. VII/911
Pozhiyoor
Thiruvananthapuram - 695513
reservations@poovarislandresort.com
www.poovarislandresort.com
+ 91 471 2212068 / 69 / 73, + 91 471 2212092
Tariff Rs.3000 - 19999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Samudra (KTDC)
Kovalam
Thiruvananthapuram - 695527
samudrakovalam@ktdc.com
www.samudrakovalam.com, www.ktdc.com
+ 91 471 2480089, 2481412, + 91 471 2480242
Tariff Rs.3100 - 9900
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
