Travel Guide > Asia > India > Kerala
The state of Kerala, divided into 14 districts has emerged as one of the hottest tourist destination in India over the period of years. This lush green state lies in a narrow strip of land bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west and the Western Ghats on the east and bisected by numerous small streams. A long coastline lined with plenty of clean and beautiful beaches, vast stretches of Backwaters, hill stations full of exotic wild life, sprawling tea plantations, traditional art forms and dances, exotic cuisine and the famous “Ayurvedic” treatments have all made Kerala a dream destination for tourists, both domestic and international. Kerala is often referred to as “Gods Own Country” as the region has preserved much of its natural beauty.
Kerala has the highest literacy rate amongst all the states of India. The people of this state are simple, God-fearing and hospitable. The local language spoken here is Malayalam, but the majority of locals can speak communicable English.
“Ayurvedic” treatments have become very popular among the foreign tourists. This is an ancient form of treatment which uses herbs and leaves having curative properties. These herbs are extracted from the forests which are scattered all over Kerala. Ayurveda believes in not only the treatment of the affected part, but the individual as a whole. It is natural way to rejuvenate yourself thereby eliminating all the toxic elements of the body. The monsoon season is considered the best for such therapy as the atmosphere is dust free and cool enabling the body to open up the pores of the skin so that they respond well to the herbal oils. Since this form of medicine has become extremely popular, many such centres have cropped up. Tourists are advised to take treatment in Government approved Ayurveda centres.
The entire state is so beautiful that you can spend weeks traveling and exploring Kerala. The main sights of tourist interest can be grouped under the following heads:
Kerala has a rich cultural heritage and numerous traditional dance forms are popular in this region. Some of the more famous traditional dance forms are Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thullal and Oppana. The region is also known for the ancient Martial Arts technique.
The tourism authorities hold regular shows of these dance forms to entertain the tourists. Besides these some of the other events worth watching are the Snake Boat Race and Elephant Race
Kerala has a tropical climate and moderate weather conditions exist throughout the year though the summer months (March to May) can be quite hot. Since Kerala is located on the coast and lush green plantations are present all around the temperature are moderated to some extent. It rains heavily in Kerala during monsoon season (June to August) which keeps tourists away during this period. The best time to visit Kerala is during the winter season (November to February) when the temperature is moderate and there is hardly any rain.
Kerala has three international airports to cater the requirements of foreign and domestic tourists:
Kerala is well connected by rail network to rest of India. Direct trains are available from important cities of India to all parts of Kerala. Indian Railways operates the rail network in India.
Taxis can be hired for traveling to the state of Kerala from the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka but it is advisable to travel by train or plane instead as the journey is comfortable, efficient and affordable too.
Interstate buses are available from the neighbouring states but the journey can be tiring and time consuming.
Flights are available between the major cities of Kerala, but it is more convenient to cover the same distances by rail/road as the distances involved are not much and it saves the hassle which is associated with air travel.
Excellant train connection is available between most of the major cities of Kerala. With the completion of the Konkan Railway project, journey time has considerably reduced from western part of India to the major cities of Kerala.
Taxis can easily be hired for travelling to the major tourist locations of Kerala. The rates vary depending on the season in which you are visiting but it is better to enquire about the rates from more than one tour operator.
The roads are by and large good in this area and even the interior town and villages are well connected by State Transport Corporation buses. Kerala receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon season which sometimes damages the roads in interior locations. These local buses display the destination station mostly in Malayalam (local language) hence it is advisable to double check the destination station before you board the bus. Fortunately majority of local population can speak some level of English.
Many of the cities of Kerala are located along the famous Backwater Stretch extending from Kollam to Alappuzha and then from Alappuzha to Kochi. It is unique experience to undertake this inter-city travel on a boat passing through the beautiful backwaters. Regular ferry service is available from Kollam to Alappuzha at an affordable rate.
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) has numerous guesthouses and hotels across Kerala, which are comfortable and well-maintained. Most of the KTDC properties are for the premium segment but numerous other budget hotels and guesthouses are available to suit the needs of travellers of all budget. The peak tourist season in Kerala is from November to February, when the rates shoot up for all activities. However if u enjoy the rains and don’t mind getting drenched you can try visiting Kerala during the monsoon (June to August) when the houseboats and hotels are all available at dirt-cheap rates.
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Mountsinai | Puthen Peedikayil Buildings Thekkady, Kumily | Hostel | 57 |
This is version 16. Last edited at 19:49 on Nov 11, 09 by Utrecht (+647). 9 articles link to this page.

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