Kerala visitors guide - Kerala tourism

The state of Kerala is in the southern part of India. It stretches along the coast of the Arabian Sea and has a 600 kilometer shoreline with serene beaches, tranquil stretches of backwaters. Kerala has lush hill stations, exotic wildlife, sprawling plantations and many historic and cultural monuments.

Kerala also has some popular hill stations that offer an excellent escape from the heat in the plains and some breathtaking views. Places to See in Kerala India Kerala Backwater tours Alleppey backwaters, Kollam backwaters, Kumarakom backwaters, Alleppey backwaters, Kozhikode Backwaters, Cochin Backwaters, Kasaragod Backwaters and Alappuzha Kerala Hill Stations Munnar, Ranipuram, Devikulam, Ponmudi, Idukki and Pythal Mala Kerala Beaches Cherai beach, Bekal beach, Kappad beach, Kovalam beach, Dharmadam beach, Fort Kochi beach, Beypore beach and Alappuza beach. Kerala Wildlife Parks Periyar wildlife sanctuary, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.

English is freely spoken in Kerala. Many Indian and foreign visitors are visiting Kerala to enjoy special Ayurvedic health holidays as the ultimate form of therapy and relaxation. There are several ancient temples and monuments all over Kerala.

Many foreign travelers have recently discovered the benefits of Rejuvenation Therapy that is becoming very popular in Kerala.

Health Tourism in Kerala

Kerala's health tourism attracts almost a hundred thousand tourists every year. While there are some excellent resorts in Kerala offering Ayurvedic treatments there are also several spa's that are not up to standard, make wild claims of having cures for anything one can imagine with the aim of fleecing tourists. Presently there is no classification for health resorts in Kerala.

According to news reports in June 2007, considering the great potential of health tourism in Kerala, the state government plans to introduce classification of Ayurveda resorts to ensure that they offer better quality service to visitors.

Ayurvedic Therapy

Most Ayurvedic therapy spa’s in Kerala are located on the south coast. Ayurveda is the traditional health science of India. It uses natural herbs and their oils to treat ailments and claims to ensure a healthy life.

There are many spa's and health centers that have programs that offer Ayurvedic massages and yoga. Some of these programs are offered in packages that can be from 3 to several weeks. Some spa's include meals and accommodation.

Needless to say some of these places will want to sell you expensive packages. If you just wish to try an Ayurvedic massage you do not have to sign up for an expensive package. Many places provide such massages.

So check out the different spa's. Don't get talked into expensive spa treatments that will do wonders for your health or cure every ailment imaginable. Some of these places make all sorts of claims so spend your money carefully.

Shirodhara Therapy

Shirodhara is a form of treatment in Ayurveda that involves liquids (usually oil) gently dripping over the forehead which is considered the third eye. Shirodhara is said to be used to cure eye diseases, sinus problems, hearing impairment some skin diseases. While there is no proof to verify such claims this type of therapy does relax your body and helps relieve stress.

Visitors are advised to use common sense and not get carried away by claims of magical cures by places that provide such massage therapies.

Backwater Tours in Kerala information

Kerala is famous for its backwater tours. No visit to Kerala can be complete without taking a journey along the serene backwaters of Kerala. Backwater tours take you through lakes, canals and deltas of several rivers that make their way to the Arabian Sea.

Whether it’s relaxation of body or mind. Kerala is definitely a place to consider when planning your visit to India. Kerala has some great beaches.

Munnar Kerala

Munnar is one of the most popular attraction in Kerala. This scenic hill station is located in the southwestern stat of Kerala. Generally people drive up from Kochi to Munnar, a distance of about 130 Kilometers, roughly a three and a half hour drive. Complete information on Munnar is provided here” ‘Munnar Kerala Guide’

Best time to visit Kerala

The best time to visit Kerala is between August to March.
April to August is good time for Ayurvedic treatments.

Domestic tourists travel during this time frame as it falls during the summer holidays for schools across India. Tourist attractions not only in Kerala state, but all across India are packed with visitors during the summer school holidays.

Major Airports

There are three airports in the state of Kerala. Trivandrum International - Kochi International (Kochi) - Karipur International (Kozhikode). All three are linked with International airports. There are daily flights operating from Singapore, Colombo , Male, Muscat , Bahrain , Kuwait , Abu Dhabi and Dubai . These airports are also well connected to all major Indian airports.

Shopping in Kerala

Kerala's shopping reflects the state's two defining industries — spices and coir — plus a strong handloom tradition and a distinctive religious-art scene.

What to buy

Spices — cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, nutmeg and mace, sold loose and in vacuum packs. The hill districts of Kumily/Thekkady (Idukki) and Munnar are the freshest sources; Fort Kochi's spice markets are historic but pricier.
Coir products — mats, rugs, bags, doormats and floor coverings made from coconut-fibre. Alleppey is the main coir town; fixed-price outlets of the Coir Board sell certified pieces.
Kasavu textiles — the traditional cream-white cotton with a gold-thread (kasavu) border, worn as the set-mundu (two-piece women's drape) and kasavu sarees. Balaramapuram near Trivandrum, Kuthampully and Chendamangalam are the weaving centres; the kasavu weave has a GI tag.
Kathakali masks and miniatures — painted masks, small bronze figures and framed Kathakali-face panels, a memento of Kerala's classical dance-drama.
Ayurvedic oils and herbal products — only buy from licensed, reputable brands. Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala (the traditional benchmark), AVN, AVS Sitaram and government-run Oushadhi are widely trusted; unbranded "massage oils" from back-alley shops have no quality control and should be avoided.
Coconut-shell craft — bowls, ladles, lamps and jewellery turned from polished shell.
Aranmula kannadi — a rare metal-alloy mirror still hand-made in the village of Aranmula (Pathanamthitta district) by a handful of families. It carries a GI tag. Genuine pieces come with a certificate and are not cheap.

Where to shop

Mattancherry and Jew Town, Fort Kochi — the classic tourist-antique strip in old Cochin, with spice shops, antiques, clothing and art galleries.
MG Road, Kochi and MG Road, Trivandrum — modern retail, branded stores and mid-range craft shops.
Spice Market, Kumily/Thekkady — high-altitude freshness, right next to the Periyar sanctuary.
Coir Board retail outlets (Alleppey, Kochi, Kozhikode) — fixed-price, certified coir.
Handloom-house networks — Hantex (state handloom cooperative), Kairali (Kerala State Handicrafts Apex Society) and Surabhi (Kerala Arts & Crafts Village, Kovalam) are state-run and price-reliable.
Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala branches for Ayurvedic medicines and oils.
Licensed Ayurvedic centres attached to reputable resorts or hospitals — ask whether the centre is accredited and whether the practitioner has a BAMS qualification.

Shopping tips

Kasavu — genuine woven kasavu has real gold-thread (or pure tested zari) borders, is hand-woven and carries the state handloom tag. Machine-made or polyester borders are common in cheap copies.
Ayurvedic purchases — check the product has a manufacturing licence number, batch, and expiry. Be sceptical of anything promising a "cure" rather than support for wellbeing.
Spice packaging — for travel home, buy vacuum-packed or tin-sealed rather than loose bags, and keep the receipt for customs.
Aranmula mirrors — the genuine ones cost a significant amount even for a small piece. If someone offers you a large one cheap, it is almost certainly a polished steel imitation.
Bargaining is expected at tourist markets and antique shops in Fort Kochi, not at the state handloom or Coir Board outlets.

Tips for visitors

Best time to visit:
- November to February — dry, cool (22–32 °C) and the main tourist season.
- March to May — hot and humid on the coast but still pleasant in the hills (Munnar, Wayanad, Thekkady).
- June to September and October to November — the two monsoons. Many travellers love Kerala in rain, and Ayurveda centres consider the monsoon the ideal treatment season. Expect road and backwater disruptions during heavy spells.
Getting there and around — Kochi (COK) is the main international gateway; Trivandrum (TRV) and Kozhikode (CCJ) also take international flights. Trains along the coast are good and frequent; for inland and hill stations, hire a car and driver. App taxis work in Kochi, Trivandrum, Kozhikode and Thrissur; auto-rickshaws are usually metered or fixed-fare.
Backwaters — book houseboats through the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), state-accredited operators or a reputable hotel. Confirm the boat's registration and the itinerary up front; houseboats are required to be moored by evening, so the "overnight cruise" is really a daytime cruise and a quiet night on the water.
Ayurveda — avoid back-alley "massage" places. Use licensed centres (the state classification runs Green Leaf / Olive Leaf for approved facilities), attached to a registered practitioner. Women may prefer to request a female therapist; it is a standard and polite request.
Language — Malayalam and English are widely understood in tourist areas; Hindi less so than in the north.
Etiquette — Kerala is arguably India's most tourist-friendly state, but temples have rules: non-Hindus are not allowed into the inner sanctum of many temples (Guruvayur, Sabarimala), men often enter bare-chested and some temples require a specific dress code; cover shoulders and knees everywhere. Alcohol is regulated — sold mostly through state-run outlets and licensed hotels/bars.
Common gotchas — "free" Ayurvedic consultations that turn into multi-week package sales, overpriced spice shops aimed at tour-bus groups, and houseboat operators who drop the itinerary once the money is paid. Booking through the state channels or a reputable agent avoids most of this.

Facts and Figures for Kerala

√ Capital: Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) - √ Size Area: 38,863 sq km. √ Population: (2001 Census) 31.839 Million √ Literacy: 90.92 per cent Kerala claims to have the highest literacy rate. Rainfall: Monsoon (June to September). Climate: √ Winter: September to March, √ Summer: April to June √ Monsoon or rainy season: June to August.