Melo Villareal
Kerala is an Indian state in the south-western region of the country, cradled between the shimmering Arabian Sea and the imposing Western Ghats. Its coastal location has endowed it with a remarkable variety of natural treasures: teeming marine life, fertile lands, sun-drenched beaches, and the cool, misty heights of the Ghats. Here, endemic flora and fauna thrive among coconut groves, emerald backwaters, and dense forests. These natural riches exist alongside centuries of layered history, a vibrant cultural tapestry, and the steady march of modernization, offering visitors and residents alike a landscape of endless discovery.
Kathakali Dancer in Kerala
Its geographic location also enables hassle-free travel, as Kerala alone houses 3 of India’s major international airports, and its interconnected rail and road networks link to almost any major city in India. With this, there is no doubt why many people consider Kerala “one of the most popular tourist places in India”.
If you’re still not convinced, here are 12 reasons why I love Kerala, and 12 reasons why you also should:
1. Colorful History
Kerala is generally believed to have originated during the Sangam Age, which roughly dates back to just after 232 B.C. Sangam is an Indian word that translates to “academy”, which is quite fitting since it was during this time that some of India’s greatest minds lived.
This era gave rise to several of India’s traditions—including Indian medical systems, literature, grammar, music, philosophy, and art—which shaped Kerala’s rich and colorful history. Although most subsequent ages focused more on warfare and politics, the influence of the Sangam Age on Indian culture as a whole continues to be felt today.
2. Cultural and Heritage Sites
Kerala, with a rich and colourful history, offers several well-preserved cultural and heritage sites. Fort Kochi is both a heritage site and a beach—it features architectural designs of Indo-European origin dating back to the era of Western colonization in India.
Other well-known sites include Fort Bekal, the largest preserved fort in Kerala, and the rock temple on the Calicut shoreline, believed to be 800 years old. If you don’t have time to visit these places, most hotels and resorts in Kerala offer culture-rich packages, such as traditional evening performances like OttamThullal and Kathakali, bringing Kerala’s culture and history to you.
3. Ayurvedic Medicine
Kerala’s culture also boasts Ayurveda, India’s traditional medicinal system. Compared to other systems of medications, Ayurveda isn’t only restricted to those with diseases; it’s open to everyone! Most spa houses in Kerala offer Ayurvedic medicine, so there’s no way you’ll run out of slots. Ayurveda comprises natural healing methods, including yoga, meditation, and therapeutic massage. Plus, you’re guaranteed that every medicine used is herbal and organic, as these are grown in India’s very own plantations.
4. Wildlife Sanctuaries
If you think Kerala is just about history, religion, and Ayurveda, well… Think again! The eastern part of Kerala actually has 12 wildlife sanctuaries and 2 national parks, which attract thousands of tourists, and probably some enthusiastic biologists, as well. The wild side of Kerala features vast tracts of untouched green forests that are home to a wide range of Indian flora and fauna, including the Atlas Moth, one of the largest moths in the world.
5. Spice and Tea Plantations
Like the sanctuaries, the eastern part of Kerala is home not only to India’s endemic wildlife but also to some of the country’s most prominent spice and tea plantations. The climate in the Western Ghats Mountains allows almost any species of plants to thrive, and has been one of the country’s leading sources of economic development. India is the world’s leading producer of tea and other key spices, including pepper and cardamom, and most of the plantations are located in Kerala. Imagine how it feels to see these plantations with your own eyes!
6. Delicious Cuisine
You’ve probably seen Indian cuisine featured on TV several times now, and you probably already know it is never complete without Indian spices. Guess what… It’s better than how it appears on TV! Indian cuisine is not only known for its colors. It’s also known for its superb taste, aroma, and presentation. Of course, in Kerala, with bountiful waters on the west and spice-filled plantations on the east, the best of the best is here.
7. Beaches of Kerala
With all that I said above, it should be evident by now that Kerala is also your all-around beach-hopping paradise. Located directly beside the Arabian Sea, Kerala has over 20 natural beaches, each with unique features. There’s the secluded Kappil Beach; then there’s the Payyambalam Beach, one of Kerala’s well-known local picnic spots; the Cherai Beach, for the water-lovers and swimmers out there; and the world-famous Kovalam Beach, just south of Thiruvananthapuram airport.
8. Snake Boat Races
While you’re already on the seaside, you might as well know about the Snake Boat races of Kerala. Snake Boat racing is a traditional event held in Alappuzha (north of Thiruvananthapuram) 4 times a year. The boat was named for its snake-like length. Snake Boat racing is very popular in Kerala since it’s near the Arabian Sea, and is probably the Indian counterpart of baseball in Japan, and soccer in America.
9. Beautiful Backwaters, Lagoons, and Canals
If you don’t like the hot and crowded seaside too much, and if you don’t like watching adrenaline-pumping boat races, but still want to witness the beauty of Kerala’s waterways, then don’t worry. There’s never a shortage of backwaters, lagoons, and canals in Kerala! Compared to the wavy and noisy seashores, the backwaters are still and calm. Also, they’re not only for the eyes, for you can…
10. Cruise through the Backwaters of Kerala in a Houseboat
Yes! You can cruise the tranquil waters of Kerala as well! Kerala’s houseboats, the kettuvallams, which were initially used for trading goods, now carry passengers on the backwaters—calmly and peacefully. You can do a variety of things while being on a backwater tour: you can read a book, stare at the fantastic scenery, or just sit back and relax.
11. Friendly Locals
Need I say more? The locals in Kerala are socially conscious and treat tourists with genuine warmth and respect. Kerala’s culture is rich, colorful, and deeply rooted in tradition—and its people reflect that same vibrancy and openness. Whether it’s offering directions in a bustling market, sharing stories on a backwater boat ride, or striking up a friendly chat over a cup of chai, visitors are often made to feel like honored guests. Attracting tourists and maintaining a positive image for a state is no simple task. Yet, the people of Kerala manage it with ease, leaving travelers with lasting memories of their kindness and hospitality.
12. Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) in Trivandrum and Kochi Airport
If this can’t get any better, the Indian government also offers a Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) to citizens of 43 countries! When enabled with electronic travel authorization (ETA), getting a visa to Kerala India is made easy as breathing. With TVoA-ETA, the visa application process is completed online, saving applicants time, money, and effort. Notifications are sent via e-mail, and a printed version of these e-mails would serve as your ticket to India. TVoA also allows approved applicants to stay in India for up to 30 days.
I can’t speak for the rest of you, but these are 12 reasons why I love Kerala. Imagine this: You are given the chance to visit India with the TVoA—and you get to see the beauty of Kerala tradition, history, its flora and fauna, its cuisine, its plantations, its richness, its beaches, its still backwaters, its locals, and a whole lot more—effortlessly, for up to 30 days! What’s not to love about Kerala?
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