Melo Villareal
The Ultimate Kerala Travel Guide
After being in transit in Singapore and Sri Lanka, two other writers and I from the Philippines finally arrived at Trivandrum International Airport in Kerala, India. Although not a major airport in India, Trivandrum International Airport was organized, clean, and truly impressive.
From the airport, we were transported to Turtle on the Beach Resort in Kovalam – a seaside district in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Instead of being culture shocked, I was rather impressed with Kerala as we traveled to the resort from the airport. The roads were relatively narrow. They only had one lane in each direction, yet the traffic was not as bad as in other Asian cities I’ve been to, including Manila, where I currently live.
Kerala totally changed my lousy impression of India as a whole. I used to see India in international news and movies as a dirty, chaotic country with an unending problem with water shortage and overcrowded streets, buses, and trains. Now I realize that Kerala is LOVE. With friendly and beautiful people, good food, and incredible scenery, it’s really God’s Own Country. I couldn’t agree more.
As I write detailed blog posts about places we’ve been to and other beautiful experiences, I decided to give you a short Kerala Travel Guide for those who want to glimpse Kerala.
Palm-fringed tropical beaches, boat trips on picturesque canals and rivers, traditional Ayurvedic massages, exciting wildlife parks, and spicy seafood — Kerala is one of South India’s most popular holiday destinations for a good reason.
Kerala’s Tropical Beaches
As a country located near the Earth’s equator, India experiences a warm and tropical climate almost all year round—the perfect environment for beach-hopping and other seaside activities. Kerala offers more than 20 natural beaches, from the historical and tranquil ones to the busiest and urbanized ones.
If you plan to go see India’s massive trading vessels, Beypore beach will give you a front-row seat to see Kerala’s natural and man-made blessings. You get to see the beach and the docks at the same time. It’s the best of both worlds. If you’re the artist type and prefer to go beaching with Kerala’s historical beauties, then Bekal beach is the place to go. Near Bekal beach is Bekal Fort, India’s largest preserved fort.
You get to sunbathe, swim and travel back in time to see India’s history—all on one beach. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter weekend at the seaside, then Kerala offers you Kappil Beach. It’s secluded, and nearby is a cliff that overlooks the Arabian Sea—the perfect place for serene nature lovers. Still, if you can’t make up your mind, there are over 20 beaches in Kerala to choose from (each having its own perks), so don’t worry!
Kerala’s Peaceful Backwaters
Kerala, situated near the Arabian Sea, is blessed with interconnecting bodies of water, often called the backwaters. Since the dawn of time, the backwaters have been one of the major sources of Kerala’s economy. Aside from offering the locals marine resources, the backwaters also served as the passageways of kettuvallams and houseboats used mainly for trading commodities.
Over time, although the transport system has changed and houseboats are no longer being used for trading, the kettuvallams still benefit Kerala’s economy by attracting thousands of tourists every year. Today, the kettuvallams are being used to cruise the tranquil backwaters of Kerala—backwater tours are offered in most hotels and resorts—the symbol of the Indian state’s humble beginnings.
Ayurvedic Massages and Kerala Spas
Ayurveda is chiefly of Hindu origins. This traditional system of medication mainly includes natural processes—such as using herbal medicine, doing yoga regularly, undergoing soothing massage sessions, and achieving internal bodily equilibrium.
Although Ayurvedic treatments are also offered in almost every part of the world, it’s always best to get them in Kerala, India, its origin. Where else can you get the most experienced and well-trained hands for Ayurveda? Come to any of Kerala’s spa houses, and you’ll see.
Kerala’s Spice Plantations and Wildlife Parks
If you don’t like the luxuries of the Kerala beaches or seaside, you can always go up to the Western Ghats Mountains, where life is sustained mainly through agriculture. Kerala offers 12 wildlife sanctuaries and 2 national parks, offering tourists the best of India’s faunas and floras. One of Kerala’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, housing most of the country’s spices and endemic animals. If you want to see the greenest side of India, you better go to Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, known for having almost 100 square kilometers of forests.
Just imagine how many species of plants and animals thrive in those soils. Still, if you prefer seeing more people than trees and spices, you can always go to Eravikulam National Park, the abode of one of the world’s largest moths, the Atlas Moth. Nearby is Idukki, the Spice Land of India. There’s never a shortage of sanctuaries in the Western Ghats Mountains, so there’s always somewhere you’ll want to go to— just don’t forget to bring a jacket or two because the mountains will give you the chills.
The Best Times for a Holiday in Kerala
If you plan to go beach hopping in Kerala, do make sure to do it sometime between October and February. As a tropical country, India becomes super-hot from March through early June, and the wet (rainy) season comes in before July. Still, if you think you can withstand the heat and the rain and want to see Kerala regardless of climate, then any time of the year is the best time to come see Kerala!
Getting Around Kerala
Being near the Indian coastlines and the Arabian Sea, the residents and tourists of Kerala can travel by land or sea without much of a problem. The main roads of Kerala also appear to be somewhat identical due to the continuity and interconnection of semi-urban communities. Always remember to stay close to your group and tour guide when on tour. Otherwise, always make sure to have a map with you.
As part of the Indian southern plains, the transportation system in Kerala and almost half of India is interconnected. India’s rail and road system is also very organized, giving everyone the luxury of traveling from Kerala to almost any point in India.
Visa on Arrival
To enhance its tourism, the Indian government developed the Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA), which is now available to 43 countries, that of which is the following: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Germany, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kingdom of Tongo, Laos, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Niue, Oman, Palestine, Papua & New Guinea, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tuvalu, The United States of America, The United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
The TVoA, when enabled with electronic travel authorization (ETA), would make everything hassle-free. You’ll basically have to undergo the same process of applying for a visa, but with TVoA-ETA, all transactions would be done online. Applicants only need to fulfill all requirements and visit the government website—no need to go to your respective travel agencies and Indian Embassies.
Once the process is completed (for a maximum of 72 hours only), you will be notified through e-mail. To be able to fly to India, you just need this e-mail printed out, presented to the authorities, and you’re good to go. You don’t have to go through all the trouble; you would even get to stay in India as a tourist for as long as 30 days.
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Read:
- 12 Reasons Why I Love Kerala India
- The Colorful Tastes of Kerala
- Travel Guide: Things you need to know about Kerala, India
