• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-41860496226
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "india/kerala/kovalam",
      "destination": "Kovalam",
      "title": "kovalam",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Kovalam",
      "region": "South-India",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "India",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }

Kovalam

Kerala

India Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.


Shop Book
A near deserted beach near Kovalam and Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala, India

Getty Images/Cultura Exclusive

Overview

Once a calm fishing village clustered around its crescent beaches and backed by a sea of cascading palms, Kovalam now competes with Varkala as Kerala’s most developed resort. The touristed main stretch, Lighthouse Beach, is flanked by hotels and restaurants stretching back into the hillside from the shore; just north, Hawa Beach is usually crowded with day trippers heading straight from the taxi and bus stands to the sand. Neither beach could be described as pristine, but, at under 9 miles (15km) southeast from Trivandrum, Kovalam remains a convenient and immensely popular place for fun by the sea; there are promising waves (and a surf club), as well as some charming guesthouses and a flourishing ayurveda and yoga scene.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Kovalam? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your India trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

India: A 13-day Culinary Adventure to Kerala

highlights

  1. 1Visit Munnar’s tea plantations, museum, and factory for a tea immersion steeped in the landscape
  2. 2Tour the historic landmarks of Fort Kochi, from the spice warehouse to ancient religious hallmarks
  3. 3Sip chai from roadside stalls in the countryside of Kerala
from $5,440

per person

Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Must-see attractions

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-651771808045
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "india/kerala/kovalam",
      "destination": "Kovalam",
      "title": "kovalam",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Kovalam",
      "region": "South-India",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "India",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-997640886825
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "india/kerala/kovalam",
      "destination": "Kovalam",
      "title": "kovalam",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Kovalam",
      "region": "South-India",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "India",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Kovalam

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-177078778351
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "india/kerala/kovalam",
      "destination": "Kovalam",
      "title": "kovalam",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Kovalam",
      "region": "South-India",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "India",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }