Things To Do in Kovalam, India

Kovalam Things to Do 

The word Kovalam translates to “grove of coconut trees” in the local language. When you visit, you will see why. The coconut trees along the beach go on as far as the eye can see. Because of its beachfront, the town is a popular tourist destination in India. Here are some of the most popular things to do while you are there.

Take a Cruise Through the Backwaters 

Many of the hotels in the area offer cruises to the people staying there. The cruises usually run around sundown. This is the calmest and most serene time of day in the backwaters of Kovalam. It is very calm and almost silent during that time of day. Thanks to the palm trees that line the shores, there is an opportunity to see plenty of species of bird that are native to the area.

Kovalam Beach 

There are three main beaches in the area and this is one of them. The beach is surrounded by cliffs and has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the area. The waters here are not particularly safe, so swimming is not advised. During the busy season, this is one of the busiest beaches in the area.

Lighthouse Beach 

The longest beach in Kovalam is Lighthouse Beach. This beach is a little busier than some of the other because it is safe to swim there. There are shops and restaurants lining the area around the beach. The best time to visit the beach here is obviously when it is not monsoon season.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum

Hop in a taxi or rickshaw for a quick trip to this nearby temple. The temple is only open to Hindus but you can marvel of course at its architecture and there are plenty of people there who will tell you its history in hope a donation. Next door to the temple is the Maharajas Palace which admittance is a few rupees, and a tour guide will give you all the history and conduct a very in depth tour.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Kovalam.