Popularly known as “God’s Own Country”, Kerala is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. This exotic land is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, tropical climate, palm fringed beaches, misty hill stations, health resorts, wild life sanctuaries, enchanting art forms, grand festivals and, the serenity of the backwaters and the emerald blue Arabian Sea which promise an unforgettable holidaying experience to travellers. According to “National Geographic Travel”, the leading travel Magazine, Kerala is one of the 50 must see destinations of a lifetime and one of the 10 paradises of the World.

Kovalam

Kovalam is a lovely little beach town in Kerala. Translating to mean ‘a grove of coconut trees’, Kovalam’s name is truly deserved as many coconut trees surround the city. Kovalam’s three sandy beaches, separated by rocks, draw several tourists to this picturesque little town. These beaches are the Samudra Beach, Hawa Beach and the Lighthouse Beach. \r\nApart from these beautiful beaches, Kovalam is also famous for being a wellness hotspot. Most of the resorts in Kovalam offer Ayurvedic massages, as well as yoga, herbal body toning, and meditation sessions. \r\nThe Kovalam Surf Club on Lighthouse Beach provides basic lessons on how to surfboard, as well as rents out surfboards for those interested. Several interesting cultural programmes are hosted in Kovalam. These include the Swati Thirunal Music Festival, the Nishagandhi Dance Festival, Fandango (food festival), the Elephant Festival, and the Village Fair of Kovalam. Catamaran cruises are also quite popular among tourists visiting Kovalam.

Thekkady

Thekkady is a small area within the Idukki district of Kerala and is known for the multiple places of tourist interest within the region. Periyar National Park and Periyar Tiger Reserve are one of the major tourist attractions in Thekkady. With a total area of over 770 square km, of which around 360 square kilometers are evergreen forest, Periyar National Park provides a lot of opportunities for exploration, nature rambling, and wildlife viewing. Some of the species that inhabit the area are elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur or Indian bison, langurs, and macaques. \n\nApart from the reserve, there are other attractions close by such as the Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple, the Cardamom Hills, Chellar Kovil waterfalls and many others. Thekkady is close to the Western Ghats, and thus there are many picturesque areas around it which can be visited directly for basking in the beauty of the hills. It also provides great opportunities for treks and hikes through its many misty hills. The Periyar river flows through the park, and the Mullaperiyar Dam creates a reservoir on one end of it. This area, thus also provides excellent panoramic views of the river as well as of the tank.

Kumarakom

Kumarakom is a lovely little village in the Kuttanad region of Kerala. Often referred to as the rice bowl of India, Kumarakom has evolved from a fertile land of farmers to a beautiful village that draws several tourists from all over the world. Most tourists come to Kumarakom to enjoy the serenity and splendour of the famous backwater cruises available here. There are several other interesting places to visit in and around the village. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is truly a birdwatcher’s paradise. It is home to kingfishers, woodpeckers, and owls among others. Several migratory birds such as the Siberian crane can be spotted here as well. \nThe Kumarakom Beach is another tourist hotspot that offers many sporting activities. In addition to swimming, you can also indulge in a lot of adventure activities like boating, parasailing and windsurfing. The resorts around the beach are famous for their Ayurvedic massages and spa treatments. The Bay Island Driftwood Museum holds many unique collections of articles made from driftwood. Also, worth visiting is the beautiful 1000-year old mosque, Juma Masjid.

Munnar

With the seemingly unending expanse of tea estates that cover the rolling hills and valleys wreathed in a cool mist, Munnar is a favored vacation spot in South India. Located at an altitude of almost 6000 ft. in Idukki district of Kerala, this enchanting town offers visitors a relief from the summer heat and provides breathtaking sceneries and a slice of adventure. Home to exotic flora and fauna, and nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats, this hill station offers a sanctuary to many endangered species of animals, at Eravikulam National Park and Kurinjimala Sanctuary. \r\n\r\nWitness the majesty of Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in South India, which can be seen from Munnar. The rare and beautiful ‘Neelakurinji’ flower blossoms on the slopes of the hills in Munnar, once in every twelve years. Munnar also has several pristine lakes and reservoirs surrounded by tall mountains that exude a serene aura, that calms your spirit and kindles the fires of romance in your heart.

Thiruvananthapuram

The capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, which was formerly known as Trivandrum is a major tourist destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. A business and a commercial hub, Thiruvananthapuram has a rich cultural history which is primarily evident in its architecture, both from pre-colonial as well as post-colonial times. Settlements in and around this area date as far back as 1000 BCE. Even, before colonial times, Thiruvananthapuram was an important center on the Arabian Sea trade route. \n\nTourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram include its numerous beaches which are close to the city such as the Kovalam beach and the Shankumugham beach. Being a major transit point within Kerala, there are many places of attraction close by which either have a natural appeal, is a manmade marvel or have religious importance. Thiruvananthapuram itself has many such attractions such as museums and zoos, and religious sites such as temples and churches which may interest visitors. Ayurveda therapy centers and Spas within Thiruvananthapuram is a big attraction as well. Thiruvananthapuram attracts many visitors throughout the year and ranks as one of the top destinations for foreign tourists in India.