Kovalam, a small town located 16 km from
Thiruvananthapuram is famous for its beautiful beaches. This year-round tourist destination figures prominently on the world tourism map. Its unique and wonderful sandy beaches are lined with palm-fringed lagoons and rocky coves and are endowed with unusual natural beauty. An hour’s drive from the capital city of
Kerala, this famous south Indian town’s beach is popular for sunbathing.
The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has developed Kovalam as an integrated seaside resort. Of the three beaches, the southernmost beach, marked by a distinguished red and white striped Light House, known as the Light house beach, is the most popular one. Further south beyond the light house, is the small village of Vizhinjam.
Accommodation can be done at cheap comfortable lodges to five star resorts; Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort, Ashatheeram Beach Resort and Abad Palmshore Beach Resort are among them. There is an equally wide range of cafes/restaurants, serving delicious seafood especially prawns and lobsters. Kovalam is lined with bars and vendors selling clothes, crafts and carpets.
Kovalam is also a major center for the traditional Ayurvedic treatment. Health and revitalization packages are offered to tourists. Yoga schools offering meditation and yoga classes are also plenty in and around Kovalam beach. Cultural programmes at the beach include performances of the traditional Kerala art form, Kathakali and ethnic martial art, Kalaripayattu.
Kovalam can be reached by direct and regular bus services from Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 10 km. Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station is the nearest railway station. Buses also link the place from Ernakulam, Kanyakumari and Periyar wildlife sanctuary.
