The Golden Mile

Kovalam beach - view from lighthouse

Kovalam beach

Sunrise

Panoramic view of the beach

Kovalam is close to the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, at the southern extremity of the Kerala coast. Once you are there, you can’t remain unmoved by the magic that is Kovalam. It’s in the evening that Kovalam is at its vibrant best. As shadows engulf the beach, only the circling beam of light from a nearby lighthouse signals the end of the sky.On the other hand, in kovalam  you can also spend blissful hours doing absolutely nothing in a deckchair by the sea.Kovalam is spread along three crescent beaches separated by rocky promontories. From north to south, these are the Samudra Beach, the Hawah Beach and the Lighthouse Beach.Samudra Beach is the quietest of kovalam’s  three beaches.The bustling Hawah and Lighthouse beaches are more or less a continuous stretch lined with eateries, hotels and shops. The Lighthouse Beach has a lighthouse, perched atop the Kurumkkal rock on the southern tip of the beach.It offers a spectacular view of the sea and the Vizhinzam Harbour.

Ayurveda is a craze in Kerala, and in Kovalam it is ubiquitous with every hotel and resort  offering a variety  of Ayurveda  packages  as an added attraction.

Getting There :

Air: The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Taxi fare to Kovalam Rs 400-650.

Rail: The nearest rail station is Thiruvananthapuram Central. Taxi charges Rs.400-650 to Kovalam.

Accomodation :

1.The Leela Kempinski Resort (Tel: 0471-2480101; Tariff: Rs 11,000-1,20,000)

2. Hotel Samudra (Tel: 2480089; Tariff: Rs 3,900-9,900)

3. Swagath Holiday Resort ( Tel: 2481148-49; Tariff  Rs 1,400-6,500)

4. Seaface (Tel: 2481835-36; Tariff : Rs 3,750-8000)