A beautiful town by the Arabian Sea in Kerala lays Kovalam – famous for its pristine beaches. The meaning of Kovalam is 'Groove of Coconut Trees' and the city makes for the most magnificent tourist attraction in the South of India. True to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees and is also known as the paradise of the south.

Famous for its tranquil virgin beaches, the staple diet of the locals in this beach town is fish. Tourists have a choice of fresh sea-food to pick from and can enjoy dining in any of the many open-air restaurants lined-up on the beaches. The local language spoken by the people of this beautiful beach town is mostly Malayalam. Kovalam is also famous for its Ayurvedic massages and many yoga resorts.

Best time to visit:

Kovalam has a tropical dry climate and the best time to visit is from September to March.

Top places to see:

Hawa Beach – The Hawa beach, also called Eve's Beach is ideal for travellers looking for virgin, secluded and calm stretches of sandy shores. The sunset in all its beauty can be viewed from this headland.

Lighthouse Beach – In the extreme south of Kovalam is the magnificent Lighthouse Beach. The name comes from the towering lighthouse which is built on a rocky headland. The beach is a long sandy strip along the shore and the lighthouse is illuminated, which makes this a great place to enjoy a quiet evening.

Samudra Beach – To the northern part of Kovalam is yet another scenic jewel called the Samudra Beach. The view of fishing vessels and ships on the horizon is a beautiful sight to see.

Ponmudi – Ponmudi is a place blessed by scenic beauty. It is famous for its mountains, beautiful landscapes and a number of tea plantations. Tourists can go for mountaineering in the Ponmudi Mountains and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the surrounding scenic beauty.