When did we start to call Kerala the god’s own country? The tag came a long way ago and now became an actual synonym for the beauty of Kerala. The uniqueness of Kerala makes it a heaven for tourists across the world. The must-go places to visit in Kerala are all between hills, backwaters, and coastal shores.
Once, they came here for spices, and now they came to explore the eternal poetry of the land. The itinerary of an ordinary traveler wandering around Kerala typically starts from the hills and ends up on the beaches. The change in landscape within a few kilometers is what attracts the tourists.
Let’s explore what makes the tourist destinations in Kerala standout among others;
1. Backwaters and Houseboat Cruises
Kerala is known for its long, bluish waterways. Traditional houseboat tours along waterways provide views of paddy fields, coconut plantations, and village life.
2. Ayurvedic Treatments and Wellness Tourism
Kerala and Ayurveda have a strong connection. It is a real fact that half of the tourists come to Kerala every year for getting its authentic Ayurveda treatment and for complete detoxification.
3. Hill Stations
Hills for no other doubts make the top attractions in Kerala. The Kerala landscape, which is neighbouring the great western ghats, is a real paradise for all the mountain people.
4. Beaches
Not for mountain people, but Kerala is a sunny celebration for those who love beaches. From Asia’s longest drive-in beach to the popular surfing beaches, Kerala can make your beach day well gone.
5. Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks
While landing in Kerala most of the tourists will notice the aerial beauty of its greenery. It is mostly because the land is home to around 19 wildlife sanctuaries and 6 national parks, making the land more green and bio-diversible
6. Cultural and Heritage Tourism
Kerala is a real celebration of cultures. From the ‘Theyyam’ ritual of northern Kerala to the famous ‘Garudan thookkam’ of southern Kerala, here you can find how effortlessly history and culture are woven together.
7. Spice and Tea Plantations
A Kerala travel guide must include vast tea estates and spice gardens in areas like Munnar, Wayanad, and Thekkady. These regions support Kerala’s agricultural economy and exhibit traditional farming practices.
8. Festivals
Being the land of festivals, tourists can find many huge festivals happening in Kerala during their visit. Dates should be arranged in advance for witnessing this festive beauty of Kerala.
9. Eco-Tourism
Kerala gives numerous options to their tourists to feel the nature vibes. You can either go on a bamboo raft or other eco-friendly options to breathe the fresh air and appreciate the good-looking landscapes of Kerala.
10. Cuisine
Now, let’s talk about sadhya, the most-famous Kerala cuisine. The speciality of Kerala cuisine is that you will get plenty of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The variety of seafood in Kerala is another tasty explosion worth exploring.
11. Responsible Tourism Initiatives
The Kerala government put forward some responsible tourism initiatives to keep up the beauty of the land forever. Small steps like eco-friendly tourism options will create a better future for tourism on the land.
12. Monsoon Tourism
If you want to see the wild beauty of Kerala, then set a reminder on the months between June to September. At this time, you can see a rare look of the state, beauty overwhelming.
Best tourist Places to Visit in Kerala
Now it’s time to ride through the must-visit places in Kerala. Let’s start the journey from Munnar.
1. Munnar
Munnar is a hilly terrain in Kerala and one of the best tourist destinations in Kerala. The tea plantations of Munnar will remind you of an old beautiful frame you saw anywhere in the past. Here, you can also become familiar with the local lives and the various processes of tea dust production. The hilly terrain of Munnar may feel like a long staircase to heaven. Munnar is also popular for adventure activities. There are many hidden places to explore, and there are also options for adventure parks Dreamland Munnar is one of them
Distance from the Airport : 107 KM from Cochin International Airport
Distance from Railway station : Aluva Railway Station (108 KM )
Nearest Bus Terminal : Munnar KSRTC Bus Terminal
Best Time to Visit : October to February
2. Cochin
Kochi can be counted as one of the most aesthetic places to visit in Kerala. It will give you Pinterest vibes. In Kochi you can spot a vintage cafe near a super modern restaurant, that’s Kochi for you. The long streets of Fort Kochi and the heritage sites of Mattanchery will surely take you to another world. It also has famous seafood spots to catch up.
Distance from the Airport : 38 KM from Cochin International Airport
Distance from Railway station : 27 KM from Aluva Railway Station
Nearest Bus Terminal : Ernakulam KSRTC Bus Terminal ( 9.5 KM )
Best Time to Visit : October to February
3. Alleppey (Alappuzha)
Alappuzha can be listed as one of the best Kerala holiday destinations. Aleppey can’t be completed without mentioning its beautiful backwaters. Green paddy fields are also something waiting for you in Alleppey. You can take a houseboat or a kayak to breathe the beauty of the backwaters and also take a round around the town to visit the beaches and pilgrim centres nearby.
Distance from the Airport : 83 KM from Cochin International Airport
Distance from Railway station : 3.4 KM from Alappuzha Railway Station
Nearest Bus Terminal : Alappuzha KSRTC Bus Terminal
Best Time to Visit : Any time especially during Onam days ( August - September )
4. Wayanad
Wayanad is one of the popular places in Kerala for tourists. It’s a real wild beauty. You can visit rare cave paintings and dense forest regions in Wayanad. Wayand’s jungle safaris are very famous. You need to slow down and gradually explore the beauty of this heritage place to understand the landscape of Wayanad completely.
Distance from the Airport : 91 KM from Calicut International Airport
Distance from Railway station : 86 KM from Kozhikode Railway Station
Nearest Bus Terminal : Kalpetta KSRTC Bus Terminal
Best Time to Visit : Monsoon time (June - September)
5. Kovalam
Kovalam is one of the vibrant tourist destinations in Kerala. Here the sunny beaches are more famous. Kovalam hosts a huge number of tourists worldwide. You can also spot an old, famous lighthouse looking suspiciously towards the sea.