Top 3 reasons to visit Kerala

1] Backwaters and boat races: Kerala's backwaters have made Alleppey or Alappuzha a popular tourist destination. Half of Kerala is covered by the backwaters, a web of brackish canals, rivers, and lakes. The "Kettuvallams," or house boats, that ply the backwaters of Kerala provide amenities such as a sample of the local food. Boat races happen from July to September.  

2] Kochi's fishing nets: Kerala's cultural and commercial hub, Kochi, It attracts travellers from all around the world. From Chinese fishing nets to exotic spice gardens, Kochi has it all. Cultures collide in this metropolis, and they want it to stay that way. Kochi is filled with hidden gems simply waiting to be discovered.

3] Tea gardens: Munnar is home to the country's tallest tea garden, which stands at 7,900 feet. The high altitude gives Kolukkumalai tea its distinct flavour.

Best time to visit

In terms of season                             Winter: Dec-Jan

                                                               Summer: Mar-Oct

In terms of preference                       Road trips: All year

                                                            Honeymoon/family vacation: Dec-Jan

                                                            Nature/adventure: Round the year

                                                            Trekking: Aug-Sept    

Holiday rush                                       Nov-Feb

How to reach --

By air:  Kerala has three airports. Trivandrum International Airport lies in the state's south. Kochi International Airport lies in the state's heart. Calicut international airport is the state's most frequented by foreign passengers.

By Road: Three national highways connect the state. It is very well linked. A number of bus routes connect with Kerala. There are taxis available in every city.

By rail:  Over 200 stations in Kerala Trains leave daily from major cities, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore for Kerala.

Kumarakom -- Kumarakom is a collection of man-made islands reclaimed from the Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake, located around 16 kilometres from Kottayam in Kerala . Well-known for its paddy fields and fisheries as well as its backwaters, delectable cuisine, traditional houseboats, and a mix of high-end and low-end lodging options such the Kettuvalloms (rice barges).

Perfect for: Family vacation, honeymoon, water sports, treks, boating

Munnar --Tea plantations, lush foliage, and blankets of mist make up the mesmerising Munnar on the Western Ghats. Tourists go to Munnar for a romantic getaway.

Perfect for: Honeymoon, family vacation, tourism

Thekkady -- As soon as you hear the name Thekkady, pictures of elephants, endless rows of hills, and spice-scented crops come to mind. Thekkady's Periyar woods are a premier wildlife sanctuary in India. District-wide, attractive plantations and hill communities are nestled among lovely mountain routes. The woods of Periyar are adorned by the presence of endangered species, including White Tigers, making it one of the country's oldest tiger reserves.

Perfect for: Wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, adventure tourism

Wayanad -- Wayanad in Kerala is known for its spice farms and wildlife, as well as waterfalls, ancient caverns, and cosy resorts and homestays. One way to get a sense of Wayanad is to walk through the vast spice farms, travel to prehistoric caverns, or stay at a resort. Animals and plants of all kinds may be found at the Wayanad wildlife reserve, which is one of India's best-known wildlife preserves. One of the Nilgiri biosphere reserves, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats in the Nilgiri Hills.

Perfect for:  Wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, family vacations,adventure tourism, trekkers.

Bekal -- Bekal, a remote town in Kerala's Kasaragod district on the west shore of the Malabar coast looks like a place from the bygone era. Its beaches, backwaters or forts feel like someone stopped the time and a small little town was saved from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Keral’s biggest fortress structure stand proudly even today in Bikal. Located in the Kasargod neighbourhood, it's a well-known tourist attraction.

Perfect for: Family vacation, solo travel.

Idukki and Kollam -- Idukki and Kollam are two very different tourist attractions that may be chosen based on interest. Idukki is full of tea plantations while Kollam excels in backwater experiences.

Idukki -- Idukki abounds in wildlife reserves, lovely ornate bungalows, tea factories, rubber plantations, and forests are just some of the many beautiful things that catch one’s eye.

Kollam -- For centuries, Kollam has been recognized as a gateway to Kerala's backwaters.

Kochi (Cochin) -- Kochi, often known as Cochin, is the "Queen of the Arabian Sea'' - not only commercially but aesthetically. Kochi has a distinct feel with its beautifully ornate homes, its street food, its mesmerising beaches and fishing nets. The Biennale Festival and Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performances are among popular attractions in Kochi.

Perfect for: Tourism,  honeymoon, beach lovers, water adventures, sightseeing, photography, seafood lovers

Kovalam  -- One of Kerala’s best kept secrets is Kovalam with its marble-like clean beaches and the bliss of Ayurveda knowledge. Kovalam is a small town in Kerala, 13 km from Thiruvananthapuram, known for its resorts and ayurvedic treatment centres. The lighthouse beach is Kovalam biggest, with a 30-metre-high lighthouse on top.

Perfect for: Family vacation, honeymoon, water sports, shopping

Kozhikode -- Once known as Calicut, it is now called Kozhikode. Kozhikode is a famous tourist destination because of its tranquil beaches, beautiful green landscape, and ancient landmarks.

Perfect for: Middle eastern food,  family vacation, beach lovers, honeymoon, sightsseing and rejuvenation.

Monroe Island -- Located at the junction of the Kallada River and the Ashtamudi Lake in the district of Kollam, Munroe Island, also known as Mundrothuruthu is a secluded peaceful abode. Colonel John Munro, a native of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore, is credited with integrating various backwater districts by building canals during his time in the island, which is noted for its stunning beauty and breathtaking views. There are eight islands in all that makeup this hidden gem, which are connected by little water canals and lakes.

Perfect for: Tourism,  honeymoon, sightseeing, family vacations

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) -- Located in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram, is a fascinating mix of colonial and indigenous cultures. Located on seven hills, Trivandrum has long ago left the days when it was only accessible by seafarers behind; now, the city is an affluent metropolis with charming urban charm and several architectural and historical attractions. There are two prominent beach towns nearby: Kovalam and Varkala. Trivandrum is a gateway to both of these destinations.

Perfect for: Tourism, honeymoon, boating, family vacation, pilgrims

Thrissur -- Traditional Keralan performing arts, religious sites, including the Thrissur Pooram festival, Onam festival and Vadakkumnathan Temple are among of Thrissur's most notable attractions.Thiru-Siva-Per-Ur, or "a city having three temples of Lord Shiva," is the abbreviation of Thiru-Shiva-Per-Ur Trichur is an anglicization of the Tamil name Thrissur.

Perfect for: Tourism, honeymoon, sightseeing, family vacations,

Vagamon  -- An off-the-beaten-path hill station in Kerala's southwest, Wagamon, sometimes known as Vagamon, lies close to the Kottayam-Idukki border. This gorgeous tourist destination is surrounded by flowing rivulets and lush green hills thanks to its year-round comfortable temperature. You don't have to leave the city to enjoy Vagamon's tea gardens, pine woods, rushing waterfalls, and mesmerising meadows.

Perfect for: Hikers, adventure tourism, hillside vacation, romantic holidays

Alleppey -- Allapuzha, or more popularly called Alleppey, is the mother of backwater adventures in both Kerala state and India. Tourists around the world visit Alappuzha for its annual boat race. Only 55 km from Kochi, Alleppey has  water bodies - backwaters, canals, lagoons, ponds and is termed as the “Venice of the East”.

NOTE: Do not miss the annual boat race called the Nehru Trophy Boat race held on the Punnamada Lake, near Alleppey, on the second Saturday of August every year.

Perfect for: Family vacation, honeymoon, friends