India – Kovalam Beach
Kovalam Beach India, famously known as the “Paradise of the South”, it is a beautiful beach situated in the Arabian Sea, around 16 km from Trivandrum city, south Kerala, India. Kovalam comprises of three successive small crescent beaches. Among them, the most popular is the southern most Lighthouse Beach. The middle beach is known as Howah Beach, this is a base for local fisherman where they ply there trade daily. At the most northern point is the Samudra Beach, this is an idyllic Tropical haven enclosed by coconut plantations.
The word “Kovalam†literally means “a grove of coconut treesâ€. Underlying the word meaning one can see abundant number of coconut trees in Kovalam. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves offer relaxed stay for tourists in Kovalam. The beautiful patches of coral reefs are scattered at different interval along the Arabian Sea coast. The Light House offers magnificent views across the Vizhinjam Mosque.
Kovalam Beach complex features several budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centers, herbal body massage centers, and sea food restaurants. There are several clothing stores, crafts and carpet shops (mainly Tibetan, Rajasthani, and Kashmiri origin), and yoga schools lining the beach. The department of tourism conducts several special cultural programs, including Kathakali performances (the classical dance-drama of Kerala) for tourists.
Kovalam Beach is a major tourist destination for both national and international tourists, looking for a relaxing holiday on the beach. One of the main attractions of the beach is the huge rock formation which creates an attractive bay of calm waters making it a perfect spot for sea bathing. Kovalam offers several leisure activities for tourists including swimming, sunbathing, Catamaran cruising, kayaking, and surfing. The pristine blue water of Kovalam is perfect for swimming and sunbathing on the shore is a must in this exotic tropical sun.
About Kovalam
Kovalam was a traditional fishing village which offers fresh fish, toddy (coconut beer), and fruits. It was the Maharaja of Travancore who brought public eye to this beautiful beach. Kovalam has been well developed over the past few decades and now it is one of internationally known tourist destination in the world. The Tourist season is from November to March; while mid December to mid January is the peak season.
Transportation
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (10 km) is the nearest airport. Kovalam can be accessed by direct and regular bus services from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.