Kerala online travel guide

Kerala online travel guide - India's relaxing state

Welcome to tropical Kerala, situated in the southwest of India – a state known for its abundance of palm trees, enchanting natural scenery, and stunning beaches with colourful sunsets. Besides the Periyar National Park which is also in the state of Kerala, you will find other wonderful places like Kochi, Trivandrum, Varkala and Alleppey with its beautiful backwaters. There is so much to tell about the backwaters that I made a separate article for it, check it out here. Have a look at my Kerala online travel guide!

Online Travel Guide

Topics

Kochi

Traditional village

Boat trip backwaters

Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Varkala and Kovalam

Kochi - Kerala online travel guide

Obviously, this charming port city is famous for its Chinese fishing nets, although not many are in use these days. Kochi was once an important trading hub for China in the 14th and 15th centuries. Overall, the city has a laid-back atmosphere and is divided into islands of all sizes, the most well-known being Fort Kochi.

Fort Kochi

As a result of various occupations, the city clearly has influences from its past, for instance, French, British and Dutch influences are recognizable. Fort Kochi’s streets exude vibrant colours and are adorned with distinctive shops offering an array of spices to discover. In Jew Town, the Paradesi Synagogue, operational since 1568, boasts a striking clock enveloped by bougainvillea. Stroll along Vasco da Gama Square and behold the enchanting sunset casting its glow over the fishing nets. Notably, Vasco de Gama, the Portuguese explorer, rests in eternal repose at St. Francis Church.

Did you know... Bargaining is not really a thing in Kochi because the prices are already low compared to other places. You can try, but you can get your souvenirs here for a bargain.

Mattancherry Palace

Located in Fort Kochi, the Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, was actually built by the Portuguese and gifted to the King of Kochi in 1545. The Dutch took over in 1663 and eventually the British East India Company gained control.

St. Francis Church & Dutch Cemetery

Constructed in 1503, St. Francis Church stands as India’s oldest European church, while nearby lies the Dutch Cemetery, dating back to 1724, making it the oldest European burial ground in the country. Originally segregated by wealth, the cemetery’s larger and more elaborate tombs were reserved for the wealthiest individuals.

Did you know... Fort Kochi is full of wonderful trees, take a good look up when you see many of these giant trees, as they make such a special picture.

Take the ferry

With so many islands to explore, taking a ferry is a cheaper and quicker alternative to taxis or Tuk Tuks. If you take the ferry, then you will avoid the traffic and the cost is only around 10 to 30 rupees, depending on the distance.

Carnival in Kochi - Kerala online travel guide

Every last week of December, Carnival is celebrated in Fort Kochi, which is inaugurated at the Vasco da Gama Square with the Carnival flag. What distinguishes this Carnival is its rich tapestry of influences from the city’s historical occupiers. At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, Pappanji, embodying the old year, is ceremonially ignited. Afterwards, the party goes on until the early morning hours. On New Year’s Day, there is a parade led by elephants, accompanied by folk performances, traditional clothing, and many musical instruments that make it a grand celebration.

Visit a traditional village in Kochi

Explore local life by visiting a charming traditional village with a lovely tour. Discover how they catch fish, including crabs, tiger prawns, and many mussels. Obviously, India’s many palm trees are not there for show. People climb up the palm tree to extract a juice from the leaves with a self-made tool created from buffalo bone. Branches of the palm tree are used to make baskets, which are then used to shake mussels out of their shells. Cigarettes are traditionally made here from pure tobacco leaves. Additionally, you can find all kinds of delicious fruits and nuts such as star fruits (carambola), nutmeg, and cashews.

Did you know... Cashew nuts are so expensive (yes, even in India) because only one cashew nut grows per fruit. Getting the nut out of the fruit turns out to be quite a lot of work; it requires a lot of manual labour to extract it.

Get in touch with the locals

Meanwhile, you have the opportunity to get in touch with the locals in the village. The woman in the pink dress is called Ana; this is her dress for when she stays home, but when she leaves the village, she wears a saree. People here are friendly and happy to explain their culture to you.

Tip! In places like this, I love to bring some typical Dutch ‘stroopwafels’ with me. Just bring something along with you, typically from your country, and you will see how people enjoy it!

Sharing stroopwafels & story's

Ana, with her wonderful dress, told me about her life at the village, she lives here with her husband and two children. Several other families also live here, and together they provide food, clothes and products for the home.

Boat trip on the backwaters of Alleppey - Kerala online travel guide

Deep through the state of Kerala, spread the backwaters of Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha. These are brackish lagoons and lakes that lie along the Arabian Sea coast, interconnected and fed by 38 rivers. Take an amazing boat trip over these backwaters with one of the many houseboats. If you are curious and want to know more about the backwaters, then read on in my online travel guide about the backwaters.

Nehru Trophy boat race

In this Kerala online travel guide, you will find out that this state is home to the Nehru Trophy Boat Race festival, commonly known as the Snake Boat Race, held annually on the second Saturday of August, drawing numerous spectators. Participants engage in friendly competition and join in singing traditional boat songs as they navigate the backwaters, commencing from Punnamada Lake. These impressive boats, crafted from jackfruit tree wood, measure approximately 40 meters in length and can accommodate up to 140 individuals.

Back in Time

This tradition goes way back in history, around 400 years ago to be exact. It was used as a battle between the kings of Alleppey and surrounding areas. Regardless, the kings of Alleppey kept losing, so they came up with a new design, the ‘Snake Boat,’ which turned out to be a huge success. Years later, the locals decided to keep this race as a cultural celebration.

Varkala & Kovalam - Kerala online travel guide

Check out Varkala & Kovalam in this Kerala online travel guide, both places are known for its fantastic beaches, where you can indulge yourself with lots of relaxation.

Varkala

A paradise for backpackers is Varkala, this coastal town has a stunning sandy beach, a fun boulevard (called Cliff Side), with many delicious restaurants and cute souvenir shops. Many lovely accommodations are located in this village with the best and most relaxing vibes. The sunset that dips deep into the sea makes the scene a tropical delight. Whenever you are into exploring, rent a scooter and go on an adventure to see the surroundings.

Tip! If you have been travelling for a while or just need to relax, then take your time and unwind in the delightful Varkala. Time literally stands still here. Varkala is just 30 minutes away by train from Trivandrum, where most intercontinental flights arrive.

Kovalam

Like previously noted, Trivandrum serves as the primary destination for intercontinental flights. As the capital of Kerala, this city offers convenient access to numerous lovely destinations within the state. While Trivandrum itself may not be particularly noteworthy, it boasts several delightful beaches where visitors can unwind. Just south of the city lies Kovalam, home to the following beaches:

Vizhinjam Lighthouse Beach
Kovalam Beach, located adjacent to the lighthouse
Grove Beach
Samudra Beach

‘Un abrazo’ and maybe we will see each other one day; Doris Leone

Kerala online travel guide