Kovalam

Kovalam, a small town located 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram is famous for its beautiful beaches. This year-round tourist destination figures prominently on the world tourism map. Its unique and wonderful sandy beaches are lined with palm-fringed lagoons and rocky coves and are endowed with unusual natural beauty. An hour’s drive from the capital city of Kerala, this famous south Indian town’s beach is popular for sunbathing.
The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has developed Kovalam as an integrated seaside resort. Of the three beaches, the southernmost beach, marked by a distinguished red and white striped Light House, known as the Light house beach, is the most popular one. Further south beyond the light house, is the small village of Vizhinjam.
Accommodation can be done at cheap comfortable lodges to five star resorts; Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort, Ashatheeram Beach Resort and Abad Palmshore Beach Resort are among them. There is an equally wide range of cafes/restaurants, serving delicious seafood especially prawns and lobsters. Kovalam is lined with bars and vendors selling clothes, crafts and carpets.
Kovalam is also a major center for the traditional Ayurvedic treatment. Health and revitalization packages are offered to tourists. Yoga schools offering meditation and yoga classes are also plenty in and around Kovalam beach. Cultural programmes at the beach include performances of the traditional Kerala art form, Kathakali and ethnic martial art, Kalaripayattu.
Kovalam can be reached by direct and regular bus services from Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 10 km. Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station is the nearest railway station. Buses also link the place from Ernakulam, Kanyakumari and Periyar wildlife sanctuary.

Online Train time in Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station
Online Railway Reservation
Location of Kovalam (Satellitve view)

Kovalam Beach

The internationally renowned Kovalam Beach is situated 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram. It consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, 'Lighthouse Beach', is the most popular. The beach is fringed by lovely coconut palms. It is an ideal spot for sun bath, swimming, surfing and skiing.
Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists since 1930's. The beach is bordered with many restaurants and lodging houses. There are numerous handicrafts, jewelry and cloth shops, yoga schools, ayurvedic parlors, travel agencies and massage parlors spread along the waterfront. The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has developed Kovalam as an integrated seaside resort.

Online Train time in Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station
Online Railway Reservation
Location of Kovalam Beach (Satellite view)