Whats best for kids?

Namaste,
It's been 10 years since I've been to India, where I used to spend a lot of time and which I miss dearly. However life in New Zealand has been pretty good and children came along...now my partner and my two kids (5 and 8 years old) will come to India later this year. I hope to get a house for a month or two probably in Kerala. I used to do the Goa thing but want something a little less 'intense' perhaps. Has anyone spent time in Kerala with kids? How much is a house to rent by the beaches these days for a month at least? Where is a great inspiring, shanti place to be? What about boat trips etc? Is there anywhere where a few families with kids hang out? Is Kerala a good option for beach chill out or is Goa better? Also I need internet access on a fairly regular basis...is this possible? 10 years ago things were pretty low tech. Thanks and big wishes of happiness and peace

Namaste to you too!


On this website you will find, if you search the forums, many threads concerning all aspects of visiting Kerala, including places to stay, boat trips etc...

For children, (as for yourselves) you ought to make sure that vaccinations are up to date - with kids especially as they tend not to do what they're told all the time as regards not drinking anything other than bottled water, putting hands in mouths after touching things a little less than desirable, mosquito bites, etc..Sun creams, anti-malarial drugs (If you intend taking them, that is) hats etc... Children can tend to get sick very quickly in India as parents can't watch them 24 hours a day - not to frighten you, but kids are kids.

So, take a good long look around IndiaMike - you'll find answers to probably all your questions.

As for renting a house for a period of time - you'll find plenty of vacation properties available on the Internet by simply typing "Vacation Properties Kerala" into your search engine, if you haven't already founds links to these properties on IndiaMike.

Kerala is, by many standards, much more worthwhile than Goa. Goa is extremley touristified, (nonetheless beautiful) but the backwaters have always been preferable for me at least (no slurr meant to any IMers who love Goa or who live there.....really!!) Just my personal preference

it is better to stay around the beaches like kovalam or varkala
the rental may be from 4000 to up for a double bed room appart/house of /fullypartly furnished .

I'm not normally a fan of Kovalam, but with kids its is probably an ideal choice, no traffic, a fairly safe beach and plenty of different food.
I would stay away from Varkala, swimming is dangerous even for good swimmers and the cliff is a bit to close for comfort.