Info/tips/suggestions about Kerala beaches, please! |
 |
Oct 12th, 2008, 21:16
| #1 |
| Member  Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Portugal
Posts: 3
|  Info/tips/suggestions about Kerala beaches, please! hi, my first post @ IndiaMike.com  me and my wife, we need some help with picking a good beach in the south. i´ve been reading some of the kerala and goa threads and got some useful information but, still, not enough.... thing is, we still have doubts... i know India quite well but the southwest, not enough... we will be based in Delhi for a few days and by NOV 10th - and for a week or so - we would love to stay in some awesome beach, and not really move around much... that will come after... by awesome beach, i mean a calm spot, with turquoise water, white sand, good for swimming, not too much mosquitos, beer, seafood and a good ayurvedic massage by the end of the day - those kind of things that makes Earth feel like heaven. i first thought about Goa, even because we are Portuguese, etc... but I know that Goa by this time of the year has too many tourists. we need something more quiet, not sleepy or boring but not too noisy. so, i thought about Kerala. i was there only once, briefly (too briefly) and i would like to get some tips. (oh! our budget is not high - something like Rs. 25.000 for one week.) - low cost flights (not so low, now) to Cochim or Trivandrum? - Cherai, Kovalam, Varkala, or.... or...? - hotel/guest house - around Rs 2500/day - clean place, close to the ocean, large bed, nice shower, no stress ever... any hints? - scooters rental available? how much? - any kind of other tips/suggestions/opinions/advices that you find relevant, are really really welcome. Thanks in advance, enjoy your day. Last edited by e-Jai; Oct 13th, 2008 at 04:51.. Reason: making it shorter.... |
|  |
|
Oct 13th, 2008, 15:39
| #2 |
| Maha Guru Member  Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PORTSMOUTH U.K.
Posts: 996
| Hi e-Jai, Can't answer all your questions but hope this helps. The waters along Kerala beaches are generally not Turquoise - for that you would have to go to the Lakshadweeps with white coral sand etc. From what you are looking for Varkala might be your best bet. Not too crowded unlike Kovalam and with lots of facilities. Marari Beach might also fit the bill but not the Marari Beach resort which is very expensive.If you do some research I think you will find some smaller places to stay and huts which I believe are quite cheap. The sea at Marari can be quite rough with strong currents.The sand is white and it is a quiet area. Cherai beach is varied - at one end it can get busy especially at weekends but further down the beach there is a accommodation on the beach and it is very quiet during the day. The sand is fine and the water, when I have stayed there, (twice) is very calm. Often you can see dolpins close to the shore. You are also next to the backwaters and close to Kochi. Check out: http://www.cheraihotels.com/ for accommodation. I haven't stayed there but have eaten at the Sealine Beach resort which appeared to be clean and efficient. They also provide sun umbrellas which is useful as there is little or no shade the beach. Others on this site may have more in depth info but do try and search for other information on this site as your questions might already have been asked and answered. |
|
| |
|
Oct 13th, 2008, 18:58
| #3 | |
| Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: mumbai
Posts: 88
| Quote:
Welcome to india. You are right, goa will be very crowded and expensive. If you are looking for silent beach and the cost constrain of your budget, I think verkala will suit you the most. And you will really enjoy too. Plus, backwater you will love. For any more information, you can ask me. I feel you should go to trivendrum if you want to go to verkala that will be cheaper. and verkala is closer from trivendrum than from cochin. Again, welcome to india and have a nice trip. I am from bombay. Regards, shailesh | |
|
| |
|
Oct 13th, 2008, 19:18
| #4 |
| Giant Member  Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Glastonbury
Posts: 202
| I agree with Clive. Cherai Beach would be an option. I have stayed at the Sealine Hotel and can recommend it. The best rooms there will match all your requirements and has great sea views. They can also arrange massages and scooters. It is a pleasant and relaxing place without any stress and will be in your budget. The best room there is around 2,100 RS per night and is just 10 metres from the sea. Massages are around 600 Rs per person. I dont know about the rates for scooters. Food is good and cheap there. You can also eat very well at the Cherai Beach Resort where they have good seafood and buffets. The local area is easy and enjoyable to walk around the backwater villages, and you can comfortably visit Fort Cochin (also has a Portugese influence) for sightseeing and good restaraunts. But do not expect a typical tropical island beach. Cherai is quiet, much quieter than Varkala and Kovalam, but it is not deserted.
__________________ Live your life. Be Free  Excerpts from an Average Travel Journal http://www.indiamike.com/india/journ...journal&j=9585 Last edited by Lord Average; Oct 13th, 2008 at 19:27.. Reason: more info added |
|
| |
|
Oct 13th, 2008, 19:56
| #5 |
| Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Portugal
Posts: 3
| Thanks much for your replies CliveG, SHAILESH and LordAverage. In Kerala, and based on your opinions, I am now more inclined to Cherai and, right after, Verkala. But I´ve been checking the flight fees from Delhi to Trivandrum and I get something like 17000 rupees each person (with return). And to Cochim, also with return, 13000 Rs. [Now, this is funny: from Delhi to Male - using SriLanka Airlines - the price is around 28000 Rs. Makes you wonder, huh? Flights were so cheap last year - I remember, by Holi time, I paid like 35€ from Delhi to Kolkata... *sigh*] At this point maybe I must reconsider Goa option, and try to get some info about not so crowded places there. Flights are around 9000 Rs (again, with return). Or focus on Cherai through Cochim... Well, kinda lost but hey... enjoying it all the way  I owe you all some beers (or whatever you guys drink). cheeeeers जय सच्चिदानंद |
|
| |
|
Linear Mode
