Kovalam in july: help!

coleridge

Hello!

Next summer I am spending a week in Kerala after a trip round Ladack, and I need some help.
First I´d like to visit Cochi and the backwaters, and I´d like to finish my holidays spending three days in Kovalam.
However I have read that it is not the best season to sstay there, because of the monsoon, and even plenty of places (restaurants, etc)are closed... Is it true? When reading this I get the impression that Kovalam in july/august is somehow a "ghost city"... is it exaggerated?

Another thing: as I have read that the Arabic Sea is a bit "moved" those days I´d like to stay in a hotel with swimming-pool. The Taj Retreat seems an excellent option, but a bit expensive (80 euros the day!!!). Do you know a cheaper but good option?

Thanks!!!

coleridge

Hello Margi74 and thanks for the information!

And do you know any recommendable hotel in Kumarakom? When planning the trip I was recommended the Coconut Lagoon, but it was very expensive! Is there a cheaper option with a swimming pool?

And you say that there is seaviw from Kumarakom. Is this true? I thought that it wasn´t on the coast...

rebeccam

IF you want to stay in Kovalam...

you asked for a less expnsive resort nr Kovalam.

Google Bethsaida Hermitage . I have not stayed, but heard of it via recommendation from Kochi travel agent. Gets great revies on tripadvisor. it is not cheap, but it's less than Taj you mentioned, or Coconut Lagoon at Kumarokom.

Nick-H

People get the sea and the lake mixed up. Kumarakom is on the lake, not on the sea.

Coconut Lagoon is great, but very expensive. I guess there is a pretty wide choice of places there.

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coleridge

And what about Varkala? It is closer to Cochi and I´ve been told that it is more quiet and less touristic than Kovalam.
Any suggestion there?

2cents

Varkala in July would be quite deserted; with only a few shacks and hotels along the cliff open for business. Whether at the peak of the tourist season or in the middle of the monsoon period,I find Varkala to be a far better beach getaway than Kovalam.

For a few tips on accommodation check out the following threads :-

staying in Varkala late season

Varkala hotel/homestay recommendation

bijapuri

Jeevan House in Kovalam looks promising- at least they responded!
$100 for 2 nights plus airport meet.
Might be able to bargain if I wait and book on arrival,, but who wants to do that when coming from SFO on first day?

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