Accessing Kovalam
Telephone access code:+91 471

Air: Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (16 km/30 min.)
Rail: Nearest station: Thiruvananthapuram Central (13 km/30 min.)
Road: Kovalam is off the NH 47 Bypass, just 13 km from the national highway that links Salem to Kanyakumari via Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.
Bus: Kovalam’s KSRTC Bus Stand is near Vizhinjam-Poovar Road. It has services once in every 15 minutes to Thiruvananthapuram. Ph: 0471-2480365, 2481365

Silhouetted against lush palm groves, the crescent-shaped beaches of Kovalam are international tourist destinations. Besides the three main beaches – Lighthouse Beach, Eve’s or Howah Beach and the Ashok Beach, there are many more picturesque beaches all along the coast. The shallow waters stretching hundreds of metres are ideal for swimming.

In And Around Kovalam

Kovalam: (16 km from Thiruvananthapuram) Just a short drive away from the State capital, Kovalam is easily accessible. Internationally acclaimed, this seaside destination comprises three adjacent crescent-shaped beaches. Golden sands, miles of shimmering sea, rocky promontories constantly caressed by the sensuous surf and a brilliant sunshine warming the very souls, make this place truly sensational. A charming village in its yesteryears, Kovalam today has all the trappings of a popular beach destination. Lined with shops, restaurants, ayurvedic centres and accommodation options to suit all budgets, the place has the unmistakable ambience of a resort.

Kovalam Beach: Fringed by headlands that rise steeply above the shore, Kovalam is almost completely covered by coconut palms. Of the three small bays separated by rocky outcrops, the southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular. The lovely old lighthouse that gives the beach its name is the Vizhinjam Lighthouse. Edakallu, a rocky headland separates Eve’s or Howah Beach from the Lighthouse Beach. The hill that separates Howah Beach from the third of Kovalam’s celebrated beaches houses the Government Guest House and the Halcyon Castle. One of Kovalam’s spectacular landmarks, this charming old castle adds to the beauty of the lovely settings.

Lighthouse: The 35 m lighthouse is perched atop the palm-covered Kurumkal Hill jutting out on to the sea. Visitors can climb the spiraling staircase inside to the top of the red and white tower and enjoy a spectacular view of the surroundings.

Samudra Beach: Lying to the north of the Ashok Beach, this beach can be accessed only by taking a detour past Kovalam Junction. It is an awesome sight to watch the waves crash on the rocks below as you walk along the stretch of sea wall here.

Thiruvallam: (10 km from Thiruvananthapuram) This serene backwater stretch, enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its canoe rides, kayaking and cruises in kettuvalloms. The Boat Club here organises tours to the nearby islands of Pozhikara and Edayar as well as visits to coir manufacturing units.

Parasurama Temple, Thiruvallam: (7 km from Thiruvananthapuram) This 2000-year-old temple on the banks of the River Karamana, is the only one in Kerala dedicated to Sree Parasurama, the mythological creator of the State. This temple is a venue for ancestor worship. As part of the Bali ritual, devotees make offerings to the souls of the departed, after taking a dip in the holy water. Ph: 2380706

The Great Kovalam Poets: Ancient Kovalam poets Ayyippilla Asan and Ayyanappilla Asan were the authors of the Great Epics, Janakeeya Maha Kaviangal, Ramakatha Pattu and Bharathampattu respectively. They lived in Kovalam, near the Light House Beach, Avaduthura in 1400 AD. The monument is protected by the Kerala Government Archaeological Department.

Vizhinjam: A fishing village 2 km south of Kovalam, the Vizhinjam harbour is a natural port and one of the busiest fishing harbours in the district.

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple: (17 km - 1/2 hr and 5 km south of Kovalam Jn. Open 0900 - 1800 hrs. Closed on Mondays) There are rock-cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. The granite cave here encloses a one-celled shrine with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi. The outer wall of the cave depicts half-complete reliefs of the Hindu God Siva with Goddess Parvathi.

Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium: (Open 0900 - 1800 hrs) Located near Theatre Junction, the aquarium which houses a rich treasure of marine wealth has perfected the Image Pearl production technique, by which a mould of any shape made of shell cement is implanted into the pearl oyster. In 2-3 months a pearl in the shape of the mould will be ready. Entrance fee: Adults: Rs.20 Children: Rs.10. Ph: 2480224

Chowara: (8 km south of Kovalam) This fishing hamlet near to Kovalam has many picturesque spots. The Chowara Ayyappa Temple atop a hill overlooks the beach and offers an amazing view of the beach below. Chowara is also home to the ancient Analothbhava Matha Church. The Azhimalathara Beach here is identified as the only place where the sea recedes from the coast and does not eat into the beach during the monsoon.

Poovar: (12 km south of Kovalam) An isolated but spectacular beach, Poovar is situated close to the Neyyar River estuary. A trading port in its early days, it is today an important tourist destination.

Places to Stay
Kovalam (+91-471)

Travel Agents

• Elite Tours & Travels Ph: 2481905, 2481405, Email: elitetours@vsnl.com
• Great Indian Travel Service, Lighthouse Road Ph: 2481110
• Green Land Travel Services Telefax: 2485143
• Keralaconnections.com Ph: 2484839 Fax: 2484839 Email: info@keralaconnections.com
• Shivas Tours & Travels, Eve's Beach Ph: 2483091, 98472 71489 Email: sajikovalam@yahoo.co.in
• Trans Orient Holidays Ph: 2480726 Fax: 2487343 Email: transorientkerala@gmail.com
• Visit India Information & Travel Bureau, Lighthouse Road Ph: 2481069 Fax: 2481069, Email: visitindia@eth.net
• Voyager Travels Ph: 2485217
• Western Travels, Ph: 2481334
• Magic India Holidays Ph: 2462113 Email: info@magicindiaholidays.com www.magicindiaholidays.com

Facilities

Art gallery:

• Gallery Contra Image, Kovalam Junction Ph: 2480868

Restaurants:

• Santana Ph: 2483298
• Hotel Sea Flower Home Ph: 2480554
• The German Bakery Ph: 2480179
• Sea Shore Ph: 2481511
• Dwaraka Ph: 2480411
• Sea View Ph: 2481599
• Fusion Ph: 2484153
• Beatles Ph: 2483156
• Spice Garden Ph: 2480321

Money exchange:

• Elite Tours & Travels Ph: 2481405
• Great Indian Travel Service Ph: 2334512
• Phroze Framroze & Co. Pvt. Ltd., Near Kovalam Bus Station Ph: 2487450
• Visit India Information and Travel Bureau Telefax: 2481069
• Western Travels Ph: 2481334

Two wheeler hire:

• Voyager Travels, Eve's Beach Road Ph: 2481993 Email: voyagerbikehire@yahoo.co.in
  

Cultural centres:

• Kalakeli Kathakali Troup (All cultural programmes), Kovalam Ph: 2481818, 9447182468
• Smrithi, The Fusion of Dance and Music, Rajeev Gandhi Centre, Venganoor Ph: 2482949

Hospitals:

• Upasana Hospital, Kovalam Ph: 2480632 B N V Hospital, Thiruvallam Ph: 2381508

Multi-gym club:

• Bodyline, Kovalam Junction Ph: 2480587

Telecom centre:

• BSNL, Kovalam Junction Ph: 2451860
• BSNL, Vizhinjam Ph: 2481700

Banks:

• Canara Bank, Kovalam Junction (ATM) Ph: 2481950
• ICICI Bank, Kovalam Junction (ATM)
• Central Bank, Kovalam Jn. Ph: 2480258
• Andhra Bank, Azhakulam Ph: 480217
• State Bank of Travancore, Vizhinjam Ph: 2480294

Post offices:

• Beach Post Office Ph: 2483340
• Post Office, Kovalam Jn. Ph: 2481330
• Post Office, Vizhinjam Ph: 3299248
• Speed Post, Trivandrum Ph: 3293434
• General Post Office, Trivandrum Ph: 2473071
• Post Master General's Office, Trivandrum Ph: 2308060
• Post Office, Thiruvallam Ph: 2382806
• Post Office, Poovar Ph: 2210030