FACTS AND FIGURES Beach Area : 4 km Best Time to Visit : September to March INTRODUCTION Kovalam beach is the most famous South Indian beach. Mainly there are two beaches in Kovalam along with many private beaches. Eve's beach is a semi-circular one, well known for its secluded location and its relatively good beach area. Another famous beach is that of Lighthouse beach where a lighthouse situates, which belong to the British period. Apart from the beach holidays Kovalam offers Ayurvedic massage, Ayurvedic rejuvenation, Yoga (Indian way of meditation) etc. LOCATION Kovalam beach is located at sixteen kilometers south of Trivandrum city, the capital city of South Indian state Kerala. A drive of hardly half an hour from Trivandrum is enough to reach at the celebrated Kovalam beaches.

SEASON
The tourist arrival starts at the end of September which lasts till the end of March. The peak season is between mid-December till mid- January. In winter the average temperature is 30 - 32 degree Celsius whereas the summer temperature is 30- 35 degree Celsius. The monsoon starts at the beginning of June, which lasts till the beginning of August. The second turn of monsoon starts at the end of October for the next two weeks.

DEPTH & LENGTH The main beaches at Kovalam i.e. Eve's beach and Light House beach are altogether span over 4 kilometers. It takes just 20 minute walk from Light House beach to Eve' beach. HISTORY OF POPULARITY The European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered the potentiality of Kovalam as a tourist destination in the 1930s. But the real fame as an ideal beach resort was won later in the early Seventies with arrivals of the masses of 'Hippys'. It was a debut of the transformation of just a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. Now some foreign companies are bringing chartered tourists in a large number to Kovalam apart from the usual travelers, most of them are repeating travelers.

ACTIVITIES
Apart from the usual sunbath and surfing, many marine activities are possible at Kovalam. The local fishermen provide sunrise and sun set cruises in fishing boats. The Catamaran cruises, on the country raft is very popular here. Very recently an innovative tour operating company of Trivandrum has introduced a new package for marine Angling for deep-sea fishing. This new project is concentrated near Vizhinjam fishing harbor, just 4 km away east of Kovalam beach. Surfboards and boogie boards can also be hired on the beach.

At Kovalam many hotels and resorts offers the Ayurvedic massage and treatment. Yoga (Indian way of meditation) centers are also plenty in Kovalam. Some theatres perform the traditional Kerala art form, Kathakali and ethnic martial art, Kalarippayattu.

PRIVATE BEACHES
Among innumerable beach holiday resorts Kovalam Ashok Beach Resort, Surya Samudra Beach Garden, Somatheeram, Niki's Nest, Coconut Bay Beach Resort, Uday Samudra Beach Resort, Hotel Samudra etc own private beaches famous for their cleanliness and secluded location. Most of these private beaches are located near Vizhinjam at least 8 km far from Kovalam.

VICINITY
The holy city of Anantha, Thiruvananthapuram City is located just sixteen kilometers north of Kovalam. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the major landmark of the city. Though non-Hindus are not entitled to enter inside the temple one can visit the premises, which is an architectural marvel. Puthan malika or Horse Palace is a wooden palace, situated very near to the Temple. The belongings of the Royal Family and the very construction of the palace make the visitors amazing. The Chalai Market is a big market just meters away to the temple is a fine example of the typical market of Kerala. The Napier Museum is a building in Indo-Saracenic Style, situated just 3 km away is yet another site to be visited.

The hill resort, Ponmudi is located 60 km away from Thiruvananthapuram city. The resort is famous for its tea plantations and jungle streams.

Another important site to be visited is Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), the Southern most tip of Indian subcontinent. Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu state is 90 km East of Kovalam, is the place where three oceans meet together. A visit to Vivekananda Rock located exactly on the sea is worth full. Kanyakumari is famous for sunrise and sun set watching. Padmanabhapuram palace, the second largest wooden palace in Asia is on the way to Kanyakumari, which is a major center of tourist attraction.

LIST OF FESTIVALS
The village temples of Kovalam conduct festivals during the months of January, February and March.

TRADITION AND DRESS CODE
Nudity is strictly prohibited in Kovalam as any other parts of India. Topless parade of ladies is also banned here. To suit to the local dress code Lungi is available in all shops.

SHOPPING
The shops of Kovalam offer an array of handicraft items made of wood, seashell and so on. The statues made of teak wood and Rose wood is popular here. For an elaborate shopping Trivandrum city is ideal.

ACCOMMODATION
Kovalam offers excellent accommodation ranging from budget to top class hotels. The only five star hotels in Kovalam is Ashok Beach Resort run by the Indian Tourism Development Corporation. Some of the heritage resorts like Surya Samudra Beach Garden, Somatheeram etc offering more ethnic accommodation. Home stay facilities are also available at Kovalam. In the peak season most of the people are staying at Trivandrum city also.

HOW TO REACH
By Air: The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, 14 km away to Kovalam. Many International Airlines are operating flights to and from here. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways are operating domestic flights. There are direct flights to New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

By Rail: Trivandrum Central Railway Station is the nearest railway station. From here trains are available to all major parts of India.

OTHER FACILITIES
Foreign money exchanging facilities are available in all the major hotels and in some authorized centers in Kovalam. A post office is operating at Kovalam from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. STD, ISD, Fax, Internet are also available at Kovalam. Many travel agencies are also there in Kovalam.

SECURITY PRECAUTIONS
Tap water is not advisable for drinking instead mineral water is available in bottles. Though lifeguards are vigilant, while swimming avoid the areas separated between flags.

DO'S AND DON'TS
Possession and consumption of illegal drugs are legally prohibited.