Internationally renowned Kovalam has developed as a low key beach resort since the mid-1980s and with three adjacent crescent-shaped beaches it’s not hard to see why.

A huge rocky promontory has created a beautiful bay where the rollers of the Arabian Sea break, some large enough for surfing. These bays are backed by palm trees and a wide variety of accommodation styles to meet all budgets. Here you can swim, enjoy ayurvedic massages, take a yoga course, enjoy cultural programmes and even go catamaran sailing.

Kovalam is suitable for families being quieter than Goa to the north, though small kids should not be left to swim alone as surf and currents are strong. Lighthouse Beach is the southernmost and most popular of the three beaches and is a wonderful spot for some R and R.

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, is just 16 km away from Kovalam, so getting to and from the beach is easy and in addition there are places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Ponmudi hill station etc. all reasonably close by.