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Kerala forum HI all, I thought i'd chosen my destination for christmas 2012, which was going to be Kovalam, but now i read good things about Varkala and Kumavakom. Which one would you go to? i want lovely beaches, a few chilled restaurants and bars, and a nice 3 or 4 star hotel. i'll be with hubby and two children (13 and 11). We also need to get to Bangalore after this.
Any suggestions id be most grateful. Thanks
Hey Penny - Kumarakom is not a beach and is famous for backwaters. Varkala is a quiet beach frequented by young couples while Kovalam is a crowded beach and each has its own charms. Both these beaches have a nice mix of country tourists and foreigners.
Kovalam is busy and a very active beach- but I wouldn't say totally overcrowded. There are lots of shops and restaurants and cafe's to eat at and peruse . The beaches are swimmable
Varkala attracts a young crowd but it isn't a party place and I've seen plenty of young families there. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants on top of the cliff, you can eat fresh seafood and you can bargain always to get best prices. The beaches are rough here than Kovalam.
You can check out any of the 3 star and 4 star hotels rated at both these places and choose a nice place based on guest reviews.Personally, I loved Varkala because I prefer quite beaches :)
I would also suggest Varkala over Kovalam - the beach seemed a little cleaner and overall it had a more laid back vibe. There are so many great restaurants to eat at too! We stayed at Thiruvambadi Beach Retreat - the owner was kind of rude and difficult to deal with but the pool was lovely and the rooms were clean and tidy. I would say it was 3 star - I definitely didn't see any hotels at either Varkala or Kovalam that I would consider 4 star.
Do any of these beaches have shacks like Goa?
Did you check Kannur forum?
Thottada beach and Kavvayi beach of kannur is beautiful BUT no shacks, only few resorts and homestays and local toddy shops.
If you are only concerned with beautiful unspoilt beaches and nothing else then this is it.
HEY PENNY- I would prefer u about Cherai beach.. its a wonderful beach area where u can relax and enjoy your holidays.its a clean and highly hygenic beach area . Here you can go for Sunbathing and swimming. Here there are lots of beachresorts , restautrent, cottages for your accomadation charts. its an enchanting tourism center where you can share u feelings with your family.
Hello,
Agatti, A nice Island beach 45 mts flying from Cochin, Kovalam , world beach, Cherai, near to Cochin- Virgin beach. and may
Greetings
Samson
JV Holidays Pvt Ltd, Cochin, India
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Hi penny I stayed at Kovolam 3 years ago the beaches are ok not as nice as Goa and there are no beach shacks....
Cherai,beach in Ernakulam District.Very nice place for visit
Edited: 03 February 2012, 12:20
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