What to Know Before a Kerala Trip: Essential Tips for First-Time Travellers!

Small practical tips can turn a good Kerala trip into an unforgettable one, from where to find the best vegetarian meals to what to pack for Kerala’s tricky weather.

I am sure you would agree.

So, if Kerala has been on your bucket list, here are a few tips for Kerala travel that I hope will help you have a memorable trip without the blunders or any hiccups.

Plan Your Route, Not Just Your Destination.

If you prefer last-minute travel, one-way tickets, or spontaneous trips, Kerala can be frustrating: distances, seasonal timing, and transport options reward a little planning.

You can explore almost every landscape here, and understandably, you would want to cover everything.

However, it would be better to pick your preferences beforehand so that you do not miss the important spots. For instance, we had chosen Kerala as a destination to be around a water body as much as we could, and so we skipped Munnar, which is a fantastic destination for mountain lovers. But you do you!

If you’re planning to stay at Kochi, check out my Kochi travel guide. Even though you haven’t planned on halting at Kochi, check out the blog to see what you could be missing.

But naturally, picking the best cities to visit in Kerala can be pretty confusing and overwhelming. Here are a few cheat codes:

• Speak to a few travel agents with whom you can share your preferences and ask for suggestions before planning.
• On the other hand, guided tours are always a good alternative option.
• Avoid visiting only famous tourist places; your experience may not meet your expectations
• Instead, look for alternate destinations that offer the same geographical landscape but are comparatively less crowded and famous.

We chose to experience the backwaters in Munroe Island instead of Alleppey, which is comparatively less known and so more fulfilling.

Best Time to Visit Kerala: Check the Weather, Not Just the Forecast

Quick Tip: Pack a light rain jacket and breathable layers; nights can be cool even in winter hill stations.

Kerala is one of those rare destinations that look lovely in all weathers. While it is gorgeous in spring, monsoons are another time of year you can plan your trip in if you don’t mind heavy downpours and a damp climate. Kerala looks heavenly during monsoons with lush greenery and amazing landscapes to enjoy and capture; however, you would need to pack rain gear.

Don’t trust long-range forecasts. Check the weather 3–5 days before you go and pack layers. And if you travel in the monsoon season, be ready for heavy rain and slow roads.

If you pick the winter months (Oct-Jan), Munnar could be freezing cold, while other parts of the state, like Kochi, Trivandrum, Alleppey, etc., would be pleasant. However, summers could get extremely hot and humid (even as early as March).

We visited Kerala at the end of February, expecting pleasant weather if not winter. However, we were highly disappointed, as summer had already crept into most of the cities. It was sweltering hot, significantly dampening our mood and experience.

While the beaches were a respite in the evenings, it was pretty painful going around the city, trying not to get heatstroke.

TL;DR: Do not rely on the weather forecast while you plan the trip. Speak to your travel agents or booking agents to know the weather status. Or you can do a quick rain check just before the trip and reshuffle your clothes if needed.

Kerala Temple Dress Code: What to Wear & What to Avoid!

Temple dress codes are a big deal in Kerala State. While it is advised to wear modest clothes anywhere you go, you need to be extra careful while visiting temples.

Many temples, like the very famous Padmanabhaswamy temple, have specific & strict dress codes:

• Men: carry a mundu/dhoti or long trousers — many temples require bare body & bare legs or a mundu.
• Women: saree, half-saree, skirts or a modest dress; avoid exposed shoulders in sanctums.
• No shorts /jeans in sanctum areas.
• Carry a scarf or shawl to cover up quickly

We visited the Janardhana Swamy Temple in Varkala, a 2000-year-old temple. Surprisingly, men wearing shorts were not allowed to enter, and those wearing full pants and jeans had to open their shirts and hang them on one arm before they could enter the main sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

Related Read: Packing tips for Kerala trip

Kerala Street Shopping: Haggling Tips That Work!

If you are good at bargaining, you would surely enjoy your small wins shopping.

Cities like Varkala and Alleppey are visited by lakhs of tourists every year and are extremely touristy when it comes to street shopping and experiences. A useful Kerala travel tip: Before you shop for clothes or accessories in the famous Varkala cliff or book yourself a cruise over the backwaters, bargain hard.

If you are unaware of the rates of the backwater cruise, it would be best to speak to your guide or hotel managers to know the reasonable price of the experience.

Especially if you are not Indian, you can be easily fooled into paying exorbitant prices unless you bargain.

Tip: Start at 40-50% of the seller’s price and work up. Be firm but polite and respect them if they are adamant. Locals respond better to a smile than to aggression. :)

Related: Get a free guide to enjoying experiential, slow vacations here.  

Taste Kerala on a Plate: Must-Try Dishes!

Disclaimer: Kerala food is full of flavors and textures but can be spicy. If you have a sensitive palate or prefer simple, non-spicy food, it would be better to inform your host beforehand.

While travelling anywhere in India, let alone Kerala, do not miss out on street food and traditional cuisine to get the real sense of the food.

Kerala cuisine is a celebration of spice, coconut, and tradition. Don’t miss a Sadya, Kerala’s multi-course vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf (think rice, sambar, avial, thoran, pickles, and payasam), loved by both locals and visitors alike.

Try Meen Pollichathu, a coastal specialty: spicy fish wrapped in banana leaf and grilled for smoky flavor.

For everyday meals, you can opt for soft appams with stew or flaky Kerala parotta paired with fiery curry.

And if the flavor board seems overwhelming for you, like it did for me, just ask for a bowl of ‘curd-rice,’ a comfort food made with rice and curd tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves.

Plan a Lazy Trip to Kerala—Don’t Rush

Kerala is a gorgeous place and is called ‘God’s own land.’ Its backwaters, beaches, and laid-back lifestyle help you relax & rejuvenate deeply. Hence, plan a slow trip!

As I said, there would be many places you would want to cover, but you would never be able to enjoy the best parts if you do not spend at least a day in each place.

Whether it is the cliff beaches of Varkala or the backwaters of Alleppey, spend at least a day around them, gazing at the sun, sipping on your favorite drinks.

“Kerala rewards the curious traveler”. So, an unpopular Kerala Itinerary tip: go slow, stay flexible, and let the state’s beauty unfold at its own pace.

If this helped, share with someone planning Kerala and drop your tips in the comments.

Questions you might have!

What is the best month to visit Kerala?
To enjoy cool, dry days, plan your trip around October to Feb. For the lush monsoon view, the best time to visit Kerala is from June to Sept. However, different regions could have different weather and temperatures.

How many days are enough to spend in Kerala?
For a relaxed trip, 7 to 10 days are enough. You can visit 3–4 spots (covering beaches, backwaters, hill stations, and cities) with one day each.

What should I wear to Kerala temples?
Keralite traditions call for strict dress codes in temples. For men, you can wear mundu or long trousers; for women, saree or blouse and skirt will be an apt outfit. Do carry a scarf to cover your shoulders.

Are houseboats expensive in Kerala?
The prices for the day trip and night stay can vary based on the seasons and boat quality. The best way is to check at the hotel/reception for going rates and negotiate. Always negotiate respectfully.