Mararikulam Beach: Why This Quiet Kerala Village Beats Alleppey for Slow Travellers

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We had no ‘tourist plan’ when we added Mararikulam to our Kerala itinerary at the last minute.

It was meant to be a reset from our hectic work life and stuffed Kochi Itinerary.

Thankfully, it was exactly that and even more.

So following our own motto of slow travel, we spent 2 days in this almost empty beach town doing nothing, except deeply experiencing the essence of Kerala.

Here is an honest account of how this leg of the trip became the best part of my Kerala vacation.

(Confused about where to start planning for the Kerala trip? Here is a detailed Kerala travel guide for you)

Where is Mararikulam?

Mararikulam is a small, quaint town in Kerala, about a 2.5-hour drive from Kochi and a 30-minute ride from Alleppey.

The roads into town have a sleepy, almost forgotten quality to them. Coconut and banana trees line both sides, and the grass grows low and wild between them.

It’s greener than Kochi, quieter than Alleppey, and nowhere near as commercialised as Varkala.

(Varkala has its own charm and beauty. Know more in this detailed Varkala guide.)

There are no chain restaurants, no curated shopping lanes, no tourist infrastructure to speak of.

It is not a popular tourist place, maybe because it doesn’t boast of anything grand.

But Mararikulam has a beach, which is so quiet and empty that it gives an illusion that it is reserved for you only.

Like a private beachside. Just for you.

Mararikulam could be the best part of your Kerala trip if you wish to explore a peaceful beach destination in India, without the crowds.

Why Does Marari Beach Feel Different?

Kerala, one of the most visited states in India, has lots of beaches. However, they can be extremely crowded during certain seasons.

Mararikulam, though in Kerala, is a small, lesser-known town that still feels untouched.

Although the main Marari Beach is popular, the rest of the area remains peaceful and remote.

The trick is to stay in a boutique resort, where you can truly unwind in solitude.

Where To Stay in Mararikulam? My Pick: Azure Tides Marari

Room rates	₹12,000–20,000/night
Best For	couples, slow travel, private beach access
Where to Book	Agoda.com

There are many resorts in Mararikulam, but the one we chose was certainly special.

Honestly, Azure Tides Resort was a little pricier for us, but looking back, it was the best stay in Kerala.

The resort sits at the literal edge of the beach, literally touching the sand.

The first thing you see when you enter is a small sea-facing restaurant with a view of the uninterrupted ocean.

We checked in during the afternoon, and I remember standing there for a moment trying to believe that we were actually at the edge of the sea.

The rooms had a sundeck outside, wooden beds with a mosquito net draped over them, and an outdoor washroom, with a shower area without a roof.

It wasn’t fancy in the way five-star chain hotels are, but a more earthy, quieter, boutique-style hotel, mirroring our slow travel philosophy.

We spent most of the first evening on the sundeck with books, cards, and beer; my partner convinced one of the staff members to arrange.

The beach was right there whenever we wanted it; we’d walk out, wade in, come back, and then walk out again an hour later.

Neither of us swims, so we watched the waves break and sat on the shore enjoying the sunset.

The next morning, while having breakfast, we spotted dolphins close to the shore.

What to know before you book:

The food is good, but slow — genuinely slow, sometimes over an hour, regardless of what you order.

Plan your meals, especially lunch. This is the one real frustration with the place.

Wi-Fi is weak if you’re in the rooms further from reception (which are the better rooms, naturally).

Come prepared to be offline. Given where you are, that’s not entirely a bad thing.

The staff mostly speaks limited English. One person — Shreenath — was the exception, and communication became easier once we found him.

Don’t let this put you off; they’re warm and genuinely helpful, it just takes a bit of patience.

Check rates on Agoda.com

Would I go back? Yes. A thousand times, yes.

I have written a detailed review about this luxury hotel and other Kerala stays we chose in this hotel review blog.

What to do in Mararikulam?

There’s no major sightseeing in Mararikulam.

It’s less commercialised and not very well-connected.

While that might sound inconvenient, it’s a blessing in disguise for people like us, stuck in the chaos of corporate jobs, living for weekends, and slowly losing joy in our hyper-productive, Instagram-fuelled lives.

Here are a few things that you can still do in the small town of Mararikulam:

Savour the empty beach

The Marari beach itself is long and wide and mostly uncrowded outside of peak season. Savour its rarity.

In the mornings, fishermen wade into the water when the sky is still dark, and by evening, the water turns bronze and then silver as the sun disappears.

You can walk the length of it in either direction without running into much.

Watch the foreigners pretend the heat doesn’t exist.

On both days we were there, European tourists, clearly unused to actual sunshine, were sprawled on the sand in the middle of the afternoon in scorching heat, determined to make the most of it.

It was quietly amusing, considering we were constantly chasing shade, being from Mumbai.

Talk to the other guests.

Because our hotel is slightly isolated and draws an international crowd, you get the chance to have interesting conversations.

We spent a good amount of time talking with a couple from London — about their travels, ours, what we did, and what they thought of India.

We would have missed this had we kept running from tourist place A to B.

Day trip to Alleppey, if you must.

Unlike we had expected, the afternoons were considerably hot.

And so, although we hadn’t planned, we went for a backwater ride in Alleppey, which is just a few minutes from the hotel.

We took a small private boat from a local operator for an hour ride through the backwaters.

The canals were packed with houseboats of every size, some beautiful and painted, some functional and plain.

We glided past coconut groves, and other houseboats, and ate at a local place where the Keralites around us were demolishing heaps of rice in lungis while we picked at our food.

It was not a bad experience, but not as enriching and peaceful as the backwaters in Munroe Island

It broke the beach routine nicely and gave us another reason to choose Munroe Island for backwaters instead.

Note: Do carry a water bottle and sunscreen if you plan to go to Alleppey.

Related Read: Packing Essentials for Kerala

When to go to Marari?

The best time to visit Mararikulam is between November and February.

Being a beach town, it can get humid and hot during the summer, but honestly, the weather is quite similar to Kochi or Varkala, so it’s manageable.

How do I go to Mararikulam?

If you’re planning a Kerala trip, you can easily reach Mararikulam by car or taxi from nearby cities like Kochi, Varkala, or Thiruvananthapuram. (Book a taxi from Kochi here.)

If you’re on a budget, you can also take a train from any of these cities. The nearest railway station is Mararikulam itself.

But if you ask me, go by car—you’ll be able to stop at places like the stunning local church we visited, which was truly worth it.

Planning a trip to Kerala? Get my detailed Kerala Itinerary.

Will I visit Marari Beach again?

For a thousand times.

Doing nothing and being present in the moment at this Mararikulam beach gave me that sense of tranquillity I had been chasing for months.

I was reminded why I prefer slow travel, because it is not about reaching destinations but actually letting our minds wander to the calm depths of nature.

You can also ask at the hotel reception for a traditional Ayurvedic massage that will enhance the slow, relaxing experience.

Travelling in Kerala for the first time? Do not plan your trip without reading these must do experiences.

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Questions You Might Have

Q2. What is Marari Beach famous for?
It’s known for its quiet, unspoiled stretch of sand, coconut groves, and slow travel experiences, a great contrast to Kerala’s busier beaches like Varkala or Kovalam.

The beaches here are clean, and you can get an uninterrupted view of the sunset.

Q3. What is the best time to visit Mararikulam?
You can visit Mararikulam from November to February, when the weather is dry and pleasant. Monsoon (June–September) is beautiful too if you enjoy solitude and lush greenery.

Q4. Are there good resorts near Marari Beach?
Yes, since Marari is perfect for quiet, immersive travel, several good resorts and hotels are offering excellent services, from cozy cottages and Ayurvedic massages to private beach access. You can look at the best resort options at Agoda.com.

Q5. Is Marari Beach safe for swimming?
Mostly yes, but currents can vary. Ensure to check locally before swimming and avoid deep areas during the monsoon.

Have you ever visited a place that made you slow down completely? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.