When to Go

High Season: October to March

Although Kerala used to have a second dip in visitor numbers during October's monsoon, this month now marks the beginning of the high season for all hotels and tour operators, with foreign tourists flocking in to take advantage of "monsoon tourism" deals. December and January are the peak tourist months, so be prepared to pay top rates around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. If you plan on visiting during that time be sure to book way ahead, as many hotels run on full occupancy. Because of Kerala’s many Christians, this time of the year is quite festive and very enjoyable. The climate is ideal for the beach and backwaters, while the hills offer a cooler alternative.

Low Season: March to July

By March the tourist season starts to wind down as temperatures soar to almost 40 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit) and the air becomes humid. June brings in the monsoon season that lasts up to mid-August (in the last few years). This rainy season deters tourists bound for the beaches and the backwaters, but it's supposed to be the best time for ayurvedic treatments. At the start of the monsoon it can rain continuously for many days at a time. Otherwise you get intermittent showers with lovely days of sunshine in between. The landscape is a really rich green, tourists are few, and hotel discounts excellent. So planning a visit after the middle of the rains or beyond may make sense for travelers who can handle a little rain. The hills, including Munnar and Kannur, are still pleasant during this time and often cater to domestic tourists escaping the heat in the plains.

Shoulder Season: August and September

By mid-August the monsoons are over and the temperature is cooler. The Onam Festival is celebrated across Kerala around this time, and the Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race is held on the backwaters on the second Saturday in August. With the exception of dates around those two events, tourists can find some of the best deals during this period, and domestic vacationers often take advantage of this. The cooler temperature and good prices make this an ideal time to visit, although, because August is the tail end of the monsoon and the sea is on high tide, swimming in the ocean is restricted on several beaches. This is also bug season, so insect repellents and a suitcase full of long pants is advisable to ward off the mosquitoes that can cramp evenings outside, and go easy on uncooked food or food cooked in less-than-trustworthy kitchens.