With rolling hills, tea plantations, mesmerizing landscapes, beautiful beaches and backwaters, finding the best time to visit Kerala in South India can be a task. While the best time to visit Kerala depends on your preference, winters and monsoons are ideal according to us.
November to March is the best time to visit Kerala. It is the winter season and peak tourist season, since the climate is extremely pleasant. Kerala in monsoon season has its own charm, as the entire state is filled with lush greenery.
Even the Kerala summer season is bearable with its green hills, cooler climate and hill stations.
Known as God’s own country, Kerala is a year round destination for budget travellers, luxurious vacationers, couples, families, and solo travellers alike.
This guide tells you the best time to visit Kerala so that you get the most out of the beaches, backwaters, major attractions, festivals, and nature.
Get in touch with us to find out more, including the famous ayurvedic treatments, or to start making the perfect tour plans for your next trip!
Weather in Kerala:
If you are planning to visit Kerala, you need to know the climate and weather in Kerala throughout the year. Kerala experiences four seasons – winter, summer, south-west monsoon, and north-east monsoon.
Kerala is a tropical state, which means that the weather in Kerala is typically humid all year round. You can expect heavy rains during the summer monsoon season from June to August.
During summer season, Kerala can experience storms and cyclones, so Kerala summers are not the best time to visit Kerala.
The best time to visit Kerala is between November and March, with clear blue skies and minimal rainfall. The pleasant weather continues throughout the season.
However, Kerala doesn’t get extremely hot in summer like most other parts of India, even though it is close to the equator. That is because the Western Ghats, India’s high mountain ranges along the western coast, prevent the warm winds from reaching there. So the average temperature is consistently below 35 degrees celsius on most days.
Kerala’s hill stations like Munnar and Thekkady are cooler than coastal cities of Kochi and Trivandrum, with a comfortable climate throughout the year.
Munnar, and hill stations like it, are painted with a broad stroke of luscious green, especially in the Monsoon (Photo Credit – Sreehari Devadas_unsplash)
Winter season in Kerala
Winter is considered to be the best season to visit Kerala. The end of November till late February constitutes winter season in Kerala. Temperature remains pleasant during this time, rarely rising above 30 degrees celsius. The mountainous regions of Wayanad, Munnar, and Thekkady can get quite cold, so be sure to pack some warmer clothes.
The peak season for tourism in Kerala begins from November, and rightfully so – it is the best time to visit Kerala.
The pleasant weather makes it the best season to enjoy local sightseeing in Kerala. Winters are perfect to visit as many destinations and tourist attractions as you can fit in your itinerary.
You can visit the famous tea plantations in Kerala, go for beach visits and enjoy beach activities and water sports, explore the backwaters of Kerala with boat excursions and houseboat cruises, or trek to the waterfalls during this season. Thanks to the cooler weather, the backwaters will experience less humidity and feel more pleasant.
For wildlife enthusiasts, winter is a great time to visit the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala, or even go on some wildlife safaris.
Popular tourist destinations will be crowded during this season, but it is worth it. The climate is cool and you can soak the natural beauty of this state to the fullest.
The best time to visit Kerala is also the best time to see the gorgeous tea plantations (Photo Credit – Girish Gopi)
Summer in Kerala
Kerala commences its summer season towards the end of February. The weather in Kerala in summer can vary from warm temperatures to scorching heat depending on the diverse range of region.
But while most regions in India tend to get intensely hot in summers, Kerala’s climate differs because of its geography.
The state is close to the equator, but the climate is not as hot as you would expect. That’s because the Western Ghats block the hot winds and the Arabian Sea offers a constant flow of cool breeze along the coast, keeping the heat in control.
Temperatures range from 32 degrees celsius to 36 degrees celsius. However, there is too much humidity in the air, so Kerala remains hot and physical activities can get exhausting.
The hill stations of Kerala are perfect to beat the summer heat. The slightly cooler weather at the picturesque Munnar, Thekkady, and Vagamon are great for trekking, hiking, and biking.
There are many local festivals that happen in summer in Kerala. If you want to immerse yourself in the culture of Kerala, summers are a good time to do so.
The summer season doesn’t see a lot of tourists in Kerala, so if you are on a tight budget, it is the perfect time to visit: you get lesser crowds and reduced prices.
The backwaters of Kerala are in season throughout the year, but during the summer months of April and May, the water levels are too low to explore as much of the river and lake landscapes. Adding the humidity in the mix, it can be challenging to visit backwaters for a long time.
Pack light clothing, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses while travelling to Kerala during the humid summer season. Make sure you keep yourself hydrated and eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
There’s something about Kerala’s empty beaches that can be very appealing(Photo Credit – weareaway)
Monsoon in Kerala
The unique thing about Kerala is that this state experiences two monsoon seasons: The Southwest monsoon season from June to August, and the Northeast monsoon season from October to November. August constitutes monsoon season in Kerala, and rains are at their peak in this month.
The Western Ghats get hit first by the clouds in Kerala, making precipitation and humidity extremely high.
Ideally, the rainy season is not the best time to visit Kerala thanks to the constant rains, but since monsoon travels have started becoming popular, Kerala is one of the topmost destinations for a monsoon vacation.
Kerala’s monsoon season offers beautiful scenery. The lush green landscapes of Kerala become even more vibrant during monsoons – a sight to behold, as long as you can withstand the heavy rainfall. Monsoon seasons in Kerala, with their refreshing showers, can give its winter seasons a run for their money.
An added bonus? Monsoon is considered to be an off season for travel in Kerala, so you get great discounts on your hotel rates, tickets, and transportation. With lesser crowds, you can also explore the stunning landscape of Kerala without the rush.
Kerala is a popular destination for wellness centres, Ayurvedic therapies, and the Kerala massage. The best time to undergo these Ayurvedic massages is during the monsoons. The cool, moist, and dust-free weather help the Ayurveda therapies work more effectively by opening up our skin pores. The post-treatment period for the Ayurvedic treatments also needs your body to cool down, which is helped by the cool monsoon weather.
The Northeast monsoon season can cause heavy downpours with thunder and lightning. The climate can get as hot as the summer season. So make sure to check the Kerala weather forecast while planning your travels.
Heavy rains might hamper tour plans. Prepare to be flexible, as the landslides and flooding may cause blockages and delays in terms of transport. If this happens, we highly recommend some chai and hot local snacks along with indulging in ayurveda therapies.
Make sure you pack raincoats, umbrellas, and appropriate shoes if you plan to visit Kerala during monsoons. Carry plastic bags to keep your gadgets safe from the rainwater. On nature treks you’ll encounter some blood-sucking leeches but not to worry, locals know how to prevent and handle those situations.
The beaches are empty from May till September. The current is too strong for swimming, and the wind and weather don’t allow you to sunbathe either. Many places close down for the season.
Festivals in Kerala:
Due to its history of colonization and trade, Kerala is home to many religions – Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. As a result, there are many religious festivals, spiritual and cultural festivals that are celebrated in this state. Experience Kerala’s ancient traditions as you see the people of Kerala celebrating elephant festivals, dancing to folk dances, praying to Gods, and keeping their heritage intact.
Here are some famous festivals that you should not miss if you are travelling to India during this time.
These magnificent elephants are a part of some festival celebrations in Kerala (Photo Credit – Brian Holsclaw)
Onam:
A traditional harvest festival, the Onam festival is a 10-day celebration that happens in September. It is the biggest festival for locals in Kerala. Everybody decorates houses, prepares feasts, and plays games. The best part is the Onam Pulikkali Tiger Play, where people dress up as tigers. There are also snake boat races across multiple cities in the state.
Thrissur Pooram:
The Thrissur Pooram Festival is celebrated in April or May in Thrissur. The highlight of this festival is a procession of 101 decorated elephants, with five musical instruments and incredible fireworks.
Pongala:
Pongala is a 10-day festival attended by thousands of female devotees at Attukal Bhagavathy temple near Trivandrum. Men are not allowed near the temple. On this day, the goddess is offered Pongala, a sweet porridge, prepared in a clay pot on open fire.
Vishu:
Celebrated in April or May, Vishu festival is the astronomical New Year celebrated by Hindus in Kerala. They believe that the first object you see on this day influences the fortunes of the subsequent year.
Kochi-Muziris Biennale:
If religious festivals aren’t your thing, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is a contemporary art festival that takes place every winter from December to March in Kochi. You will find art exhibitions of different mediums in galleries and open spaces all over the city.
Men and women participate in the festivities in Kerala (Photo Credit – Bobinson K B)
A year round destination, the natural beauty of Kerala will ensure that you have a memorable holiday that keeps you wanting more. From the hill stations of Kerala to beach getaways, tea and spice plantations to floating on a houseboat in the enchanting lagoons of the Kerala backwaters, there is magic to be unravelled. Whether you are seeking adventure or wanting to explore Kerala luxuriously, we will plan the perfect Kerala holidays for you. So, if you are interested in travelling to Kerala on your own customized itinerary, plan your trip with us now.
Also Read: Best Time to Visit India: Expert Suggestions
About Harsh Sonawala
Harsh Sonawala is the co founder of India Someday and since his childhood, he has travelled to different parts of India and the world. The thrill of travelling and sharing his experiences with others was the reason behind starting India Someday. Other than the office where he is conjuring up marketing ideas, he can be found scuba diving in the Andamans or relaxing in a chalet in the Himalayas.
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