Best time to visit Kerala

2 min summary When to go Map & highlights Food Houseboats Spices and tea Walking Ayurveda Families Advice Responsible tourism All our India guides

Best time to visit Kerala

The second monsoon that happens October and November has virtually fizzled out. So, all in all, apart from June and July, you can go anytime

When working out the best time to visit Kerala, we do not recommend travelling during the monsoon, which peaks Jun-Aug with torrential rain and widespread flooding. Meanwhile, in the dry months of Dec-Jan, Kerala is flooded with tourists. Come immediately post monsoon and the rain has turned forests, mountains and waterfalls to levels of lusciousness that look as if you have a filter on your camera. With the exception of the mountains, it’s hot all year round with mid-Feb to mid-May hitting 35°C. Bring a brolly though, as it can rain anytime.

Call us for the best time to go to Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

119

MAY

210

JUN

341

JUL

239

AUG

156

SEP

175

OCT

268

NOV

192

DEC

Our Kerala Holidays

When to visit Kerala

Stay clear of the monsoon peak in June, July and August. While the severe floods of summer 2018 were the result of particularly high rainfall, flooding on a smaller scale is not uncommon, businesses may close and some areas may be inaccessible. Houseboats and hiking in the Western Ghats aren’t much fun during this time, either. Just after the monsoon, in September, everything is exquisitely emerald, so a great time for hiking or exploring the hill stations. Unlike some national parks in India, Periyar stays open all year round. The most popular time to visit is during the cooler, drier months from October to February. It is particularly vibrant just after monsoon, and there are fewer people. The best time for viewing elephants is during the hotter months of March and April, when they spend the most time in the water. Periyar is best avoided on weekends due to crowds of day tourists. Sun worshippers will be at their happiest between October and February, when their god makes her most glorious appearances. February until May are also lovely, although a lot more humid. There is another monsoon October to November but many local people say this is now disappearing and much less of an issue. December and January bring a flood of tourists just about everywhere, however. A tailor made holiday during this time will enable you to get off the beaten track if that is what you are seeking.

Need some help? Give us a call

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Kerala or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Responsible Travel recommends

Rajat Kumar, Managing Director at our supplier ExplorIndya:
“February and March are wonderful, because places and people are more relaxed after the Christmas rush. October and November are also great, as it is fresh off the monsoon and everything is luscious and green. For hiking March is perfect with clear blue skies - the sort of weather where you wake up with your eyes closed and still know it is a sunny day."

Diana Syrett, Managing Director of one of our top suppliers, Kerala Connections:
“The Easter holidays are good for families and August/September is still low season in a lot of the lowlands, but you need to book flights well in advance for that time of year. Also we used to warn people about the second monsoon, in October/November, but it has virtually fizzled out."

Vishal Koshy, General Manager of one of our supplier, Kalypso Adventures:
“Activity wise, June and July is not advisable, because of the monsoon, especially trekking. It is fine for sightseeing as it doesn’t rain all day, and I love driving during the monsoon as everything is so green and the waterfalls are very full. Also, if you want to enjoy festivals, come in March and April, our summer period. There is a lot of tropical fruit during that time too, so we have mango festivals and so on. “

Festivals & events in Kerala

The Aranmula or
Snake Boat Races

During August or September, depending on the date of the Onam harvest festival, villagers and families race in magnificent handmade wooden boats, with up to 60 oarsmen in each, along the backwaters. An ancient tradition for men who worked the backwaters in their rice boats to show their prowess on the water. And still is.

More about Kerala

Kerala travel guide

This Kerala travel guide explores every side of this southern Indian state, from hiking in the Ghat Mountains, and canoeing through the backwaters, to discovering Kerala’s stonkingly delicious food, tea and spices.

Kerala map & highlights

Kerala’s map and highlights of places to see covers a glorious gamut of temples and trekking, backwaters and beaches, spices and cycling , tigers and tea plantations.

Things to do in Kerala

Slow travel is the way to go here, because there are so many culturally exciting things to do in Kerala, you need to time to take it all in.

Food in Kerala

The food in Kerala is as big a highlight as its green hills, coast and wonderful wildlife, and its mellow flavours and nutritious ingredients have seduced many a hungry traveller.

Kerala houseboats

Kerala’s converted rice barges are a great way to explore the backwaters, and the houseboats that Responsible Travel recommends offer an authentic experience.

Kerala spices & tea plantations

In Kerala, visiting the spice and tea plantations that cloak the hills is a highlight of any holiday, while on the coast, the port town of Kochi still bustles with the spice trade.

Walking in Kerala

Hiking through tea and spice plantations, up forested slopes to peaks with views over lakes and distant plains – walking holidays in Kerala are a treat.

Ayurveda in Kerala

Ayurveda is an ancient healthcare system that originated in southern India and still thrives in Kerala today.

Kerala with kids

Some families head to Kerala to soak up the winter sun, but there are many ways to see Kerala with kids that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Kerala travel advice

Read lots of advice on travel to Kerala, on everything from visas and packing, to culture and food, from some of our expert travel companies and fellow travellers.