Kerala has three seasons that matter to a traveller: the dry winter, the hot pre-monsoon summer and the long monsoon. There is no bad time to go, but each season suits a different kind of trip.
October to February: the classic season
After the monsoon the state is at its greenest, the air is clearer and humidity drops. This is the best time for the classic route of Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey, and for beach time in Kovalam and Varkala.
- Hills: days are mild in Munnar; December and January nights can be cold enough for a jacket.
- Backwaters: houseboat cruises are comfortable and the light on Vembanad Lake is soft.
- Beaches: seas calm down by November and most beach cafés reopen.
Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive weeks. Book houseboats and hill resorts early if you travel then.
March to May: hot, quieter and good value
The coast and backwaters become hot and humid, but the hill stations come into their own. Munnar, Wayanad and Vagamon are pleasant escapes, and hotel rates on the coast are lower. Periyar at Thekkady can be good for wildlife as animals come to the lake.
June to September: the monsoon
The southwest monsoon arrives in early June and brings heavy, steady rain. Some travellers avoid it; others love it.
- It is the traditional season for Ayurveda, when the body is said to respond best to treatment. A week in Kovalam or Kumarakom works well.
- Waterfalls are spectacular and the hills are lush, but treks can be slippery and some viewpoints are hidden in cloud.
- The Nehru Trophy Boat Race on Punnamada Lake near Alleppey is held in August.
Pack light rain gear, plan indoor alternatives and keep a flexible schedule.
Festival timing
Onam, Kerala's harvest festival, falls in August or September and brings flower carpets, feasts (sadhya) and snake-boat races. Thrissur Pooram, with its elephant processions, is in April or May.
Our suggestion
For a first trip, aim for October to March. For a quiet hill holiday, choose April or May. For wellness, choose the monsoon. Whatever the month, see our Hill-station holidays and Honeymoon packages pages for itineraries that suit the season.
When to go
When to go
When to go
When to go