Kerala India Travel – why visiting during the monsoon isn’t such a bad idea

I love Kerala, India travel and I’m not alone. This tropical green state in the far South of India is a popular destination for both Indian and foreign tourists. Most visitors come during the winter months when the weather is warm and dry, avoiding the heat and rain of the summer monsoon months.

However, travel to Kerala during the summer isn’t such a bad idea, as there are many advantages to visiting when everyone else is staying away.

Here are the benefits of summer travel to Kerala:

1) Fewer tourists – you’ll be able to enjoy tourist attractions without the crowds, and won’t need to book accommodation or activities in advance.

2) Lower prices – accommodation prices and airfares are slashed during this off-peak season, and you’ll be in a better bargaining position for activities and other purchases.

3) Mangoes! – this succulent, sweet fruit comes into season during early summer, so winter visitors really miss out on this delicious treat. The Alphonso mango is considered to be the best variety.

4) Ayurvedic treatments – the monsoon season is the best time to experience Ayurvedic treatments, as the dampness opens the pores and makes the body receptive to the oils used. Kerala is the best place in the country to discover this ancient method of health care.

5) Onam Festival – this harvest festival takes place in Kerala during August or September, and celebrates Mahabali a mythical King of ancient Kerala. The 10 day festival highlights Kerala’s rich cultural heritage and features sports, games, dance, theatre, classical music, an elephant procession and delicious feasts.

6) Snake Boat Race – the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race takes place in Alleppey during the Onam Festival and attracts thousands of locals and tourists to watch the huge snake boats, each with up to 100 rowers racing through the waters.

7) Dramatic rains – the heavy rains of the monsoon aren’t always a bad thing. The locals greet the rains with jubilation as they provide relief from the heat of early summer, and the rains are incredibly dramatic. It rarely rains all day, and when it stops the sun comes out.

If you do decide to travel to Kerala during the summer, and once there really can’t stand the heat, you can escape to the cool hill station of Munnar, or even take advantage of the fact that the summer is the best time to visit the India Himalayas. Yes, they are at the other end of huge India, but there should be plenty of cheap airfares available.

To find out more about visiting Kerala (at any time of the year!) and for helpful tips on planning your trip visit Kerala India Travel.