Kovalam Travel Forum

I'm FINALLY going to Kerala - been wanting to go forever! - & this is the year -YIPPEEE!!!

just a few questions

- I'm planning on going in November & am limited to the beginning of the month due to work commitments, is this a good time to go? - in the brochures it appears to be the start of the "season" in that no-one seems to go before the 1st
- what is the weather like then? I know it's going to be hot but can't seem to find anything out about rain & humidity
- the hotel I'm looking at is the Jasmine Palace, a good choice?? I've only been able to find a couple of reviews so any extra info would be great!
- can I withdraw cash from an atm using a UK bank card or is it better to take travellers cheques?

thanks

Thanks for your offer of help. I'm staying in Kovalam & will be trying to see as much as I can in the short 2 weeks I'll be there.

Hi,Just got back from 3 weeks at the Jasmine Palace. It's in a very good position,at the bottom of a steep hill,on the flat area,only about 100 yds from Hawah & Lighthouse beaches & all the shops & restaurants along the beach fronts.My best advice is book the type of room you want before you get there (ie air con or room in new block which has tv & remote air con) as the owner,Sunil will charge you as much as he can get away with for an upgraded room once you are there.All the rooms are quite basic but cleaned daily with fresh towels & bedding every other day. The pool area & restaurant could have been cleaner but,hey this IS India! All in all,a good choice of hotel if the price is right. An English couple who now live there kindly passed us there taxi driver's no. & he took us on the over night house boat trip (fabulous!) & a day trip to Land's End (also worth it) at a fraction of the cost that the reps charge. His name is Hari & is no. is 93493 22820. Good Luck ! John & Elaine

Apparently,according to the locals,November is a very good time to visit as everything is nice and fresh after the monsoon & the temperatures & humidity are not as unbearable as they are in March when the monsoon is getting close. Also,the sea is very rough in March (a 10yr old Indian boy drowned while we were there). There is an ATM at the top of the hill,a 10 min walk or 50 rupee (85 to the pound)tuk tuk ride from the Jasmine Palace.
If you do stay there the best retaurants on the front are definitely the "Swiss Cafe" & "Malibar" unless you like seafood in which case you'll be spoilt for choice - a 2 course evening meal with drinks for 2 people will cost an average of 600 - 700 rupees ! Also,if you walk up the hill you can catch a local bus to the city,Trivandrum for 8 rupees,well worth the experience & eating out ther is far,far cheaper !!! t

Thank you SO much for your reply it's unbelievably helpful & it's made me glad I've chosen the Jasmine Palace! I'm even more impatient to get there now!!!