Kovalam, famous for its beaches, among the most pristine in India. Kovalam is extremely popular among westerners due to shallow waters and low tidal waves. It is also one of the oldest tourist enclave in India, which known among tourist circuit right in 1930s. Kovalam shot into limelight in the early seventies with the transformation of a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in all India- the Kovalam beach.
Kovalam was brought to the public eye by Her Highness The Queen of Travancore Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai decided to build a palace for herself at a rock top near the beach, as her private residence better known as Haylcon Castle. Later, in 1936, the next Queen, HH Karthika Thirunal choose this palace for her honeymoon with her newly wed husband, 1st Prince GV Raja. The Maharaja of Travancore soon started hosting regular state banquets and accommodation of his European guests in Kovalam Haylcon Palace. Kovalam was the first tourist destination to be highlighted and promoted. Today its an internationally renowned beach.
Kovalam has 3 major beaches in its 17 km coastline. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach is the most popular of the three. The Northern most crescent, - is crowded on weekends and is very popular with the locals, day-travelers, and passing-by tourist buses. During the week it's quiet. Hawa Beach is another beach which is quite popular with the locales and tourists.
Those expecting a replica of Goa will be pleasantly surprised by the more relaxed atmosphere- a bit more laid back, the food -a touch softer and lighter.
