Best time to visit Kerala
Kerala has two monsoons. The main south-west monsoon runs from early June to September, with heavy rain, closed beaches and the traditional Ayurveda season, while October and November bring afternoon showers from the north-east monsoon. December to February is the dry, busy peak, with comfortable heat on the coast and cool nights in Munnar. March to May is hot and humid on the plains, but the hill stations are at their best. Festivals such as Onam and the August boat races are worth planning around.
Seasons in Kerala
- Winter, Dec–Feb: Dry, sunny coasts and cool hills (Munnar nights can drop to single digits); the best time for backwaters and beaches. In season: Wayanad, Athirappilly Falls, Kochi (Fort Kochi), Munnar, Thekkady (Periyar), Kumarakom, Alleppey (Alappuzha), Varkala, Kovalam & Thiruvananthapuram.
- Summer, Mar–May: Hot and humid on the coast with pre-monsoon showers; Munnar and Wayanad stay pleasant. In season: Wayanad, Munnar, Thekkady (Periyar).
- South-west monsoon, Jun–Sep: Heavy rain, closed beaches and full waterfalls; the traditional season for Ayurveda treatments. In season: Athirappilly Falls, Kumarakom.
- North-east monsoon, Oct–Nov: Afternoon showers with clear mornings; drying out by late November. In season: Wayanad, Athirappilly Falls, Kochi (Fort Kochi), Munnar, Thekkady (Periyar), Kumarakom, Alleppey (Alappuzha), Varkala, Kovalam & Thiruvananthapuram.
Peak, shoulder and off season in Kerala
- Peak season, Dec–Feb: Houseboats, beach resorts and Munnar fill up, especially over Christmas; book early.
- Shoulder season, Mar, Aug–Nov: Onam and the snake-boat races in August–September, and greener, quieter months either side of winter.
- Off season, Apr–Jul: Hot or monsoon months with the lowest prices; Karkidakam Ayurveda packages run in July.
Kerala in January
Winter · Peak season
Peak season: dry, sunny coasts and cool hills (Munnar nights can drop to single digits). Sabarimala pilgrim traffic peaks around Makaravilakku in mid-January on roads near Thekkady.
In season: Wayanad, Athirappilly Falls, Kochi (Fort Kochi), Munnar, Thekkady (Periyar), Kumarakom, Alleppey (Alappuzha), Varkala, Kovalam & Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala in February
Winter · Peak season
Dry and warm; one of the best months for the backwaters and beaches. Eravikulam's tahr-calving closure often starts this month. In Biennale years, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is on.
In season: Wayanad, Kochi (Fort Kochi), Munnar, Thekkady (Periyar), Kumarakom, Alleppey (Alappuzha), Varkala, Kovalam & Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala in March
Summer · Shoulder season
Hot and humid on the coast (around 33°C); Munnar stays pleasant. Attukal Pongala, when vast numbers of women cook offerings on Thiruvananthapuram's streets, falls in Feb or March.
In season: Wayanad, Kochi (Fort Kochi), Munnar, Thekkady (Periyar), Kumarakom, Alleppey (Alappuzha), Varkala, Kovalam & Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala in April
Summer · Off season
Hot with the first pre-monsoon showers. Vishu, the Malayalam new year, is in mid-April; Thrissur Pooram, the great temple-elephant festival, falls in April or May.
In season: Wayanad, Munnar, Thekkady (Periyar).
Kerala in May
Summer · Off season
Very humid with evening thunderstorms building towards the monsoon; the quietest and cheapest month. Hill stations are busy with domestic holidaymakers.
In season: Wayanad, Munnar.
Kerala in June
South-west monsoon · Off season
The south-west monsoon arrives around 1 June: heavy rain, rough seas and closed beaches, but lush scenery and low prices. Monsoon Ayurveda programmes begin.
In season: Athirappilly Falls.
Kerala in July
South-west monsoon · Off season
Peak monsoon. Karkidakam (mid-July to mid-August) is the traditional month for Ayurveda treatments; houseboats still run, and waterfalls such as Athirappilly are at their fullest.
In season: Athirappilly Falls, Kumarakom.
Kerala in August
South-west monsoon · Shoulder season
Rain eases in spells. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race takes place on Punnamada Lake at Alappuzha, usually on the second Saturday of August; Onam can fall in late August or September.
In season: Athirappilly Falls, Kumarakom.
Kerala in September
South-west monsoon · Shoulder season
Onam, Kerala's harvest festival, usually falls in Aug or September with sadya feasts, flower carpets and snake-boat races (dates shift). Showers continue, and the hills are green.
In season: Athirappilly Falls, Munnar, Alleppey (Alappuzha).
Kerala in October
North-east monsoon · Shoulder season
The north-east monsoon brings afternoon showers in Oct–Nov, but mornings are often clear. Waterfalls are still full; houseboats and hill resorts start to fill up.
In season: Wayanad, Athirappilly Falls, Kochi (Fort Kochi), Munnar, Thekkady (Periyar), Kumarakom, Alleppey (Alappuzha).
Kerala in November
North-east monsoon · Shoulder season
Showery at first, drying out later. The Sabarimala pilgrimage season begins in mid-November, bringing heavy traffic on the Kumily and Pathanamthitta roads.
In season: Wayanad, Athirappilly Falls, Kochi (Fort Kochi), Munnar, Thekkady (Periyar), Kumarakom, Alleppey (Alappuzha), Varkala, Kovalam & Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala in December
Winter · Peak season
Peak season: dry, pleasant weather and Christmas in Kochi. The Cochin Carnival ends on New Year's Eve in Fort Kochi; in Biennale years the Kochi-Muziris Biennale opens in December. Book houseboats early.
In season: Wayanad, Athirappilly Falls, Kochi (Fort Kochi), Munnar, Thekkady (Periyar), Kumarakom, Alleppey (Alappuzha), Varkala, Kovalam & Thiruvananthapuram.