Kovalam : It is Kerala's most popular beach side resort, 13 km from Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam retains certain charm, with good beaches, a lush and peaceful palm and paddy setting, decent restaurants and a plethora of places to stay in all price ranges.

Kovalam consists of two coves (Lighthouse beach and Hawah beach) separated from less populated beaches north and south by rocky headlands.

Women are likely to grow tired of the parade of male Indian day trippers who stroll along the beach in the hope of glimpsing female flesh. Swim only between the flags, in the area patrolled by the lifeguards.

The Vizhinjam lighthouse can be visited (Ticket Rs 10). A one km walk on road takes one to the Vizhinjam beach.

KSRTC operates local buses between Thiruvananthapuram and Kovalam in every 20 minutes between 0530 to 2130 h (Rs 7, 30 minutes).