India, Asia
The best time to visit Kerala
Backwaters, tea hills, and spice coast in India's green southwest, where the monsoon arrives first and hits hard.
- Best months
- Nov to Feb
- Think twice
- Jun and Jul
- Quietest
- June
- Cheapest
- June
The straight answer
The best time to visit Kerala is November through February: dry, sunny, and warm, after the monsoons and before the heavy humidity of spring.
Go from November through February. The monsoon rains have ended, the backwaters are calm and full, the beaches at Varkala and Kovalam are swimmable, and the hill stations of Munnar and Thekkady are cool and clear. December and January are the peak of the season.
The monsoon is the defining fact of Kerala's calendar. The southwest monsoon usually reaches Kerala around the start of June, earlier than anywhere else in mainland India, and brings heavy rain through September. Seas are rough and beaches are closed to swimming, and landslides can block hill roads. October and November add a second, lighter round of rain from the retreating northeast monsoon, usually in afternoon thunderstorms.
March to May is hot and very humid on the coast, with highs in the low 90s F and sticky nights. The hills are a good escape then. And monsoon season has a following of its own: it is when Ayurveda treatments are traditionally considered most effective, the landscape is spectacularly green, and prices are at their lowest.
Kerala, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryBestDry and sunny, Kochi highs near 89F (32C)Ideal weather across the state. Theyyam season is underway in the north, and the Kochi-Muziris Biennale runs in years it is held.Hotels for January →CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryBestDry, highs near 90F (32C), humidity buildingExcellent for the backwaters and beaches. Eravikulam National Park in Munnar usually closes for the Nilgiri tahr calving season.Hotels for February →CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchGoodHot and humid, highs near 91F (33C)Heat and humidity rise, but the hills are pleasant. Crowds and prices ease.Hotels for March →CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilQuiet valueHot and sticky, highs near 91F (33C), first stormsPre-monsoon thunderstorms. Thrissur Pooram often falls in April or May.CrowdsPrice
- 05MayTradeoffsVery humid, highs near 90F (32C), heavy pre-monsoon rainUncomfortable on the coast. The hills stay pleasant and cheap.CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneThink twiceMonsoon, highs near 84F (29C), very heavy rainThe monsoon arrives with force. Rough seas, closed beaches, and travel delays. Ayurveda season begins.CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyThink twiceMonsoon, highs near 83F (28C), heavy rainAmong the wettest months. Landslides can close roads in Munnar and Wayanad. Great for Ayurveda, poor for sightseeing.CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustTradeoffsMonsoon easing, highs near 84F (29C)Rain starts to ease. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race and Onam can make it memorable.CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberTradeoffsShowery, highs near 85F (29C)Monsoon tails off. Lush landscapes, low prices, and sometimes Onam.CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberQuiet valueAfternoon thunderstorms, highs near 86F (30C)The northeast monsoon brings afternoon storms, but mornings are often fine. Theyyam season starts in the north late in the month.CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberBestDrying out, highs near 87F (31C)Rain eases through the month and the landscape is at its greenest. The best balance of weather, crowds, and price.Hotels for November →CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberBestDry and warm, highs near 88F (31C)Peak season. Christmas to New Year is the most expensive time, especially for houseboats and beach hotels.Hotels for December →CrowdsPrice
Book Kerala for November.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in KeralaOpens a hotel search for Kerala in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in KeralaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in KeralaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Kerala for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Kerala
The backwaters
A network of canals, lakes, and lagoons around Alappuzha (Alleppey) and Kumarakom, best explored on a converted rice-barge houseboat.
Tea hills and spice gardens
Munnar's rolling tea estates and Thekkady's cardamom and pepper plantations, cool and green at roughly 3,000 to 5,000 feet and up.
Fort Kochi's layered history
Chinese fishing nets, Portuguese churches, Dutch buildings, and the Paradesi Synagogue, reflecting centuries of the spice trade.
Traditional arts and Ayurveda
Kathakali dance drama, the spirit-possession ritual of Theyyam, and centuries-old Ayurvedic medicine are all part of daily life.
Things to do, and when to do them
Houseboat on the backwaters
An overnight cruise from Alappuzha or Kumarakom. Choose a licensed operator and avoid the most congested stretches near Alappuzha in peak season.
Fort Kochi and Mattancherry
Walk the waterfront at sunset to see the Chinese fishing nets. The Paradesi Synagogue closes on Fridays and Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Munnar tea country
Stay a night or two among the tea estates. Eravikulam National Park, home to the Nilgiri tahr, usually closes in February and March for calving.
Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady
Boat rides and guided walks. Tigers are rarely seen; elephants, bison, and birds are common. Book boat tickets online.
Varkala cliffs
Beach and cliff-top cafes. Swimming is only safe in the dry season; monsoon seas are dangerous.
A Kathakali performance
Short shows for visitors in Fort Kochi include the elaborate makeup session before the performance.
Theyyam in north Kerala
Ritual performances in village shrines around Kannur, roughly from late October or November into May. Ask locally for the schedule.
Events and seasons worth planning around
Kochi-Muziris Biennale
Usually opens in December and runs to about March or April, held roughly every two years
India's largest contemporary art exhibition, in heritage buildings across Fort Kochi. Check whether it is running in your year.
Theyyam season
Roughly late October or November into May
Ritual dance performances in village shrines in the Kannur and Kasaragod districts, often all night.
Thrissur Pooram
April or May, in the Malayalam month of Medam
Kerala's most spectacular temple festival, with dozens of caparisoned elephants, percussion ensembles, and fireworks. Huge crowds.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Usually the second Saturday of August
Snake boats with more than 100 rowers race on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. Book gallery tickets in advance.
Onam
August or September, in the Malayalam month of Chingam
Kerala's harvest festival: flower carpets, the huge Onam feast (sadya), and boat races. Many businesses close for a few days.
Beat the crowds
- Choose November or February for dry-season weather at lower prices than the December and January peak.
- Book houseboats on the quieter Kumarakom side of Vembanad Lake, or choose a day cruise on the smaller canals by canoe or kettuvallam.
- In Munnar, visit viewpoints and tea museums early in the morning, before the weekend traffic from Kochi arrives.
- Avoid Christmas to New Year for houseboats and beach hotels unless you book months ahead; prices can double.
Open or closed
- During the monsoon (June to September), swimming at beaches is dangerous and often banned, and some hill roads close due to landslides.
- Eravikulam National Park usually closes for the Nilgiri tahr calving season, roughly February to March. Check the dates before planning a visit.
- During Onam, many shops and offices close for several days, though hotels and tourist services stay open.
- Many Hindu temples in Kerala do not allow non-Hindus inside. Check before visiting and dress conservatively.
With kids in tow
- Kerala is relaxed and easy for families. Houseboats, elephants at Thekkady, beaches, and tea plantations are all big hits with kids.
- Check houseboat safety standards: life jackets for children, railings, and a licensed operator.
- Long winding drives into the hills can cause motion sickness. Plan short travel days and stops.
- For homeschool families: Fort Kochi is a living history of the spice trade, with Chinese, Arab, Portuguese, Dutch, and British chapters within a few blocks.
Getting there
- Kochi (COK) is the main gateway, with Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) in the south and Kozhikode (CCJ) in the north. There are no US nonstops; connect via the Gulf hubs (Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi) or via Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru.
- Many visitors combine Kerala with Tamil Nadu, Goa, or the Maldives, which is a short flight from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
- A car and driver is the easiest way to link Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, and the backwaters. Trains run along the coast.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Kerala timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit Kerala?
December or January, for dry, sunny weather everywhere from the backwaters to the hills. November and February offer similar weather with lower prices.
When is monsoon season in Kerala?
The southwest monsoon usually arrives around the start of June and lasts through September, with the heaviest rain in June and July. A lighter northeast monsoon brings afternoon storms in October and November.
Is monsoon a good time to visit Kerala?
For Ayurveda treatments and green landscapes at low prices, yes. For beaches and sightseeing, no. Heavy rain, rough seas, and landslides can disrupt travel.
What is the cheapest time to visit Kerala?
June to August. Hotels and houseboats offer their lowest rates of the year, but expect heavy rain.
When is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race?
Usually on the second Saturday of August on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, though the date has occasionally been moved. Check the official site.
Is Kerala too hot in April and May?
On the coast, April and May are hot and very humid, with highs in the low 90s F. The hill stations of Munnar and Thekkady are much more comfortable.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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