India, Asia

Kerala in July

Among the wettest months. Landslides can close roads in Munnar and Wayanad. Great for Ayurveda, poor for sightseeing.

Think twiceMonsoon, highs near 83F (28C), heavy rain

Kerala backwaters, India — KeralaPhoto: Hans A. Rosbach, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

July is a month to think twice about visiting Kerala. Among the wettest months. Landslides can close roads in Munnar and Wayanad. Great for Ayurveda, poor for sightseeing.

Weather: Monsoon, highs near 83F (28C), heavy rain
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What July is like in Kerala

July is one of the wettest months of the year. Highs sit near 83F (28C), rain comes in long heavy bursts, and the sea is rough, with swimming unsafe or banned. Landslides can close roads in Munnar and Wayanad, so hill trips are a gamble. Tourists are few, and hotel and houseboat rates are at rock bottom.

Skip July unless you are coming for a longer Ayurveda program or simply love rain and green. Families and first-timers should aim for November to February, or wait until late August when the rain begins to ease.

Make the most of July

What is especially good about Kerala this month.

Deep Ayurveda programs

July is the heart of the traditional treatment season, and resorts run their full residential programs now.

The greenest Kerala you will see

Rice paddies, backwater banks and tea slopes are soaked and bright green, if you can catch a break in the rain.

Quiet Fort Kochi

The streets, cafes and galleries of Fort Kochi are almost empty, and heritage hotels offer steep discounts.

What to pack for July

A long waterproof jacket and rain pants
Waterproof sandals with good grip for slick streets
Dry bags and a spare phone charger
A light sweater for air-conditioned rooms and damp evenings

Our timing tip

Build in a spare day on each end of the trip, since July rain regularly delays flights, trains and road transfers.

Book Kerala for July.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Kerala
Opens a hotel search for Kerala in July, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for July
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Kerala
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Kerala
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Kerala for July. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Kerala

Full guide

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.

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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.

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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.

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Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady

Boat rides and guided walks. Tigers are rarely seen; elephants, bison, and birds are common. Book boat tickets online.

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Varkala cliffs

Beach and cliff-top cafes. Swimming is only safe in the dry season; monsoon seas are dangerous.

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A Kathakali performance

Short shows for visitors in Fort Kochi include the elaborate makeup session before the performance.

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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.

Know before you go

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.

Kerala in July, quick answers

Is July a good time to visit Kerala?

July is a month to think twice about visiting Kerala. Among the wettest months. Landslides can close roads in Munnar and Wayanad. Great for Ayurveda, poor for sightseeing.

What is the weather like in Kerala in July?

Monsoon, highs near 83F (28C), heavy rain.

Is Kerala crowded in July?

July is one of the quieter months in Kerala; most sights can be done without long waits.