Kerala is arguably the most beautiful state in India. Wedged between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Western Ghats to the east, it is a narrow strip of green that packs in backwaters, beaches, hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries and some of the best food on the subcontinent. It is also India's most literate state, and you will find English widely understood alongside the native Malayalam.
The state has a long history of international trade. Arab merchants, Chinese fishermen, Portuguese colonists, Dutch traders and the British all left their mark, and this cultural layering gives Kerala a character unlike anywhere else in India. The population is an unusual mix of Hindus, Muslims and Christians living in relative harmony, each community contributing its own festivals, architecture and cuisine.
Three airports serve the state: Calicut in the north, Kochi in the centre and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) in the south. Trivandrum is the state capital, though it still has a surprisingly rustic feel. From there you can easily reach the beaches of Varkala and Kovalam.
The backwaters are Kerala's signature experience. The classic trip is the boat journey from Kollam to Alappuzha, drifting past palm-fringed canals, rice paddies and village life. You can do it in a day on the public ferry or hire a houseboat for a more leisurely overnight trip.
Kochi is the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city, with its Chinese fishing nets, ancient synagogue, Portuguese churches and Dutch colonial buildings all within walking distance of each other. The hill station of Munnar offers rolling tea plantations and cool mountain air, while Periyar is one of India's best wildlife sanctuaries for spotting elephants. Wayanad, in the far north, is a quieter alternative with misty hills, spice plantations and tribal culture.
Kerala's cuisine is reason enough to visit. Rice and fish are the staples, but the range is extraordinary: fragrant fish curries cooked in coconut milk, appam (fermented rice pancakes) with stew, Kerala parotta with beef fry, and the grand vegetarian feast called sadya, served on a banana leaf during Onam. The state is also famous for its Ayurvedic traditions, and you will find massage and treatment centres everywhere.
