Best Time to Visit Kerala: A Complete Season-by-Season Guide

Kerala’s tropical climate forms two major travel seasons, both of which are quite different from each other. Your perfect time for travel depends on what you want from your trip – houseboat cruises, wildlife safaris, ayurvedic treatments, or beach holidays all peak at different times.

This guide helps you match your Kerala plans with the right season. Read ahead to know more:

Kerala’s Three Travel Seasons at a Glance

Winter (October to February): Peak season with comfortable temperatures of 23 °C to 32 °C. Clear skies, low humidity, and tourist services run at full capacity.

Summer (March to May): Warmer in coastal areas (can go up to 36 °C), but in the hill stations such as Munnar, it is pleasant. Fewer crowds and better hotel rates.

Monsoon (June to September): Heavy rains make Kerala turn into lush green landscapes. Ideal for Ayurvedic treatments and of course, and budget travel.

October to February: Peak Season

This is when most travellers visit Kerala, and for good reason. The weather cooperates in all regions – beaches are sunny, backwaters are calm, and hill stations have crisp morning air.

Best for: First-time visitors, families, honeymooners, houseboat holidays, beach holidays

What to expect: Temperatures between 23°C and 32°C, higher accommodation rates, pre-booking is essential

Planning tip: Book Kerala tour packages at least 4-6 weeks in advance during December-January. Popular houseboats and resorts fill up quickly around Christmas and New Year.

December and January also have cultural highlights – Christmas celebrations in Fort Kochi and performances of Theyyam in North Kerala add depth to your trip.

March to May: Summer Season

As coastal Kerala heats up, the hill stations become the main attraction of the state. Munnar, Thekkady, and Wayanad provide cool respite with temperatures rarely crossing 25 °C at higher altitudes.

Best for: Budget travellers, wildlife lovers, hill station lovers

What to expect: Hot and humid in lowlands, pleasant in hills, thinner crowds, better hotel deals

Wildlife advantage: Due to the dry season, wildlife spotting becomes easier at Periyar. With water sources scarce, elephants, gaur and sambar deer are more visible during morning safaris.

If you are interested in Munnar’s tea plantations and viewpoints, then summer is the time when you will find fewer tourists competing for photographs at Echo Point and Top Station.

June to September: Monsoon Season

This is the most underrated season in Kerala. Heavy rains do limit some activities – beach swimming is risky and some mountain roads may face closures – but there are unique experiences to be had with the monsoon.

Best for: Ayurvedic treatments, wellness retreats, budget travel, photographers seeking dramatic landscapes

What to expect: Daily rainfall, temperatures ranging between 22°C and 28°C, significantly lower cost, fewer tourists

Ayurveda consideration: According to the traditional practitioners, monsoon is the best time for treatments as the cool and moist climatic conditions open the pores in the skin, allowing herbal oils to penetrate the skin better than any other season. Many wellness centres also have special monsoon packages at this time of the year.

Waterfalls, such as Athirapally, are flowing at full force, and the landscape turns vibrantly green, making it ideal for photographers with the courage to work around rain showers.

Best Time by Experience Type

Different experiences peaked at different times of the year:

• Houseboat cruises (Alleppey/Kumarakom): October to March is the calm water time & good weather to do an overnight backwater cruise
• Ayurvedic treatments: June to September is the best period, when the cool and moist climate allows the body to absorb the herbal treatments better
• Wildlife safaris (Periyar): The best time to explore wildlife is from March to May, this is when animals gather close to water sources during the dry season
• Tea plantation visits (Munnar): Whatever time of the year you visit the destination, but December to March offers the clearest views of the rolling hills 
• Beach holidays (Kovalam, Varkala): November to February is the season of calm seas, sunny skies, and safe swimming conditions
• Festival experiences: Onam celebrations in August-September; Theyyam performances in North Kerala in January-February

For houseboat experiences in Alleppey, October to March is the ideal period as waters are pretty calm and the weather is also ideal for overnight cruises to the backwaters.

Regional Climate Variations

Kerala is not climatically uniform:

Coastal areas (Kochi, Kovalam, Alleppey): Humid throughout the year. Winters are comfortable; summers are sticky. Monsoons have dramatic storms while creating stunning sunsets during the intervals between showers.

Hill stations (Munnar, Thekkady, Wayanad): Cooler all through the year. Nights can be as low as 10 °C in Munnar during winters.

Northern Kerala (Kannur, Kasaragod): Similar to the coastal belt but less crowded.  The Theyyam season runs from October to May.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best month to visit Kerala for the first time?

December and January are the best times of year for first – time travellers. The weather is pleasant in all parts of the country, tourist services are at full capacity, and you can enjoy houseboats, beaches, and hill stations without worrying about the weather.

Is Kerala worth visiting during monsoon?

Yes, if you make expedient changes. Monsoon Kerala are extremely dramatic landscape, efficient ayurvedic treatments, cheaper price and peacefulness. Beach activities are limited, but wellness-focused travellers often like this season specifically.

When is the cheapest time to visit Kerala?

June to September (monsoon) and April to May (summer) offer the lowest rate, with savings between 30-50% compared to peak season.

What is the best time for a Kerala honeymoon?

November to February offers the most romantic setting – tranquil backwaters to stay in houseboats, pleasant beach weather, and comfortable temperatures. The Kerala backwater tour packages are especially popular with couples during this period.

Which season is best for wildlife safaris in Kerala?

March to May (dry season) is the best season to see wildlife at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, as animals gather around water sources.

Plan Your Kerala Trip

The first step is to choose right season. The second is making sure your itinerary is right for your priorities, but these can be anything from a backwater, slow-paced trip, an intensive Ayurvedic retreat or an adventure-filled family holiday.

At Memorable India, we create Kerala holiday packages keeping in mind the differences in the season and your interests. Our packages include everything from Fort Kochi heritage walks to wildlife safaris in Periyar to houseboat stays in Alleppey.

Ready to plan? Tell our team about your favorite travel dates and interests.