Best Time to Visit Kerala

Weather, crowds and cost for Kerala, broken down by season so you can pick the right month rather than the cheapest flight.

Short answer

The best time to visit Kerala is November to February. Dry, less humid and the easiest stretch for backwaters, beaches and hill stations in one trip.

Season by season

Winter

Comfortable across the state, with cool evenings in Munnar and calm water in the backwaters. Rates peak in late December, particularly in Alleppey houseboats and Varkala.

Summer

March to May is hot and humid on the coast. The hill stations of Munnar and Wayanad stay pleasant and are the sensible choice in these months.

Monsoon

June to September is the classic Kerala monsoon, and it is the traditional Ayurveda treatment season because humidity is thought to aid the therapies. Tea country is at its greenest; beach time is limited.

Month-by-month notes

• December and January - best overall weather, highest prices.
• February - warm, still comfortable, slightly cheaper.
• August or September - Onam, with boat races and sadya feasts.
• October - the shorter second monsoon, with tapering rain and low rates.

Festival and crowd calendar

Christmas to New Year is the busiest window in Fort Kochi and Alleppey. Thrissur Pooram in April draws very large crowds inland.

What to pack

Light breathable cotton, an umbrella rather than a raincoat in the humid months, and mosquito repellent for the backwaters.

Common questions