Hi travellers! I’m Claudia Rodriguez and I’ve been travelling on a one-way ticket since June 2014. Thanks for stopping by my Kerala blog.
I studied in my country but had the possibility of spending two years in Budapest and Manila (Spain). I guess those experiences changed my life. Eventually, I moved back to Madrid. Yet, I couldn’t forget the thrill of living abroad. So, after a while, I quit my job to fulfill my travel dream.
Six years ago, I started working as a travel blogger, freelance writer and copywriter. Even though I studied two degrees (Law and Economics) and a MBA – I still decided to give travel blogging a try back in 2014 with Soloida.com. I received job assignments on the way to keep me going.
My focus then shifted toward learning SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), WordPress and copywriting. Little by little, this knowledge helped me to continue funding my travels. I then planned a round-the-world-trip for a year because I was somewhat addicted to this feeling of freedom.
In 2018, I launched a website dedicated to the Philippines: Viajarporfilipinas.com. I lived in the country in 2010, visited it several times and couldn’t stop thinking about it. There wasn’t much info about the Philippines in Spanish, so we created a comprehensive guide.
I hope to inspire other people to follow their dreams if they have it inside them. At the beginning, I thought I couldn’t do it myself since I’m from a traditional town. I had never travelled alone before and, to be honest, I was scared. But I soon realised that it was easier and better than expected.
Inspiration to Visit Kerala, India
One place this travel journey took me to recently was the amazing Kerala region of India. I was on a solo-trip around Central America at the time when I received an invitation to visit from the Kerala Tourism Department.
They were organising a trip around the state with 29 bloggers and I couldn’t resist the offer. We travelled from South to North on our own bus for 15 days and it was an experience that I will cherish. We visited amazing places like Munnar, the Backwaters, Kochi and the Periyar National Park.
What I loved most about this trip was the opportunity to learn about the culture because we were able to be part of many art performances, visit cultural centers, schools and Ayurveda centers. Kerala took my breath away.
Some of my favourite experiences were the boat trips we took around the Backwaters. The network of channels and lakes are extremely photogenic and charming. You can enjoy the exotic lush surroundings of Kerala and also learn about the way of life of the people who live on their houseboats.
Amazing Locals and Culture
Indian people are charming but the people of Kerala are even lovelier. They are more relaxed. So, as a tourist, I felt better. India can be overwhelming and it was nice to feel calmer and less stressed. This is relevant for female travellers in India who are often the centre of attention.
When it comes to the culture of Kerala, we had the opportunity to learn about many traditions and attend cultural performances like the Kathakali and Thiruvathirakali dances. I can recommend a company called The Blue Yonder who focus on authentic and responsible travel experiences.
They organised a visit to a community in Thrissur where we had the opportunity to watch the Vayali Folklore Group in a traditional house. It was a special experience and it was lovely to see this thriving community.
Top 10 Things To Do in Kerala
Whether you’re planning on visiting Kerala for five days or five weeks – these activities will help you experience incredible nature, immerse in the culture, enjoy the delicious cuisine and stay in luxury along the way.
- Take a boat trip through the Backwaters in Alappuzha (or Alleppey). Spending a night in a kettuvallam – a traditional boathouse, is compulsory.
- Trek around the tea fields of Munnar, they are amazing!
- Explore the Periyar National Park and catch a glimpse of a tiger.
- Attend a Kathakali dance. This is the most famous traditional dance of Kerala state and a very important part of their culture.
- Spend time relaxing at the long beaches of Kerala. Kovalam Beach and Varkala Beach are beautiful and are perfect places to end an awesome trip.
- Learn about Ayurveda. And, of course, enjoy one of the treatments. This ancient system was born in Kerala around 600 BC.
- Roam the streets of Kochi and learn about the history of Kerala. You will find an amazing mix between India and Europe – since the Portuguese left their legacy here through the colonialism of the past.
- Enjoy the food as much as you can! Kerala is the “Land of Spices” so you will have the chance to try some of the tastiest meals in India.
- Treat yourself at one of Kerala’s amazing resorts. Really, the luxury at these places is completely affordable for most travellers.
- Connect with nature in Wayanad. This district will offer you many different possibilities – including bamboo rafting and zip-lining.
Incredible Food of Kerala
I have to say that I love Indian food so I enjoyed the gastronomical side of this trip. The cuisine of Kerala is gorgeous. Kerala is known as the “Land of Spices” because it started trading them with Europe hundreds of years ago. Locals of Kerala use spices such as cardamom, clove and cinnamon.
They love to add coconut milk and coconut meat to their dishes due to the abundance of coconut trees in the area. Traditionally, meals are served on sadya (plantain leaf) with rice, curries, pickles, papadam and fruit.
As in every corner of India, you won’t have a problem finding vegan or vegetarian options. If you are looking for a fine-dining experience, I recommend Restaurant 51 in Fort Kochi or Cassava at Kochi Marriott.
Where to Stay in Kerala
Since our trip was organised, we didn’t need to look for accommodation. We stayed in beautiful resorts like Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom, Xandari Harbour Hotel in Kochi and Neeleshwar Hermitage in Nileshwar.
If I had to recommend a place to stay in Kerala, I would highly recommend the houseboat of Spice Routes where we spent an unforgettable night cruising through the Backwaters of Alleppey. It was amazing! For budget travellers, don’t worry, there are plenty of affordable options in Kerala.
Favourite Memories of Kerala
As I just mentioned, I loved our trip around the Alleppey Backwaters. But I also have amazing memories of the sunrises in Kerala. I remember the one in Munnar. I woke up early with my friend Frank Coronado to take some photos of the new day around the lush and majestic tea fields.
We were alone and surrounded by a breathtaking landscape that I will never forget. It’s moments like that which can often be the most special.
Need to Know Before you Go
I would recommend spending at least 15 days in Kerala and, if you have more time, definitely add more days! Allow for more days because you will fall in love with this region. In my opinion, it’s different to other places in the country – especially touristy spots like Rajasthan or Delhi.
The best season to visit is between November and February. You will enjoy the dry season and moderate temperatures. Avoid March and May if you don’t want to suffer the heat. June is the most risky because you could find yourself in some flooding. Thanks for reading and enjoy Kerala!
