Poovar Travel Guide: Kerala’s Hidden Backwater and Beach Paradise
Poovar is a scenic, off-the-beaten-path coastal village located at the southern tip of Kerala, about 20 km from the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. While Poovar may not be as notable as its counterparts Kovalam, Varkala, or Alleppey, Poovar has its own charm – its calm confluence of river, backwaters, beach, and sea.
Location
This scenic village is well-known for its tranquil estuary where the Neyyar River meets with the Arabian Sea with a thin ribbon of golden sand separating the two. Like the golden sand on the beach, Poovar’s natural beauty, peaceful backwater area with no crowds, and floating resorts have made a popular destination for travelers wanting to escape the hustle and bustle who wish to relax in a scenic location.
Why Visit there?
Poovar is the type of destination where it feels as if time slows down. You can still find village life here, the old-world charm is retained, and the village retains its natural setting of dense coconut groves, fishing villages, and waterways of the village surrounded by mangroves.
Poovar Resorta
| Resort Name | Features | Approx. Price (per night) |
|---|---|---|
| Poovar Island Resort | Floating cottages, Ayurvedic spa, boat access | ₹6,000 – ₹10,000 |
| Estuary Sarovar Portico | Luxury rooms, backwater view, beach access | ₹7,500 – ₹12,000 |
| Geeyem Beach Resort | Budget-friendly, beach huts, basic amenities | ₹2,000 – ₹4,000 |
| Over the Hill Resort | Hilltop views, peaceful ambience, pool | ₹4,000 – ₹6,500 |
Top things to do
1. Boat Journey in Poovar Backwaters
If you’re in Poovar, taking a boat ride through the calm backwaters is an experience you can’t miss. The boat ride travels down narrow canals, dense mangroves, small villages and into the wide estuary waters. As you journey, you will see floating restaurants, fishermen working, and you may even spot migratory birds nesting in the trees.
A boat ride will normally last between 1 to 2 hours. You can decide to take a motorboat or a less powered country boat. If you have the option, trying to do an early morning or evening ride is best to experience the cool weather and great views.
3. Floating Cottages and Resorts
Poovar is famous for its floating accommodation – cottages that are built on platforms that float and sway with the waters of the backwater area. A few resorts in Poovar offer floating cottages with epic views of the estuary and the mangroves.
Staying a night in a floating cottage, surrounded by the sounds of nature and flowing water, is such a special experience that is hard to find elsewhere.
4. Pozhikkara Beach
This is yet another beach near Poovar, where the Neyyar River enters the Arabian Sea. It is less commercial than Poovar Beach and perfect for solitude, fishing, and nature.
5. Ayurvedic Treatments
There are many resorts and wellness centres in Poovar that offer authentic Ayurvedic therapies, well-documented from relaxation massages to full detox programs. The natural beauty of the backwaters combined with clean air, creates an ideal environment for rejuvenation.
6. Vizhinjam Fishing Harbour
Vizhinjam is approximately 15 kilometers from Poovar. It is a busy fishing port where you can experience fishermen bringing in their fresh catch in the early morning. The energy and excitement of a fish harbour is an experience in the coastal culture of Kerala.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Poovar is October to March, when it is cool, dry, and pleasant for boat rides, beach time, and sightseeing.
Winter ( October to March)
Winter is the best travel season. The temperatures range between 20 Celsius and 30 Celsius. The weather is calm, ideal for enjoying the backwaters, beach time, or Ayurvedic health treatments.
Summer ( April to May)
Summers can be hot and humid in Poovar. Temperatures can go as high as 35 Celsius. Although summer is off- season, accommodation and possibly boat rides will still be available.
Monsoon (June to September)
The monsoon causes heavy rain which makes the area lush and green. The backwaters look amazing at this time of year, however, you may find limited boat services for certain stretches on certain days during a storm for safety reasons. Wellness aficionados have found that Ayurvedic treatments are effective if taken in the monsoon, therefore, they favour visiting during this season.
How to reach there?
By Air
The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport which is about 25 km from Poovar. The airport is well connected to most major Indian Cities and a number of Middle Eastern destinations. From the airport, taxis and private cabs are easily available.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Poovar is Trivandrum Central, which is about 23 km from Poovar. Trivandrum Central is connected to Kochi, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai among other cities. You can take a cab from the station or a auto-rickshaw (tuk-tuk) to Poovar.
By Road
Poovar is well connected by road to towns in the vicinity such as Kovalam, and Trivandrum. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates buses from Trivandrum to Poovar but bus frequency to Poovar is not great. Taxis or self -drive rental cars are the optimal way to reach Poovar and to explore Poovar.
Local Foods to Try
Poovar is a coastal village, so their seafood is fresh and cooked in the style of Kerala spicing and coconut gravies. It is typical for resorts that cater to visitors to have in-house restaurants that serve traditional Kerala-based and international cuisine.
Must-try dishes include Kerala-style fish curry served with rice, Karimeen Pollichathu, prawn roast, appam served with stew. For vegetarian visitors, some of the traditional Kerala dishes that are wholesome and tasty are Avial, Thoran, and Sambar.
There are also a number of floating restaurants along the backwaters which serve fresh seafood that has been prepared in the local manner, so enjoy them as part of your boat ride.
Shopping
Poovar doesn’t provide much opportunity for souvenir shopping. Most visitors will go to nearby Kovalam or Trivandrum to shop for souvenirs and local products. There are a few local markets in Poovar that might have the odd interesting item or two, but most likely they will be selling handicraft and cottage industries products of coir and spices. The resorts have souvenir-type shops that carry simple items like, handmade soaps, oils, and wooden artifacts.
Nearby Places to visit
1. Kovalam
Kovalam is only about 15 kilometers away, and is the most well-known beach area in Kerala with great beaches, a lighthouse, and seafood cafes.
2. Vellayani Lake
Vellayani Lake is only about 20 kilometers from Poovar and is an ideal place for a picnic day and an evening boat ride.
3.Trivandrum
Trivandrum, the state capital, is about 25 kilometers away, and all that it offers including the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Napier Museum, and the shopping streets.
4. Padmanabhapuram Palace
An ancient wooden palace about 50 kilometers away, Padmanabhapuram is known for the woodworking, sculpture, and elaborate Kerala artistry.
Conclusion
Poovar may not be as famous or popular as Kovalam or Alleppey, but it is so special place in the Kerala coastal world. With pristine natural beauty and sheer cotton-soft leisure, Poovar is the ease perfect location to escape when you want to enjoy relaxing at secluded beaches amidst stunning backwaters.
Poovar is idyllic when you are boat riding through the mangroves, retiring for the night into a floating cottage or sunset stopping at the rivers edge watching the river and sea collide. It is just good, fresh and calm energy that creates the essence of a coastal life in Kerala.
If you are travelling to South Kerala, get Poovar into your itinerary. It can be rare to find a place where natural beauty, simple living and tranquil experience beautifully unite.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Poovar famous
Poovar is famous for its unique estuary where the Neyyar River meets the Arabian Sea. It’s known for its tranquil backwaters, golden sand beach, and floating cottages.
How to reach Poovar?
Poovar is about 30 km from Trivandrum International Airport. You can take a taxi or bus to reach Poovar. The final stretch to the beach is usually covered by boat through the backwaters
Where is Poovar located?
Poovar is a small coastal village located in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, near the southern tip of India.
Is Poovar worth visiting?
Yes, Poovar is worth visiting if you’re looking for peace, natural beauty, and a less commercialized beach destination. It’s ideal for honeymooners, nature lovers, and those wanting a relaxing escapePoovar is a small coastal village located in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, near the southern tip of India.
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