Journey to the South of India and God’s Own Country to discover a gem that offers tourists plenty of holiday thrills. Kasaragod is located in the famed Western Ghats and much of its topography reflects this. Green hills and coconut gardens create beautiful oases that are a treat to explore while the Arabian Sea to the west invites you to visit unspoilt beaches. The tourist places in Kasargod boasts of historical structures, religious sites, ritual worship like theyyam, and art forms like yakshagana and gombeyaata. If you’re fortunate enough, you can witness festivals like Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava and Mallikarjuna temple festival taking place.
Like much of Kerala, Kasaragod is very tourist-friendly. You’ll have no difficulty finding places to stay. Getting from one local attraction to another is easy too and transportation is readily available. However, despite being a popular tourist destination, it doesn’t feel overdeveloped. It still retains an old world charm and this gives it a special character.
If you’re planning to travel to Kasaragod, there are certain important details you should know. The tourist places in Kasaragod are definitely going to give you an experience of a lifetime. The experience so great that it will remain etched in your heart forever and you will share you travel tales with your dear ones. Hence, we’ve put together a list of them including the best time to visit, best tourist places and the best places to stay at. Read on to find out more about this beautiful town and district, Kasaragod.
September to February is the ideal time to visit as the weather is dry and temperature is average, the high 20s and low 30s. Kasaragod enjoys cool winters and hot summers. Its proximity to the sea gives rise to high humidity in summer and travelling during this time can be unpleasant. The monsoon rains are heavy too and can put a damper on traveling plans.
Kasaragod can be reached by air, rail and road.
Air: Kasaragod does not have an airport. Mangaluru Airport is the nearest and is located 45 kms away. It is an international airport that is connected to domestic cities and international cities in the Middle East.
Rail: Kasaragod Railway Station is the most important station in town and is connected to major cities like Pune, Jaipur, Chennai, Bengaluru and Chandigarh.
Road: Kasaragod is also well-connected to important cities by road. You can travel here from places like Coimbatore, Bangalore, Goa, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram.
Being situated in the Western Ghats, Kasaragod provides plenty of opportunities for nature-based activities. Its many historical sites also allow for sightseeing, which is one of the first things that travelers do here. Check out this list of how to stay occupied when you visit this amazing town –
-Trekking
-Kayaking
-Coastal tour
-Nature and wildlife tours
Kasaragod is very popular with tourists and this has led to the establishment of numerous resorts. Here are some of the best –
-Vivanta by Taj – Bekal
-Kanan Beach Resort
-Sree Gokulam Nalanda Resorts
-Neeleshwar Hermitage
-Oyster Opera
-Bekal Fort Resorts
-The LaLiT Resort & Spa Bekal
-Malabar Ocean Front Resort and Spa
-Neelambari Resorts and Spa
-Kanan Beach Resort
If you’re in Kasargod, you must make it a point to sample the local cuisine. South Indian fare like dosa and idli can be enjoyed while local favorites like theeyal, thoran and seafood are a must-try. Here are a few popular places to savor Kerala fare –
-Nombili – The Restaurant
-Vasant Vihar
-Lums Royal Multicuisine Restaurant
-Latitude Restaurant (Vivanta by Taj)
-Gastrobio Shalimar
Getting around Kasaragod is affordable and convenient. Auto rickshaws and buses are the most popular means of transport. However, if you crave privacy and comfort, you can hire a car for the day from any one of the car rental companies in town.
Kasaragod has several shopping destinations where you can pick up fashion items and knickknacks. Take a look at the top places –
-Nalapad UK Mall
-Royal Silks Kasargod
-Square Nine Mall
-KG2 Fancy Store
-Thalangara Shopping Complex
-Street markets in and around town
Like many parts of Kerala, Kasaragod has several beaches, some of which are secluded and others touristy. Depending on what mood you’re in, you have your pick of choices. Here are the best beaches in Kasaragod –
-Bekal Beach
-Kappil Beach
-Kanwatheertha Beach
-Azhithala Beach
-Hosdurg Beach
The Western Ghats open travelers up to a world of green and that’s exactly what you get when visiting Kasaragod. Two of the best trails are Ranipuram Hills and Kottancheri Hills. The latter is an extension of the proposed Ranipuram Wildlife Sanctuary.
You can trek and explore the unique flora and fauna as well as stop for a picnic before heading home. If you’re trekking Ranipuram Hills, there are tourist cottages where you can spend the night.