Monsoon in Kerala is the best way to savor the magic of rainy season in India! The charm of refreshing drizzles amid boundless nature is unbeatable in God’s Own Country, bringing tourists from across India and the world to enjoy the magnificence of monsoon in Kerala.
June to September marks the season of monsoon in Kerala, bringing in everything from torrential rain to breezy drizzles. While humidity rises, the refreshing showers cool the temperature considerably and paint the diverse landscapes of Kerala in vibrant shades of green!
Kerala monsoon usually starts in the first week of June along with the reopening of schools in the state after a hot and dry summer season ends. Delightful sceneries of school-going kids sailing paper boats in muddy rainwater and the sweet, intoxicating scent of petrichor filling the air define the splendid season of monsoon in Kerala, an experience that will get etched in your hearts forever!
For one, it doesn’t constantly rain in Kerala. Monsoon showers in Kerala are always accompanied by regular intervals of welcome sunshine, allowing locals to go about their business and tourists to step out and explore.
Know all about Kerala monsoon and browse our customized Kerala tour packages for the most memorable experience of touring Kerala in the most beautiful season!
All about monsoon in Kerala
The average temperature during monsoon in Kerala stays between 17 degrees Celsius and 22 degrees Celsius. The weather is cool, humid, and windy.
ALSO SEE – Best Time To Visit Kerala: Summer, Winter, or Monsoon?
Kerala experiences two types of monsoon seasons.
- Southwest Monsoon or Edavapathi
The monsoon season between June and August is called Edavapathi since it falls in the middle of the Edavam month as per the Malayalam Calendar.
- Northeast Monsoon or Thulavarsham
The monsoon season in Kerala from mid-October to November marks the Northeast Monsoon or Thulavarsham since this month in the Malayalam calendar is called Thulam, meaning ‘the rains in Thulam‘.
During the Northeast Monsoon in Kerala, dark clouds gather over Kerala all the way from the Bay of Bengal, turning the Western Ghats into a rejuvenating paradise!
Best experiences to have in monsoon in Kerala
Monsoon tourism in Kerala is on the rise! Willing to experience the magic of the rainy season in God’s Own Country, more and more people have started opting for a Kerala trip in the monsoon rather than visiting it in the peak season (winters).
Monsoon in Kerala: Must-have Experiences
If you are planning to visit Kerala in monsoon, here are some experiences that you will definitely enjoy here.
Try and add a visit to hill stations like Munnar and Wayanad to your itinerary so that you can enjoy monsoon tourism in Kerala the best way possible and in its most enticing, lush environs refreshed by Kerala rains!
Kerala monsoon offers visitors the unique opportunity to discover nature in a resplendent and revived state. It gives them a chance to witness Kerala’s lush landscapes, backwaters, waterfalls, and hills in their best form.
There are several perks of visiting in the monsoon season in Kerala.
1. Monsoon is the best time for Ayurvedic Spa therapies
Ayurvedic Spa therapies and massage treatments are famous among tourists. It brings people to Kerala from all over India and abroad.
Monsoon is the most ideal time for indulging in Ayurvedic therapy in Kerala. The cool, dust-free air and excess humidity open the pores of the body, making herbal oils, Ayurvedic therapies, and detoxification programs more effective.
Several Spa centers and Ayurvedic resorts in Kerala offer a variety of treatment packages and wellness programs for holistic healing during monsoon.
In Ayurveda, the monsoon season from mid-June to mid-August is referred to as the Varsha Rithu or the rainy period. Traditionally, this is the right time to take a treatment in Ayurveda, as the climate is suitable for treatments like
- Abhyangam,
- Ilakkizhi (Patrasweda),
- Podikkizhi (Choorna Swedana),
- Panchakarma,
- Udvarthanam (Herbal powder massage),
- Navarakizhi,
- Ksheeradhara,
- Thakradhara,
- and Pizhichil
for various kinds of ailments. Flora and fauna are also abundantly available for several Ayurveda treatments in monsoon. Ayurveda has always been a highlight of the promotions for monsoon tourism in Kerala put forth by the Kerala Tourism Department.
According to several Ayurvedic physicians, rejuvenation therapies have their best effect during the wet monsoon months, when the winds and the cool temperature render the body amenable to the therapeutic and restorative powers of herbs and concoctions used in Ayurveda.
2. Monsoon in Kerala brings abundant greenery and stunning sunsets!
If you love the landscapes of Kerala, you’ll love them even more once it rains! The rain-kissed Western Ghats, waterfalls flowing in full force, mist-cloaked mountain peaks, and fields of tea, coffee, and paddy covered in sparkling dew are only a few of the spectacular sights you’ll get to enjoy in this season.
Those dramatic skies of Kerala with dark clouds and vivid colors of the rising or setting sun in the backdrop of its stunning green landscapes make for some amazing pictures!
Whenever you search ‘monsoon tourism in Kerala’ on Google, you’ll see pictures of gorgeous sunsets in Kerala’s hills, valleys, beaches, forests, backwaters, and waterfalls! That’s the magic of the rainy season in Kerala!
Kerala’s countryside transforms itself with the monsoon rain. The Indian subcontinent has the most intense monsoon season, with about 80% of its rainfall arriving between June and September.
These refreshing monsoon showers clear the air, bathe all plants and trees, and cover Kerala’s lush foliage with shimmering dew! While Kerala is green in every season, that greenery is in its most replenished and renewed state in Kerala!
3. Enjoy the sound of rain induces good sleep
Sleeping at night in the company of the constant melody of falling rain is a pleasant and comfortable experience.
The steady rhythm and sound of rain fall under the category of pink noise that helps synchronize brainwaves and produce melatonin, a hormone that reduces stress and induces calmness, lulling a person to sleep.
And what’s a better place than Kerala to experience these calming sounds of rain and help oneself get a good night’s rest day after day, right? With constant, refreshing drizzles every night, monsoon in Kerala creates the perfect environment for you to relax and get the peaceful rest your noisy cities won’t let you have!
Combined with cool weather, endless green environs, natural surroundings, and the goodness of Ayurveda, Kerala rain creates the perfect ambiance to help people calm their senses and rejuvenate their spirits!
ALSO SEE – Best Time To Visit Munnar – Summer, Winter, or Monsoon?
4. Watch peacocks dance in monsoon in Kerala
The vivid dancing of peacocks is a heartwarming sight that you can only experience in the rainy season! If you love birdwatching and especially want to witness peacocks dance, a visit to Choolanur is a must while.
When an army of clouds cover the sun to let cool droplets of rain claim victory over warm sunlight, male peacocks fan out their breathtakingly colorful tail feathers, drumming them in rhythmic beats, and let out shrill mating calls to attract peahens.
This ‘dance of love’ with their shimmering fathers spread out creates the most glorious spectacle that keeps onlookers hooked!
Out of all the places in India, this magnificent visual is the most common aspect of monsoon tourism in Kerala. Mayiladumpara, which is one of the most notable tourist spot in Nelliampathy, is an ideal place to watch peacocks dance.
ALSO SEE – Honeymoon Packages in Kerala
5. Explore waterfalls flowing in full force
Waterfalls are at the majestic best during monsoons in Kerala. Kerala is well-known for its gorgeous high-rise waterfalls that gurgle down mountains in places like Athirappilly, Vazhachal, Cheeyappara, Thusharagiri, Soochipara, and more.
Waterfalls in Kerala flow in full force during the rainy season and are surrounded by refreshing lush foliage brought to life by the rains! Milky white waterfalls cascading with full fervor and gusto from high elevation during and after monsoons are the highlight of monsoon tourism in Kerala.
In the monsoon season, you will see mighty waterfalls everywhere in Kerala. In addition to the waterfalls in destinations like Wayanad, Thekkady, and Munnar, you’ll come across several waterfalls on your way to Munnar itself!
While some of the waterfalls in Kerala greet travelers after some easy to moderate trekking in lush forests and green mountains, others do not take any effort to reach.
Waterfalls like the Athirappilly Falls turn into the most breathtaking scenery! Forests, rivers, hills, meadows, and the backwaters of Kerala come alive with the most vibrant hues, letting one enjoy the raw, earthen beauty of the state!
ALSO SEE – 20 Incredible Waterfalls In Kerala
6. Take a scenic road trip to enjoy monsoon in Kerala
Many find driving in the hilly regions of Kerala like Munnar, Wayanad, Ponmudi, Vagamon, and Thekkady more enjoyable in monsoon in Kerala.
The roads are clean, the greenery is refreshing, and the cool winds are infused with the aroma of tea and spices! For the best experience, hire an open Jeep to tame the winding roads of the hill stations in Kerala and feel the cool breeze on your face!
ALSO SEE – Top 10 Hill Stations In Kerala For A Cool & Breezy Vacay!
The washed-up roads, fresh greenery, and cool monsoon winds make you feel refreshed when you embark on a road trip in the monsoon season in Kerala.
Travelers enjoying a self-driving tour in Kerala in monsoonSelf-driving tours are becoming popular in Kerala during the monsoon season. It’s the perfect choice for you if you enjoy traveling spontaneously in scenic locations and would love to take advantage of the fact that accommodation will be available in plenty in Kerala in the off-season, that too at rock-bottom rates!
7. Kerala in monsoon is economical and uncrowded
One of the advantages of traveling to Kerala in the off-season is that you won’t find a lot of people around. Fewer crowds will guarantee secluded tourist spots, more privacy on beaches and backwaters, and shorter queues at ticket counters and multiple offseason perks.
You’ll also get to avail huge discounts on hotel rooms, cheaper flight and train tickets, and low rates of taxis and tickets to tourist attractions. Shopaholics too will have the time of their life with great deals on handicrafts and other merchandise during this time!
ALSO SEE – Why Kerala Is Called ‘God’s Own Country’
In recent years, an increasing number of tourists have started opting to experience monsoon tourism in Kerala. A huge influx of tourists now flock to Kerala during July-September, the offseason in Kerala, to enjoy its refreshing rain and cool comfortable climate.
Traveling to Kerala in the off-season gives you major advantages like:
- Heavily discounted stays
- Less crowded tourist spots, restaurants, and markets
If you want to see Kerala devoid of crowds, monsoon would be an ideal time to visit it as not many people visit Kerala during the rainy season. Also, the rates for hotels and resorts would be in the lowest possible slabs and rooms will be readily available in popular tourist destinations in Kerala.
ALSO SEE – Off-season in Kerala- Don’t hold back your visit
8. Watch soothing drizzles from your verandah with a hot cup of tea!
The peace you’ll get from sitting on the verandah/patio of your hotel overlooking Kerala’s breathtaking landscapes while you sip on a steaming cup of tea or coffee will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before!
A traveler watching the rain in Kerala from a verandah with a teacup in hand. It’s just the break you need from your everyday hustles and burden of responsibilities! Lying back on a planter’s chair on a verandah with a good book and a cup of joe in hand listening to the pitter-patter of raindrops on the roof and watching your surrounding plants and trees get drenched will have the most calming effect on your mind, body, and soul! Monsoon tourism in Kerala brings the utmost relaxation and peace to travelers that they are unable to get during the blazing summers and in crowded locations across India!
9. Walk out in Kerala’s refreshing showers with an umbrella!
Walking in the tingling cool rain of Kerala is, hands down, the most romantic experience you can have here with your better half in the monsoon season!
Walking in Kerala’s refreshing drizzles with a colorful umbrella amid serene landscapes and resplendent greenery will make you feel like you’re in a movie! You’ll cherish this filmy experience for the rest of your life!
You can even stop by at a local tea stand or street food stand for a piping hot cup of tea and banana fritters or a plate of idlis! Stepping out in the cool, misty Kerala rain in monsoon for a walk, a long drive, or delicious street food is one of the most refreshing things to do in Kerala!
Listen to the calming rhythm of falling rain and inhale the sweet scent of wet earth as you stroll down an empty lane in Kerala washed clean with the monsoon rain! Such intoxicating sceneries will also make for wonderful pictures for your Instagram gallery!
ALSO SEE – 75 Best Things To Do In Kerala In 2024
10. Monsoon is the perfect time to enjoy hot Kerala cuisine!
A cup of tea and a plate of hot dosas, idlis, and vadas- the perfect recipe for a relaxing evening in Kerala in monsoon!
Steaming hot food and cool monsoon showers are the perfect combo regardless of where you are! People in India prefer to enjoy monsoon rains with a steaming cup of tea and a plate of hot samosas and fritters (pakodas)!
In Kerala, people like to gorge on lip-smacking fried food like banana fritters, appams, and parippu vada during cool and refreshing monsoon showers. Moreover, banana fritters and banana chips are the signature dish of monsoon tourism in Kerala!
There are several restaurants and local food joints in Kerala where you can enjoy the delicious and spicy Kerala food while watching the soothing rain. These fried and tangy delicacies go perfectly with such amazing weather, enhancing their taste and making the overall experience of monsoon in Kerala more enjoyable!
11. Houseboat Cruise to enjoy the rural Kerala drenched in rains
Scenic Houseboat Cruises: A houseboat cruise on the serene backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom is more enjoyable in monsoon in Kerala.
Sailing through a sea of water lilies in Kumarakom or watching the rain-drenched rural landscapes of Alleppey on a houseboat is sure to give you a profound sense of peace. Immersing yourself in the steady rhythm of the rain will relax and soothe your senses!
12. Snakeboat Races in Kerala
Fun Festivals: The popular boat races of Kerala attract a large influx of people each year. The Champakulam Boat Race is one such spectacle that you get to enjoy in the monsoon season here. This annual boat race is organized in the 3rd week of June on the Pamba River in Alleppey.
Witnessing this exciting fiesta of boatmen rowing slender snake boats across the river and competing for the Rajpramukh trophy is a one-of-a-kind experience in monsoon in Kerala.
And what’s a better place than Kerala to experience these calming sounds of rain and help oneself get a good night’s rest day after day, right? With constant, refreshing drizzles every night, monsoon in Kerala creates the perfect environment for you to relax and get the peaceful rest your noisy cities won’t let you have!
Combined with cool weather, endless green environs, natural surroundings, and the goodness of Ayurveda, Kerala rain creates the perfect ambiance to help people calm their senses and rejuvenate their spirits!
If you wish to experience India’s rainy season the best way possible, plan a trip to Kerala in monsoon! Thanks to its enchanting landscapes painted with lush greenery, inexpensive hotel rates, and fewer people around, monsoon tourism in Kerala is quickly picking up pace!
There is so much that makes the monsoon in Kerala the most special time to visit it! Don’t overthink and just plan a trip to Kerala with Iris Holidays to make the most of the blissful rainy season in God’s Own Country! Don’t miss this chance to see the beauty of the offseason in Kerala! Happy tripping!
