Kottayam: The Backwater inside the Fort
The word Kottayam is an amalgam of two Malayalee words Kotta (meaning fort) and Akkam (meaning inside). This beautiful backwater town is named such for it is surrounded on almost all sides by beautiful and heavily vegetated mountains and hills. Located 80 kms away from the major tourist city of Cochin, Kottayam is popular with tourists for its blissful and scenic landscapes, backwaters, the enchanting Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary that is located nearby, and the many temples and churches that dot the land. Kottayam actually lies bellow the sea-level, and is one of the best backwater sites in the country.
Places to visit in Kottayam
There are many places worth visiting in Kottayam. The surroundings of this beautiful tourism destination are lush with greenery, mangrove forests, paddy fields, etc. The pleasant climate along with the lush green surroundings and wonderful scenery have made Kottayam among the most popular honeymoon spots in India. Kumarakom, another popular tourist destination, is located nearby. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is also very popular with tourists and honeymoon couples.
Kottayam- Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
- Languages: Malayalam and English are widely spoken in Kerala, and as such communication should not be a problem. Hindi, however, is somewhat less prevalent.
- Cuisine: Cuisine would largely be local; you can expect a lot of South Indian cuisine mostly made of coconut.
- Tour operators almost always include Kottayam in the Kerala tour packages they offer. Kumarakom is also one of the most important places in Kerala when it comes to Ayurvedic health treatments facilities such as spas, massage centres, yoga centres, etc.
Best time to visit Kottayam
The beautiful honeymoon destination of Kottayam can be visited any time of the year. However, during the monsoons, that is, between the months of June and September, Kottayam experiences very heavy to heavy rainfall. Many consider the post-monsoon period to be the best time to visit Kottayam as the region is lush with greenery, and also the weather is very pleasant at this time.
Best way to reach Kottayam
- By Air: The nearest airport is Cochin (located 80 kms away), a well-equipped international airport with daily flights to and from major destinations such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru (Bangalore), Middle East, etc.
- By Rail: The railway station is located 2 kms away from the main centre.
- By Road: Kottayam is well connected to all the important cities and other beach resorts in the region.
Accommodation in Kottayam
Hotels, inspection bungalows, private cottages, etc. are available to suit all budgets. Kottayam abounds in family holiday resorts, travel homes and beach houses. One can obtain excellent discounts on accommodation via package Kerala tours. This tourist destination is also home to some of the best 5-star hotels and spas in the country.