Best time to visit · Kerala · India
The best time to visit Kerala
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rahulrnath001, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Kerala is November to February, when the weather is dry, temperatures are comfortable on the coast and the hills are clear. March to May is hot and humid but good for Munnar. The south-west monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain and rough seas, though it is traditionally the season for Ayurveda treatments and has the lowest prices.
Key facts
- Best months
- November–February
- Shoulder season
- March and September–October
- Warmest month
- March (avg high 33°C (91°F))
- Coldest month
- June (avg high 29°C (84°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~24 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- June–July
Seasons
Kerala's coast is hot and humid all year, with highs around 29–33°C. The south-west monsoon usually arrives in early June and brings heavy rain until about September, followed by a weaker north-east monsoon in October and November. December to February is the driest and most comfortable season. Munnar, at around 1,500 metres, is much cooler, with nights close to 10°C in winter.
December–February
Winter
Dry, sunny and comfortable, with cool nights in the hills; peak season with the highest houseboat and hotel prices.
March–May
Summer
Hot and humid on the coast with pre-monsoon storms from April; the hill stations of Munnar and Wayanad are at their most popular.
June–September
South-west monsoon
Heavy rain, rough seas and some landslides on hill roads, but lush scenery, snake-boat races, Onam and low prices.
October–November
North-east monsoon
Afternoon thunderstorms that fade through November as the main season begins.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C | 23°C | 1 | 28°C | 11.6 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 32°C | 24°C | 1 | 28°C | 11.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 33°C | 25°C | 3 | 29°C | 12 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 33°C | 26°C | 8 | 30°C | 12.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 32°C | 26°C | 14 | 30°C | 12.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 29°C | 24°C | 24 | 28°C | 12.8 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| July | 29°C | 24°C | 23 | 27°C | 12.7 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| August | 29°C | 24°C | 19 | 27°C | 12.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| September | 30°C | 24°C | 15 | 27°C | 12.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 30°C | 24°C | 15 | 28°C | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 31°C | 24°C | 9 | 28°C | 11.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| December | 32°C | 23°C | 3 | 28°C | 11.5 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Kochi Carnival — parades and New Year celebrations in Fort Kochi (around 1 January); Kochi-Muziris Biennale — contemporary art exhibition across Fort Kochi (in biennale years, usually December to March) |
| February | Attukal Pongala — huge women's offering ritual in Thiruvananthapuram (February or March); Theyyam season — ritual performances in northern Kerala (roughly November to May) |
| April | Vishu — Kerala New Year (usually mid-April); Thrissur Pooram — temple festival with caparisoned elephants and fireworks (April or May) |
| August | Nehru Trophy Boat Race — snake-boat race on Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha (usually August); Onam — Kerala's harvest festival with sadya feasts and flower carpets (August or September) |
| September | Onam (August or September) |
| November | Theyyam season begins in northern Kerala (roughly November) |
| December | Christmas — celebrated widely, especially in Kochi (25 December); Kochi-Muziris Biennale opens (in biennale years, usually December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in June–July, and the sights are quietest in June–July. Many visitors avoid June–July.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Winter | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| South-west monsoon | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| North-east monsoon | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Kerala?
The best time to visit Kerala is November to February, when the weather is dry, temperatures are comfortable on the coast and the hills are clear. March to May is hot and humid but good for Munnar. The south-west monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain and rough seas, though it is traditionally the season for Ayurveda treatments and has the lowest prices.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Kerala?
Usually in June–July. The monsoon arrives with torrential rain; seas are rough and unsuitable for swimming, but landscapes are vivid and Ayurveda centres are busy.
+What is the rainiest month in Kerala?
June, with about 24 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Kerala get?
The warmest month, March, averages highs of 33°C (91°F) and lows of 25°C (77°F).