Month guide · Kerala · India
Kerala in January
What January is really like in Kerala: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Kerala. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 23°C (73°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 11.6 hours of daylight. Dry, sunny and comfortable, with cool nights in Munnar; one of the busiest months for houseboats and beaches.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 11.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in January
January is the 3rd-warmest month in Kerala: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 23°C (73°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 31 days. Compared with December (32°C (90°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:47
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 18:21
- Daylight
- About 11.6 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
North-east monsoon (October–November). Afternoon thunderstorms that fade through November as the main season begins.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in 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)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Experience · Alappuzha
Backwater houseboat cruise
Ask for a route that leaves the main lake for narrower canals, and check the boat's licence and safety equipment before you pay.
- Time needed
- 1 night
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Couples
- Kids
- Food
- Views
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Park · Munnar
Eravikulam National Park
About 15 km from Munnar, the park protects high grasslands and the Nilgiri tahr, an endangered mountain goat that grazes close to the road at Rajamala.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
Experience · Munnar
Munnar tea estates and Tea Museum
Book a guided estate walk through your homestay; early morning walks often come with mist and the sound of pickers.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Munnar
Top Station
At about 1,700 metres on the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border, around 35 km from Munnar, Top Station looks down into the Tamil Nadu plains and across the Western Ghats.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Photo spot
- Nature
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Kerala.
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 23°C and 1 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Kerala?
One of the best months to visit Kerala, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are February and November–December. Compare every month.
Kerala in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Kerala?
It is one of the best months to visit Kerala. Dry, sunny and comfortable, with cool nights in Munnar; one of the busiest months for houseboats and beaches.
+How warm is Kerala in January?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kerala in January?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.