India’s southernmost tip, Kanyakumari, is famously loved for its beaches, temples, and verdant greenery. However, the city is part of a wider Madurai–Rameswaram or South Kerala itinerary and is not considered worth visiting on its own. Many guests at our hotel in Aralvaimozhi are often surprised when we suggest they extend their brief overnight stay.
While there are numerous attractions within the city, there are also many tourist sites in and around Kanyakumari that you should include in your itinerary. Some of these places include:
The Thalayanai Waterfalls in Kalakkad, Tirunelveli District, are part of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and a popular picnic spot, especially during the post-monsoon season, from November to February. It’s not just the waterfalls; the journey to the place is equally stunning, surrounded by lush evergreen forests and beautiful flora and fauna. Unlike other places where water falls from a height, at Thalayanai, you will find shallow cascades every few hundred metres from where water falls calmly. What makes the place even more enjoyable is the thick surrounding vegetation, which makes it a safe and ideal place for family picnics.
Another feature that makes the Thalayanai Falls unique is the frothing milky-white water – locals believe this is because the water here is fed by streams and tributaries from the thickly forested Western Ghats, which are likely rich in calcium carbonate.
Distance from Aralvaimozhi: 47 km
Open and Close Time: 7.00 am to 5.00 pm
Entry Fee: INR 40 plus any additional fee you may have to pay at the check post.
Do not carry any plastic items, including water bottles and food packets. The guards at the check post will inspect your vehicle for soaps, shampoos, cigarettes, alcohol, food items, disposable cutlery, etc., as the falls are part of the forest reserve and are free from chemical pollutants and litter.
We recommend checking with the staff at Aavudai Grand Budget Hotel in Aralvaimozhi before visiting Thalayanai to ensure that bathing is allowed. Bathing is prohibited during heavy rain and in certain months.
Yes, you will need prior permission from the forest department, especially if you plan on trekking. Permission can be obtained at the Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary, Sivanaperi Post or from the Deputy Director’s office in Ambasamudram.
Yes, there are a few lodging options within the reserve, but obtaining permission is not easy. We suggest you return to Hotel Aavudai Grand to enjoy one of the best stays near Aralvaimozhi.
Kutralam is a small town in the Tenkasi District, located on the foothills of the Western Ghats. The town is famous for its cascades, believed to have medicinal properties, as they are fed by streams and tributaries that pass through the thick forests of the Western Ghats. The waters here are fed by the Chittar, Manimuthar, Pachaiyar, and Tamirabharani rivers and include nine waterfalls, including Main Falls, Five Falls, Old Falls, Small Falls, Shenbagadevi Falls, Honey Falls, Tiger Falls, New Falls, and Orchard Falls.
Don’t forget to explore the neighbouring places like Mekkarai and Sundarapandipuram, which are serene and picturesque. For instance, Mekkarai is undoubtedly one of the prettiest villages in Tamil Nadu, famous for its scenic paddy fields and the Adavinainar Dam.
The neighbouring Thirumalaikovil is famous for its Murugan Temple perched atop a hill. Sundarapandipuram, a scenic village near Kuttralam, is famous for its sunflower and paddy fields and its traditional Agraharam houses, where many Tamil movies were shot.
If time permits, we suggest you visit Chithrai Sabhai, a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Nataraja, famous for its murals made with natural dyes that depict stories from Hindu mythology.
Distance from Aralvaimozhi: 114 km
Open and Close Time: 7.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Entry fee: Entry is generally free for most waterfalls. But you may have to pay a nominal fee for the smaller falls.
The best time to explore Kutralam is during the monsoon, i.e., between June and September, when the Southwest monsoon makes it worth visiting. You may also want to check at one of the many hotels in Aralvaimozhi, as rain can prevent tourists from bathing in the falls.
Yes, you can visit all the falls in one day, although it may seem a little rushed. We suggest you reach Kutralam by 6 am to cover as many cascades as possible. Staying at our budget hotel in Aralvaimozhi makes sense, as we are closer to Kutralam than other hotels in Nagercoil.
These tiny hamlets in and around Tenkasi are not typical tourist destinations, yet equally scenic and untouched by commercial tourism. Hence, it would be difficult to find decent accommodation in these places. We suggest using our budget hotel in Aralvaimozhi as a base to explore these places.
Kutralam is famous for its variety of exotic fruits, such as durian, mangosteen, rambutan, and star fruit. The town is also famous for the Border Rahmath Parotta Stall.
The town of Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi District is famous for its Subramanya temple, located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is famous as one of the Arupadaiveedu, or the Six Holy Abodes of Lord Subramanya. The temple’s history dates back to ancient times and was even mentioned in the Sangam Literature of the 2nd century BCE.
Legend has it that Lord Murugan defeated the demon Soorapadman at the very spot where the temple now stands. The temple has received patronage from different South Indian rulers, including the Pandyas, Cholas, and Pallavas.
The Soorasamharam Festival is the most famous festival commemorating Lord Murugan’s victory over Soorapadman. This is conducted after the Skanda Shasti, a 6-day festival where devotees fast and chant the Skanda Shasti Kavacham, breaking their fast on the 6th day.
Devotees believe that visiting Tiruchendur helps remove career obstacles and ensures protection from enemies. People visit Tiruchendur seeking relief from marital woes and health problems.
Distance from Aralvaimozhi: 89 km
Tiruchendur is typically very crowded on Thursdays as it is believed to be auspicious for Guru Bhagavan (Jupiter). Similarly, the temple is crowded during special events like Skanda Shasti, Masi Bramhotsavam, Avani Brahmotsavam, and during weekends. If you can handle the heat, we suggest visiting the temple in the afternoon as it is comparatively less crowded.
The Tiruchendur temple opens at around 5 am and closes at 12 noon. It reopens at 5 pm and remains open until 9 pm.
Yes, the temple is generally overflowing with devotees. We suggest visiting on weekdays, especially around noon, when the hot sun keeps people indoors.
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, is only a two-hour drive from Kanyakumari. It is a popular one-day destination loved for its beaches, temples, Ayurveda retreats, and malls. The city was once the capital of the Travancore Kingdom, which built and patronised many temples, including the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Other famous temples in the city include the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, and the Aazhimala Shiva Temple.
It is also home to the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, Napier Museum, and the Raja Ravi Varma Art Gallery. If you love beaches, explore some of Kerala’s famous beaches, such as Kovalam, Shangumugham, and Vizhinjam.
Distance from Aralvaimozhi: 88 km
Most temples in Kerala follow a strict dress code, including a dhoti for men and a saree for women. If you aren’t wearing one, you can always rent /buy one from a nearby shop.
Yes, Thiruvananthapuram is a very safe and clean city with a pleasant climate.
Entry to the temple is restricted to non-Hindus. Devotees must follow a strict dress code – men must wear a dhoti (not a lungi) and remove upper garments, while women must wear a saree or cover themselves below the waist with a dhoti.
Varkala is a serene coastal town, famous for its beaches, and home to scenic resorts and Ayurvedic retreats. The most famous feature in Varkala is the unique laterite cliff from which you can observe the beach below. The beach here is called Papanasam Beach and gets its name from the nearby Sree Janardhana Temple. It is believed that devotees who visit the temple and take a holy dip in the beach can rid themselves of any sin. The temple is famous for performing Pitru Karma.
Varkala is also famous for its adventure sports, including surfing, paragliding, parasailing, and paddleboarding.
We suggest booking hotels near the beach when visiting between November and February to witness bioluminescent plankton in the water.
Distance from Aralvaimozhi: 124 km
If you’re into action and nightlife, book rooms in the North Cliff. And if you are looking for a romantic and relaxed atmosphere with stunning cliff-side views, choose resorts on the South Cliff.
Both are good, but offer different features. For instance, North Cliff is vibrant with plenty of trendy restaurants, more hotels, and options for souvenir shopping. South Cliff is rather laidback with quaint beaches and upscale resorts.
You can visit the Sivagiri Mutt, the Janardhana Temple, the Sarkara Devi Temple, and the Anjengo Fort.
Poovar is a coastal village on an island a few kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram, famous for its backwaters. At Poovar, you can witness the confluence of the sea, lake, and river. You can visit the island through a boat ride from Thiruvananthapuram and enjoy the scenic views of the mangroves, coconut groves, and beautiful flora and fauna.
Backwater rides on a houseboat are a favourite tourist activity in Poovar. You can also sign up for an Ayurveda spa to detox your mind and body.
Don’t forget to enjoy dining at one of the many floating restaurants in Poovar.
Distance from Aralvaimozhi: 62 km
Don’t miss the sunset/sunrise cruise in Poovar, where you can enjoy birdwatching as well.
The backwaters of Poovar are famous for their Karimeen. Don’t forget to sample Karimeen Pollichatu and other freshly caught fish.
Yes, Poovar is an excellent destination for a day trip. However, we suggest you leave our hotel in Aralvaimozhi a little early to reach Poovar by early morning. You can enjoy an early morning backwater cruise, visit the Golden Sand Beach, dine at one of the many floating restaurants, and return to your hotel in the evening.
Situated on the banks of the Thamirabarani River, Tirunelveli is one of Tamil Nadu’s most ancient cities, famous for its temples, paddy fields, cuisine, and scenic natural beauty. The city is home to the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger River, a wildlife sanctuary that’s home to rare and endangered flora and fauna from the Western Ghats. It is also home to scenic waterfalls like Agasthiyar Falls and Manimutharu.
The Nellaiappar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most famous temples in the city, along with the Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Veeraraghavapuram.
Distance from Tirunelveli: 65 km
Some forest areas, such as Mundanthurai and Manjolai, are worth visiting, but you will need prior permission to do so. Check with our hotel in Aralvaimozhi about the formalities for visiting these places if you plan to visit them.
Don’t miss the Tirunelveli Halwa and the special Sodhi Kolumbu when in the city.
November to February is the best time to visit Tirunelveli when the weather is cool and pleasant.
Hotel Aavudai Grand is one of the best hotels in Aralvaimozhi for family and solo travellers. We offer clean, well-furnished accommodation options with added amenities, including valet parking, 24/7 concierge service, and airport and local transfers. Call us at 91 88254 66315 if you are looking for a budget hotel in Aralvaimozhi.
For more travel tips, must-visit spots, guest experiences, and special offers, follow Hotel Aavudai Grand on Instagram and stay updated while planning your Kanyakumari itinerary.
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