Tourist Places to Visit in Kumarakom: From Beaches to Backwaters

Situated in the heart of Kerala, Kumarakom is an enchanting labyrinth of lakes, backwaters, and rivulets; it is akin to heaven on earth. With its calm and serene backwaters, soothing greenery, and the melodious chirping of exotic migratory birds, Kumarakom - the nature’s paradise; promises its visitors some unforgettable, soul-stirring experiences.

To add to its glory, the reputed National Geographic Magazine listed Kumarakom an epitome of Kerala’s natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality; among the select destinations in the world that one must visit at least once in their lifetime. An impressive feat indeed! Mentioned here are some of the best tourist places to visit in Kumarakom which are sure to leave you dumbstruck with their enthralling views and beguiling beauty.

Tourist Places to visit in Kumarakom

1. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary—A  Birdwatcher’s Paradise

Situated near the mesmerizing Vembanad Lake, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread over an extensive area of 14 acres and is home to many exotic migratory birds such as Siberian Crane, Indian Peafowl, Egrets, Darters, Herons, Parrots, Larks, Flycatchers, Wood Beetles, and Teals.

In addition to the migratory birds, visitors can also spot a few native birds in this lush-green setting that include waterfowls, cuckoos, owls, egrets, herons, and the water duck.

Replete with beautiful mangroves, green paddy fields, and massive coconut trees, the place is sure to give you the much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the city life. For this reason, it is considered one of the best places for sightseeing in Kumarakom.

2. Vembanad Lake—the Largest Freshwater Lake in Asia 

Sprawling over an impressive area of 200 sq. km, the captivating Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom is the largest freshwater lake in Asia and attracts thousands of tourists across the globe.

Further, Vembanad Lake is one of the most sought-after places in Kumarakom that offers one-of-a-kind boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences to its guests. And if you visit the lake during the festival of Onam, you can witness the world-famous snake boat races of Kerala here - a truly majestic sight to behold! The sight of hundreds of oarsmen rowing their boats in unison, singing folklore at the top of their voices is enough to give you goosebumps!

Not only this, the lake, with its cool and tranquil waters, helps you de-stress and experience ultimate solace and contentment in the lap of nature.

3. Kumarakom Beach—Your Perfect Picnic Spot

If there’s a perfect picnic spot that you are looking for in Kumarakom, then its legendary beach will unarguably serve the purpose. The beach is pretty famous for adventure sports such as water skiing, windsurfing, boating, and parasailing, to name a few.

Also, its pristine clear waters, shimmering sands, and gentle waves will make you fall in love with the beach almost immediately. Further, with a plethora of opulent resorts and restaurants on its shore, the Kumarakom beach lets you have a gala time while munching on some mouth-watering authentic Kerala seafood, and taking the best Ayurvedic massage! No wonder it is one of the most loved tourist spots in Kumarakom.

4. Kumarakom Backwaters—Every Sightseer’s Delight 

Boosting 60% of the regional tourism, the enchanting Kumarakom backwaters are every sightseer’s delight and form an integral part of Kumarakom tour packages. Its unparalleled scenic and enticing beauty makes for a heavenly experience and makes you unconditionally happy and content. In fact, an inexplicable sense of peace prevails as you glide through its calm blue waters.

When here, you can explore the nearby villages on beautifully-decorated conventional houseboats and fill your kitty with some of the most cherished travel experiences. Also, based on your convenience, you can either choose to spend a few hours at the backwaters or book an overnight cruise. With the houseboats equipped with all the modern facilities, you can rest assured of a comfortable and safe stay aboard.

5. Bay Island Driftwood Museum—An Award-winning Museum

(Such washed-off woods at the shore are known as driftwoods and are used to create varied sculptures)

Recognized by the prestigious Limca Book of Records and India Book of Records (2013), the Bay Island Driftwood Museum showcases a rare and innovative modern art form.

Raji Punnoose, a school teacher at Andaman & Nicobar Islands, is the proprietor and curator of this one-of-a-kind museum which houses peculiar driftwood sculptures resembling reptiles, animals, birds, amphibians and fish. With every artefact designed artistically, the Bay Island Driftwood Museum is the only driftwood museum in India that showcases driftwood in various forms and sizes, thus being an absolute delight for every art-lover. A must-visit place to see and admire India’s unique and rich art form!

6. Kumarakom Craft Museum—Storehouse of Precious Artwork

Drop by at the Kumarakom Craft Museum to satiate your artistic appetite! The embodiment of Kumarakom’s rich cultural heritage, the museum displays an exclusive collection of intricately designed art forms ranging from woodwork and decor items to conventional artifacts belonging to this spectacular region.

If you wish to buy the signature kathakali masks, then this is the right place for you! Other than these, you can also purchase sacred figurines and exquisitely designed baubles at pocket-friendly prices.

7. Toddy Shops—Drench your Throat with an Exclusive Beverage Here!

If beverages excite you, then, make sure to visit Toddy shop while touring Kumakarom and relish the uniquely prepared alcoholic beverage. Toddy, a beverage prepared from the fermented coconut palm tree sap, is quite pleasant in taste and is offered at various shops in Kumarakom. Some of the most popular Toddy shops are Pallipadam Toddy shop, Kumarakom Toddy Parlour, and Kokkothottam Toddy shops.

Apart from the aforementioned places, there are many spectacular tourist places near Kumarakom that offer out-of-the-world experiences.  These include Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall (1-hour drive from Kumarakom), Vagamon (2 hours, 20 minutes-drive from Kumarakom), Pathiramanal Island (34 minutes-drive from Kumarakom), and Thanneermukkom Bund (19 minutes-drive from Kumarakom).

Along with these places, Kumarakom is also surrounded by some of the most ancient temples, churches and mosques, with each of them symbolising Kerala’s rich culture and traditions. Some of the notable places of worship near Kumarakom include Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, Juma Masjid, and St. Mary’s Church.

Last but not the least, touring the splendid beaches and backwaters of Kumarakom during September-March, will enable you to enjoy to the fullest since this is considered the best time to visit Kumarakom. That’s because, the weather remains quite pleasant during these months, with a host of migratory birds, swarming the place in huge numbers.