Kerala Honeymoon in December: Weather and Plan

A Kerala honeymoon in December is one of the most popular choices for Indian couples, and for good reason. The northeast monsoon has usually eased by then, the hills are clear and cool, and the beaches are calm enough to swim. It is also the busiest time of year, so a good December trip depends more on planning than on luck.

This guide covers the weather, where to go, how holiday dates change things and a sample route. Weather varies year to year, so check the forecast close to travel.

What is the weather like in December?

Most of Kerala is dry and sunny in December, with occasional showers early in the month. The coast is warm and humid in the afternoons but pleasant in the mornings and evenings. Munnar and the other hill stations are cool by day and cold at night, especially in the second half of the month, when some mornings bring frost on the grasslands. Pack for both climates.

Is December a good month for a Kerala honeymoon?

For most couples, yes. Views from Munnar's viewpoints are at their clearest, the backwaters are calm and green after the rains, and beaches at Varkala and Kovalam have their best swimming conditions. The trade-off is crowds and higher prices, particularly in the last ten days of the month. Couples who can travel in the first half of December often get the same weather with fewer people.

Where should you go in December?

• Munnar: clear views and cold, cosy nights
• Thekkady: comfortable for walks and boating
• Alleppey or Kumarakom: calm water for a houseboat
• Varkala or Kovalam: dry, sunny beach days
• Wayanad or Vagamon: quieter hill alternatives

Because the weather is good everywhere, December is a month to include a beach. Many couples finish with two nights at Varkala, where cliff-top cafés overlook the sea, or Kovalam, which has more resorts with pools.

How do Christmas and New Year affect the trip?

Hotels, houseboats and cars are at their busiest from around 20 December to 2 January. Many resorts set minimum stays and charge more for those dates. Some add a compulsory gala dinner on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve, which is billed separately. Houseboats on Vembanad Lake are often fully booked for New Year's Eve, and some operators set different cruising rules that night. Ask about all of this before you pay.

A sample 6-night December route

Fly into Kochi and drive to Munnar for two nights. Continue to Thekkady or go straight to Alleppey for a houseboat night. Finish with two or three nights at Varkala or Kovalam and fly home from Trivandrum. This loop keeps each drive to about three to five hours (approximate) and ends somewhere warm after the cold hill nights.

How early should you book?

For the first half of December, four to six weeks ahead is usually enough. For any night between Christmas and New Year, book two to three months ahead, and earlier for a private houseboat or a well-known resort. Flights to Kochi and Trivandrum also rise sharply at the end of the month. Check current rates and cancellation terms rather than relying on an older quote.

What should you pack?

Bring a warm jacket, socks and a scarf for Munnar, light cotton for the coast, sunscreen, a hat and swimwear. A light rain layer is still useful early in the month. If you plan a candlelight dinner or photoshoot, carry one dressier outfit for the evening.

What about the first and last weeks of the month? Early December can still bring a few evening showers from the retreating monsoon, especially in the south, but they rarely last long. The last week is the driest and busiest. If your wedding date gives you a choice, the window between about 5 and 18 December often offers the best balance of weather, prices and space.

Think about experiences that suit the season. Clear skies make December a good month for sunrise viewpoints in Munnar, such as Kolukkumalai or Top Station, a candlelight dinner on a lawn or deck, and an evening at the beach. Christmas is widely celebrated in Kerala, especially in Kochi and the coastal towns, where churches and streets are decorated with lights and stars.

Fort Kochi hosts lively celebrations around New Year, and some years the Kochi Muziris Biennale art festival opens in December. Check the dates for your year if you want to include either.

Finally, keep your plans realistic. Roads to Munnar and the beaches are busier at the end of the month, so allow extra time for drives and arrive at popular viewpoints early. A slightly longer stay in fewer places usually works better in peak season than a fast loop.

If prices or crowds put you off, consider January. The weather is similar, the hills stay cool, and rates usually ease after the first week of the month.

Compare dates on our Kerala honeymoon packages page, or see the Kerala honeymoon with Kovalam beach and the Varkala cliff honeymoon. For the full calendar, read the best time to visit Kerala.