Kumarakom Must Visit Places
The best thing to do is hire the traditional houseboats and amble through the waters for the whole duration of your stay. Gaze at the locals carrying on with their lives on both sides of the water, watch the day’s catch pulled in by a fisherman, and admire the virgin beauty of nature surrounding these undisturbed waters. If you seek some thrill, head to Vembanad Lake which is the largest patch of backwater here and get on a speed boat or still better, a banana boat. During the festival of Onam it is a marvellous sight to behold the colourful and unique fishing boats competing with each other. On land the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is home to some of the most colourful and rare species of migratory birds. The road beside it is a beautiful place to walk with the waterway just beside it.
Kumarakom's Famous Cuisines
Kumarakom is the swimming grounds of the ‘karimeen’, a local fish prepared in numerous delectable ways – fried, curried with local spices, steamed. It is almost obligatory to enjoy a meal of steamed white rice with a dish of karimeen. Other delicacies include grilled lobster and prawn curry. The best place to eat is at a local’s house or the homestays for a really authentic flavour. Exclusive eateries belong to the resorts, the best of which are Pearl Spot, The Vembanad Restaurant, and Sugandhy. A more budget-friendly option is the restaurant run by the Tourism Department.
Kumarakom Markets
This is no place to indulge in the pleasures of shopping, though you can go and buy fresh fish from the fishermen for your boat kitchen. If you really have to shop, go to Alleppey or Kochi.
How To Reach Kumarakom
Kumarakom is just 2kms from Kochi and is easily reachable by road. You can also take the water route for a breathtaking ride. The nearest airport is Kochi.