Hidden Offbeat Places in Kerala for a Weekend Trip (2026)
Hidden Offbeat Places in Kerala - offer something most tourists never find: unspoiled forests, empty beaches, colonial-era villages, and misty hill stations without the weekend crowd. From the surreal floating meadows of Thenmala to the Portuguese-flavoured lanes of Thalassery, these 7 secret destinations are perfect for a 2-day getaway in 2026 — with budgets starting at just ₹2,500 per person.
You've done Munnar, Alleppey, Kovalam — and so has every other tourist in South India. But Kerala has a secret side that most people scroll past on travel apps. These are the hidden offbeat places in Kerala for a weekend trip that locals whisper about, travel writers obsess over, and the crowd hasn't discovered yet.
In this guide, we've gone beyond the brochures. Every destination here has been verified for accessibility, accommodation availability, and real traveller experience in 2026. Whether you're a solo backpacker, a couple on a budget, or a group chasing the road less travelled — this list is for you.
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7 Secret Offbeat Places in Kerala for a Weekend Trip (2026)
These hidden offbeat places in Kerala for a weekend trip are ordered by accessibility. Start with ones closer to major cities if it's your first off-the-grid adventure, or go straight to the wilderness if you're an experienced traveller.
These hidden offbeat places in Kerala for a weekend trip are ordered by accessibility. Start with ones closer to major cities if it's your first off-the-grid adventure, or go straight to the wilderness if you're an experienced traveller.
Thenmala — India's First Planned Eco-Tourism Destination
Eco-TourismForestBudget-FriendlyCouple-Friendly
Most people haven't heard of Thenmala, and that's exactly the point. Tucked inside the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in Kollam district, this planned eco-destination features a deer park, a musical dancing fountain, suspension bridges over the Kallada River, and forest trails with almost zero tourist congestion. It is one of the best hidden offbeat places in Kerala for a weekend trip for nature lovers.
Did You Know? Thenmala translates to "honey hill" in Malayalam — and the surrounding forests are home to over 200 species of birds, making it a serious birder's paradise you've probably never seen on a birding list.
The boat rides on Kallada Reservoir at sunset are otherworldly. Combined with the evening light shows and the silence of the forest, it's everything Munnar offers without the traffic jams.
Distance from Kollam72 km
Entry Fee₹30–₹80
Best Season Oct – Mar
Trip Type1–2 Days
Thalassery — The Forgotten Coastal Heritage Town
HeritageCoastalFood TrailHistory
If you love history, food, and empty beaches, Thalassery (Tellicherry) in North Kerala is criminally underrated. A former British and Portuguese trading port, the town is famous for its crumbling colonial fort, Circus Academy, and the legendary Thalassery biryani — a rice dish so distinct it has its own protected identity among food historians.
Keep reading — the food scene alone is worth the trip, but there's something even more unexpected about this town...
Thalassery is also home to the only government circus academy in India, where you can watch young acrobats in training. The Muzhappilangad Drive-In Beach — Asia's longest — is just 10 km away. These are the experiences that make hidden offbeat places in Kerala for a weekend trip so rewarding.
Distance from Calicut70 km
Entry Fee Free
Best Season Nov – Feb
Trip Type1–2 Days
Aralam — Kerala's Least Visited Wildlife Sanctuary
WildlifeForestAdventurePermit Required
Most people skip Aralam because it requires a Forest Department permit — and that's exactly why you should go. Located in Kannur district, this Wildlife Sanctuary is home to elephants, leopards, sambar deer, and over 150 bird species. Unlike Periyar or Wayanad, you won't be sharing the trail with 50 other tourists.
Did You Know? Aralam was once a government farm established in 1960 and converted into a wildlife sanctuary only in 1984, meaning its ecosystem is a unique mix of cultivated plantations blending into a wild forest.
Distance from Kannur 38 km
Permit Fee₹150–₹400
Best Season Sep – Apr
Trip Type1–2 Days
Nelliampathi — The Hill Station Nobody Talks About
Hill StationPlantationBudget StayScenic
Munnar gets all the glory, but Nelliampathi in Palakkad district is what Munnar was 20 years ago — unspoiled, uncrowded, and stunningly beautiful. The drive through the Pothundi Reservoir, past orange groves and coffee plantations, is one of the most scenic routes in all of South India. This is one of those hidden offbeat places in Kerala for a weekend trip where you'll feel like you've discovered something truly private.
Most people miss this — there are tribal settlements in Nelliampathi that offer authentic homestay experiences for ₹800–₹1,200 per night, including home-cooked tribal cuisine.
Distance from Palakkad 55 km
Entry Fee₹20
Best Season Oct – Apr
Trip Type2 Days
Beypore — A Historic Port Frozen in Time
Coastal Heritage Unique Experience Photography
Beypore, just 10 km from Kozhikode, is home to one of the world's last surviving traditional wooden shipbuilding yards — the Uru (dhow) craft that has been practised here for over 1,500 years. Watching master craftsmen build ocean-going vessels by hand, without blueprints, is humbling in a way that no tourist brochure can capture. The Chaliyam fishing harbour nearby is pure old Kerala.
Distance from Kozhikode10 km
Entry Fee Free
Best SeasonYear Round
Trip TypeDay Trip
Mananthavady — Gateway to Wayanad's Wild Interior
ForestWaterfallsAdventureTribal Culture
Wayanad is on every tourist map, but Mananthavady — its northernmost town — is almost entirely ignored. This is where Wayanad's true wild begins: dense forest, the stunning Pazhassi Raja Tomb, Pookode Lake without the weekend crowds, and rare tribal art communities. For those seeking hidden offbeat places in Kerala for a weekend trip, Mananthavady offers depth that popular Wayanad towns simply cannot.
Distance from Calicut95 km
Entry Fees₹30–₹100
Best Season Oct – Mar
Trip Type2 Days
Ponnumthuruthu Island — The Golden Island Nobody Visits
IslandBackwatersHidden GemPhotography
Located near Kollam, Ponnumthuruthu (Golden Island) is a tiny island in the backwaters accessible only by boat. It has a 400-year-old Shiva temple, silent coconut groves, and a guest house run by the Kerala Tourism board. Unlike Alleppey's overcrowded houseboat scene, the island offers a genuinely quiet, authentic backwater experience at a fraction of the cost.
Did You Know? Ponnumthuruthu means "island of gold" in Malayalam — legend has it that Portuguese traders buried treasure here in the 16th century. No one has found it yet.
Distance from Kollam14 km
Boat Fee₹200–₹400
Best Season Nov – Mar
Trip TypeDay / Overnight
Destination Comparison — Which Offbeat Kerala Place is Right for You?
Still deciding which of these hidden offbeat places in Kerala for a weekend trip to visit first? This table breaks it down fast.
DestinationBest ForMin. Budget (2 Days)Crowd LevelAccessibilityThenmalaNature & Eco-Tourism₹2,500/person🟢 Very LowEasyThalasseryHistory & Food₹2,800/person🟢 LowEasyAralamWildlife & Trek₹3,200/person🟢 Very LowModerateNelliampathiHill Station & Scenic₹2,600/person🟡 Low-MediumEasyBeyporeHeritage & Culture₹1,800/person🟢 LowVery EasyMananthavadyForest & Tribal₹3,000/person🟢 Very LowModeratePonnumthuruthuBackwaters & Peace₹2,200/person🟢 Very LowEasy (Boat)
Full Budget Breakdown — Kerala Offbeat Weekend Trip Cost (2026)
One of the biggest reasons people avoid offbeat destinations is uncertainty about cost. Here's a detailed, real-world budget for visiting any of the hidden offbeat places in Kerala for a weekend trip on different budgets.
Budget TypeTotal Per Person (2 Days)What You Get🎒 Backpacker₹2,000–₹2,800Dorm stay, local food, buses⭐ Mid-Range₹3,500–₹5,500Private room, café food, cab💎 Comfortable₹6,000–₹10,000Resort, AC travel, experiencesAverage Budget₹3,200–₹4,500Per person, 2 days
💡 Pro tip: Travelling on weekdays (Monday–Thursday) reduces accommodation cost by 20–30% at most of these destinations.
Best Hotels, Budget Stays & Booking Options for Offbeat Kerala (2026)
Finding the right stay is the difference between a magical weekend and a frustrating one. Here are recommended options across price ranges for the best hidden offbeat Kerala weekend getaway destinations.
Budget Stays (Under ₹1,500/night)
Homestay
Tribal Homestays — Nelliampathi
₹800–₹1,200/night
Includes breakfast + dinner. Authentic experience. Book via the Kerala Tourism website or call ahead.
KTDC Property
KTDC Thenmala Eco-Tourism Complex
₹900–₹1,400/night
Government-run, reliable, clean. Book on keralatourism.org. Limited rooms — book early.
Guesthouse
Thalassery Heritage Lodges
₹700–₹1,100/night
Old-town character, walking distance to the fort and food streets. Best for solo travellers.
Mid-Range Stays (₹1,500–₹4,000/night)
Plantation Resort
Coffee & Spice Plantation Stay — Nelliampathi
₹2,200–₹3,500/night
Wake up in a working coffee estate. Guided plantation walks included.
Forest Lodge
Aralam Eco-Lodge (Forest Dept.)
₹1,800–₹2,800/night
Inside the sanctuary. Book via Kerala Forest Dept. Rare experience. Very limited availability.
Island Stay
KTDC Ponnumthuruthu Island Resort
₹1,600–₹2,600/night
On the island itself. Solar powered. No other guests after sunset. Magical.
🔖 Booking tip: Use keralatourism.org for KTDC properties and verify via the official site before paying any advance. For homestays, WhatsApp the host directly for best rates.
Weekend Trip Checklist — Don't Leave Without These
- Book accommodation at least 7–10 days in advance (especially KTDC properties) - Carry cash — most offbeat places have no ATMs or card readers - Download offline Google Maps for the area before you travel - Check Forest Dept. permit requirements for Aralam and wildlife zones - Pack light rainwear — Kerala's weather can change fast year-round - Carry a power bank — charging points are unreliable in remote areas - Note the nearest government hospital location to your destination - Inform someone at home of your travel route and stay details - Buy local produce directly from tribal/farm communities — it supports them - Respect wildlife zones — no loud music, no littering, no selfie-drones
Pros & Cons of Choosing Offbeat Places in Kerala
Pros - No tourist crowds or weekend rush - Significantly lower cost than popular spots - Authentic local culture & cuisine - Better photography opportunities - Eco-friendly, sustainable travel - Deeper, more memorable experiences Cons - Limited transport connectivity - Fewer accommodation options - Some require permits or booking - Poor mobile network in forest areas - Limited medical facilities nearby
"The best Kerala experiences aren't on any tourist map — they're on local lips."
Explore More Kerala Guides - Kerala on ₹3,000 a Day — A Real Backpacker's Budget Guide - Best Time to Visit Kerala in 2026 — Month-by-Month Breakdown - Kerala Food Trail: 12 Dishes You Must Eat & Where to Find Them - Solo Travel in Kerala — Safety Tips, Routes & Budget Breakdown
Final Thoughts — Plan Your Offbeat Kerala Weekend Now
Kerala isn't just Alleppey houseboats and Munnar tea gardens. The hidden offbeat places in Kerala for a weekend trip listed in this guide offer something far more valuable: genuine discovery. Whether it's watching master boat-builders in Beypore, waking up in a tribal homestay in Nelliampathi, or watching the sun set over the golden backwaters of Ponnumthuruthu — these are the experiences that stay with you long after the tan fades.
The best part? All of these destinations are weekend-ready, budget-friendly, and largely untouched by mass tourism in 2026. But that won't last forever. The smartest time to visit is before everyone else figures it out.
Ready to Escape the Tourist Trail?
Start planning your offbeat Kerala weekend trip. Check availability, compare stays, and book before these hidden gems hit the headlines. Explore Kerala Tourism ↗
FAQs — Offbeat Kerala Weekend Trip
What are the best hidden offbeat places in Kerala for a weekend trip in 2026?
The top offbeat Kerala destinations for a weekend in 2026 include Thenmala, Thalassery, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Nelliampathi Hills, Beypore, Mananthavady, and Ponnumthuruthu Island. All offer unique experiences with low crowd density and reasonable budgets.
What is the average cost of an offbeat Kerala weekend trip?
The average budget for a 2-day offbeat Kerala trip is ₹2,500–₹4,500 per person — covering transport, stay, food, and entry fees. Backpackers can manage on ₹2,000 while a comfortable mid-range trip costs ₹4,000–₹6,000.
Which offbeat Kerala place is best for couples?
Thenmala and Ponnumthuruthu Island are the most romantic offbeat Kerala destinations for couples. Both offer a peaceful nature, beautiful sunsets, and intimate stays away from crowds.
Do I need permits to visit offbeat places in Kerala?
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary requires a Forest Department permit (₹150–₹400) which can be arranged at the entry point or in advance from the Kannur DFO office. Most other destinations are open entry.
When is the best time to visit offbeat places in Kerala?
October to March is the ideal season for most offbeat Kerala destinations. Monsoon (June–September) adds dramatic beauty to hill stations like Nelliampathi but makes forest trails inaccessible.
How do I book stays at KTDC eco-tourism properties in Kerala?
KTDC (Kerala Tourism Development Corporation) properties can be booked directly on keralatourism.org or via their toll-free helpline. Forest eco-lodges like Aralam must be booked through the Kerala Forest Department website.
Are these offbeat Kerala places safe for solo female travellers?
Yes — all seven destinations in this guide are considered safe for solo female travellers. Thalassery, Beypore, and Thenmala are particularly recommended due to their town infrastructure and easy connectivity.