Major city · India
Courtallamகுட்றலம்
Spend a half‑day at Courtallam for the waterfalls; add a night if you want a relaxed stay or to catch the monsoon flow.
Courtallam (Kuttralam) is a small Tamil‑Nadu town famed for a cluster of waterfalls that swell during the monsoon. The falls are within walking distance of the bus stand, so a few hours cover the main sights. Overnight accommodation is cheap, making a night‑stay optional for a relaxed pace or to see the evening crowd.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- mid‑June – September, October – January
- avoid April – May (dry season, few falls)
- Airports
- IXM · TRV · TCR
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Courtallam100 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Courtallam, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; stay with the crowd at waterfalls, heed flash‑flood alerts, and avoid drinking alcohol in public.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers100 police · 112 All services (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIXM Madurai Airport (≈200 km (124 mi), 3 h by bus or taxi).IXM Madurai Airport (≈124 mi (200 km), 3 h by bus or taxi).
- Getting aroundAuto‑rickshaws are everywhere; hire a cab for distant falls or use private car rentals.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealTea (street stall)₹20–₹40 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketWaterfall entry (private property – Tiger Falls)₹50–₹100 (≈ US$1–2)
- Budget bedBudget hotel room, a night, per room₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel room, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedBudget hotel room, a night, per room₹4,000 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹500 (≈ US$6) · Mid ₹800 (≈ US$10) · High ₹1,200 (≈ US$14)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IXM Madurai Airport (≈200 km (124 mi), 3 h by bus or taxi) · TRV Thiruvananthapuram Intl (≈100 km (62 mi), 3 h by bus) · TCR Tuticorin Airport (≈90 km (56 mi), infrequent flights)IXM Madurai Airport (≈124 mi (200 km), 3 h by bus or taxi) · TRV Thiruvananthapuram Intl (≈62 mi (100 km), 3 h by bus) · TCR Tuticorin Airport (≈56 mi (90 km), infrequent flights)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Best
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Jun–Jan. Avoid: Apr–May. Month by month →
Warmest May (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Courtallam: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
8 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Auto‑rickshaws are everywhere; hire a cab for distant falls or use private car rentals. Parking at main falls is free or nominal.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tenkasi
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Train to Tenkasi (≈30 min), then auto‑rickshaw 5 km (3.1 mi)Train to Tenkasi (≈30 min), then auto‑rickshaw 3.1 mi (5 km)
Market town, good for meals and shops.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Jijis Castle
basic hotel in Courtallam, seasonal rates
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹800–₹1,200 (≈ US$10–14) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹1,200–₹2,000 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel room1 × 1 night × ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹500 | ₹500 |
| Madurai → Courtallam bus (one way)1 × ₹250 · check | ₹250 |
| Auto‑rickshaw Courtallam centre ↔ Main Falls1 × ₹80 | ₹80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹233 |
| Trip total≈ ₹2,563 per person per day, bed included | ₹2,563≈ US$30 |
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long-distance transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Tea (street stall) | ₹20–₹40 (≈ under US$1) |
| Auto‑rickshaw (5 km) | ₹80–₹120 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Parotta (street food) | ₹30–₹60 (≈ under US$1) |
| Waterfall entry (private property – Tiger Falls) | ₹50–₹100 (≈ US$1–2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Crowds can become unruly during peak monsoon; police presence at falls.
- Flash‑flood warnings may restrict access to Shenbagadevi, Thenaruvi and other upstream falls.
- Public alcohol consumption is prohibited; only TASMAC shops sell liquor.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- All services
- 112
Pocket card
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Courtallamகுட்றலம்
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
இந்த முகவரிக்கு, தயவு செய்துTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- All services112
Embassy
US consulate in Chennai; other embassies in Chennai or New Delhi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Madurai → Courtallam (bus): ≈₹250, 3 h (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw Courtallam centre ↔ Main Falls: ≈₹80 each way
Say or show
- மன்னிக்கவும் — Excuse me / Sorry (mannikkavum)
- நன்றி — Thank you (nandri)
- இது எவ்வளவு? — How much is this? (idu evvalavu?)
- நீர்வீழ்ச்சி கட்டணம் — Waterfall entry fee (neervizchi kattam)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Courtallam. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: mid‑June – September, October – January · avoid April – May (dry season, few falls) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Jijis Castle for a relaxed evening.
- Book a private cab for remote falls (Karayar Dam) if time permits.
Sources
Ask about Courtallam
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