Major city · India
Kasaragodകാസർഗോഡ്
Give Kasaragod 2 nights as a fort-and-backwater base: Bekal Fort at opening, Chandragiri Fort at sunset, then move on.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jun–Aug (southwest monsoon), Apr–May (humid heat)
- Airports
- IXE · CNN
- Nights
- 2
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.
Kasaragod is the northern tip of Kerala, a small town on the Chandragiri river with forts, beaches and backwaters within 30 km. It is not a resort town: the draw is Bekal Fort, the Theyyam season and a quiet Malabar coast that most Kerala itineraries skip. Two nights covers the forts and one backwater or beach day; three if you add Nileshwaram or Kanhangad.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kasaragod, 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
- SafetyKasaragod is generally calm and locals are helpful; the real risks are monsoon-season roads, unlit beach stretches after dark, and heat in April–May.
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 108 ambulance · 1800-425 (≈ US$25–5)-4747 (≈ US$55) tourist police (kerala) (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.
- AirportIXE Mangaluru International (Bajpe) (About 60 km north; the closest airport, in Karnataka.).IXE Mangaluru International (Bajpe) (About 37 mi north; the closest airport, in Karnataka.).
- Getting aroundAutorickshaws are the default for short hops; buses are the cheapest way between towns and start from the New Bus Stand (local) and the KSRTC station…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea at a local café₹15–40 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miAutorickshaw, 5 kmAutorickshaw, 3.1 miAgree the fare or insist on the meter.₹150–200 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus, short hop₹10–25 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12)
- Budget bedLodge dormitory or single room, a night, per person₹500 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
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 →
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
- IXE Mangaluru International (Bajpe) (About 60 km north; the closest airport, in Karnataka.) · CNN Kannur International (About 112 km south.)IXE Mangaluru International (Bajpe) (About 37 mi north; the closest airport, in Karnataka.) · CNN Kannur International (About 70 mi south.)
Weather and climate
Kasaragod: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C90°F
22°C72°F
1 rd
Feb
32°C90°F
23°C73°F
1 rd
Mar
33°C91°F
25°C77°F
1 rd
Apr
34°C93°F
26°C79°F
3 rd
May
33°C91°F
26°C79°F
7 rd
Jun
30°C86°F
24°C75°F
22 rd
Jul
29°C84°F
23°C73°F
25 rd
Aug
29°C84°F
23°C73°F
21 rd
Sep
30°C86°F
23°C73°F
14 rd
Oct
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
11 rd
Nov
32°C90°F
23°C73°F
5 rd
Dec
32°C90°F
22°C72°F
2 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Autorickshaws are the default for short hops; buses are the cheapest way between towns and start from the New Bus Stand (local) and the KSRTC station (long distance). A car with driver for a day is the practical way to link Bekal, Chandragiri and the beaches. Trains run along the coast and stop at Kasaragod station.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bekal
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus or car south on NH 66, about 16 kmBus or car south on NH 66, about 9.9 mi
Bekal Fort is the reason most people come; go at opening before the heat and the groups.
Kanhangad
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train or bus south on NH 66, about 29 kmTrain or bus south on NH 66, about 18 mi
Beach village with the Nithyanandashram; easy half-day.
Nileshwaram
goDoor to door: About 1.25 h
Train or bus south, about 45 kmTrain or bus south, about 28 mi
Backwater and Theyyam country; worth a night in season.
Manjeshwar
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Train or bus north on NH 66, about 20 kmTrain or bus north on NH 66, about 12 mi
Border town with a beach and mosque; little else for a full day.
Mangaluru
overnightDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Train or bus north on NH 66, about 53 kmTrain or bus north on NH 66, about 33 mi
Bigger city with the airport; use it as a transfer, not a day return.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kasaragod town (New Bus Stand / MG Road)
Walkable to the railway station and bus stands; cheapest rooms, most restaurants. Best for a car-free stop.
Bekal and Pallikkara
Beach resorts and homestays 16 km south, near the fort. Best if you want the coast, not the town.Beach resorts and homestays 9.9 mi south, near the fort. Best if you want the coast, not the town.
Nileshwaram and Kanhangad
Quieter backwater and beach villages 30–50 km south; a good second base if you have three nights.Quieter backwater and beach villages 19–31 mi south; a good second base if you have three nights.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–5,000 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 2 nights × ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₹3,000 | ₹12,000 |
| Car with driver, one day1 × ₹2,000 · check | ₹2,000 |
| Autorickshaw, per km2 × ₹30 · check | ₹60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹800 | ₹1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹2,070 |
| Trip total≈ ₹5,680 per person per day, bed included | ₹22,730≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights and long-distance trains excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Kerala vegetarian lunch (meals) | ₹50–120 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Coffee or tea at a local café | ₹15–40 (≈ under US$1) |
| Holige or local sweet | ₹20–60 (≈ under US$1) |
| Autorickshaw, 5 kmAgree the fare or insist on the meter. | ₹150–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Local bus, short hop | ₹10–25 (≈ under US$1) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The nearest airport is in another state (Karnataka): allow 1.5–2 h by road to Mangaluru, more in traffic.
- Monsoon (Jun–Aug) closes beaches and boat trips and makes the coast road slow.
- Some temples and the Maipady Palace restrict entry or photography: ask before you shoot.
- Alcohol is regulated in Kerala; licensed bars are limited and dry days apply.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Ambulance
- 108
- Tourist police (Kerala)
- 1800-425-4747
Pocket card
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Kasaragodകാസർഗോഡ്
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ഈ വിലാസത്തിൽ കൊണ്ടുപോകൂTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- Ambulance108
- Tourist police (Kerala)1800-425-4747
Embassy
No embassy in Kasaragod; the nearest consulates are in Chennai, Bengaluru and Kochi (check which covers your country).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Autorickshaw, per km: about ₹30 (≈ under US$1) (check)
- Local bus, per 3 km: about ₹13 (≈ under US$1) (check)
- Car with driver, per day: about ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) (check)
Say or show
- നമസ്കാരം — Hello / Namaste (namaskaram)
- നന്ദി — Thank you (nandi)
- എത്ര രൂപ? — How much is it? (ethra roopa?)
- ടോയ്ലറ്റ് എവിടെ? — Where is the toilet? (toilet evide?)
- ഇവിടെ നിർത്തൂ — Please stop here (ivide nirthoo)
- വേണ്ട — I don't want it (venda)
Kasaragod is a small town: book the first night before you arrive, especially in Theyyam season (roughly Nov–Feb).
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 Kasaragod. 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: Nov–Feb · avoid Jun–Aug (southwest monsoon), Apr–May (humid heat) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for IXE: road time field-checked, taxi fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: town centre and bus stands, Chandragiri riverfront, Bekal and Pallikkara, Nileshwaram.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Bekal Fort, Chandragiri Fort, CPCRI, Malik Dheenar) and eat pages with last orders.
- Monsoon and Theyyam-season fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialKasaragod district official site
- officialKerala Tourism
- officialIndian Railways (IRCTC)
- officialKerala State Road Transport Corporation
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kasaragod, revision 5319126 (CC BY-SA 4.0)