Before visiting Bekal, I had pictured it as a place for a quick sightseeing stop. Once I arrived, however, I found quiet beaches, green backwaters, hill views and culturally interesting towns across the surrounding Kasaragod district. Instead of completing a short itinerary and moving on, I spent my time taking boat rides, walking beside the sea and making day trips to places I had rarely heard about before travelling.
Finding a quieter stretch of coast at Kappil Beach
Kappil Beach was one of the easiest additions to my itinerary. Located around 6 kilometres from central Bekal, it felt calmer than the area’s better-known coastal spots. Coconut palms and casuarina trees lined parts of the sandy shore, while the limited crowds made it easy to find a peaceful place to sit.
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I also headed towards the nearby Kodi cliffs for a wider view of the beach and the Arabian Sea. The elevated viewpoint gave me a better sense of the coastline and was particularly enjoyable later in the day, when the weather became cooler.
Choosing from the hotels in Bekal gave me a convenient base for visiting Kappil without turning the outing into a complicated day trip.
Cruising through the Valiyaparamba backwaters
Valiyaparamba, situated around 30 kilometres from Bekal, presented me with an entirely new experience of northern Kerala. The island is bordered by backwaters with the Arabian Sea on one side.
I took a leisurely boat ride amidst the coconut trees, small islands, and houses on the water. There was so much happening: birds flying over the backwaters and people carrying out their everyday tasks alongside them.
Several rivers flow through the area and form its network of waterways. One can go on a traditional houseboat ride, but even one short cruise allowed me enough time to soak in the scenery. It was peaceful, relaxing, and quite a contrast to an itinerary full of road trips.
Discovering the culture of Nileswaram
Nileswaram added a cultural stop to my trip. Often described as the cultural capital of Kasaragod, the town has links to the former Nileswar rulers, and remains known for local art forms, shrines, festivals, and handloom traditions.
I enjoyed seeing a place where history was not limited to one monument. Old royal buildings, traditional architecture and the town’s connection with folklore helped me understand more about the region’s identity.
Nileswaram also worked well as a stop while travelling towards Valiyaparamba. Combining the two meant I could experience both local culture and the backwaters without trying to fit too many unrelated places into one day.
Visiting Kerala’s only lake temple
Among the many fascinating places that I have explored, Ananthapura Lake Temple stands out. Built amidst a rectangular lake, it happens to be Kerala’s solitary lake temple. The temple is connected to the land by a bridge, which is something that I had not witnessed at other places of worship in Kerala.
As I stepped inside the temple, the exquisite wooden artwork and the place’s architecture impressed me. The serenity of the location added to the temple’s overall beauty.
The trip was well planned. Dressed appropriately for the temple, I had asked the staff at a hotel in Bekal to help arrange local travel.
Replacing the coast with the hills of Ranipuram
For another change of scenery, I travelled inland towards Ranipuram. Situated at an elevation of around 780 metres, this hill destination has grasslands, forested stretches and walking routes that feel very different from Bekal’s coastal environment.
The journey took longer than my shorter beach outings, but it added variety to the trip. I spent time walking, enjoying the cooler air and looking across the surrounding hills. Comfortable footwear and water were essential, particularly for exploring beyond the main viewpoint.
Realising why Bekal deserved a longer stay
By the end of my visit, Bekal had become more than a single-attraction destination. Kappil gave me a quiet beach afternoon, Valiyaparamba introduced me to the backwaters, Nileswaram added local culture, and Ranipuram brought hills into an otherwise coastal holiday.
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Staying longer allowed me to explore without rushing between places. What I remember most is the variety. I could begin one day beside the sea, spend another on the water and use the next for a cultural or hill trip. That was the side of Bekal I had not expected to find.