'''Kollam''' [http://kollam.nic.in] is in the district of Kerala in Southern India.
Regions
Cities
Anchal
Chathannoor
Chavara
Kallada
Karunagappally
Kalakode
Kollam
Kottarakkara
Kundara
Neendakara
Ochira
Paravoor
Parippally
Pathanapuram
Punalur
Sasthamkotta
Shakthikulangara
Thenmala
Other destinations
kavanad-its around 8 km from the city
Kundara AKA "Vilabarathinte Nadu" is about 13 km from the city.
Understand
Kollam or Quilon is an old sea port town, capital of erstwhile Desinganadu,
and now a major city in Kerala and headquarters of Kollam District.
Kollam is the trading post where merchants from Arab Counties
and west including Portuguese, Dutch etc.
met Chinese and other Indian traders from
Thirunelveli, Shencottah in Tamil Nadu.
Geograpicaly, it share borders with districts
Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha in the north
and Thiruvananthapuram in the south.
East of it is Tamil Nadu and it is near to Shencottah in Tamil Nadu.
Talk
Get in
By Air
'''Kochi International Airport''' [http://www.cochin-airport.com/], or International airports at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and Kozhikode (Calicut). Direct flights there from the Middle East, Singapore, Maldives, Europe and Sri Lanka.
Alternatively reach Chennai (Madras), Bangalore, Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, or other Indian cities and then by train.
By Train
Kollam district is well connected and serviced by rail to all major cities in India like Kozhikode, Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata.
By Bus
You can also reach here by bus from big cities like Kozhikode, Mangalore, Kochi, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Mumbai, Coimbatore.
By Road
Kollam is well connected to other cities Kochi, Kozhikode, Madras, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai by road.National Highway(NH47) which is coming from Ernakulam(Cochin Or Kochi)is going via Kollam to Trivandrum. NH 47 is passing through different places in Kollam like Karunagappally, Chavara, Kollam,Kottiyam and Chathannoor.
Get around
'''Bus''' - local bus service system is cheap.
'''Autorickshaw''' - This is cheap way of transportation facility between attractions.
'''Taxi''' - Local taxis are also available at cheap rates.
'''Car''' - There are many Car rental companies offering cars with drivers or self drive.
'''Walk''' - Many places of attractions are near by other so you could walk between them.
See
'''Achencoil''' - 80 km from Punalur is an important pilgrim center. Famous for its Sastha temple with a Sastha installed several centuries before the Christian Era.
'''Alumkadavu''' - 26 km from Kollam is this scenic place, with blue green stretches back water, coconut palms, Back Water Cruise, House Boats, Ayurvedic treatment centers.
'''Amritapuri Asramam''' - A Hindu pilgrim center for worshipers of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. [http://www.amritapuri.org/]
'''Anchal''' - 13 km south of Punalur, known for its cattle market.
'''Aryankavu''' - 73 kms east of Kollam, pilgrim center, old trade route for merchants from either sides of western Ghats, famous for shrine of Lord Sastha, fine sculptures and mural paintings etc.
'''Chathannoor''' - 18 km from Kollam on the NH 47 towards Trivandrum. Polachira near Chathannor is a favourite haunt of migratory birds.
'''Chavara''' - 14 km north of Kollam on NH47, famous for the mineral sand and place of Catholic saint Sister Alphonsa.
'''Jetayu Para''' - huge rock is in the Chadayamangalam village on the M.C road. legend says Jatayu, the giant bird in the epic Ramayana, fell after failing in its attempt to stop Ravana from taking sita away. Ideal place for trekking.
'''Karunagappally''' - 27 km north of Kollam in NH47, old military station of Kayamkulam Rajas.
'''Kottarakkara''' - 27 km north-east of Kollam, erstwhile capital of Elayadathu Swarupam, a ruling family. Famous for Kath kali (a dance drama).
'''Kulathupuzha''' - 10 km south of Tenmala on road to Shencottah, with forest range, well known for its ayyappa temple, templefish pond ,elephants and Reeds.
'''Kundara''' - a prominent place in Kollam famous for industries.
'''Kunnicode''' - 10 km west of Punalur, famous as Muslim pilgrim center.
'''Mayyanad''' - 10 km south of Kollam, famous for its shrines and temples.
'''Neendakara''' (long shore) - 8 km north of Kollam, famous for its fisheries industries.
'''Oachira''' - 32 km north of Kollam in NH47, is this famous temple, a unique pilgrim center and handicraft center.
'''Palaruvi Water Falls''' - one of the famous waterfall in Kerala is near Aryankavu, one the way to Sencottah.
'''Paravur''' - 13 km south of Kollam is this place famous for coir production center and fishing.
'''Pathanapuram''' - an old trading center on the banks of the Kallada river, it is 13 kms away from Punalur.
'''Pattazhi''' - famous for its ancient Bhagavathy temple.
'''Punalur''' - 45 km from Kollam on the way to Shencottah is this place of archaeological interest with a suspension bridge build in 1877.
'''Sasthamcotta''' - 19 km from Kollam Town, biggest freshwater lake in Kerala.
'''Thangassery''' - 5 km away from Kollam town is this place of historical importance, with old 18th century churches, light house and remnants of Portuguese and Dutch forts.
'''Thazhava''' - near Oachira is of archaeological interest.
'''Thenmala''' - 66 km east of Kollam, on the way to Shencottah is this Dam site with dense forest is famous for Eco tourism, it is also reachable from Trivandrum.
'''Kalayapuram''' - 34 km from Kollam, on the way to Kottayam from Kottarakara. It is believed that old Kalayan royal family were ruled from this place, hence the name Kalayapuram.
Do
Eat
Kollam town is sandwiched between the Ashtamudi Lake and the Arabian Sea and,therefore, Kollam is well known for its seafood cuisine as well as backwater cuisine.
Drink
Drink,booze but stay well with in control.
Stay safe
Place to see
The Train journey from Kollam to Shencottah/Tenkasi goes through the western ghats section of Kerala, a picturesque region where the Train pass chugging through the tunnel and twisty rail routes. At present the route from Kollam to Shencottah is under broad gauge conversion.