A visit to Kanyakumari can be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. It is not only a feature-loaded vacation spot, it is also important from a historical and religious perspective. In fact, Kanyakumari has many nature retreats, forests, hills, waterfalls, and a hot shopping venue too. There is a lot that you can do in Cape Comorin, which means you could end up spending a ton of cash. It is therefore important to put plugs in place so that you have control over the budget of your vacation. The following guide provides you tips for saving on your Kanyakumari vacation.
1. Set your Budget
This is where your vacation should start from. When it comes to vacations, no amount of money could suffice. You must have a fixed budget in mind, and all your expenses from flight to stay to shopping should be restricted within it. Once you have a budget, break it into different activities. Set aside the amount for each task – travel, visiting attractions, activities, stay, food and drinks, and buffer. Buffer is the amount of money you will set aside to meet any emergencies. It shouldn't be on anything else.
2. Bring your Food and Drinks
This may sound odd and difficult, but if you can still pack enough packaged food, snacks and drinks and carry it along to last a few days. You will certainly want to enjoy the local delicacies and beverages, but it will be more economical not to buy the snacks and drinks from the local shops. Most of the stores in Kanyakumari will charge a premium on the retail price. In fact, many of the outlets along the beach sell snacks and beverages at almost double their printed value.
The vacation rentals industry is quite advanced and you can book your accommodation online. Directly contact them to learn everything about the rooms and amenities. If you are travelling in a group, you will need more space and more facilities. Make sure to check the floor plans before booking any vacation rentals. Choose the one with the floor plans and amenities suited to your requirements.
You will have to dig up for the required information – make a few calls and send a few emails. The effort is worth it because the hard work will pay for itself in the form of a magnificent stay and splendid views.
3. Prepare Food Yourself
If you are visiting Kanyakumari in a group, with friends or with family, it will be best to prepare your food in the vacation rentals. Dining out is going to be expensive, especially if you are seeking out specialty foods. Besides, cooking in a group can be fun and a learning experience for many. As mentioned above, if you can pack enough groceries along, it will be more economical. If not, you can visit the local grocery store and source all the food materials for the duration of the stay. You could save hundreds of dollars on food during your vacation if you can prepare most of the food yourself.
4. Enjoy more Free Activities
There are many spots in Kanyakumari where you will have to pay to engage in different activities. If you plan to go surfing, it is recommended to bring your surf board along. There are many areas on the beach, many treks, and other areas where you can engage in free activities. There is no need to be paying up for all the activities.
5. Don't Hire a Rental Car
There are bus services that connect almost all the hot spots in Kanyakumari. They are extremely cheap, costing not more than $0.15 for the shortest distance. You could travel around the entire district in buses, saving hundreds if not thousands of dollars. If you choose a car rental, expect to spend a lot of money on travelling between the attractions in Kanyakumari.
6. Advance Booking
If you can book your flight and vacation rentals in advance, you could save a few hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Usually, backpackers will not book their accommodation. Most of them believe in relying on their luck rather than planning and booking everything in advance.
If you are planning a visit to Kanyakumari, it is recommended to book your flight, rail tickets and accommodation a few months in advance. If you have the budget to accommodate a car rental, make sure that it is also booked in advance. Typically, airlines will offer you the best-possible prices if you book at least 45 days in advance.
7. Save Money on Shopping
Everyone visiting Kanyakumari will be taking back home some kind of souvenirs. You will want to remember the place even after years. It is recommended to choose something durable that can last a long time. There are hundreds of shops in the beach destination where local handicraft, clothing and other accessories are sold. It can be tempting to get all the colourful goodies that you come across.
The fact is that you don't need all of them. You could take home a few souvenirs – something special, but avoid falling for everything you come across. You will be wasting your money on the typically overpriced items.
8. Make Sure to Bargain
Bargaining is an integral part of almost all commercial deals in India. So you can negotiate the price on everything – from hotel rooms to a bottle of water. In fact, the locals will easily inflate the prices for tourists from abroad. So make sure that you ask for a better price.
So make sure to use these tips and you could save a lot on your vacation in Kanyakumari.
Martin Wynn
