There is a wide range of shops selling good quality souvenirs. Most of the beach front shops are the general Kashmiri stores you see everywhere.
Beware of hawkers though. Once you show interest in a certain product, they will pursue you everywhere until you buy it.
Try some of the shops behind the beach front stores. You'll get a better price plus some hidden gems.
Little Tibet Arts
between malabar and coconut grove restaurant is a nice little shop with fair prices. the very nice tibetan owner seems to be the only one of the dozens of shop-owner"s that won't hassle you!
Kovalam Junction is about a 10 - 15 minute walk up the hill from the main beach. You will pass through it on your initial arrival into Kovalam. Your main reason for coming here will be the ATMs, the post office, and Divine Supermarket. There are also a few good cheap eateries located around the area, a decent supermarket, and a few grocery stores where you can save a little money from the beach store prices.
atms
Kovalam junction: there are four ATMs here which accept all the major cards. They are open 24 hours a day and protected by security guards.
There is an ATM just inside a hotel driveway just a short distance 10 minute walk from Hawa Beach toward Kovalam Junction.
The ATM's are:-
Federal Bank next to the Divine Supermarket â has a daily limit of R20,000/- and the full amount is allowed in 1 transaction.
ICICI ATM next to the restaurant/café almost opposite the supermarket â has a daily limit of R20,000 but a limit of R10,000 per transaction
Canara Bank ATM next to the Post Office â again a daily limit of R20,000 but only R5,000 per transaction.
Catholic Bank ATM at the Hotel Swagarth up Cardiac Hill. Daily limit is R20,000 but only R10,000 per transaction.
There are money changers on the shore line on Lighthouse Beach and these do not charge any commission. If you change T/Cs or money at your Hotel or an Thomas Cook exchange then you will be charged commission. Bank will also change money but expect to wait.