Sasthamkotta
The little town of Sasthamkotta is situated about 29 km north east of Kollam on the banks of the Kallada river. It is a beauty spot, a health resort and a centre of pilgrimage. The ancient Sree Dharmasastha Temple which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim centre. The temple is home to a tribe of peaceful monkeys while the nearby market is populated by a mischievous tribe.

Known as ‘Queen of lakes’ Sasthamkotta is the largest fresh water lake of kerala, surrounded by hills on three sides. The beautiful lake has a capacity of holding 22390 million litres of water and serves as the source of drinking water for the people of Kollam as it does not contain common salt or other minerals and metals. The large part of the lake is domesticated for agricultural purposes. It is home to 27 species of freshwater fish including pearl spot and cat fish and two genera of prawns. A country boat cruise through the lake is a rich experience. Accommodation is available at the PWD Rest House in the town. There are frequent buses from Kollam (Quilon) which takes about one hour to reach.

Ashtamudi Lake
Ashtamudi Lake, renowned for its panoramic views is the second largest lake in Kerala, stretching a length of 16kms. The lake is the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is named so because of its eight channels that cover the largest portion of Kollam district. The numerous coconut groves and palm trees that dot the lakeside add to its scenic beauty. The Chinese fishing nets and the large-sailed dugouts carrying the local coir, copra and cashew can also be seen in the lake. The Kollam Boat Club provides houseboats for back water cruise. Tourists can also enjoy a variety of water sports, offered by the resorts situated along the banks of the lake.

Palaruvi waterfalls
Palaruvi, literally meaning stream of milk, is one of the well-known waterfalls in South India, falling from a height of 300 feet. Located close to the Kerala- Tamil Nadu border, this beautiful picnic spot lies about 75 km from Kollam and 35km east of Punalur on Kollam - Shencottah road. The scenic beauty of the place with the hills, valleys and cascades, covered with dense tropical forests, is breath taking. The best season to visit the place is from June to January.