Around 12km southeast of Alleppey, long-running Green Palm Homes is a series of homestays in a picturesque village on a backwater island, where you sleep in simple rooms in villagers’ homes among rice paddies (though 'premium' rooms with bathroom and air-con are available). Take a guided walk (₹500), hire bicycles or kayaks (from ₹300), or join a cooking class (₹250).
The cheapest rooms have shared bathroom; some others have an air-con option (₹500 extra). There's a 30% discount for solo guests. To get here, call ahead and catch one of the hourly ferries from Alleppey to Chennamkary (₹12, 1¼ hours).