Travel Tips

Banks

Banks are open for transaction from 10:00 - 15:30 hrs on weekdays and from 10:00 - 12:00 hrs on Saturdays.

Credit Cards

Main hotels, restaurants and shopping centres honour major credit cards.

Time

(Hours fast (+), slow (-) on IST)USA: -10.30, Germany: - 4.30, Canada: - 10.30, France: - 4.30, Australia: + 4.30, Spain: - 4.30, UAE: - 1.30, UK: - 5:30.

Best time to Visit

High season: September-May
Monsoon Rejuvenation programmes: June-August

Travel Kit

Cotton outfits; hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc.

Drugs

Heavy penalties including imprisonment for possession of narcotic drugs.

Ayurveda

Go only to those Ayurveda centres that are classified/approved by the Department of Tourism. Click here to see the list

Food

All standard restaurants offer a variety of cuisines including Continental, Chinese, Indian and typical Kerala fare.

Water

Tap water is purified and quite safe to drink. It is not advisable to drink water from slow moving streams, lakes or dams. Bottled water is also available.

Emergency Numbers

Police control room: 100
Fire station: 101
Ambulance: 102, 108
Police Helpline
While traveling on Highways (Highway Alert Number): 9846 100 100
While traveling in Trains (Railway Alert Number): 9846 200 100

Temple Codes

Some temples do not permit entry to non-Hindus. Strict dress codes are followed in most of the temples. Footwear is banned inside the temple premises.

Nudity

Nudity is not allowed in any Kerala beach.

Smoking

Smoking is banned in public places.

Footwear in Houses

Visitors to most Kerala houses leave their footwear outside before entering the house.

Demonstrativeness in Public

Behaviour, demonstrating affection in public like hugging or kissing is not an accepted practice in Kerala.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

To visit a wildlife sanctuary, prior permission has to be taken from the authority concerned of the sanctuary. For further enquiries, contact: The Chief Conservator of Forests, Thiruvananthapuram 695 014, Tel: + 91 471 2322217