Kerala Travel Guide

Money

There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that visitors can bring.

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 Kerala
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 food.

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
Website: www.keralapolice.org

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.
Website: www.forest.kerala.gov.in

For further enquiries, contact: The Chief Conservator of Forests, Thiruvananthapuram 695 014, Tel: + 91 471 2322217

Official website
To know more about Kerala, visit the website of the Government of Kerala www.kerala.gov.in

Miscellaneous travel tips

Hiding Valuables
It is very necessary to hide your valuables when you are on a trip as
they might get lost. Passport security socks are a great way to hide
your valuables. They are available in all sizes and heights. For cash,
passport, keys and other small valuables, a zipped pocket inside you
clothes is a great idea.

A Bus Driver May be Better than a Concierge!
Make it a point to be friends with the bus drivers around. The public
bus drivers can be of great help and provide with better suggestions
than the concierges. These bus drivers are familiar with the local
customs/secrets and can make your entire vacation a pleasant one.

Air Medical Transport May Not be Covered under Your Current Insurance
When you have to travel more than 150 miles from home, it is advisable
to have a yearly air medical transport membership. In case you are
hospitalized, the expenses of getting you transported to a hospital in
your home city might not be paid under your private insurance.

ATM Withdrawals
Always use that ATM for withdrawing money which is located outside a
bank and also make sure that the bank is open. Incase, your card gets
stuck or something else happens, you can always go to the bank and solve
it out.

Ask for a Discount
Shopping at your trip, can be really expensive, if you don’t act smart!
Shopkeepers tend to ask for prices above than the actual price thinking
of tourists as unaware of it. Also, if you opt for tour
guides/operators, they have deals fixed with the shops for their own
commission on whatever items you purchase. They intentionally take you
to those shops. So, in order to save your money, be smart, bargain and
ask for discounts while shopping. Bargains and discounts, always work
effectively.

Declare Your Credit Cards
Remember that in most countries, credit cards are considered as “Live
Currency”, so do remember to mention them, if asked by the customs
officials. This will help you avoid trouble with countries that are
strict with the rules of money importation.

Don’t Keep All Cash in One Place
Always keep your cash at different places such as in your suitcase,
personal pockets, handbags, etc. In this way, even if you get robbed or
loose something, you still be left with something to carry on your trip.

Must Carry Things
Whenever you go for a trip, carry these things along with you so that you dont have to face problems later on:

An extra debit card just in case you lose the first one.
Food for the flight or train, sometimes the food that you get is awful.
If you are going to a city with tropical weather, carry tale board shorts.
Sunscreen is essential.
A photocopy of your travel guide, in case you loose the original one.