Travel Tips

Money

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

Banks

Banks are open for transaction from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs on all days except Sundays (10.00 to 12.00 hrs).

Best time to visit

High season: October to April - Monsoon.

Rejuvenation programmes: May to September

Travel Wear

Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc

Credit cards

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

Currency

Indian Rupee (INR)

Food

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

Emergency numbers

Police control room: 100

Fire station: 101

Ambulance: 101

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

Water

Eventhough tap water is purified, it is better to drink bottled drinking water or drinking water from houses/restaurants. It is not advisable to drink water from slow moving streams, lakes or dams. Mineral water is available in sealed bottles.

Temple codes

Footwear inside the temple and entry into the sanctum sanctorum is banned in all the temples.

Other customs and codes of conduct and dress in temples across the State vary from each other.

Some temples do not permit entry to non-Hindus, while some do. Shirts for men and pants are banned from some temples and allowed in some others. Where they are banned, men have to be in mundus and women, in saris, half-saris or long skirts.

Footwear in houses

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

Ayurvedic treatment

If you wish to undergo Ayurvedic treatment, it is very important to ensure that you go to an authorised centre.