Visas
Carry
your visa for entry to India/Kerala on your holiday.
For further clarifications, contact the Indian High Commission.
For visa extension, contact Office of the Commissioner of Police, Thiruvananthapuram.
Ph: 0471-2320555.
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)
Drugs
Heavy punishments including imprisonment are imposed for possession of narcotic
drugs.
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
Tap water is purified and quite safe to drink. 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.
Nudity
Nudity is not allowed in any Kerala beach.
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.
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 concerned
authority of the sanctuary.
