TRAVEL TIPS

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

Banks
Banks are open for transaction on all days except Sundays and declared holidays.

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
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.

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.