Travel Guidelines

For Travellers visiting Kerala, this is where you will find all the pertinent information to plan your trip. The Traveller's page helps you explore Kerala's various specialities and understand what makes Kerala a paradise for tourism. Ranging from an array of topics like exotic destinations to remarkable festivals, we provide a Travel Desk where you can gather all travel related information.

Money

Set high among the secluded reserve forests on the Western Ghats, Idukki hydroelectric projects satisfy about 66 % of the state's power needs. Ornamented with meandering streams, orchids and trekking rails, Idukki is waiting for you.

Banks

Banks are open for transaction from 10.00 to 16.00 hrs on all days. Second & Fourth Saturdays and Sundays are holidays.

Best time to visit

High season: October to April
Monsoon: June to August
Rejuvenation programmes: May to September

Weather

Winter: 18-22c
Summer 24-32

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: 102

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.

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. For further enquiries contact:

The Chief Conservator of Forests,
Thiruvananthapuram 695014.
Ph: ++ 91-471-2322217