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 May Monsoon

Rejuvenation programmes: June 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.

Ayurvedic treatment

If you wish to undergo Ayurvedic treatment, it is very important to ensure that you contact your travel agent.

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.