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
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.