Kerala Holidays-travel Guidelines
Planning the Kerala Experience: Consider the serene beaches, the emerald backwaters, the lush hill stations, the exotic tropical forests, the ayurvedic health holidays, enchanting art forms, magical festivals, historic and cultural monuments and the exotic cuisine… On offer is a unique KERALA EXPERIENCE – a singular advantage no other destination offers – the visitor has a new experience at each location. The lifestyles of the locals living astride the long shoreline of the serene beaches are dictated by the demands of earning a livelihood at sea, while those living along the tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters have a different life style. The lush hill stations with extensive plantations of tea and spices and the exotic tropical forests offer a different life style to the locals. With every one of these charming destinations within two to four hours drive from the other, a visitor generally spends two to three days at each location.
Money: There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that visitors can bring. ATM facilities are available at the smallest of towns and money changing facilities are available at all airport and major cities
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
Even though 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, codes of conduct and dress regulations vary for different temples across the state. 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.
Plan your trip the way YOU want it – May be we help you rediscover nature and heritage of Kerala with true local knowledge, friendliness and dedication and a strong commitment to protecting the environment
For more information about Kerala Hotels , Kerala Tourism , Kerala Houseboats , please visit http://www.kerala-hotels.co.in/