Traveling Kerala here are some must know tips

Facts

•  Best Time to Visit Kerala is from September to March and monsoon is the best season for Ayurveda. The rates are high from December 20 to January 5 which is the peak season and offseason in Kerala is from April to August and you can plan your visit accordingly.
• 100 is the emergency number to call the nearest police station and 101 is the emergency number for the fire station,108  is the emergency number for the Ambulance service, 1363 is the emergency number for the Tourist helpline, 1091 the emergency number for the is Women helpline, 1098 is the emergency number for the Children's helpline. NOTE: all the above numbers are Toll-free numbers. 
  
• You can get authentic Ayurveda treatments in Kerala. However, always remember to choose to go only to those Green Leaf & Olive Leaf classified Ayurveda centers that are approved by the Kerala Tourism Department.
  
• DO have a houseboat experience which is one of the most added attractions of Kerala. booking online is not a good idea, you can save some extra money if you go directly.
  
• Carry enough water with you and water will be available in most of the shops in Kerala. Always use purified water. Drinking & eating from roadside vendors is not advisable. Keep yourself hydrated with water and other juices when you are sightseeing. On some days heat in Kerala can be intense and can sap your energy. Avoid Cut fruits.
• You are not allowed to touch/ take pictures of idols in temples of Kerala so make note of it.
• Avoid wearing Provocative or Revealing clothes in Public Places during your trip to Kerala.
• Public display of affection is not recommended in Kerala and other parts of India.
• Usually, Elephants don’t harm you but we suggest you not to touch/feed them in the absence of their Mahout (Master of Elephant).
• Buses and Trains are also among the cheapest mode of transport in Kerala. However, You can inquire about the timing and get the tickets from the station itself. Reservation facilities are also available in trains.
  
• Entry for non-Hindus is not permitted by some temples in Kerala and there are strict dress codes that need to be followed. You may have to leave the footwear outside the temple which is a strict rule in most of the temples.
• Carry Cotton outfits; hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, etc. and footwear that is appropriate to both the climate and the activities you have planned.
• There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that visitors can bring but limit the amount of precious jewelry and gold you carry and wear to the bare minimum.
•  Liquor in Kerala is available only from 5-star hotels and the shops of Kerala Beverages Corporation running by Govt. of Kerala, remember to limit the amount you drink.
• Main hotels, restaurants and shopping centers honor major credit cards and don’t carry too much cash. Banks are open for transaction from 10 AM to 15:30 PM on weekdays and till noon on Saturdays and you can always carry debit or credit cards.
• Kerala remains full of tourists most of the time. Therefore, it is necessary to pre-book your hotel or resort because it is very uncertain to rent accommodation at the last minute.
  
• In beaches always listen to the lifeguard and tourist police. The waves may be good for bathing and surfing, but there may be rocks underneath and they could hide a current or a sudden depression.
• Kerala food is medium spicy and it may take some time for your taste buds to get adjusted. Check with your resort/ chef/ waiter about the spices and other ingredients in the food you want to order.
• You can book the taxis directly from airports at a reasonable rate if you take any prepaid cabs and you can also take rental cars or other vehicles including bicycles. In such cases make sure that you return them on the preferred date and time and they don’t take extra charges for unnecessary reasons.
• People expect tips in Kerala and the usual standard is ten percent of the service amount. You may have to do tipping in Kerala in taxis, hotels, cafes, porters, tourist guides, travel assistance, and restaurants.
• International Driving Licenses (IDL) also known as International Drivers Permit (IDP) is mandatory for foreigners who want to hire or drive bike in India.
  
• It is better to carry a pair of Slippers along with Normal Shoes, especially during Monsoon Seasons.
• Light cotton clothes are recommended for your Kerala travel. But if you are traveling to Hill stations like Munnar and Thekkady then it is better to carry woolen clothes along with other clothes. Heavy woolen clothes are not required in Kerala.
• Smoking is banned in public places in Kerala by court order and you are liable to be prosecuted if you smoke in public.
• Never ever  Carry an umbrella during your travel to Kerala as it will protect you from the Blazing sun and suddenly heavy rain.
  
• Tickets to most sightseeing places are on a first come first served basis and there are separate queues for foreigners in most sightseeing attractions in Kerala.
• Kerala is well known for law and order and is generally a peaceful state. However, don’t travel to remote areas in night hours. It is better to stay the night in a better hotel or resort and continue the journey in the early morning than traveling at night. Refrain from traveling to remote areas in Kerala especially if you are a tourist.

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