About

Kochi also known as Cochin,  is called the ''Queen of the Arabian Sea" it is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. is an important and beautiful port city of Kerala. The city is one of the principal seaports of the country and it is located in the district of Ernakulam, about 220 km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The city has an estimated population of 600,000, with an extended metropolitan population of about 1.5 million. it has a wealth of historical associations. It's setting on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas perfectly reflect the eclecticism of Kerala. Here you can see the oldest church in India, 500-year-old Portuguese houses, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish community with ancient roots, and even a 16th-century synagogue. The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry are an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English county grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast - a radical contrast to the bright lights of mainland Ernakulam. Kochi has a fine natural harbor, which throughout its history has made it a center of trade between India and the rest of the world. Today Kochi is the commercial hub of Kerala. making it the largest urban agglomeration and the main city in Kerala. From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Cochin is proud of its world-class port and an international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide. Etymologically, many theories exist pertaining to how Kochi derived its name. 

History

In 1102 AD, Kochi became the seat of the Kingdom of Cochin, a princely state which traces its lineage to the Kulasekhara Empire. Heralded as the Queen of Arabian Sea, Kochi was an important spice trading centre on the Arabian Sea coast since the 14th century. Ancient travellers and tradesmen referred to Kochi in their writings, variously alluding to it as Cocym, Cochym, Cochin, and Cochi. Occupied by the Portuguese in 1503, Kochi was the site of the first European colonial settlement in India. It remained the capital of Portuguese India until 1530, when they opted for Goa as their capital. The city was later occupied by the Dutch, the Mysore and the British. Kochi entered a period of economic growth after 2000, leading to a spurt in the city's development. A growing centre of shipping industries, international trade, tourism and information technology, Kochi is one of the fastest growing second-tier metros in India. Like other large cities in the developing world, Kochi continues to struggle with urbanisation problems such as traffic congestion and environmental degradation.

In 1102 AD, Kochi became the seat of the Kingdom of Cochin, a princely state which traces its lineage to the Kulasekhara Empire. Heralded as the Queen of Arabian Sea, Kochi was an important spice trading centre on the Arabian Sea coast since the 14th century. Ancient travellers and tradesmen referred to Kochi in their writings, variously alluding to it as Cocym, Cochym, Cochin, and Cochi. Occupied by the Portuguese in 1503, Kochi was the site of the first European colonial settlement in India. It remained the capital of Portuguese India until 1530, when they opted for Goa as their capital. The city was later occupied by the Dutch, the Mysore and the British. Kochi entered a period of economic growth after 2000, leading to a spurt in the city's development. A growing centre of shipping industries, international trade, tourism and information technology, Kochi is one of the fastest growing second-tier metros in India. Like other large cities in the developing world, Kochi continues to struggle with urbanisation problems such as traffic congestion and environmental degradation.

Getting Around

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• Buses: Bus fares are cheap, and have frequent stops. So they are convenient for getting around in Cochin. At times they get crowded. For city travel, you will be taking buses from bus stops. Make sure you are on the right bus stop. If you are in doubt, ask any local.
• Trains:  There are two major Railway stations and several suburban stations within city bounds. Ernakulam South is the major station in town. That is where to take most inter-state and long distance trains. Second in importance is the Town station.  This is the station to take a train to Kottayam or the northern suburbs. It is also called North Station. Aluva is a busy suburban station where many trains stop. Local trains stop at stations such as Angamaly, Aroor, Aluva, Edappally, and Thrippunithura.
• Auto Rickshaws: Auto-Rickshaws are fairly cheaper than taxi cars. Minimum charge up to 3 Kms is Rs. 7/-. In Ernakulam, auto-rickshaws are the most convenient mode of transport. There are around 800 or more autos running in the city. Pre-paid auto stands (booth) are available at Ernakulam Junction railway station and at Thoppumpady.
• Ferries: Cochin has an active ferry network. There are several islands within city bounds. They are connected to the mainland by regular ferries. Ferries are inexpensive and efficient. You will get the backwater feel of the city as well. By using ferries alone, you can get to many tourist attractions including Fort Kochi.
• Hire Boats: Motorised boats of various sizes can be hired from the Sealord jetty or from the small dock adjacent to the Main jetty in Ernakulam. They are an excellent way of exploring Kochi harbor at your leisure and without crowds. Rowboats offer to shuttle between Willington Island, Fort Cochin or Mattancherry.
  
• Taxis: Taxis are available for hire at taxi ranks located outside railway stations and other major locations. Always confirm the fare before you get in the car.
• Hire cars: There are several hire car companies in Cochin. A few have offices at the airport. You have the choice of renting a car with or without a driver. Nearly all of them are local brands and not international ones.

Rentals

Motorbikes and bicycles Rentals:  Hiring a bicycle or motorbike is a good choice to explore places such as Fort Kochi, where you will encounter relaxed traffic. You can hire a bike at places such as Fort Kochi. There are tour operators who provide bicycle tour. These tours are good fun although the rates are not similar to hiring a bicycle yourself.

Motorbikes and bicycles Rentals:  Hiring a bicycle or motorbike is a good choice to explore places such as Fort Kochi, where you will encounter relaxed traffic. You can hire a bike at places such as Fort Kochi. There are tour operators who provide bicycle tour. These tours are good fun although the rates are not similar to hiring a bicycle yourself.

Weather

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• April is the hottest month in Kochi with an average temperature of 30°C (85°F) but quite often May turns out to be hotter. Summers are hot and muggy with thunderstorms.
• The coldest is August at 25°C (77°F) mainly because of cooling rains and not due to snow in its suburbs.
• The wettest month is June with an average of 690mm of rain. The rainy season stretches from April through November. 
• February is the driest month. It's the tail end of what passes for winter in Kochi (December through February). It gets damn cold up in the hills.

Best time to Visit

Cochin has a different charm in different seasons and though it can be visited all around the year, here is a month wise break-up of the weather of the city:

Cochin has a different charm in different seasons and though it can be visited all around the year, here is a month wise break-up of the weather of the city:

October to February: Winters are by far the best time to visit Cochin as the weather is very pleasant. Temperatures range between 17 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius. This is a great time of the year for honeymooners, beach bums and adventure seekers.

March to June: March marks the beginning of the summer in Cochin and temperatures begin to rise. The average temperature during this time of the year is between 20 degrees Celsius to 37 degrees Celsius. This is a great time to visit Cochin as the city is not crowded and you can secure great deals on hotel tariffs. Do make sure you carry light cotton clothes and sunscreen along.

July to September: The monsoon season is another great time to visit Cochin and admire the city in its rain-washed splendor. Covered in a carpet of green, Cochin comes alive during the rains. Since this is not peak tourist season, it is possible to get good deals on hotels. Do make sure you carry an umbrella or raincoat along as you enjoy your monsoon holiday in Cochin.

Tips

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• we would suggest hiring UBER/OLA cabs instead of relying on local taxis or auto rickshaws. They are a lot cheaper than both local taxis and auto rickshaws.
• Language won't be an issue as most of the people will be able to understand English and Hindi.
• Most of the hotels/bakery/coffee shops serve Non-vegetarian food and beef is a normal food item.
• The name of the District is Ernakulam and you can say Kochi is its center. Sometimes the name Ernakulam and Kochi are used by people as same. ex: MG road, Kochi / MG road Ernakulam. both are the same.
• within 100 km radius, from Kochi, you can find some amazing tourist spots including Athirappilly waterfalls, Kumarakom bird sanctuary, Munnar hill station, Allepy backwaters to name a few, so don't miss these place when you are on Kochi vacation.
• Ayurveda massages come from Kerala. we recommend either a four-hand massage or a Shirodhara massage where they continuously drizzle oil on your forehead. If you have health problems, this is a great place to seek out holistic cures.
• Lots of food in Kerala involves coconut milk and cashews.