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What to wear in Kerala?
- You will be okay with almost all kinds of comfy wears.
- Bikini tops & sarongs are okay on tourist beaches.
- Cotton clothes are preferred due to the tropical climate in Kerala.
- Tank tops, T-shirts, knee-length shorts, long skirts, trousers, and pants are all fine.
- Shorts & skinny wear are usually not permitted in religious places like Temples & Churches.
- Ladies can try kurti or Salwar Kameez if they prefer local dressing. Men can try 'mundu' for a kick-ass look, but you'll probably need a belt to hold it together.
Food & alcohol?
- Apps like Zomato will help you find decent hotels in the state.
- There are plenty of beer & wine parlors all around Kerala.
- Alcohol can be purchased from 3/4/5-star hotels, or through beverage outlets located in towns & cities.
- Some items to try out:
- Kerala Sadhya
- Puttu - Kadala Curry
- Malabar Biriyani
- Kerala Sadhya
- Fish curry
- Porotta - Beef fry
- Kappa - Meen Curry
- Naadan Kallu (Alcohol)
- Karimeen Pollichathu
- Puttu - Kadala Curry
- Porotta - Beef fry Iddali,sambar
- Idiappam
- Kallappam
- Dosa - Sambar
- Iddly - Sambar
- Appam - Stew
- Appam
- Lunch
- Kerala Sadhya
- Thalassery biriyani
- Kappa - Meen Curry biriyani
- Payasam
- Kappa Biriyani
- Non-Veg Delicacies Naadan Kallu (Alcohol)
- Kerala prawn curry
- Fish Molly
- Fish Fry
- Karimeen Pollichathu
- Duck Roast
- Naadan Chicken Curry
- Banana Chips
- Unniyappam
- Pazham Pori
- Sughiyan
- Vattayappam
- Uzhunnu Vada
- Ulli Vada
- Cutlet
- Other
- Naadan Kallu (Alcohol)
Parippu Vada
Snacks
Breakfast
Places worth shopping?
It's better to avoid tourist spots for shopping since almost everything will be priced super high. It is recommended you go to regular towns or cities, or malls for shopping. Here are some malls to look out for:
- Lulu Mall, Ernakulam
- Oberon Mall, Ernakulam
- Focus Mall, Kozhikode
- R.P Mall, Kollam
- Sobha City Mall, Thrissur
- Mall of Joy, Kottayam
Here are some items you may want to take back home:
Note: The below items can be bought from retail shops at most tourist locations in Kerala. However, some locations exclusive for shopping them are: Cochin Broadway, Mattancherry Jew Street, Spices Board of India, Palarivattom
- Spices (Arguably the best in the world)
- Ayurvedic plants/medicines (Homegrown & fresh)
- Coconut/Coir handicrafts
- Aroma oils
- Fresh tea leaves/powder from Munnar/Vagamon.
- Aranmula Kannadi
- Jewelry\
You have three options to travel around Kerala
1. Bus - Public transportation buses are available to almost all locations in Kerala. It's probably the cheapest mode of transportation available. You can book tickets through KSRTC official website. You can view bus timings using Aaanavandi. Book A/C Bus Online: KURTC Online Bus Booking
2. Taxis - Services like Uber & Ola are available in the main cities like Cochin & Thiruvananthapuram and be used for short distances. Private taxis can be booked from the airport. Taxis can be booked from hotels.
3. Train - Train services are available connecting all the main cities of Kerala. Lower class tickets are very cheap and usually, do not require booking of any kind. Tickets can be booked through IRCTC official website.
1. Bus - Public transportation buses are available to almost all locations in Kerala. It's probably the cheapest mode of transportation available. You can book tickets through KSRTC official website. You can view bus timings using Aaanavandi. Book A/C Bus Online: KURTC Online Bus Booking
2. Taxis - Services like Uber & Ola are available in the main cities like Cochin & Thiruvananthapuram and be used for short distances. Private taxis can be booked from the airport. Taxis can be booked from hotels.
3. Train - Train services are available connecting all the main cities of Kerala. Lower class tickets are very cheap and usually, do not require booking of any kind. Tickets can be booked through IRCTC official website.
Are there any art forms, cultural events
kathakali Onam Pooram
Kathakali - A classical Indian dance form and is associated with storytelling through dance. It is a unique dance form because of the intricate and vivid make-up, unique face masks and costumes worn by dancers.
Onam - Traditional Hindu festival celebrated during the months of August or September. Celebrations last for around ten days which includes several activities & games like Pookkalam, Pulikali, Onam Sadya, and Vallam Kali(boat race).
Thrissur Pooram - Annual temple festival held in the district of Thrissur during April-May. Very famous for the flag hoisting competition on over 50 assembled elephants, huge & elaborate fireworks, ceremonies, etc.
Onam - Traditional Hindu festival celebrated during the months of August or September. Celebrations last for around ten days which includes several activities & games like Pookkalam, Pulikali, Onam Sadya, and Vallam Kali(boat race).
Thrissur Pooram - Annual temple festival held in the district of Thrissur during April-May. Very famous for the flag hoisting competition on over 50 assembled elephants, huge & elaborate fireworks, ceremonies, etc.
What's the weather like?
Winter - Usually from November to February. The temperature at hill stations drops as low as 10°C. Stays around 23-28°Cin other places.
Summer - Generally from February to May. Summer in Kerala is exhibited by low rainfall, comparatively higher temperature and humid weather. Even during the peak of summer, the temperature usually stays under 40°C.
South West Monsoon - Usually from June till September, this is the main monsoon season in Kerala, witnesses voluminous rainfall. Rainfall continues throughout these months. Temperature stays around 25-35°C.
North East Monsoon - From October till November. These monsoons are also known as Retreating Monsoons and are characterized by heavy rainfall with thunder and lightning. Temperature stays around 25-35°C throughout, with a hot and humid climate.
more about cool stuffs
- Theyyam dance at Malabar.
- Travel in an Auto-rickshaw.
- Travel in an Auto-rickshaw.
- Elephant Bathing/Riding in Kodanad.
- Snake boat races at Alappuzha.
- Roam around through the paddy fields at Kuttanad.
- Fish with Chinese Fishing Nets at Fort Kochi.
- Drape a Kerala saree!(for women), or wear a Kerala mundu!(for men).
- Get an Ayurvedic massage.
- Visit tea plantations and tea processing factories at Vagamon hills.
- Enjoy the mother nature at Ramakkal Medu.
- Watch/try out Kalari Payattu (The martial art of Kerala).
- Have a fun time at Wonderla Amusement Park. [Booking Available]
Do's and Don'ts of Kerala
- Public smoking and consumption of alcohol are not allowed and you will be fined if caught.
- Tipping is not mandatory in most of the hotels & restaurants. You can leave a small change of ₹ 5-10 if you fee like tipping.
- Carry sunscreen, mosquito repellents & medicines.
- Carry bottled water with you. Avoid water from public taps.
- Avoid wearing costly jewelry items
- Revealing attire and PDA may attract unwanted attention.
- Most churches & temples expect you to be conservatively dressed. Footwear is not allowed inside. Temples are usually not open to non-Hindus.
Any links that might be helpful?
കടപ്പാട്.
KERALA TOURISM GUIDE