Mattancherry Palace
Palace built by the Portuguese and later enlarged by the Dutch, hence its other name, the Dutch Palace. Rooms hold royal portraits and murals of Hindu epics.
Kerala
Green tropical scenery, Ayurvedic treatments, Munnar's tea hills and houseboat trips through the backwaters make up Kerala's reputation.
Attractive locations
Paradesi Synagogue
Historic synagogue in Jew Town, Mattancherry, founded in the 1500s and known for its hand-painted blue-and-white floor tiles. Respectful dress is expected.
Kerala Backwaters
Network of lagoons, lakes and canals around Vembanad Lake, where visitors travel by houseboat or small boat past villages, rice fields and coconut groves.
Athirappilly Falls
Wide waterfall on the Chalakudy River, surrounded by forest. It is at its fullest after the monsoon rains, when the water thunders over the rocks.
Chinese Fishing Nets
Large cantilevered fishing nets along the shore at Fort Kochi, lowered into the water by teams of fishermen. They are an iconic sight, especially at sunset.
Munnar
Hill town surrounded by rolling tea plantations and cool mist, set high in the Western Ghats. Viewpoints, a tea museum and short walks make it a popular escape from the coast.
Periyar National Park
Forest reserve around a large lake in the hills, where boat rides and guided walks give a chance to see elephants, deer, birds and other wildlife.
Airports
Cochin International Airport COK
It is about 20 km in a straight line from Kerala.
Calicut International Airport CCJ
It is about 132 km in a straight line from Kerala.
Coimbatore International Airport CJB
It is about 140 km in a straight line from Kerala.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan27.3 °C13 mm
- Feb28.6 °C27 mm
- Mar29.4 °C54 mm
- Apr29.0 °C129 mm
- May28.3 °C284 mm
- Jun27.0 °C494 mm
- Jul26.1 °C439 mm
- Aug25.9 °C350 mm
- Sep26.2 °C293 mm
- Oct26.6 °C358 mm
- Nov26.8 °C174 mm
- Dec26.7 °C38 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Oct.
Costs
Prices here are about 23% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
culture
Onam and snake-boat races
This harvest festival of Kerala includes races of long snake boats.
Who can help
Emergency
112 is the national emergency number (old numbers 100 police, 101 fire, 102 ambulance may also work).
local government
Ministry of Tourism tourist helpline (Government of India)
Helps with: National tourist helpline of the Ministry of Tourism. It gives travel and tourism information and advises callers in distress while travelling in India, alerting authorities if needed.
Who qualifies: Domestic and international tourists in India.
Phone: 1800111363
ngo
Indian Red Cross Society, National Headquarters
Helps with: India's national Red Cross society. The national headquarters in New Delhi lists a main phone line and email, and runs a blood centre with its own enquiry line.
Who qualifies: People in India seeking Red Cross services or information.
Phone: +91-11 23716441
Email: ircs@indianredcross.org
Address: 1 Red Cross Road, New Delhi 110001
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) India
Helps with: The UN migration agency, working in India since 2001. Its work covers labour migration, counter-trafficking, assisted voluntary return and reintegration, and support for migrants.
Who qualifies: Migrants and people affected by trafficking or labour migration issues. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +91 11 24100026
Email: iomnewdelhi@iom.int
Address: UNESCO House, Ground Floor, 1 San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
embassy
Diplomatic missions in India (Ministry of External Affairs)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The Ministry's homepage links to a Diplomatic Missions in India section under Foreign Relations.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own country's embassy or high commission.
local government
Emergency number 112 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches the police, ambulance and fire services in India, with support in English, Hindi and other languages. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 112