Banks: 10:00 to 14:00, Monday to Friday; 10:00 to 12:00, Saturday and Sunday 
Post Offices: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 21:00, daily; some closed on Sundays
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; closed on Saturdays
Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday

Alleppey, and Kerala in general, has very low rates of violent crime. However, petty theft is a problem, especially for tourists. The best advice is to keep your valuables in your hotel safe, and if they don’t have one, carry your cash with you in a concealed money belt when you go out. Never flash large amounts of cash in public, and try to be discreet when taking out your wallet or purse. Pickpockets are a persistent annoyance in India, so keep an eye on your belongings and bags when they are slung across your shoulder. Common sense and a low profile are your best defenses.

Foreign visitors are occasionally the victims of corrupt police looking for an easy pay off, so steer clear of any drug-related situations and know your traffic laws if you rent a car. In India, scamming has been perfected to an art form, with tourists usually on the receiving end. Be particularly wary of men who want to be your ‘guide’, as this is one of the most common scams. If you really want a tour guide during your visit to Alleppey, hire one through your hotel or a reputable tour agency.

You may find the touts in India to be rather persistent, and use your common sense when approached by a stranger. The locals are friendly, but nobody works for free. Never accept anything you aren’t prepared to pay for, and don’t give in to pressure to pay for a service you didn’t request. You may have to say the word ‘no’ a dozen times, but often simply ignoring touts is the best solution.

Taxi drivers are another common problem for visitors to Alleppey. The usual trick is to take you to a hotel or restaurant that you didn’t ask to be taken to. Know where you want to go and don’t let an unscrupulous taxi driver take advantage of you. If they say your restaurant or hotel doesn’t exist, that’s your first clue. When you arrive at the airport or train station, use prepaid taxis if possible. These are the most reliable ones. Always agree on the fare before getting in the taxi or starting the journey.

Civil unrest is not common in the Kerala region, but political demonstrations and election times always hold the potential for disruption and even violence. It’s best to stay away of street protests or political rallies. Major festivals can also be dangerous. The sheer number of people in India means there’s often massive crowds during festivals, and while they are usually fun and colourful experiences, the potential for trouble after dark is greater during festival times.

Police: 100
Ambulance: 101

Electricity:220V AC, 50Hz; all plugs are round two-pin types

All visitors to Alleppey should consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis A, cholera, typhoid and tetanus. Unfortunately, these unpleasant diseases are fairly common in Kerala. Malaria can also be a problem in the Alleppey region due to all the water. Anti-malaria medication is a useful preventative. Even better, avoid be bitten by using a good insect repellant and wearing socks and pants at dusk.

Be prepared for some minor stomach issues. Stomach upsets among visitors are so prevalent in India that they’ve honoured the condition with its own special nickname, ‘Delhi belly’. Stomach problems such as acute diarrhea result from either contaminated food and water or simply dishes that are spicier than the consumer accustomed to. Always be cautious about where you eat and pick clean-looking restaurants.

Water is the most likely culprit of a bad stomach, so be very careful. Bottled water is available everywhere at a cheap price. Use it to brush your teeth and even be careful in the shower not to get any tap water in your mouth. Be careful with ice, as well. When in doubt, leave it out.

Another, more innocuous, thing to consider during your visit to Alleppey is the sun. Always wear sunscreen and a hat to avoid getting burnt in the strong southern Indian sun. Drink plenty of bottled water to stay hydrated and try to take things slow and easy.

If you do get seriously sick while in Alleppey, there are decent clinics and hospitals available. For stomach problems or minor illnesses, ask your hotel to help you out, as they are usually willing to run to the pharmacy and get the appropriate medicine. Many upmarket hotels have in-house doctors.    

BKM Hospital: +91 477 227 2135
Emergency Ambulance: 101

India is a land of many languages, but Hindi is the main one, spoken by about 30 per cent of the population. English is also widely used for official government purposes, and in tourist towns like Alleppey many locals can usually understand a bit of English.

The Indian rupee (Rs) is India’s currency, and banknotes comes in denominations of Rs1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins come in denominations of Rs5, 2 and 1, as well as 50 and 25 paise. There are 100 paise in a rupee.

Indian rupees cannot be acquired outside of the country, so you’ll have to exchange a little bit of cash at one of the airport’s exchange bureaux when you arrive. The rates at the airport are among the worst available, so only exchange as much as you’ll need to get to your hotel. Because currency cannot be acquired outside of the country, there are always long queues at the currency exchange offices. One handy tip is to arrange an airport transfer with your hotel prior to arrival so that you can avoid using the airport’s exchange bureaux.

Banks in India offer the best exchange rates, but in general it’s considered best to withdraw your cash from an ATM, if possible, as this is both convenient and gives a competitive rate. Unauthorised money changers are ubiquitous throughout India but should never be used unless it’s an emergency. You run the risk of being ripped off when using a black market dealer.

Whenever you deal with money in India, make sure your banknotes are not torn or badly damaged. There are plenty of damaged notes around, and most businesses in larger cities like Alleppey will refuse to accept them. With this in mind, refuse to accept torn bills as change or during a currency exchange. Also be sure and get some small bills such as Rs10 and 20s to use as tips and for rickshaw rides. At small shops it’s unlikely they’ll be able to change anything larger than an Rs500 note, so try and keep a good supply of Rs100s.

When you exchange money, always ask for an encashment receipt and keep these with you until you leave the country - you may need them when you pay for large expenses like hotel bills and transport. When you depart India, you’ll also need these receipts in order to change your rupees back into another currency as it is illegal to take rupees out of the country.

ATMs are readily available in most large cities across India, including in Alleppey. Using an ATM is by far the simplest way to get cash at any time of the day without having to keep a large supply of money with you. ATMs in India accept both Cirrus and PLUS, but check with your receipt the first time to see if there are any withdrawal fees. Most ATMs allow you to withdraw Rs10,000 at a time (roughly US$200).

Credit cards are probably the easiest way to pay for large goods and services in Alleppey, so consider using them whenever possible. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted at larger shops, restaurants and hotels, and American Express is accepted at many large hotels and more upscale restaurants. There will probably be a two per cent service charge added to each credit card transaction.

Traveller’s cheques are another safe and convenient way to handle your money matters while in Alleppey. Although traveller’s cheques are quickly losing favour to ATM withdrawals, they are still widely accepted throughout India at banks, hotels and even at some restaurants.

You can bring as much foreign money as you want when you enter India, but if it’s over US$10,000, you’ll need to fill out a declaration form at the airport. Customs allows each visitor over the age of 17 to bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; 2 litres of alcohol; and 60ml of perfume. If you are carrying a laptop computer, special camera gear or video equipment, you must fill out a Tourist Baggage Re-Export form. Just to be safe, make sure you do this in case the customs inspector asks to see this form when you leave India. You may not even be inspected, but one never knows, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Visitors are not allowed to bring any livestock or pork products, live plants, or gold and silver bullion.

There are few social rules that all visitors should be aware of before their trip to India. Most Indians use the traditional namaste greeting, which involves folding your hands together and tilting your head forward slightly. Some men may offer a Western handshake to other men, but Indian women don’t shake hands. You should always take off your shoes when you enter any kind of Hindu temple, and the vast majority of Indians remove their shoes when they enter each other’s houses as well.

India has some strict social and religious conventions, so try and show particular respect if you are invited into an Indian’s home. Most Hindus are vegetarians and many, especially women, don’t drink alcohol. A small gift will be appreciated by your host.

Dress is casual in Alleppey, but women in particular should be sure and dress modestly. Short skirts and revealing tops shouldn’t be worn, even on the beach. In India, your clothing is often seen as a reflection of your status. Men shouldn’t wear shorts, which are considered bizarre in India, despite the heat.

Physical contact is much more conservative in India than in other countries, thus the use of the namaste greeting instead of a handshake. Even the slightest physical touch may be construed as a sign of sexual interest, so be very careful. Public displays of affection are frowned upon in Alleppey. In India, the left hand is considered unclean, as it’s often used in personal hygiene. Never offer your left hand in a handshake, touch a religious object with it or use it to eat with.

Be careful with your feet as well. The feet are considered the lowest part of the body and should never be used to touch an object or point at something. Don’t touch someone with your foot, and if you accidentally do, simply offer an apology. It’s a common occurrence in a crowded country like India, and an apology will show you understand their customs.

Indians enjoy a good conversation and debate, but don’t get too aggressive in your arguments. Exercise discretion if the topics of caste or poverty come up. Keeping a cool head in any situation is considered a sign of good form. Photography is fine at most attractions, but it’s always polite to ask first before you shoot a photo of a person or their home.   

Haggling is another aspect of Indian business which Westerners can find bewildering. Often you’ll find that prices are so cheap you don’t even want to haggle down the cost, in which case simply pay the asking price. If you feel the shopkeeper is asking for too much, however, respond with an offer of half his price. Protests will likely follow, but it’s all part of the game. Stick to your guns and have a final price in mind so that when it’s reached you’re ready to pay. Never lose your temper when haggling. If the price remains too high for you, simply walk away.

If you are lucky enough to be invited to dine at an Indian’s home, you’ll notice that the women do all the cooking. This is the time-honoured tradition in India. Foreign women are often treated the same as men when you’re a guest, so just follow along with the programme. It’s unlikely Indian women will want any guest in their kitchen helping with the cooking.

Make sure you don’t use your left hand when eating. Indians use their right hand to eat their food. If you feel uncomfortable with this custom, you can ask for a fork and spoon, which most households have tucked away somewhere. At restaurants, tipping is normal, and a 10 per cent gratuity will be expected for any service rendered.

local Indian consulate. Tourist visas are valid for up to six months after being issued, and are usually issued without trouble to citizens of most countries. You will need two passport-sized photos to go with your application, as well as the stated fee. Apply early to avoid any unforeseen delays, and make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past the date of your expected departure.

The District Tourism Promotion Council is in charge of running the tourism information offices in Kerala. There are offices in many of the Backwater towns, including Alleppey. Alleppey’s tourist information office can be found Boat Jetty road and is open everyday from 09:30 to 17:00. Phone: +91 477 225 3308.