Banks: 10:00 to 14:00, Monday to Friday; 10:00 to 12:00 on Saturday
Post offices: 10:00 to 17:00; Monday to Saturday
Department stores and shops: 09:00 to 19:30, daily
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday
Business offices: 09:30 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; 09:30 to 14:30 Saturday 

India is one of the world’s most populated countries, and as such there is literally a sea of humanity struggling for survival. This often brings out the worst in people, so there are a few cautions to consider during your visit to Jaipur. It’s unlikely you’ll find yourself on the receiving end of violent crime, but petty theft and scams are a common occurrence.

Most of the trouble revolves around theft. Pickpockets are rife when conditions get crowded, noisy and confusing. Be especially careful with your belongings in the bazaars of the old city, in the City Palace and any transport centre. These are all popular tourist haunts, and the thieves know it. Keeping your valuables tucked snugly against your body or in a money belt is the best precaution. Bags and cameras should be slung across your shoulders to deter snatch-and-grab artists.

Scams are another criminal art form in India, and Jaipur is no exception. The most common one involves men who desperately want to help guide you around the amazing sights of the Pink City. Their seeming goodwill will eventually end with them demanding compensation for being your personal guide. Touts who want to take you to the best jewellery shop, restaurant or hotel in the city are simply touts. Unless you want to deal with an unpleasant confrontation, it’s best to ignore these men and carry on your way.

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

Even though India does not require any special vaccinations to enter the country, it’s a good idea to have your booster shots for diseases such as hepatitis A and B, tetanus, typhoid and the other usual suspects. Malaria certainly exists in India, but around Jaipur it’s not as much of a problem as in the south. Even so, wear long pants and shoes after dusk to avoid being bitten by too many mosquitoes.

The most common ailment travellers encounter when they visit Jaipur is a case of upset stomach. This is usually caused by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated, but it can sometimes simply be your stomach adjusting to the new food. Drink only bottled water and avoid ice at all but the nicest restaurants. Check that any food you order has been thoroughly cooked. If you wash your hands before eating anything, you will greatly decrease your chances of getting ill.

Keep in mind that the desert sun around Jaipur is quite intense, even on overcast days. Always wear sunscreen and a hat when you venture out to explore the city and the surrounding areas. Also be sure and drink lots of bottled water to keep dehydration at bay. For minor illnesses, Jaipur’s chemists are up to the job, and usually know exactly what you’re suffering from. These shops can be found all over the city and are open 24 hours a day. For serious illnesses, Jaipur has several hospitals which will be able to help you. Nearly every doctor can speak English, and their medical equipment and treatments are up to international standards.

Jaipur Hospital: +91 141 255 2034

Emergency services: 102

Although Hindi is the language spoken by the largest majority of Indians, Rajastan state has five main dialects. English is also widely spoken by Indians who work for the government or in the tourist trade, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to communicate with the residents of Jaipur.

India uses the Indian rupee, which comes in denominations of Rs1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 notes. There are 100 paise in a rupee. Coins come in denominations of Rs5, 2 and 1, as well as 50 and 25 paise. 

The best place to exchange your money into rupees is at a bank. Some hotels and shops will also exchange cash for you, but you can be guaranteed a poor rate. ATMs are another excellent choice when it comes to getting rupees. There may be service charges, though, so check when you do your first withdrawal and decide which option works out best for you. Most ATMs accept Cirrus and PLUS cards.

Credit cards are only accepted at larger hotels, upscale restaurants and established shops. Make sure you always have some cash on hand, because the vast majority of merchants don’t take credit cards. Also try and keep a good supply of small bills, such as Rs100s, as many small shops simply can’t cash anything larger than Rs500. There are several ATMs and banks along MI road. Thomas Cook has a branch at Jaipur Tower, and Citibank ATM machines can be found next to the General Post Office.

One thing to consider when dealing with money in India is the condition of your banknotes. You’ll have a hard time spending banknotes which are ripped or badly damaged, so make sure you refuse to accept any damaged notes when you get change.

All visitors over the age of 17 are allowed to bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 litres of alcohol and up to 60ml of perfume without incurring a duty fee. In theory, all visitors to India who bring laptop computers or any specialised video and camera equipment must fill out a Tourist Baggage Re-Export form, which the airport will provide. When you leave the country you must be able to prove that you did not buy the equipment in India. 

The first Hindi word you’ll probably learn is namaste, which means hello. Indians have particular taboos about touching, especially between the opposite sexes, so they put their hands together and slightly bow their head when saying namaste. Some Indian men who have a bit of Western exposure may attempt a handshake, but it’s best to just follow suit.

Pay attention to how you touch Indians, because even a casual friendly touch is often taken as a form of sexual advance, and can cause a potential embarrassment. The feet are another big taboo in India. Being the lowest part of the body, Indians don’t use them to touch anything or point at anything. Don’t put your feet up on the chairs or armrests, and by all means don’t touch another Indian with your feet. If it happens by accident, as it does, simply apologise and all will be forgiven.

The hands also have special meaning in Indian etiquette. The left hand is reserved for using the toilet, so it should never be used to touch someone, shake hands, or eat food. Get into the habit of using your right hand for everything, just to be safe. Even though you’ll often see Indians having heated arguments, you’ll notice they never seem to lose their cool. This is a sign of good form, so even in a sticky situation, try and keep a cool head, as this will serve you much better than yelling.

Dressing modestly is a good idea while visiting Jaipur. It may be ripping hot, but you’ll never see an Indian man wearing shorts. Stick to loose, lightweight slacks and you’ll do fine. Women in particular need to try to dress as conservatively as possible: don’t show any more skin that necessary. Being a very conservative country, physical interaction is a big taboo in public.

Dining Etiquette
If you are fortunate enough to get invited into an Indian’s home, be sure and remove your shoes before entering. When you eat, you’ll be expected to have a go at the Indian tradition of using your right hand to eat. If this is too uncomfortable for you, just ask your host for a utensil, which they usually have tucked away somewhere. Don’t serve yourself with your hands. Let the host do the serving. After the meal, don’t expect to be asked to help in the kitchen, and don’t try to help. The woman of the house often doesn’t even eat with the guests, so just take this as an interesting cultural experience and go with the flow. At restaurants, waiters expect to be tipped 10 per cent of the bill.

Tourist visas are not available on arrival, so you will have to arrange your visa at your local Indian consulate before your trip. These tourist visas are good for stays of up to 6 months and are rarely hard to get. Make sure to bring two passport-sized photos and be prepared to pay a small fee for the visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your entry. Once you receive your visa, you have 6 months in which to use it.

Most hotels are a good source of local tourist information, but you can also try the Rajastan Tourism Development Corporation at Paryatan Bhawan, Government Hostel Campus; phone: +91 141 376 362. The Government of India Tourism Branch also has an office in Jaipur, though you may find it less helpful.