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

Compared to many other Indian cities, Jaisalmer is one of the more laid-back and safe to explore. Certainly, a small level of petty crime still exists in this popular tourist destination, but it’s not nearly as rife as in the country’s larger urban areas. However, as in all tourist hot spots, visitors should be aware of pickpockets and thieves who prey on unsuspecting tourists. Whenever you visit a popular attraction, keep your valuables close to your body, and your bags and camera slung across your shoulder to deter an easy grab-and-run.

Also be on your guard at any crowded public transport centre, such as the train station or bus stops. Busy bazaars are another ideal place to have your pocket picked. As a general rule, only travel with as much money as you think you’ll need for the day. If you need more cash, Jaisalmer is small enough that you can quickly get back to your hotel or to an ATM.

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

Even though India doesn’t require visitors to have a vaccination certificate, it’s still highly suggested that you get caught up on all the main vaccinations such as tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis and other heavy hitters. These diseases are actually still common in many parts of India, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Malaria should not be much of an issue in the dry desert environment of Jaisalmer, but in any event, the best defence against mosquitoes is to wear long pants, socks and shoes, especially in the evening time. 

Contaminated food and water is the most common source of illness for travellers to Jaisalmer. Sometimes it’s simply the local microbes that your body isn’t used to, but more often it’s a dangerous parasite like e coli or giarrdia. Under no circumstances should you drink water from the tap. Stick to bottled water at all times, and even bring it with you when you dine out. Check that your food has been thoroughly cooked and that sauces and chutneys look fresh. It is all but impossible to come away from India without one bout with a bad stomach, but the local pharmacies are always prepared for this minor illness and can quickly sort you out.

The intense desert sun in Jaisalmer is another thing to consider. In the summer months it will be obvious enough that you should wear sunscreen and a hat when you venture out, but during the cooler winter months, visitors can be tricked into feeling comfortable and forget about the sunscreen, even though the sun is still just as intense. Drink lots of bottled water as well. In these dry conditions, your body will dehydrate quicker than you can imagine, so go overboard on the water all through the day.

If you get ill during your visit to Jaisalmer, any minor problems can be easily handled by the nearest pharmacy. Don’t hesitate to ask your hotel to help you out if you feel too ill to go to the shop yourself. For major accidents, there is an adequate hospital in Jaisalmer, but you may want to consider heading home or to a larger Indian city for serious medical treatment. Most of the doctors and staff at Jaisalmer’s hospitals can speak English, so that will help out some. All visitors are suggested to buy some travel insurance to cover an unexpected trip to the hospital. The cost of travel insurance is nothing compared to a hospital bill. 

Government Hospital: +91 2922 252343
Maheshwari Hospital: +91 2922 250024

Emergency services: 100

Even though Hindi is the most commonly used language in India, the region of Rajasthan has dozens of different dialects and local languages. Since Jaisalmer is a fairly popular tourist destination, visitors will find that many of the locals involved in the tourism trade are able to speak some English.

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 airport is never the best place to exchange large amounts of foreign currency, as they always give you the worst rates possible, but you’ll need enough rupees to get you from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer if you’re arriving internationally. Once you get to the city, the bank is the best place to exchange money. Hotels, shops and restaurants typically offer worse rates, but they can work in a pinch.

Withdrawing rupees from ATMs is fast becoming the preferred way to take out a daily amount of cash without having to carry around too much. ATMs can be found near most of Jaisalmer’s tourist attractions. Just check to be sure that the bank isn’t charging a ridiculous handling fee for each withdrawal. Cirrus and PLUS are the most widely accepted banking networks. Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are also widely accepted at larger hotels, restaurants, shops and tour offices, but don’t count on the plastic in any of the smaller stores, cafés or in the bazaars.

In fact, it’s a good idea to carry around a nice supply of smaller bills like Rs100s because most smaller shops can’t make change for anything larger than an Rs500 bill. The small Rs10s also make good tipping cash. One thing to watch for when your receive banknotes as change is not to accept any notes that are ripped or severely damaged. Shopkeepers in Jaisalmer rarely accept torn banknotes, so you should also refuse to accept any in return.

All visitors over the age of 17 are allowed to bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, and 2 litres of alcohol and up to 60ml of perfume without paying any duty fees. Expensive electronic equipment such as laptops, video cameras or fancy photographic gear will need a Tourist Baggage Re-Export form, available upon arrival at the airport. Technically, you are required to fill out this form to prove that you didn’t buy the electronics within India. Although the customs officers don’t always check this when you depart the country, it’s better to fill out the form when you arrive than deal with the potential headache when you try to leave.

It should be obvious from the traditional houses, whose windows are blocked off just enough so that the women cannot be seen from the outside, that Jaisalmer is a very conservative city. This particular corner of India, Rajasthan, has its own particular social customs, but in general the main rules are the same as everywhere else in the country.

Dress is one way visitors can easily blend in with the local population and show respect for their social rules. Neither men nor women should wear any clothing that could be even remotely considered revealing. Women in particular should be sensitive to the gender separation in Jaisalmer and try to cover their bodies as much as possible. Men should not wear shorts, even if it’s 48˚C outside. The best bet is to bring lightweight, loose-fitting clothing which can be layered to accommodate the drop in temperature after dark.

Respect for the religious shrines and temples around Jaisalmer is another important thing to keep in mind. Remember that these are holy sites for the devoted. Don’t touch anything that looks obviously sacred, especially with your left hand, and always remove your shoes before entering a temple. Just follow the lead of the locals and you’ll always do fine.

Another major taboo in Indian society is the use of the feet and the left hand. Both are considered low, dirty parts of the body, so should never be used to touch another person or point to an object. Feet should be kept on the floor, never propped up on the coffee table or armrest. The residents of Jaisalmer are quite forgiving, even when foreigners make major social mistakes. A sincere apology and a little effort to integrate into the local way of life will go a long way towards making your visit much more personal and welcoming.

Dining Etiquette
Eating in India is an experience in itself, and usually catches most first time visitors to the country off guard. Even with its remote location near the borders of Pakistan, Jaisalmer locals still follow traditional Indian dining customs such as eating with the right hand. You’ll notice that they only use the right hand to touch the food, and you should do the same. If using your hand to eat is beyond your level of comfort, just ask your host or the restaurant for a fork and spoon, which they surely will have tucked away for foreigners.

All visitors coming to India must apply for a tourist visa before their trip. This can be easily accomplished at the local Indian consulate in your nearest city. Tourist visas are valid for stays of up to 6 months upon first entering the country, and are usually issued without any delay. You will need two passport-sized photos and a small fee when you submit your visa application. Make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the day you plan to arrive in India.

The best place in Jaisalmer to get information on the attractions, lodging and transport in the Golden City is at the RTDC Tourist Office near Gadi Sagar Gate on the edge of the fort. You can call them at: +91 2922 252406.