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 Sunday
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; closed Saturday
Business offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday

In general, your visit to Trivandrum should pass without incident. Fortunately, violent crimes against foreigners are quite rare. The main crime to worry about here is petty theft, often in the form of pickpockets. As in most large Indian cities, these crafty thieves know what they’re doing, so keep your valuables and cash safely tucked away against your body. Flashing cash is a great way to attract unwanted attention.

Taxis can also present a problem in Trivandrum. The drivers rarely use meters and if you don’t settle on the fare before starting off, you may feel pressured into paying whatever he asks for at the end of the ride. Occasionally, an unscrupulous driver will insist that the restaurant you want to dine at has been closed. This is rarely the case, so either call them on their bluff or find another taxi.

Since Trivandrum is the capital of Kerala, there is always the potential for political rallies, protests and the like. Passions can often run high in India, and although these gatherings appear fascinating, they can quickly turn into trouble if the police or the protesters take it to the next level. Use your common sense, keep a low profile and don’t believe everything you hear and you’ll do just fine.

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

Contaminated food and water are the main health risks to watch out for on your visit to Trivandrum. The conditions of the city’s restaurants are as varied as the cuisine, so check that the place looks clean and your food has been thoroughly cooked. Water is an even bigger concern, so absolutely stick to bottled water. Only order ice if you’re sure the restaurant keeps it clean; and even consider brushing your teeth without using the tap water.

It’s tough to get through a trip to India without contracting at least one case of upset stomach. The local pharmacies are the best place to get the medicine to fix you up, and if you’re too incapacitated to move from the bed, simply ask your concierge to help you out.

Keep an eye on the sun when you’re out and about. In the southern corners of India, the sun can be extremely intense, and before you know it you will get a nasty case of sunburn if you don’t apply sunscreen and wear a hat. Drink plenty of bottled water to stay hydrated in this hot part of the world.

If anything serious happens during your visit, there are decent medical facilities available in Trivandrum. A couple of the hospitals cater to foreigners and are well prepared if you need their assistance. Most of the doctors in Trivandrum can speak English along with other languages.

Sree Uthradon Thirunal Hospital: +91 471 244 6220
Cosmopolitan Hospital: +91 471 244 8182

Emergency services: 101

India is a country that speaks hundreds of languages, but Hindi is most widely used by around 30 per cent of the population. English is also common in any kind of official government office; and in tourist towns like Trivandrum you’ll find a lot of the locals can understand at least a bit of English.

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

One tip to remember when dealing with money in India is that few businesses, big or small, will accept torn or badly damaged banknotes. This shouldn’t be a problem when you exchange money at a bank, which is the best place to change money in Trivandrum, but be careful when getting change from businesses. It’s okay to refuse torn cash, as most Indians won’t accept them either.

If you can, use the ATMs to withdraw your rupees, as this allows you to carry smaller amounts. The rates are comparable to the banks, and although there may be a small transaction fee, the convenience and safety is a factor to be considered. Most ATMs in Trivandrum accept Visa, MasterCard, PLUS and Cirrus bank cards, and the machines can be found all over the city.

Since you cannot legally bring in or take out any rupees from the country, you will probably need to change a little bit of cash at the airport when you arrive. Naturally, the exchange rates at the airport are quite low, so only change as much as you’ll need to catch a prepaid taxi to your hotel. If your hotel can arrange an airport pickup for you, it’ll make things that much easier.

Visa and MasterCard is accepted at most of Trivandrum’s larger hotels and restaurants, but American Express is a bit more limited. Be prepared to pay a two to three per cent service charge for every purchase. Still, the convenience of using credit cards for big purchases may be worth the extra expense.

You can bring an unlimited amount of foreign money when you enter India, but if it’s over US$10,000 you must fill out a declaration form at the airport. Indian customs allows all visitors 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 bring a laptop computer, special camera gear or video equipment you need to fill out a Tourist Baggage Re-Export form. Even though the customs guys don’t always check for this when you leave India, it’s better to have filled it out upon arrival than deal with it when you’re trying to catch a flight.

There are several social rules that visitors should know about before travelling to Trivandrum. Indians use the traditional ‘namaste’ greeting, in which you press your palms together and tilt your head slightly, as a way to say hello. Some Westernised men may offer a handshake, but Indian women never shake hands, even with other women.

Physical contact is a serious matter in India, and is often construed as sexual, so keep this in mind when dealing with new friends. Indians enjoy a good conversation, and will debate almost any subject, though always with a cool head. Keeping your composure goes a long way in Trivandrum, where outbursts and angry reprisals are seen as a sign of weakness.

Feet are another major taboo in Trivandrum. Since they are considered the lowest part of the body, they should never be used to touch someone, point to something, or for any other purpose than walking on. Don’t put them up on the table, the chair, or the armrest in the bus. Pay close attention when you visit a temple, as shoes should always be removed before entering. Most Indians also take off their shoes before they enter their homes, and you should do likewise.

Another taboo part of the body is the left hand. All Indians consider the left to be the ‘dirty’ hand, as opposed to the ‘clean’ right hand. This mainly has to do with the fact that the left hand is traditionally the one that handles the toilet issues. So whenever you greet someone, eat something, or touch a sacred object at a temple – use your right hand.

You’ll find most of the people you meet in Trivandrum to be very friendly. Indians enjoy talking and meeting foreigners, so you will find them happy to have a conversation. In whatever interaction you have with the locals, try to keep a cool head, even if things get a bit heated. Keeping calm is seen as a sign of superior self-control and etiquette.

If you have never haggled over the price of something, you’ll quickly find that you either enjoy it or absolutely hate it. Haggling is a major part of Indian commerce and culture, so be prepared for it when you hit the shops. Most visitors find the prices of the goods more than reasonable and see no need to barter; however, if you enjoy the game, then you’ll find a match in most shopkeepers.

Dining Etiquette
The most important piece of etiquette to remember when eating anywhere in Trivandrum is never use your left hand. Indians traditionally eat their food rather communally using their right hand instead of forks, spoons or knives. The nature of their cuisine makes this quite easy, but many foreigners have a hard time adjusting to this custom. Most restaurants and houses have a utensil or two tucked away, so don’t be shy to ask.

All travellers to India should apply for a tourist visa at their local Indian consulate. They are valid for up to 6 months after entry, 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 whatever the fee is. Try and apply as early as you can to avoid any unforeseen delays. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months past the date of your expected entry.

Being Kerala’s state capital, Trivandrum has several excellent tourist information offices scattered around the city at strategic points. There are two tourism offices at Trivandrum’s airport, as well as kiosks at the central train and bus stations. Kerala Tourism, located next to the Museum Complex, is the most useful information centre if you are cruising around the city and you can reach the office at: +91 471 232 1132.