Travel Information · Kerala
Practical, honest advice from people who live and work in Kerala. What to expect, what to bring, and what nobody else tells you.
Kerala is one of the most welcoming and well-organised destinations in India for international travellers. Most guests are surprised by how easy it is to get around, communicate and manage day-to-day practicalities. This page covers the things we tell every guest before they travel, drawn from years of accompanying people from the UK, France, Ireland, Australia and the United States through Kerala.
Malayalam is the official language of Kerala. It is one of India’s oldest literary languages, with deep roots in Tamil, and is spoken by virtually everyone in the state.
For international visitors, the practical reality is reassuring. English is widely understood and spoken across Kerala, from hotel receptions and restaurant staff to autorickshaw drivers and street vendors. The vocabulary and accent will be different from what you are used to, but communication is almost always possible. If you speak slowly and clearly, you will be understood.
If you do not speak English, use the translation app on your phone. Google Translate works well for Malayalam and most people in Kerala can read English text on a screen even if spoken English is harder to follow. This covers almost any situation you might encounter.
Kerala has one of the highest literacy rates in India. People are educated, curious and genuinely happy to help visitors. Language is rarely a barrier.
The currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). Foreign currencies are not accepted for day-to-day transactions, so you will need rupees for markets, smaller restaurants, autorickshaws and any informal purchases.
Cards are accepted at almost all hotels, larger restaurants and shops. Visa and Mastercard work reliably. Always carry some cash as a backup for smaller establishments.
UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is the dominant payment method in Kerala today. It is a mobile payment system where you scan a QR code and pay instantly in rupees. It is faster, more convenient and more widely accepted than cards in many situations.
Foreign visitors can now access UPI through a service called UPI One World. Here is how it works: on arrival in India, get a local SIM card at the airport, download the PhonePe app, load money from your international credit or debit card into the app, and you can then pay via UPI anywhere in Kerala. It converts your money to rupees within the app and works exactly like a local Indian would pay. This is our recommendation for guests who want the smoothest payment experience.
Currency exchange is widely available across Kerala at banks, authorised money changers and shopping areas. Airport foreign exchange counters are convenient but tend to offer less favourable rates. If you need cash, change a small amount at the airport to cover the first day and exchange the rest in town at better rates.
ATMs are available in all towns and most tourist areas. International cards work at most ATMs though a transaction fee typically applies.
Tipping is not mandatory in Kerala but is genuinely appreciated. Here is a practical guide:
Your driver on a multi-day tour deserves around 10 USD per day. Drivers on Kerala tours work long hours, manage luggage, navigate unfamiliar roads on your behalf and often become a familiar presence over the course of a trip. It is one of the most meaningful tips you can give.
Hotels often have a common tip box at the front desk or reception. Around 10 USD for a multi-day stay is a reasonable contribution that is shared among the housekeeping and service staff.
For individual services, INR 50 to INR 200 is appropriate depending on what was done. A guide who spent two hours explaining the history of a temple, a boat operator who helped you onto a canoe, a porter who carried your bags across a ghat, each of these moments deserve a small acknowledgement.
There is no pressure and no expectation. A warm thank you in any language is always received with genuine warmth in Kerala.
Kerala is a tropical destination. The single most useful piece of advice is to wear natural fabrics, primarily cotton. Synthetic fabrics in Kerala’s humidity feel uncomfortable very quickly. Light cotton clothing that breathes will make your days significantly more pleasant.
Dress modestly when your itinerary includes temples, churches, mosques or any place of worship. Shoulders should be covered and clothing should cover the knees. Many temples provide wraparound cloths at the entrance if you arrive without appropriate covering, but it is simpler to plan for it in advance.
For general sightseeing and daily activity, sleeveless tops are acceptable. Shorts and skirts that fall below the thigh are appropriate. Very short shorts or revealing clothing will attract attention in smaller towns and villages and is best avoided outside of beach areas.
For trekking and outdoor activities, lightweight moisture-wicking clothing works well. Long sleeves and long trousers are recommended for forest walks to protect against insects and sun exposure at higher elevations.
Comfortable walking shoes that can also get wet are useful. Sandals that you can slip on and off easily are practical for temple visits.
Your home country SIM card will work in Kerala. WhatsApp is the primary communication tool across Kerala for everything from hotel confirmations to booking an autorickshaw, so having data on your phone is the most important thing. Activate international roaming and data on your home SIM before you travel. This is the simplest option and means you do not need to manage a second SIM card.
If you want a local number, or if you plan to set up UPI One World for payments, you will need an Indian SIM. The easiest place to get one is at the airport on arrival. Jio, Airtel and Idea are the major networks. Idea has the strongest coverage across Kerala, including in more remote areas. At the airport, the full activation process is completed before you leave the counter, including passport verification. They will ask for a local contact number during setup. Give them your tour operator’s number. This is standard and Green Earth Trails is happy to provide our number for this purpose.
Getting a SIM anywhere other than the airport often involves delays, paperwork complications and waiting for activation that can take a day or more. The airport is by far the simplest route.
Kerala uses 230 volts. The sockets have rounded pins, not the square pins used in the UK. UK visitors will need a plug adapter. European visitors with two-pin plugs will find that some sockets accept them directly but a universal adapter is safer.
Higher end hotels typically have at least one international socket in the room, usually near the desk. Do not rely on this being available for every socket. Bring a universal adapter and you will never have a problem.
A small multi-plug strip is useful if you are travelling with multiple devices, as hotel rooms often have a limited number of accessible sockets.
Kerala has a well-deserved reputation as one of the safest destinations in India, particularly for solo women travellers. The standard of law and order is noticeably higher compared to much of India and the local population is educated, respectful and genuinely helpful to visitors.
If you find yourself in difficulty anywhere in Kerala, local people will help. The police control room number is 100 and is active, responsive and accustomed to assisting tourists. Do not hesitate to use it.
The general advice that applies to any travel applies here. Keep copies of your passport and visa documents. Share your itinerary with someone at home. Carry the contact number of your tour operator. Be aware of your surroundings in crowded areas like markets and bus stations.
That said, Kerala is a place where most guests relax their guard quite quickly, and rightly so. It is a safe, beautiful, hospitable place where the odds are overwhelmingly in favour of having a wonderful time.
Kerala is going to be a great trip. Take it easy, let the pace of the place settle over you, and trust that if anything unexpected happens, there will be people around you to help. That has been our experience, every time.
