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- Destinations
- Asia
- India
- Kerala
Kerala
Tucked away in the south-west corner of India, Kerala is a
narrow strip of land between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat
mountains. The name means 'land of coconuts', and palms still shade
almost the entire state from the blazing sun. The tropical
landscape is criss-crossed by dozens of rivers and countless
waterways, and visitors can spend idle days riding small ferries
through the backwater lagoons, observing village life close-up in
this, India's most populous state.
Kerala has some of India's best coastal resorts: among the
finest is the much-photographed Kovalam, which many argue has the
best beach in the country. Here visitors can take in Kerala's rich
cultural and artistic life, and enjoy arguably the best vegetarian
cuisine on the planet.
When the rest of India gets too hot to handle, Kerala is often
soothing and rejuvenating. Whether you stick to the lowlands or
head for the hills, you will pass through scenery dotted with
churches and temples; spice, tea, coffee and rubber plantations;
and natural forests with wildlife reserves filled with
elephants.
Compared to the rest of India, Kerala is short on monumental
sights to see - its real draw-card is its natural beauty. The
countryside undulates westward from the mountains, offering vistas
of rich green valleys. Rivers glide across the plains towards the
sea, creating attractions like the Athirampally Falls, before
ending in a linked chain of lagoons where the silence of the still
waters is broken only by boats and canoes, seagulls and cranes.
Information & Facts
Climate
Kerala features a wet maritime climate and experiences heavy
rains during the summer monsoon season (June to August), while in
the east a drier tropical climate prevails. The average daytime
temperature in Kerala ranges from 82°f to 90°F (28°C to 32°C) on
the plains, but drops to about 68°F (20°C) in the highlands. During
the summer months Kerala experiences gale force winds, storm
surges, and cyclone-related torrential downpours; while the winter
months are much cooler and calmer. The best time to visit Kerala is
between November and March.
Language
Although English is generally used for official and
business purposes, Hindi is the official language and is spoken by
about 40 percent of the population. Urdu is the language common
with the Muslim demographic. India has a total of 22 official
languages
Money
The currency is the Indian Rupee (INR), which is divided into
100 paise (singular paisa). Major currencies can be changed at
banks, and authorised bureaux de changes. It is impossible to
obtain rupees outside India, but no matter what time you arrive in
India there will be an exchange office open at the airport. It is
illegal to exchange money through the black market and it is
advisable to refuse torn notes, as no one will accept them apart
from the National Bank. It is best to change money into small
denominations. Travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely
accepted, particularly in tourist orientated establishments. ATMs
are not generally available.