Kochi
THE QUICK VERDICT
Choose Kochi if You want Kerala's coastal layer-cake of Portuguese, Dutch, British, Arab, and Chinese trading history on a walkable Fort Kochi peninsula, with the backwater houseboats of Alleppey 90 minutes south..
- Best for
- Fort Kochi Chinese fishing nets, 1568 Paradesi Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace murals, Alleppey backwater gateway
- Best months
- OctโMar
- Budget anchor
- $75/day mid-range
- Worth a look
- December Kochi-Muziris Biennale turns the old warehouses into one of Asia's biggest contemporary art shows
Kerala's port city and commercial capital, where four centuries of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial layers stack on top of a much older Arab and Chinese spice-trade harbour. Fort Kochi - the historic peninsula across the harbour from the modern mainland - holds the Chinese fishing nets along Vasco da Gama Square, St Francis Church (where Vasco da Gama was first buried in 1524, the oldest European-built church in India), the 1568 Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town, and the Mattancherry Palace with its Hindu mythology murals. The city is also the standard launching point for Kerala's backwater houseboats out of Alleppey, 90 minutes south.
Tours & Experiences
Bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Kochi
Where to Stay
Compare hotels and rentals in Kochi
๐ Points of Interest
At a Glance
- Pop.
- 680,000 (city) / 2.1 million (metro)
- Timezone
- Kolkata
- Dial
- +91
- Emergency
- 112
Kochi (formerly Cochin) was the first European colonial settlement in India - the Portuguese arrived under Pedro Alvares Cabral in 1500 and built Fort Manuel in 1503, two years before establishing themselves anywhere else on the Indian coast
St Francis Church in Fort Kochi, built in 1503, is the oldest European-built church in India - Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Lisbon 14 years later
The Chinese fishing nets along Vasco da Gama Square were introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan between AD 1350 and 1450 and remain among the only locations outside China where this fishing technique is still in commercial use
Kochi changed colonial hands three times - the Portuguese held it from 1503 until the Dutch captured the city in 1663, who in turn ceded it to the British in 1795 under the Treaty of Amiens
The Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry, built in 1568, is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth - the Cochin Jewish community traces itself back to AD 70 and the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem
Kochi hosts the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India's largest contemporary art festival, running every other year from December to April across heritage warehouses in Fort Kochi - the next edition runs 2026-27
Top Sights
Chinese Fishing Nets at Vasco da Gama Square
๐ผThe iconic cantilevered shore-operated lift nets along the Fort Kochi waterfront, introduced by Chinese traders in the 14th or 15th century. Each net is operated by a team of four to six fishermen who lower it into the water for a few minutes at a time. Best photographed at sunset, with the silhouettes against the Arabian Sea.
St Francis Church
๐The 1503 Portuguese-built church and the oldest European church in India. Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524 and was buried inside the church for 14 years before his remains were moved to Lisbon. The original gravestone is still set into the floor near the altar.
Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
๐A two-storey Portuguese palace gifted to the Cochin Raja in 1555, later renovated by the Dutch in 1663 - hence the misnomer "Dutch Palace." The interior holds 17th-century murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Krishna Leela in vivid Kerala-style narrative panels covering 300 square metres.
Paradesi Synagogue & Jew Town
๐The 1568 synagogue in the heart of Jew Town, with hand-painted Cantonese floor tiles (each one different), a Belgian glass chandelier, and Hebrew scrolls. The surrounding lanes are lined with antique shops, spice warehouses, and the few remaining Cochin Jewish families.
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
๐A neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral originally founded by the Portuguese in 1505, demolished by the British in 1795, and rebuilt in its current form in 1905. The pastel pink-and-white interior with frescoes by Italian artist Antonio Moscheni is considered one of the most beautiful church interiors in India.
Kerala Folklore Museum
๐๏ธA privately built three-storey museum in Thevara, modelled on a Kerala traditional house, holding over 4,000 artefacts of Kerala folk and ritual culture - Theyyam masks, Kathakali costumes, ritual lamps, wood carvings, and a working performance space on the top floor.
Kathakali performance at Kerala Kathakali Centre
๐Nightly classical Kerala dance-drama performances in Fort Kochi with on-stage make-up application visible from 5pm and the show running 6pm to 8pm. Sit close to see the elaborate facial expressions (mudras) that drive the storytelling.
Alleppey Backwater Houseboat (day trip)
๐ฟThe standard launching point for Kerala's backwater houseboats is Alleppey (Alappuzha), 90 minutes south by road. Day-cruise houseboats run lunch trips from 11am to 5pm; overnight houseboats include dinner, breakfast, and sleeping cabins. Book through your Kochi hotel for the best rates.
Off the Beaten Path
Cherai Beach
A quiet 15-km strip of palm-fringed white sand on Vypin Island, north of Fort Kochi and reached by ferry from the mainland. Wide, clean, and almost entirely free of the touts and beach hawkers of more developed Kerala beaches.
Most short-stay visitors never leave Fort Kochi, but Cherai is a 45-minute drive plus ferry ride to a genuinely empty Arabian Sea beach with backwater estuaries on the inland side - the best beach within easy reach of the city.
Spice market warehouses on Bazaar Road
The historic spice trading lane in Mattancherry that gave Kochi its colonial-era name "Spice City." Loose pepper, cardamom, cloves, and turmeric are still graded and bagged in the open warehouses, with the same scent that drew Vasco da Gama in 1498.
You can walk in to most warehouses, watch the grading process, and buy single-estate Kerala pepper or cardamom at a fraction of supermarket prices - one of the few authentic working spice markets left in India.
Kashi Art Cafe
A small art cafe in a restored Fort Kochi heritage house that helped kick-start the city's contemporary art scene in the 1990s. The rotating exhibitions in the back garden gallery are usually excellent and the carrot cake is a local institution.
A reliable counterpoint to the souvenir shops and tourist menus of central Fort Kochi - the curation is genuinely strong and the in-house roasted coffee is some of the best in southern India.
Sunset ferry from Fort Kochi to Vypin
The state-run ferry from Fort Kochi jetty to Vypin Island runs every 15 minutes for โน4 per person. Time the return trip to sunset and you ride alongside Kochi's working port traffic - container ships, fishing boats, and Chinese fishing nets - in golden light.
A four-rupee sunset cruise that beats any of the โน1,500 tourist boats - a genuinely local experience that almost no guidebook lists.
Climate & Best Time to Go
Kochi has a tropical monsoon climate with consistent warm temperatures year round, high humidity, and two distinct rainy seasons. The southwest monsoon arrives in early June and runs through September; a shorter northeast monsoon hits in October and November. The dry winter months from December through March are by far the most comfortable.
Dry Winter
December - February73-90
23-32
The peak season. Warm but pleasant days, low humidity, almost no rain, and clear sunsets over the Arabian Sea. Ideal for backwater cruises, walking tours of Fort Kochi, and Munnar day trips.
Hot Pre-monsoon
March - May77-93
25-34
Increasingly hot and humid as the monsoon builds. Afternoons can be uncomfortable but the elevation difference makes Munnar and Thekkady excellent escapes - many visitors split time between the coast and the hills.
Southwest Monsoon
June - September73-86
23-30
Heavy daily rainfall, especially in June and July when the monsoon arrives full force. The backwaters are at their fullest and most green, but several houseboat operators close for safety. Some visitors come specifically for the Ayurveda monsoon treatments.
Northeast Monsoon
October - November75-88
24-31
A shorter second rainy season with brief intense afternoon downpours separated by sunny mornings and evenings. The landscape stays vivid green and prices are noticeably lower than peak winter.
Best Time to Visit
December through February is the peak season - dry, warm, low humidity, and the best window for backwater houseboats and Munnar day trips. November and March are excellent shoulder months with lower prices and slightly higher humidity. Avoid June through August when the southwest monsoon brings heavy daily downpours.
Peak Dry Winter (December - February)
Crowds: High, especially around Christmas-New Year and PongalThe most popular months: dry, warm, low humidity, calm seas. All backwater operators are running, Kathakali shows are nightly, and the city is at its postcard best. Christmas-New Year and Pongal weeks are particularly busy.
Pros
- + Perfect weather
- + Calm backwaters
- + All houseboats and ferries running
- + Sunset photography conditions
Cons
- โ Highest hotel prices
- โ Heritage hotels book months ahead for Christmas week
- โ Kochi-Muziris Biennale crowds in even years
Shoulder (March - May)
Crowds: ModerateHot pre-monsoon period with rising humidity. Coastal Kochi is uncomfortable in the afternoon but the Western Ghats hill stations of Munnar and Thekkady are perfect - many visitors pair the two.
Pros
- + Lower hotel prices
- + Munnar and Thekkady at their best
- + Less crowded heritage sights
Cons
- โ Hot humid afternoons
- โ Sea breeze drops in May
- โ Some operators close for staff training
Southwest Monsoon (June - September)
Crowds: LowHeavy daily rainfall with the highest precipitation of the year. The backwaters are at their fullest, the landscape is vivid green, but several houseboat operators close for safety. Some travellers come specifically for the Ayurveda monsoon treatments.
Pros
- + Lowest prices
- + Lush green backwaters
- + Authentic Ayurveda monsoon treatments
- + Onam festival in August or September
Cons
- โ Heavy daily rain
- โ Some houseboat closures
- โ Rough sea conditions
- โ Munnar roads occasionally cut by landslides
Northeast Monsoon (October - November)
Crowds: Low to moderateShorter second rainy season with intense afternoon downpours separated by sunny mornings. Crowds are still light, prices are reasonable, and the landscape stays vivid green through the start of the dry season.
Pros
- + Lower prices than peak winter
- + Lush landscapes
- + Mostly sunny mornings
Cons
- โ Brief intense afternoon rain
- โ Occasional cyclone alerts
- โ Ferries delayed during heavy rain
๐ Festivals & Events
Cochin Carnival
December 25 - January 1A 10-day Fort Kochi street carnival rooted in the Portuguese New Year tradition, featuring beach sports, parades, music performances, and the climactic burning of the giant Papanjy effigy at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Kochi-Muziris Biennale
December - April (every other year)India's largest contemporary art festival, running from mid-December through early April in even-numbered years (next edition 2026-27). Heritage warehouses across Fort Kochi and Mattancherry host installations from artists worldwide.
Onam
August / SeptemberKerala's 10-day harvest festival celebrating the legendary King Mahabali. Snake boat races on the backwaters, the Pookalam flower carpets at every door, the Onam sadhya feast on banana leaves, and the Pulikali (tiger dance) processions.
Vishu
April 14 or 15The Kerala new year, marked by the Vishukkani arrangement (the first sight on waking should be auspicious) and the giving of small monetary gifts known as Vishukkaineetam to younger family members and household staff.
Theyyam season
October - May (regional)The trance-ritual dance form of northern Kerala, performed in family shrines from October through May. While Theyyam itself is centred on Kannur 200 km north, several Kochi cultural centres stage abridged demonstrations during the peak tourist months.
Safety Breakdown
Moderate
out of 100
Kerala consistently ranks among the safest Indian states for visitors and Kochi is no exception. High literacy rates, a strong tourism economy, and a calmer pace than north Indian tourist hubs mean fewer aggressive touts and lower petty-crime rates. Solo female travellers report Kerala as one of the more comfortable Indian states.
Things to Know
- โขAuto-rickshaw drivers in Fort Kochi often refuse the meter - use Uber or Ola which work reliably across the city, or settle on a price upfront
- โขBeware unsolicited "guides" outside the Mattancherry Palace and Paradesi Synagogue who attach themselves and demand a fee at the end - politely decline and follow the printed information panels
- โขPrearrange backwater houseboat trips through your hotel or a reputable operator rather than the touts on Alleppey jetty - quality and safety vary widely
- โขSolo female travellers report Fort Kochi as comfortable in the daytime, but pre-book Ola or hotel taxis after 9pm rather than walking unfamiliar streets
- โขThe Fort Kochi-Vypin ferry is safe but uses small open boats - check life jackets are available before boarding overcrowded sunset trips
- โขCarry a photocopy of your passport when exploring; the original is needed for SIM card purchases and overnight houseboats
Natural Hazards
Emergency Numbers
Unified Emergency (Police/Fire/Ambulance)
112
Police
100
Ambulance
108
Fire Department
101
Kerala Tourist Helpline
1800-425-4747
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayBackpacker = hostel dorm + street food + public transit. Mid-range = 3-star hotel + neighbourhood restaurants + transit cards. Luxury = 4/5-star + fine dining + taxis. How we calibrate these numbers โ
Quick cost estimate
Customize per category โEstimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$20-35
Fort Kochi guesthouse, vegetarian thali meals, ferries and walking, free heritage sights
mid-range
$50-110
Heritage boutique hotel, sit-down restaurants, day-cruise houseboat in Alleppey, hired car for Munnar
luxury
$250-500+
Brunton Boatyard or Old Harbour heritage hotel, private overnight houseboat, fine seafood dining, private guide
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationBudget Fort Kochi guesthouse (double) | โน1,000-2,500 | $12-30 |
| AccommodationMid-range heritage boutique hotel | โน4,000-9,000 | $48-108 |
| AccommodationBrunton Boatyard / Old Harbour (luxury) | โน14,000-28,000 | $170-340 |
| AccommodationOvernight Alleppey houseboat (deluxe) | โน8,000-20,000 per night | $96-240 |
| FoodKerala fish thali (lunch) | โน150-350 | $1.80-4.20 |
| FoodSit-down seafood dinner | โน600-1,500 | $7-18 |
| FoodKerala-style filter coffee | โน30-80 | $0.36-0.96 |
| TransportFort Kochi-Ernakulam ferry | โน4-7 | $0.05-0.10 |
| TransportAuto-rickshaw across Fort Kochi | โน50-150 | $0.60-1.80 |
| TransportFull-day taxi to Munnar | โน3,500-4,500 | $42-54 |
| AttractionsMattancherry Palace entry | โน15 | $0.18 |
| AttractionsParadesi Synagogue entry | โน10 | $0.12 |
| AttractionsKathakali show ticket | โน400-600 | $5-7 |
| AttractionsDay-cruise houseboat in Alleppey | โน3,500-6,000 per boat | $42-72 |
๐ก Money-Saving Tips
- โขUse the โน4-7 state ferries between Fort Kochi and Ernakulam - far faster and cheaper than the bridge taxi route
- โขEat Kerala fish thali at local toddy shops or family-run restaurants for โน150-350 - the same fish at a heritage hotel costs four times more
- โขBuy spices on Bazaar Road in Mattancherry rather than the Jew Town tourist shops - the same Kerala cardamom is half the price
- โขWatch the Chinese fishing nets at sunset for free from the public Vasco da Gama Square promenade rather than booking a paid sunset cruise
- โขCombine an Alleppey day-cruise houseboat (โน3,500-6,000 per boat) with three or four other travellers from your hotel to share the cost
- โขWalk Fort Kochi - the entire historic core fits inside a 2-km loop and you save the auto-rickshaw fares
- โขThe Kashi Art Cafe garden gallery and the Kerala Folklore Museum cost a fraction of the heritage palace entries and are arguably more interesting
Indian Rupee
Code: INR
1 USD is approximately 83-86 INR (early 2026). ATMs of SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis Bank, and Federal Bank are everywhere across Ernakulam and in Fort Kochi - international cards work with a typical โน200-250 international withdrawal fee. Currency exchange is available at COK airport and at established forex desks on MG Road in Ernakulam.
Payment Methods
UPI digital payments via Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm are accepted by most restaurants, shops, and even auto-rickshaws - the easiest payment method for visitors with an Indian SIM. Credit cards work at hotels and larger restaurants. Cash is essential for ferries, street food, and Bazaar Road spice purchases.
Tipping Guide
Tip 10 percent at sit-down restaurants if no service charge is added. No tipping at small tea shops or thali joints.
โน500-800 per night for the cook and crew on overnight backwater houseboats (split between the team).
โน300-500 per half-day for Fort Kochi heritage walks; โน500-1,000 for a full-day private guide covering Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.
โน200-300 per day if a hired car covers Munnar or Alleppey day trips.
โน50-100 per bag for porters; โน50-100 per day for housekeeping; heritage boutique hotels expect โน100-200 per day.
Not expected. Rounding up the metered fare is appreciated.
How to Get There
โ๏ธ Airports
Cochin International Airport(COK)
30 km north of ErnakulamPre-paid taxis โน800-1,200 to Ernakulam (45-60 min) or โน1,200-1,500 to Fort Kochi (75-90 min). Airport bus shuttles run to the city for โน100-150. Direct international flights from across the Gulf, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Maldives, plus extensive domestic connections.
โ๏ธ Search flights to COK๐ Rail Stations
Ernakulam Junction (ERS) & Ernakulam Town (ERN)
Two main railway stations on the Ernakulam mainland. ERS handles most long-distance trains: connections to Bangalore (Vande Bharat 9 hr, โน500-2,000), Chennai (12-13 hr, โน600-2,500), Mumbai (24-26 hr), and Trivandrum (4 hr, โน150-600). Auto-rickshaw to the Fort Kochi ferry jetty is โน150-250.
๐ Bus Terminals
KSRTC Ernakulam Bus Stand
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses serve all major Kerala destinations: Alleppey (1.5 hr, โน50-200), Munnar (4.5 hr, โน200-400), Thekkady (5-6 hr, โน250-450), Trivandrum (5-6 hr, โน250-500), and onward to Coimbatore, Madurai, and Bangalore. Volvo AC buses run the longer routes.
Getting Around
Kochi splits across several islands and the mainland, with Fort Kochi (the historic peninsula), Mattancherry, Willingdon Island, Vypin, and Ernakulam (the modern mainland) all connected by a mix of road bridges, ferries, and the new Kochi Metro. Walking covers Fort Kochi well; ferries are the fastest cross-harbour option.
State Water Transport ferries
โน4-15The state-run ferry network connects Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Willingdon Island, Vypin, and the Ernakulam main jetty. Frequent (every 15-30 minutes), cheap, and the fastest way to cross the harbour - much faster than driving over the bridges.
Best for: Crossing between Fort Kochi and Ernakulam, or to Vypin Island
Kochi Metro
โน10-60The 25-station elevated metro line opened in 2017 runs north-south across Ernakulam from Aluva to Tripunithura, useful for longer mainland hops including the Ernakulam South railway station.
Best for: Mainland hops and reaching the railway stations
Ola / Uber
โน100-400 in city; โน600-900 to airportBoth apps work well across Kochi with transparent pricing. Useful for crossing between Fort Kochi and Ernakulam by road bridge when ferries have stopped, and for COK airport runs.
Best for: Late-night rides and avoiding auto fare disputes
Auto-Rickshaw
โน50-200 for in-city tripsStandard three-wheelers are everywhere in Ernakulam and Fort Kochi. Settle on a fare before boarding - most drivers refuse the meter despite official rates.
Best for: Short hops where ferries do not run
Walking
FreeFort Kochi is best explored on foot - the historic core from the Chinese fishing nets to St Francis Church to Mattancherry can be walked in 30-40 minutes through a leafy heritage neighbourhood with low traffic.
Best for: Fort Kochi heritage walks and the Bazaar Road spice market
Walkability
Fort Kochi is one of the most walkable historic neighbourhoods in India - flat, shaded, low traffic, and packed with sights inside a 2-km radius. Mattancherry is a short walk further south. Ernakulam mainland is much larger and less pedestrian-friendly; use the metro or ferries to get around.
Travel Connections
Alleppey (Alappuzha)
The Venice of the East and the standard launching point for Kerala's backwater houseboat cruises. Hundreds of converted rice barges (kettuvallams) ply the canals between Alleppey and Kollam through palm-fringed villages.
Munnar
A 1,500-metre Western Ghats hill station carpeted with Tata tea estates, mist-wrapped peaks, and the rare 12-year flowering of the Neelakurinji wildflower (next due 2030). The Eravikulam National Park holds the endangered Nilgiri tahr.
Thekkady (Periyar)
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on the Tamil Nadu border, famous for boat safaris on Periyar Lake where elephants come to drink at dusk. Spice plantation walks and bamboo rafting are the standard add-on activities.
Varkala
Kerala's backpacker beach town built atop dramatic red laterite cliffs, with a string of cafes, yoga schools, and Ayurveda spas along the cliff-top promenade. The black-sand beach below is reached by stairways cut into the cliff.
Bangalore
India's tech capital and the gateway for southern circuit add-ons. A short flight north for craft beer, Cubbon Park, and onward connections to Hampi or Mysore.
Entry Requirements
India requires a visa for almost all nationalities. The Indian e-Visa (eTV - Electronic Travel Authorization) is available online to citizens of approximately 170 countries for tourism, business, and medical purposes. Cochin International Airport (COK) is an approved e-Visa port of entry, with direct international service from across the Gulf and Southeast Asia.
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Yes | 30 days / 1 year / 5 years | e-Visa available: 30-day ($25), 1-year ($40), 5-year ($80). Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in. COK is an approved e-Visa port of entry. |
| UK Citizens | Yes | 30 days / 1 year / 5 years | e-Visa available at the same rates. Approval typically within 72 hours. |
| EU Citizens | Yes | 30 days / 1 year / 5 years | e-Visa available for all EU nationalities through the official portal. |
| Australian Citizens | Yes | 30 days / 1 year / 5 years | e-Visa available. Passport must be valid for 6+ months with 2 blank pages. |
| Nepali & Bhutanese Citizens | Visa-free | Unlimited | Visa-free entry. Nepali citizens may use national ID instead of passport. |
Visa-Free Entry
Visa on Arrival
Tips
- โขApply only through the official indianvisaonline.gov.in portal - dozens of scam third-party sites charge inflated fees for the same e-Visa
- โขApply at least 4-7 days before travel; processing usually completes within 72 hours but Indian public-holiday delays do occur
- โขPrint the e-Visa approval (ETA) and carry it with the passport used to apply - immigration officers will check both
- โขCOK is a major Gulf gateway airport - direct flights from Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Sharjah, Kuwait, Riyadh, and Jeddah are all e-Visa eligible
- โขOnward connections from COK to the Maldives are popular - the e-Visa is single-entry by default, so request a multiple-entry option if planning to return to India
- โขPassport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival
Shopping
Kochi specialises in single-estate Kerala spices (cardamom, pepper, cloves), Kerala-style coir and palm-leaf handicrafts, antique furniture and brass from the colonial era, and the famous Aranmula kannadi metal-alloy mirror. Jew Town in Mattancherry is the legendary antique-and-spice shopping lane; Bazaar Road runs the working spice warehouses.
Jew Town
antique and spice laneThe historic lane around the Paradesi Synagogue, lined with antique furniture stores, brass shops, spice and tea boutiques, and a few high-end boutiques selling block-printed textiles. Prices are firm at the boutiques but bargainable at the antique shops.
Known for: Colonial antique furniture, brass lamps, single-estate spices, block-printed textiles
Bazaar Road, Mattancherry
working spice marketThe historic spice trading lane that gave Kochi its colonial nickname. Wholesalers grade and bag pepper, cardamom, cloves, and turmeric in open warehouses - you can walk in, watch the process, and buy at near-wholesale prices.
Known for: Bulk Kerala spices at wholesale prices, fresh single-estate cardamom and pepper
Princess Street, Fort Kochi
tourist craft streetThe main shopping street in Fort Kochi, lined with smaller boutiques selling block-printed clothing, handicrafts, books, postcards, and souvenirs. More tourist-oriented and pricier than Jew Town but a useful walking-distance option.
Known for: Tourist-friendly handicrafts, block-printed clothing, books on Kerala history
Lulu Mall, Edappally
modern shopping mallOnce the largest mall in India, the Lulu Mall in Edappally on the northern Ernakulam mainland holds international brands, a major hypermarket, and a food court - the modern alternative to Fort Kochi heritage shopping.
Known for: International brands, hypermarket groceries, family entertainment
๐ Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- โขSingle-estate Kerala cardamom from the Western Ghats - the world's most fragrant green cardamom
- โขAranmula kannadi - the unique handcrafted metal-alloy mirror made only in Aranmula, Kerala (a GI-tagged Kerala craft)
- โขKerala black pepper, peppercorns, and pepper powder from Bazaar Road wholesalers
- โขCoir and palm-leaf handicrafts - mats, baskets, and bags woven from coconut fibre and toddy palm leaves
- โขBrass lamps (nilavilakku) - the traditional Kerala oil lamp used in Hindu temples and at Theyyam ceremonies
- โขBanana fibre handicrafts and notebooks - a Kerala specialty made from agricultural waste
- โขBlock-printed kasavu sarees - cream cotton with a distinctive gold-bordered Kerala style
Language & Phrases
Malayalam is the state language of Kerala and is written in its own script. Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India (96 percent) and English is exceptionally widely spoken in Kochi - far more so than in north Indian tourist hubs. Hindi is understood as a secondary link language. Even one or two Malayalam words earn immediate goodwill.
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / Greetings | Namaskaram | nah-mass-KAH-rahm |
| Thank you | Nanni | NUN-nee |
| Yes / No | Athe / Alla | AH-thay / AH-lah |
| How much? | Ethrayanu? | ETH-rah-yah-noo |
| Too expensive | Vila kooduthal aanu | VEE-lah KOO-doo-thal AH-noo |
| Reduce please | Kuracchu kammakku | koo-RAH-choo KAH-mah-koo |
| Where is...? | Evideya...? | eh-VEE-day-ah |
| Water | Vellam | VAY-lum |
| Very good / Beautiful | Valare nallathu / Sundaram | VAH-lah-ray NAH-lah-thoo / SOON-dar-um |
| I don't understand | Enikku manassilayilla | EH-nee-koo MAH-nas-see-LIE-lah |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Kshamikkuka | k-shah-MEE-koo-kah |
| Goodbye | Vidachollatte | VEE-dah-CHO-lah-tay |
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