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Top things to do in Kerala, India

Known as God’s own country, Kerala, (which is really a state), lies on the south western end of India. It’s warm there all year long and monsoon season is between June to August. Kerala is a good tourist location for those who are willing to step out of their comfort zone and don’t mind getting a little down and dirty. For those who are not quite ready for that yet, there are still beautiful resorts, 5 star hotels and high class tour packages available. The good news is that in most parts of Kerala, you will still be able to communicate in English, enough to get by and get the information you need.

The scenic backwaters in Kerala and the spicy fresh food are some of the main attractions of the state. The calming house boat rides make Kerala a great option for those who want to relax. The adventurous coracle boat (pictured above) during the high water season is a fun activity for those who want the thrill. Other attractions within Kerala include touring tea plantations in Munnar and enjoying waterfalls in Athirapally. Visiting the unlimited number of beautiful Christian churches, Hindu temples, and Islamic mosques are another favorite. The best part of doing everything you want to in Kerala is that it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

How it all started…

My love for traveling started with a Kerala trip for a friend’s wedding. This was the first time in India without my parents and I was able to visit many places I wouldn’t have otherwise. I had a driver and car with me the whole time, making it easier to plan the activities. On some days, I either had relatives or a family friend who stayed with me join in on the trip. Because of this, I felt very safe and secure.

The good news is that you don’t have to pre-plan most activities in India. You just show up. Most things are on a first come first serve basis, given that you will pay the price for it. One thing I would recommend to book ahead is a driver and a car for the days you are there. The hotel/home you are staying at will be able to help you find a driver and car. Just make sure to finalize the plans and payments prior to booking them! Following is a list of things that I was able to do during my trips to Kerala!

Kumarakom or Alleppy Backwater Boat Rides

Backwater boat rides are a great way to relax and see the greenery in Kerala. The scenery and the calm waters makes this a must do activity. On the more modern boats, there is usually a bedroom and bathroom and sometimes even a television! They provide you a fresh cooked meal on the boat, usually with the fish they catch the day of. They also make a stop or two if you would like to do some fishing or exploring the island. This may not be a fun activity to do alone, but definitely recommend it for a group of family or friends.

How to book a trip? Go to main towns where the boats take off from early in the morning. You will get bombarded with different boat owners/workers trying to make you an offer for a ride. Make sure you bargain a little and get a good deal.

Konni Elephant Cage, in Adavi Eco Tourism Center

This was my first time riding an elephant and I loved it. I loved talking to Priyadarshini, the elephant and petting her. However, the elephants here were tied down most of the time and were used for the rides only. The good thing was that we are able to sit on the elephant and not on a seat tied to the elephant, which is that much more harmful to the elephant’s spine.
This is on a first come first serve basis. We went in the morning, paid for our tickets and got to ride the elephant soon after.
Timings; 10AM-5PM.

Would I do this again?

No, I wouldn’t. It wasn’t until I experienced the elephant sanctuary in Thailand that I realized the animals in this center are not being treated right. It made sense, because these elephants were not very friendly…you could see that in their eyes. The ones in the sanctuary on the other hand were so playful and loving. If the elephants are tied down and being used only for rides, don’t ride them. I don’t want to contribute to this act by visiting or paying for this, ever again.

Achen Kovil River Oracle Boat Ride, in Adavi Eco Tourism Center

The oracle boat ride is an adventurous activity if you go at the right time. I went during the dry season in January and the rivers were very calm with little water. There were four of us in a boat along with a guide. We all got to row for a little while along the stream and the guide rowed the rest of the way. If you go in the monsoon season and after, there will be higher waters and tide, causing the boat to go faster.

Would I do this again?

Definitely! It was a lot of fun, even with the calm waters. The only thing I would suggest is keeping your life jacket on at all times. In high waters, the current can be dangerous so make sure they offer you (working) life jackets and you use them during the whole ride. The picture above was taken after our ride, right before getting off.

Explore the fields, streams and local walkways

There is so much open land in Kerala to be explored. Some of the land is private property, like the picture on the bottom right, which belongs to my uncle. You have to be careful into whose property you wander into. You might also stumble upon some pathways that look like the picture on the bottom left. The best thing to do is explore with a local who know how to get around.
You can walk through the fields, but be prepared to roll up your pants and get a little muddy! The scenic view and experience are worth it!

Visit the Temples and Churches

There are so many beautiful churches, mosques, and temples. Women are not allowed to enter mosques, but the Hindu temples and Christian churches are open to all. No matter where you go, it is important to follow the rules of the religion and be respectful. Not only is it wrong, but you may get into some trouble with the officials if you go somewhere and behave out of place.

  • Inside our home Church in India
  • Outside of an old Orthodox Church
  • At a Hindu temple for a festival
  • During a festival at a Hindu temple

Athirapally Water Falls

On my last day in Kerala, we decided to make the most of it and take a trip to the famous waterfalls in Athirapally. This place was packed with so many people, most of them sitting around, enjoying the view. We walked along the river paths since the waters were low, but during the high seasons, there can be flash floods without warning. Again, it’s best to travel with a local, because there is so much that a tourist or even an NRI (non-residing Indian, like me) won’t know.

Visit Toddy shops & Eat !!!!

Toddy shops are basically bars but they serve natural fermented alcohol from coconuts. Back in the day, it was a place mainly for men to go drink and hang out; definitely not a place for women to be. Now, there are many family oriented shops that cater to women and children. Besides the fermented alcohol, they also serve mouth watering, delicious food. The main courses include seafood, fried or baked inside a leaf.

Check out this Youtube video on how to make delicious Kerala style dishes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWw9FWhD5ek&t=6s

What else?

There are many things I still haven’t done in Kerala. One of those things include traveling up to the north side of Kerala. There are several tea plantations in the North; the three most famous being in Munnar, Wayanad, and Vagamon. Munnar also offers scenic waterfalls and many resorts and bungalows. Palakkad is another city, known for it’s greenery, mountains and picturesque scenery. Thrissur is a cultural city, that often hosts the big onam celebrations and the famous “Thrissur pooram”. Thekkady is the area you want to visit if you like forestry and wildlife. Kozhikode, known as Calicut, is known for the culture and delicious Malabar food, including dum biriyani. Idukki, filled with plantations and beautiful scenery is also high on my list for our next trip. Fort Kochi, located southwest of Kerala, is yet another great place to explore to get the experience of the local people and history.

No matter where you plan to go in Kerala, I would not suggest you travel alone. Especially if you don’t know the language or place, you should definitely go with a travel buddy or even a group. I usually don’t book many tour packages, but this is one place I would recommend you book it! Packages usually include rides to and from your home/hotel and that in itself is a big advantage.
Recently, Kerala has been through two major flooding from monsoon season, one a year after the other. The people there are working hard to get back on their feet and get their lives going again. They are picking up back on tourism and need the most support at this time.

Visiting another part of India? Check out my post on North India!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.

Our mini trip to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands of India


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Tips for Your Trip to the Epitome of Love, Taj Mahal

Front view of the Taj Mahal, Agra, India

Also known as an epitome of love, the Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful of the 7 wonders. When you stand beneath it, there is no wondering how it made it to that list. Shah Jahan, the Emperor built this white marble beauty in remembrance of his wife. Mumtaz, the third wife of Shah Jahan died from childbirth. Take a close look at the individually embedded stones in the Taj and you’ll see why it took this long. It took 22 years and over twenty thousand workers to finish this magnificent tombstone. The remains of Mumtaz was brought back to Taj Mahal after it was built. It was placed in a tombstone in the center. After Shah Jahan’s death, he was also buried in the Taj Mahal, next to his beloved wife.

If you are interested in visiting other places in North India, check out my Golden Triangle Tour. This consists of the beautiful cities of Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra. Here are a few things to keep in mind for Taj Mahal portion of our week trip!

1 If you want to see the Taj Mahal in all its beauty, go in the next 5 years. Several people I talked to said that the inside portion where the tomb lays might close off to the public. Our guide said this is because of all the damage done by visitors. In this last year, they have raised the price for local residents from 50 to 250 rupees (roughly 3.5 USD). They did this to limit the number of visitors in efforts to preserve it’s beauty.

2 The Taj is a very popular site, even for the local residents. Expect it to be crowded at any given time of the year. Try to go during the early mornings to avoid the large crowds and the heat. The booths open around 6am, but you can start lining up about 30-45 minutes before that. The crowd picks up again in the afternoons and it gets busy with families and locals until closing. Though there is an option to buy tickets online, it is better to buy it in person at the Taj. There is no limit to the number of people entering and there is no timing on the tickets.

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This brings me to the next point.. India is very hot all year round. Along with the scorching sun in Agra, the Yamuna River also runs through Agra. This results in plenty of mosquitoes lurking around for that foreign blood. So make sure to use plenty of sunscreen and a good mosquito repellent. I bought the Kinven Anti Mosquito Repellent Bundle years ago for less than 15 bucks. I’ve been using the same one over and over for all my trips and it works great! As for sunscreen, my favorite brand is the banana boat. I found these Banana Boat travel packets that are great while on the go! 

4 The most important thing to know would be that the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays for tourists. It is only open to Muslims during their prayer times. It is open after sunrise to before sunset on all other days.

5 As you enter the Taj, you will be divided into men’s and women’s checking lines. All your personal belonging will be checked. There are several things that are strictly prohibited, such as big bags, luggage, any weapons, tripods and drones. You also cannot carry any food, tobacco or gum with you. If you have any of these, they will ask you to trash it before entering. You are allowed a small bag with your essential items, such as your cell phone, wallet, camera, etc. With your ticket comes a free bottle of water and shoe covers. You must wear the shoe covers as you enter the Taj, since it is a holy place.

6 Because of the cheap prices to enter, there may be people who are there for more than just site-seeing. Beware of pickpockets, who may take advantage of your distraction with taking pictures, enjoying the site and shopping for souvenirs. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep all your personal belongings close by at all times. If you are traveling with little kids, keep them at an arms distance. The crowds can get very rough, especially while entering and exiting doors/narrow ways. The price for a foreigner to enter is around 1000 rupees. Take out what you need and avoid flashing all your money. If you’re considering getting a fanny pack, check out this popular one!

7 I highly recommend you get a tour guide to see the Taj. Speak with the guide first to make sure they know your language prior to booking them. We found a great English speaking guide, who was well educated about the Taj and answered many of our questions. He also took our pictures and told us all the good angles to shoot from. It’s okay to reject a guide if you don’t feel they will be good. You can find another one instead, as there are many guides nearby the entrance. Bargain to get a good deal for the tour; we paid around 400 rupees for the 4 of us. Another option is the audio tour, which is great for people who want to go at their own pace instead.

8 It is a good walk from the entrance where the ticket booth is located to the actual entrance of Taj Mahal. There are also several horse carriages and other rides available (for $$) that takes you to the front. Regardless, there is a lot to walk all around…so, wear comfortable shoes! Some great options would be the ASICS Women’s Gel-venture 5 Running Shoe and Tiosebon athletic walking shoes. If you want a more stylish look, try the Sperry Boat Slip on Loafers!

9 Don’t buy the overpriced souvenirs in the complex of the Taj. The shop will have someone sitting outside, “making” the souvenirs. They will tell you that their grandfathers shop has been there for so many years. I bought a marble piece from one of the shops after some bargaining. Then I saw that same exact souvenir a day later on the street for one third of the price.

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0 If you’re in Agra, I’m guessing you will also be visiting the other famous attractions, such as the Red Fort, Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula and the Tomb of Akbar the Great. Save the Taj Mahal for the last site, even if it means saving it for the following morning. Reason being, after seeing the Taj Mahal, all the other sites seem just average. Enjoy the beauty and fine details of all the other monuments and sites prior to the visiting the Taj Mahal. 

There are many more things to keep in mind as you visit other parts of India, so check out the Namaste India post! You can also check out the official Taj Mahal page for more information. Are you one of those people who like to have a book to look up information while you are there? The Lonely Planet book is a great guide for Taj along with the other parts of the Golden Triangle trip.


Seeing the Taj Mahal was a special experience… an unforgettable trip and an ‘Am I really here’ kind of a moment. They say that you’ll fall in love with the Taj Mahal at first site, as Shah Jahan did for his wife. The beauty of the Taj is so mesmerizing and it’s definitely a must see monument within India!

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Namaste India! Things to Know Before Traveling to India!

Namaste India!

India is a great exotic tourist destination. However, It’s better if you are a bit more experienced with travel and research everything before you make the trip. The reason being is, everything is not easily accessible in some parts of India. Things like internet connection, uber and medical help is not always available. Given all these reasons, many people wonder if its still safe to travel to India. It is! As long as you know where you are going, adhere to the rules and play it on the safe, it is still a great tourist destination! Here are some travel tips and things you might want to look into purchasing before your journey to India!

1. The currency

There has been a change in the currency in India since 2016. They still use rupees, however the 500 and 1000 rupee notes have been withdrawn and are no longer used. There are new 200 and 2000 bills instead. As foreigners, be sure not to get fooled when getting return bills.

*The good news is 1 USD equals about 70 rupees now. Even though the cost of food varies widely depending on restaurant, 70 rupees in India goes a long way!

2. Driving in India

Don’t do it. No matter how well you drive anywhere else in the world, driving in India is difficult. It’s nearly impossible if you aren’t a local. There are a ton of reasons for this, but I’ll go over the main ones. The most important reason is that even the most obvious rules don’t apply in India while on the road. There are no lanes and even if there are, people don’t stay in them. Cars turn right and left from all over the place, even while there is oncoming traffic. They overtake slower cars illegally and don’t value pedestrian safety at all. They also drive on the left side and the driver sits on the right side. This is opposite from the US, making it that much more difficult. Another reason is that the roads are not all paved properly and has lots and lots of potholes in it. During rainy seasons, its filled with water and you’re unable to tell how deep it actually is. If you’re stilled not convinced not to drive in India, listen up. There are hundreds of people walking on the street and riding vehicles. Besides that, there are also cows roaming and people walking their pet elephants in the middle of the road!

A man walking his elephant in the streets in Kerala, India.
3. Transportation

So now you’re probably wondering then how do you get around. If you are going from one state to another one close by, I would suggest taking the train. Although its not the smoothest ride, it’ll get you from one place to another for a decent price. If you are traveling to a further state, flying is a better to save time and hassle
To book a train ride or flight within India, visit The Indian Railway Catering And Tourist Corporation
To travel around within or between towns, there are numerous taxis and autorikshaws. You can find these small 3 wheeled automobiles at every main intersection. If you’re brave, you can also take the public bus, although I don’t recommend it. Double and triple check whether you are taking the correct bus. It’s harder to find your way back after getting lost than to prevent getting lost.

4. Safety

India is not considered very safe for females who are traveling alone. So, if you’re planning a trip alone, make sure you have everything booked prior to going. I also recommend getting a sim card from the airport and putting it into an unlocked phone. This way, you can make outgoing calls during your trip. One thing that I do for all my trips is look up the contact information for the US embassy. I write it down somewhere I can easily access. If you are in any trouble, have lost your passport, or in any danger, you can call the embassy.

Click here for the US embassy contact info.

I also sign up with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) program online, which allows the US embassy to keep track of when you arrive in India (or any other country). It’s a free service online which sends you important information about any safety hazards. It also gives you details of any emergency situations or chaos in the country you are visiting. I use the STEP program during all of my travels now. I feel a little bit more secure knowing that I have that extra eye on me.

5. Portable Charger

One thing you don’t want to happen in India is end up with a dead phone and no way of contacting someone. Charging your phone via a plug is not always ideal. There are frequent current cuts throughout the day depending on where you are in India. You never know when you will be able to charge your electronics next. So it’s important to not rely solely on that and have a portable charger on you. I bought the Anker portable charger years ago and I still use it with no problems. I can charge my almost dead phone at least 2 more times before having to charge my portable again.

6. Sun Block/Mosquito Spray


As I mentioned in my Taj Mahal post, sun block and mosquito are two very important things. You will need these in India, despite of location or season. The two I use are the Kinven Anti Mosquito Repellent Bundle, which comes with a bottle that will last forever. The other ones is the Banana Boat brand, which has 24 one time use packets that are very convenient.

7. Flashlight
Energizer Led Metal Flashlight

As mentioned earlier, there will be current cuts throughout the day, more in smaller towns. Whether you are in your hotel/home during a current cut or outside, you will be affected by it during the later evenings and night time. There is limited light in the streets (for smaller towns mainly) to begin with; so with the current cut, it will be very dark. My husband has this flashlight which we take when we travel, which serves as light in the case we need it and also as a tool to break something in the case of an emergency.

8. Proper Clothing

Although it is very hot in India, clothing that shows too much is frowned upon in India. This varies a little based on if you are in North or South India; North India is a bit more open to the western clothing, where as South Indians cover up even at the beach. Women especially are expected to cover up their shoulders and legs regardless of the heat.

Something I would recommend to have on you at all times, not only in India, but also in other Asian countries is a good scarf! Scarfs come handy as there are many ways to use them, the main one being to cover your shoulders or knees while entering a place of worship or just places that require you to be more conservative. I own a pashmina shawl of a different color and I love it as I can use it in many ways.

9. Umbrella

You will notice that no matter what the season is in India, everyone carries an umbrella, from the youngest member in the family to the eldest. If you think about it, it makes sense. If it’s raining, you’ll need an umbrella to keep you from getting wet. When its sunny, people in India still use an umbrella to protect themselves from the scorching sun and mid-day heat, which is serious. This Repel windproof travel umbrella seems to the winner with its lightweight, compact and automatic open and close button!

I would love to hear which part of India you are traveling to or have traveled to! And if you have any additional tips for traveling to India, post it in the comments below!

*This post may have some affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.