Trivandrum - Tourist tips_______________

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Know the City -----City Facts----- City Survival guide----- Foreigner registration

Know the City

Breathtaking palm covered landscapes and greenery is what greets a visitor when viewed from above while landing at trivandrum international airport. No skyscrapers or the modernity of Europe or the West, but a palm fringed, slow paced and Idyllic beach lined township with a history spanning centuries. Trivandrum is a very ancient city, with a very radiant and colourful culture and history.

It is also the capital city of the South Indian state of Kerala, but maintains its traditional ambience and infrastructure thankfully in a way, to the absence of over commercialization of the city.

It is one of the few places where a person has access to- unspoiled beaches, virgin forests for trekking and hiking, hill resorts and fog covered mountains, lakes, rivers and islands – all within a hours drive from any direction – if the traffic allows. Yes, traffic is high.

Perhaps the most sort after retreat for Tourists since the 60’s is the naturalistic and unspoiled beach resorts such as Kovalam, Somatherram and a wide variety of beautiful private resorts, Nature cure ayurvedic centers, which have now been developed as a touristic attraction with modern yet economical infrastructure, without compromising the environment or traditions.

City facts :

City Area : 74 sq km

City Population : 523, 733 (Estimate)

District Area : 2,192 sq km

Population : 2,938,533

Climate : Warm tropical

Rainfall : 170 cm (May to November)

Clothing : Tropical cottons

Tourist season : September to May

City survival guide :

People – As is found all over Kerala, the people are by far very friendly and will be eagerly willing to help in your queries. Kerala has 100% literacy rate, and many people speak and understand English. Foreigners are treated as guests and held in high esteem.

Accomodation - There are a wide variety of accommodations to suit all budjets. But it is preferable to take the advise of your local travel agent / tour operator prior to arranging lodgings for your comfort and meet your required facilities.

Clothing – Tropical light weight Cottons are recommended to beat the heat. The general population are also far less orthodox than other parts of Kerala, concerning attire of tourists, since Trivandrum, has been host to tourists from many countries who visit Kovalam and other beach resorts and are therefore quite accustomed to seeing tourists in less conservative clothing. But it is recommended to wear conservative clothing when visiting homes and religious places in keeping with traditions. Nudity at beaches have recently been prohibited.

Bars & Liquor : Kerala has no ban on liquor, and there are a wide range of good bars and beer parlours which are run in strict adherence to Government enforced quality control measures. Drinking in public places & subsequent disturbance of peace is however forbidden. Local brewed arrack / toddy are not advisable.

Transportation : The city is well linked with all major cities / townships in Kerala by a good road network. Regular buses ply in all city routes, and cover all parts of the city. There are also autorickshaws that are on hire. Ensure to ask the driver to put on the meter to avoid haggling over fares. Trivandrum autos are notorious and well known for conning outsiders. Many a non-trivandrumite has tales. But its simple -Be curt and stern, pay the amount on the meter and leave.

Trivandrum airport also offers pre-paid taxi services to all over the city and all over Kerala.

City Tips / things to avoid / be aware of

-Crime is a universal curse and trivandrum is unfortunately not an exception.

-Most restaurants / bars close by 11;00 as per new enforced rules to curb anti social crimes. Avoid single travel at night and always ensure to keep your passport / valuables at the hotel locker.

-Keep your hotel rooms securely locked at all times.

-Don't open your bag-containing valuable like cash and ornaments, while travelling in public places.

-Drug use / possession is a serious punishable offence.

-Sex tourism is the newest trend to hit the global travel scene and its strongly recommended to avoid most of the places offering such services without proper self protection.

-Trivandrum offers excellent shopping opportunity for handicraft / antique enthusiasts (besides Jew Town in Cochin) but be very cautious in scrutinizing / appraising the value and quality of what you may buy and if it matches with product description. Handicrafts and souveniers are best bought from Govt. run institutions such as SMSM Handicrafts Emporium near YMCA, Kairali, Khadi Gramodyog bhavan etc.

Other points on caution are generally well known in advance by foreign tourists to any foreign land without being having to be told.

Foreigner Registration Office :

Every foreigner who arrives in India on the strength of a tourist visa having duration of more than 180 days (6 months) should register his/her visa with the nearest foreigners' registration officer concerned within 15 days of arrival to India. In Kerala Superintendents of Police or Commissioners of Police are acting as the Foreigners' Registration Officer (in some other states District Collector is acting as the Foreigners Registration Officer) after necessary verification the Foreigners Registration Officer will issue the registration certificate and residential permit to the foreigner.

Telephone Number of Foreigner Registration Office : 91.471.320579

Commissioner of Police, Thiruvananthapuram City is the Foreigners Registration Officer of Thiruvananthapuram City.

If the registration documents issued by the Foreigners' Registration Officer to the foreigner are valid, he/she can leave India simply on production of the confirmed ticket to the port authorities concerned (after surrendering the registration document to the port).

Have a nice stay in Trivandrum………….Beyond Trivandrum- Kerala awaits to be seen.

Jensen John

Http://www.trivandrum-city.com

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