South India is a completely fascinating place. Less known than Rajasthan in the north, choosing the south is to learn the true essence of India. It is to discover a rich culture, with lush nature and a thousand-year-old history in every temple and palace.
In this article, we are going to give you some tips to make your trip to South India as pleasant as possible. Although it is an incredible place, it is also important to follow some recommendations to be able to enjoy the experience to the fullest.
Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the states of southern India, are incredible places, but they are much more enjoyable if we follow some of these essential tips.
Best time to travel to South India
One of the best tips we can give you is to avoid the monsoon. From July onwards, the season of heavy rains begins and will continue until the end of September, beginning of October. This is the case except in Tamil Nadu, where the monsoon occurs from October to December.
Before the monsoon, from the end of April, although there is not so much rain, it is not the best time to visit this area. The reason is the high temperatures, which can exceed betweein 38 – 40 degrees celcious. With a high level of humidity, the thermal sensation can be suffocating.
On the other hand, if we are looking for the best time to travel to South India, we have to choose the period from October to March. During this period of the year there is less rain and the temperatures are milder and more pleasant, allowing you to enjoy the beach and the outdoors.
Temperatures range between 30 and 20 degrees, which is a perfect time to enjoy the different outdoor religious festivals that are usually held during the winter.
It coincides with the high season, but in this case the high season has a reason and it is that it allows for a much more pleasant trip, making the most of the attractions of this area. In Tamil Nadu, however, we can visit from January to September.
Visas and necessary vaccinations
One of the fundamental aspects that we have to follow before arriving in the south of India is to secure our documentation. A passport with at least six months of validity from the date of departure from the country and two blank pages is required.
In case of loss of the passport, a permit to leave the country must be requested, which can be obtained by filling out the form on this page.
In addition, a tourist visa is required, which allows you to visit the country for 30 days with two entries, and which can be requested on this page. If the visa has expired, you will also have to request the exit permit that we have mentioned.
As for vaccinations, there are no mandatory vaccinations for European, USA & Canadian. If we come from a country where yellow fever is endemic (like many Latin Americans), it will be mandatory to have it. Otherwise, the recommendations are usually vaccination against tetanus, typhoid fever and hepatitis A and B.
Must-see stops in southern India
Kerala, Tamil Nadu and, to a lesser extent, Karnataka, with permission from the paradisiacal beaches of Goa, are the three most common states to visit in southern India. Let’s see within each of these states, what their main tourist attractions are.
Kerala
Kerala is located on the west coast of southern India. It is known for being the cleanest and least chaotic state in the country, which makes it perfect for an India with children. Its capital is Cochin, which is also one of the most beautiful cities in this area of India. Also known as Kochi, it is a colonial and multicultural city, where we can see Portuguese, Chinese or Jewish influence, among others.
In this state we cannot forget the area of Alleppey. Around this city there are 900 kilometers of canals and lakes that can be navigated in famous boats. Taking a cruise and touring this area is a must. Of course, we cannot leave the area without sleeping in its houseboats.
Finally, we must also mention the area of Munnar, a mountainous region full of beautiful tea plantations. Here the Eravikulam National Park stands out, a place specialized in ecotourism, completely sustainable and respectful of the environment.
Tamil Nadu
The state of Tamil Nadu is the largest in southern India, occupying the entire central and eastern area of the southern peninsula. This is the area where the Tamils live, an ethnic group that also lives in Sri Lanka, and which is the cradle of the Dravidian culture. For this reason, some of the oldest and most spectacular temples in India are in this state.
It is difficult to choose the essentials here because there are too many attractions, but we can start with Chennai, the capital. Formerly known as Madras, it stands out for its thousand-year-old temples full of colour.
Another essential place, in the centre of the state, is the city of Madurai. This 2,500-year-old city stands out mainly for the Meenakshi temple, one of the most impressive in all of India.
To finish this list of essentials (although we have left out several options) we must mention Mahabalipuram. It is a coastal city with incredible beaches, which has some of the oldest temples in India. Carved directly into the rock and located in front of the sea, you cannot leave Tamil Nadu without visiting them.
Karnataka
Although less touristy than Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, located to the north of these two states, on the west coast of India, is another quite interesting destination. In this case it also stands out for its mix of history and modernity. Not in vain, its capital, Bangalore, is the center of the Indian computer industry, and is known as the “Silicon Valley of India”. In fact, it is also said to be the most modern city in the country.
Another very interesting place in Karnataka is the city of Hassan. The center of Jainism, a Hindu religious doctrine, is full of temples with centuries of history, making a great contrast with the modernity of Bangalore.
We cannot forget Mysore either. This great city is famous for its temples and palaces, mainly its Royal Palace. It is not at all touristy, which adds quite a bit of charm.
How to get around southern India?
When it comes to transport, our recommendation is to book your travel arrangements in advance. Although there is less chaos in southern India, especially in Kerala, than in the north, there is still a lot of transport density and getting around can be overwhelming.
Of course, you should not rule out flights either. Cochin, Chennai and Bangalore have major international airports, so you will probably enter India through these airports or with a stopover in Mumbai or Delhi. In any case, to go from one state to another, domestic flights are an interesting option, as they save you a lot of time.
Another option for long journeys is the train. It is quite an experience, but it also requires planning and booking tickets in advance. If you want a European quality standard, you have to book first class.
Finally, in the cities there are taxis and public transport available. It is possible to fall into tourist traps, so it always ends up being more convenient to have a hired driver, who is also not too expensive in India. (And, in fact, can end up being cheaper.)
What to eat in South India?
One of the reasons why many people decide to visit southern India is because of the gastronomy. Indian food is delicious, especially in the south. So, if you don’t know what to eat in India, we are going to give you some tips.
In coastal areas, fish curry is a must. There is no single option and it can also be seafood, but its flavor is incredible. It is undoubtedly the most interesting main dish, and you can choose according to the degree of spiciness you want.
Inland, biryani is much more common, which is nothing more than spiced basmati rice with meat (usually chicken or lamb) and vegetables, bathed in yogurt sauce.
Dosa is also very typical in the south, which are crepes made of rice and fermented beans, with different fillings. Finally, for breakfast we must mention Idli, delicious steamed rice and lentil cakes.
To avoid problems, remember to always drink bottled water and not use ice in your drinks. Also, avoid raw food, it is always better to eat everything well cooked. Also be careful with street stalls, our stomachs are more delicate and otherwise we can end up with some gastrointestinal problem.
Finally, regarding tips in India, they are not obligatory. If we have received good service, it is appreciated to leave around 10%.
What to pack?
One of the most important points when visiting southern India is clothing. We are going to a warm area, so we will probably think of very summery clothes. However, if we want to visit temples, we must have covered shoulders and knees. So no tank tops or skirts and shorts.
It is better to opt for long trousers or dresses made of light fabrics, which will keep you cool but comply with local regulations.
Also, in the temples you must go without shoes, so we recommend wearing socks. This way we will avoid stepping directly on the stone, not only for health reasons, but also because we are often in the sun, which can burn our feet.
Also take a basic first aid kit, which includes medicines for stomach upset and painkillers, as well as medication for allergies. On the other hand, we are in a tropical country, so insect repellent and sunscreen are a must.
