Louisa Point, Charlotte Lake & More: Matheran Timings & Fees

Coral reefs in Andamans need protection - Don't touch coral, feed fish, or take shells. The ecosystem is fragile and precious.

Try masala chai everywhere

Set boundaries - women can choose to only photo with families/women

Expect the selfie requests to get tiring

Public displays of affection are considered rude

Keep receipts from currency exchange - You'll need these to reconvert rupees when leaving, and they're required for certain transactions.

Avoid meat from street vendors

Sanitation standards vary widely - Kerala's Swachh Bharat success versus poor sanitation in some northern and eastern states affects health risks.

South Indians shake hands more readily - Physical greetings vary; south tends toward handshakes while north prefers namaste from a distance.

Public restrooms charge small fees - Usually 2-10 rupees for use. The paid ones are generally cleaner than free ones.

Sunder Nursery and Deer Park in Delhi are good escapes

Backup photos regularly - Internet cafes and shops can transfer photos to hard drives or cloud storage. Don't risk losing everything.

Keep copies of important documents - Store passport, visa, and insurance details in email, cloud storage, and with someone at home.

Diwali dates and customs differ - Same festival, different traditions: North lights diyas for Rama, Bengal worships Kali, South celebrates Krishna's victory.