Kochi, or more familiarly, Cochin is a city of many parts. Around for a long, long time, Kochi played a pivotal role in the development of shipping and trade in the region. Kochi's prime location on the west coast, its fine bay and protected harbour made it popular with seafarers and merchant ships who made frequent stops to stock up on spices, coffee and wood en route to the rich markets of Europe and West Asia. And so down the ages, Kochi prospered as a busy port city and commercial centre. Its seafront is still extremely relevant to Cochin and to India: it houses a Naval Base and one of India’s busiest ports. It’s twin city, Ernakulam, is an important railhead and industrial centre.
Kochi's location between the blue, blue waters of the Arabian Sea and Kerala’s emerald backwaters, its rich medley of Indian and foreign architecture, its truly unusual sights like the Chinese fishing nets and its quaint quiet localities like the Jewish Quarters demand the attention of all who travel to Kerala.
Explore the city thoroughly: it’s bound to have you hooked!
How to Reach Kochi?
By Air : Cochin International Airport serves Cochin and Ernakulum. It is one of India’s major airports and is well connected both internationally and domestically. It is 30 km from Kochi city. There are two terminals; one for domestic and one for international.
By Rail : The city is extremely well connected to most major cities of the country. There are two main train stations in the city. The Ernakulam Junction Station has trains coming from all over the country. It is the main railway station in Kochi, and a major stop on the south-western rail route. Trains connect Kochi to major cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram and to smaller towns within Kerala.
By Road : There is an excellent inter state bus system which makes Cochin and Ernakulam accessible from all parts of the country. The Kerala Road Transportation Corporation runs all the buses. There are six types of buses; ordinary, limited ordinary, fast passenger, super fast, deluxe and Garuda Sleeper buses. There is a daily service from Bangalore, Mangalore and Mysore.
Best Time to Visit Kochi
Since Kochi and Ernakulam are situated on the coast there are no dramatic seasonal changes. It is hot most times and the humidity is bearable only because of the convection current. But when the monsoons lash the coast June onwards Kochi undergoes a transformation. Temperatures drop and it becomes a cool, lush, leafy paradise. Having said that,the best time to visit would probably be in the winter months between October and March, when the weather is cool and conducive for sightseeing.In summer the late April showers start as a precusor to the monsoons. It rains for a short while most afternoons and clears up by the evening cooling the city.
Things to do in Kochi
There are plenty of things to do in Kochi so you will never be lost for recreational activities here. From beaches and backwaters to mountains and forests, a trip to Kochi is truly an unforgettable experience.
Visit Fort Cochin, an interesting area where you can spot the age old Chinese fishing nets. Shop for antique furniture and artifacts in Fort Cochin and do stop by at the Jewish synagogue here. Buy some coir handicrafts to take back home and eat at the local restaurants to gorge on the most delicious sea food you will find.
As you can see there is plenty to see and do in Cochin. So come explore!
Places Near Kochi
There some very nice places near Cochin that you can visit.
Kumarakom is a lovely lagoon and one can easily drive to Alleppey some 2 hours away and enjoy an overnight house boat cruise down the backwaters of Kerala.
Munnar is a beautiful little hill station some three and half hours away from Kochi. Peace and tranquility are the order of the day here with the rolling tea gardens and spice plantations enveloping the town. Verdant forests and trails abound, the scent of the spice gardens present a heady mix. It is a lovely place to relax and unwind. Be sure to visit! Lying at a distance of 6o kms from Cochin, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is regarded as the richest bird habitat of peninsular India, and sports over 250 species of birds each year.
Hotels in Kochi – Choice is Yours
There are numerous hotels in Kochi ranging from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star deluxe to budget hotels.