Do's
All foreign nationals must pay hotel bills in foreign currency (cash or travelers’
cheques) This can be paid in Rupees if the visitor has a bank receipt as proof
of currency exchange.
Exchange money only through authorised banks or money changers.
Insist on a receipt when exchanging money.
Retain all receipts to facilitate reconversion of unspent money on departure
from India.
Shopping is recommended from Government Emporia and suggested shops on the list
of the Department of Tourism, Information on these can be obtained from Tourist
Offices in India.
Export of most wildlife and their products is either banned or strictly regulated.
Export of the few permissible items even as passengers’ personal luggage
is allowed only under an export permit.
Insists on getting a certificate for the legitimate sale of a particular animal
product and permission for its export to avoid inconvenience on departure.
Taxis and auto-rickshaws in cities do not all have meters, but where they do
insist on the meter being flagged in your presence. If the driver refuses to
co-operate, seek the assistance of a policeman. Always use a pre-paid taxi while
travelling from airport to city.
In addition, the above fares change from time to time and so will not always
conform to readings on the metres. To avoid confusion, insist on seeing the
latest fare chart and pay accordingly.
If you wish to visit any prohibited or restricted areas, check with the nearest
Government of India Tourist Office to ascertain details of the formalities required.
Check with the nearest Government of India Tourist Office the rules regarding
photography at archaeological monuments.
Avoid the touts and brokers of shopkeepers.
It is obligatory to cover your head before entering Sikh shrines.
In case of any difficulty contact the nearest tourist office or police station.
Concessional tickets such as Indrail Pass on Railway, Youth Fare, Discover India
Fare and South India Air Fare (Indian Airlines) are to be purchased in foreign
exchange only.
Don'ts
Don’t get lured by shopping bargains on the street.
Don’t exchange money except with an authorised money changer.
Don’t purchase travel tickets through strangers or unauthorised travel
agents or tour operaters.
Don’t encourage beggars by giving them money or other articles.
Don’t buy silver/ivory articles or peacock feathers in bulk.
Don’t wear any footwear inside Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Jain places of worship.
Some temples do not permit leather articles to be taken in.
Don't wear shorts, sleeveless tops or revealing clothes in places of public
worship.
