Malabar Gold

Ernakulam, mainland Kochi, is a busy, prosperous Indian city that is safe for visitors with normal urban awareness. Crowded MG Road and Broadway markets and the transport hubs call for the usual big-city care; violent crime against tourists is rare, and the main hazards are traffic and pickpocketing.

• Overall — Prosperous, orderly city; tourist police and 24/7 transport.
• Solo & women — Comfortable with normal city sense; women walk markets freely by day.
• Scams to watch — Auto/taxi overcharging, gold/textile commission pushes, fake “offices”.
• Petty theft — Mind pockets and bags in MG Road, Broadway and at the stations.
• Traffic — Heavy, fast traffic — cross with care, prefer app cabs at night.