Fort Cochin, Kerala, India

Fort Cochin is a quiet, pretty island offering fine architecture, some modern & traditional Kerala life and some good backwater experiences.  Fort Cochin offers a welcome escape from the hectic mainland of Ernakulam. There is a 500 year old church, cantilever Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish community with a 16th century synagogue, and a Portuguese palace. 

There is a small market area near the Vypeen Island jetty, where you can buy fruit and street-side snacks.  The ticket offer here also allows safe storage of luggage.

There are lots of Internet places in town, but all are packed by evening, so morning is the best time.

Activities in Fort Cochin

• Backwaters - Fort Cochin is a good place for a backwater experience, although you'll find better between Alleppey and Kollam.  The Tourist Desk Information Counter run a good day trip with a morning on a house boat, and an afternoon in canoes for INR550, including lunch, water and hotel pickup.
• Mattancherry Palace
• Pardesi Synagogue & The Jew Town
• Chinese fishing nets - See the traditional nets being used to catch fish.  There are thousands of these nets in the south of Kerala, but it's rare to see them being used there.
• St Francis Church - The oldest European built church in India.  Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars.
• Santa Cruz Basilica - Impressive Catholic building with a striking pastel colored interior.
• Seafood dinner - buy your choice of seafood or fish from the fish mongers and have it cooked at a shack.  Much cheaper than inflated restaurant prices.
• Kathakali - see the traditional Keralan play. Very dramatic, with drumming, singing, headpieces and stunning makeup.

Accommodation in Fort Cochin

There are lots of home stays around.  Those in you guidebooks have probably jacked up their prices.  Try the Fort Nagar area, where there are loads of cheap home stays and guesthouses.

Fort Coch Inn
t: 9846345414
e: info@keralamytrip.com
Nice, good value and friendly home stay.  Rooms are clean, with tiled floors, white walls, mosquito nets on the windows, wardrobes and furniture.  The bathrooms have hot water showers all day long!  A little north of the Ham Dale Inn signpost on KB Jacob Road.  They also have an extensive travel agents. They have a single room with shared bathroom (INR200), double room with shared bathroom (INR300) and a en suite double (INR500). 

Eating in Fort Cochin

Unfortunately the restaurant situation is not good in Fort Cochin.  Prices are high and good quality hard to come by.  The flash fish restaurants charge typically INR400 for a fish dinner, and few are very good.  It's better to buy the fish of your choice from the fish mongers at the fishing nets at the north of the island, and take it to the nearby shacks which will cook it for you.  There are some other traditional Indian eateries around if you look, although some are a little overpriced.  Many restaurants serve beer in teapots, to avoid the licensing costs and hassles.  The street-side vendors at the Vypeen Island jetty offer good food at very low prices, especially good for breakfast.

Getting to and from Kochi and Fort Cochin

There are regular buses and trains to the major towns in Kerala, and other interstate destinations, including Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. 

Many Indian domestic flights operate out of Kochi airport.  There are several daily flights to Singapore.  A taxi to the airport costs INR550. 

There are some boat services to Kochi from other places, such as Alleppey, but you'll need to ask around and double check.  Some advertised services seem fictional.

Getting around

Fort Cochin can easily be explored by foot.  The best way to get to Fort Cochin from Ernakulam is by ferry , which is very cheap (INR5).  Tuk-tuk and taxi rides are quite long and cost INR180.