Major city · India
MaheMahé
Spend a half‑day in Mahe (4–5 h), see the French colonial sites and waterfront, then head to nearby Kannur or Thalassery.
Mahe is a tiny former French enclave (under 4 km²) on the Kerala coast. Its sights cluster around the river‑mouth and can be walked in a few hours. Most visitors treat it as a stopover from Kannur or Thalassery, staying one night at most.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Sep (hot, humid)
- Airport
- IXE
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mahe100 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mahe, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; stay aware of traffic on the highway and keep valuables concealed.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers100 police · 101 fire/ambulance · 112 General emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIXE Kannur International Airport (≈30 km (19 mi) north, taxis or buses to Mahe).IXE Kannur International Airport (≈19 mi (30 km) north, taxis or buses to Mahe).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable; auto‑rickshaws are available for short hops.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café₹30–50 (≈ under US$1)
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket (Kannur‑Mahe)₹50–80 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedGuest house / budget hotel, a night, per person₹700 (≈ US$8)
- Mid-range bedBoutique hotel, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedBoutique hotel, a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹900 (≈ US$11) · Mid ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · High ₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IXE Kannur International Airport (≈30 km (19 mi) north, taxis or buses to Mahe)IXE Kannur International Airport (≈19 mi (30 km) north, taxis or buses to Mahe)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mahe: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
8 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable; auto‑rickshaws are available for short hops.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kannur
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus or taxi, ~45 min
Coastal city with market and museum.
Thalassery
goDoor to door: ≈1.5 h
Bus, ~1 h
Historic town, good for food.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ashwathy Guest House
₹700 per night, near hospital
Hotel Arena
₹500 per night, near sports ground
Hotel French Avenue
₹2,000 per night, boutique, steps to beach
Mahe Residency
₹800 per night, near sports ground
Riverview Lodge
₹600 per night, New Mahe
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹1,200–2,000 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guest house / budget hotel1 × 1 night × ₹900 | ₹900 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Taxi from Kannur Airport to Mahe (one way)1 × ₹1,200 · check | ₹1,200 |
| Auto‑rickshaw ride within town (10 km)1 × ₹200 · check | ₹200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹380 |
| Trip total≈ ₹4,180 per person per day, bed included | ₹4,180≈ US$50 |
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long‑distance trains excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | ₹30–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Seafood plate | ₹150–300 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Auto‑rickshaw (5 km) | ₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bus ticket (Kannur‑Mahe) | ₹50–80 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The national highway cuts through the centre – watch traffic when crossing.
- French‑style buildings are few and not open to tourists; plan only exterior photos.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Fire/ambulance
- 101
- General emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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MaheMahé
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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ഈ വിലാസം ദയവായിTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Fire/ambulance101
- General emergency112
Embassy
Indian consulate in Pondicherry (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kannur Airport → Mahe, taxi: about ₹1,200 (≈ US$14), 30 min (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw within Mahe (5 km): ₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3)
Say or show
- क्षमിക്കണം — Excuse me / Sorry (kshamikkana)
- നന്ദി — Thank you (nandi)
- എത്രയാണ്? — How much is it? (ethrayanu?)
- കടൽ എവിടെയാണ്? — Where is the beach? (kadal evideyaanu?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mahe. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Apr–Sep (hot, humid) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Mahe
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