Language
The official language is Hindi but there are approximately 17 other regional languages spoken by the people of different states in India. English is used for official and commercial purposes. Most people on the streets understand and converse in decent English.

Time Zone
India has a single time zone. It is 5.5 hours ahead of the GMT, 4.5 hours behind the Australian Eastern Standard time and 11.5 hours ahead of American Eastern Standard Time (winter). Check http://www.timezoneconverter.com

Climate
Weather throughout India is very pleasant in December. The Southern India will be cool. Temperature in Hyderabad in December ranges from 14 degree C to 26 degree C. The Northern parts of India will be much cooler with temperatures ranging from 6 degree C to 12 degree C. The sub-Himalayan belt may experience snowfall. Checkhttp://www.weather.123india.com

Health

1. Any person (including infants over six months old) arriving by air or sea from an infected country must obtain a yellow fever certificate. Those countries that are considered infected are all African countries (except Algeria, Botswana, Djbouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tunisia and Zimbabwe) and all South American countries (except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay). When a case of yellow fever is reported from any country, that country is regarded by the government of India as being infected.

2. Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to India.

3. Typhoid immunization is generally recommended.

4. Malaria risk exists, mainly in the benign vivax form.

Food and drink:
Consume packaged water bearing ISI standardization. Some of the popular brands are Bisleri, AquaFina, Evian, Bailey, and Bibo. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot.

Note: All visitors aged between 18-70 years of age who are wishing to extend their visa for a year or more are required to take an AIDS test.

Health care:
Travelers are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance before departing for India. It is advisable to bring specific medicines from your country. There are state-operated facilities in all towns and cities and private consultants and specialists in urban areas.

On leaving India:
Visitors leaving for countries which impose health restrictions on arrivals from India are required to be in possession of a valid certificate of inoculation and vaccination.

Electricity

Usually 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Some areas have a DC supply. Plugs used are of the round two and three pin type. Adapters and voltage converters come handy if plan to operate electrical and electronic appliances.

Communications 

Telephone:
International Direct Dialing service is widely available all over India. Otherwise calls must be placed through the international operator. Country code: 91. Outgoing international code: 00. Hyderabad City code: 40.

Mobile telephone:
India operates on GSM 900 networks. Network operators include Hutch (www.hutch.in), Airtel (www.airtelworld.com), and Idea Cellular (www.ideacellular.com). Coverage is extensive. Check with your service provider for details of international roaming on Indian networks. Your cell phone should support GSM 900. You can hire cell phones at the domestic airports in most major cities and tourist destinations in India. Typical cell phone rentals in India vary between Rs. 100 and 150 per day.

Fax:
Facilities are available in most hotels, post offices, and even roadside telephone kiosks.

Internet:
Nowhere in India are you away from an Internet Cafe. E-mail can be accessed from any Internet café across the country. In addition, most hotels provide a dataport to access your ISP or an Indian ISP if you have a Roaming arrangement. Indian ISPs include VSNL (www.vsnl.com) and Sify. For the nearest browsing center location in Hyderabad, check http://www.outofindia.net/hyd/htm/ptoip.htm

Telegram:
International 24-hour service from large hotels and telegraphic offices in major cities.

Mail:
Airmail service to Western countries takes up to a week. Stamps are often sold at hotels. FedEx and DHL Courier pick-up and delivery is possible in most hotels.

Press:
There are numerous local dailies published in several languages. Many newspapers are in English, the most important include The Times of India, Indian Express, The Hindu, Hindustan Times, The National Herald, The Economic Times and The Statesman.

Radio:
BBC MHz 15.31, 11.96, 6.195, 1.413, Voice of America MHz 17.74, 11.71, 9.645, 6.110

Money

Currency: Rupee (Rs.) = 100 paise. Notes are in denominations of Rs.1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5. Coins are in denominations of Rs. 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, and 10 paise.
Click here for currency converter

Currency Exchange:
Currency can be changed at banks, airports or authorised money changers. It is illegal to exchange money through unauthorised money changers. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange.

Money Changers:
All money in bills or traveler check should be changed into Indian currency only through authorized money changers and banks. For the list of money changers check http://www.outofindia.net/hyd/htm/f_exch.htm 

Travelers check:
These are widely accepted and may be changed at banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers check in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions:
Import of local currency is prohibited. Export of local currency is also prohibited, except for passengers proceeding to Nepal (excluding notes of denominations of Rs100 or higher), Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka (up to Rs. 20 per person). Foreign currency may be exported up to the amount imported and declared. All foreign currency must be declared on arrival if value is over US $5000, and when exchanged the currency declaration form should be endorsed, or a certificate issued. The form and certificates must be produced on departure to enable reconversion into foreign currency. Changing money with unauthorised money changers is not, therefore, advisable.

Exchange rate indicators
Check http://www.oanda.com for exchange rate updates.

Banks:
The bank timings are usually from 10.30 – 15.30 hrs from Monday through Friday and from 10.30 – 13.00 hrs on Saturday. Multinational banks such as ABN-AMRO, HSBC, Scotia, and Citibank have branches in all major Indian cities and in Hyderabad. Visa, MasterCard and Amex compatible ATMs abound. For a list of major banks in Hyderabad, check http://www.outofindia.net/hyd/htm/banks.htm

Credit and debit cards:
Most hotels, travel agents, airline offices, commercial establishments and shops welcome MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available.

Tipping

Taxis and restaurants do not expect to be tipped however hotel and airport porters should be tipped around 20 rupees, and guides and drivers 100 rupees per day where service is not included.

Traveling in Hyderabad

• Metered Radio-operated cabs (Citycab) (+91-40) 55316000

• Cabs (call your Hotel Bell Desk)

• Auto Rickshaw

Useful Contact Addresses 

India Tourism
88 Janpath,
New Delhi 110 001,
India
Tel:  91-11-23320005 or 2332 0008.
Fax: 91-11-23320109.
E-mail: [email protected] 

India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (ITDC)
Jeevan Vihar, Third Floor,
Three Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110 001,
India
Tel:  91-11-23361607 or 23344433.
Fax: 91-11-23343167
Website: www.theashokgroup.com

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
Tourism House, Himayatnagar,
Hyderabad – 500 063.
Andhra Pradesh, India
Phone: +91-40-23262151, +91-40-23262152
Fax: +91-40-23261801