Welcome to the Spice Capital

Flashes of colour and fragrant wafts of spicy smells alone will entertain anyone who ventures into Mumbai for an adventure. The inhabitants, albeit mostly of a humble nature, are exceedingly friendly and treat tourists like personal house guests. Expect to barter in the markets.

Best Mumbai climate, holidays and festivals

The best times to visit Mumbai is during the winter months from November until February when temperatures can still reach a sweltering 30°C. Should you wish to stay on another month, you will have the pleasure of experiencing Holi, a stunning festival of colour. It is only rivalled by Diwali which is the festival of lights. This takes place during October, celebrated with fireworks and light displays. Ganesh Chaturthi takes place during the monsoon season, which is to be avoided by tourists.

Before you travel: visa, vaccinations, tips and cost of living

Visas will need to be obtained from the India High Commission.

Vaccines are an absolute must. Some are recommended more than others, however, to be safe the following form a good basis: hepatitis A and B, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, Japanese Encephalitis and rabies.

A dust mask or scarf is a great accessory, especially during summer when smog seems to be at its worst. Tourists are advised to not drink tap water at all. Fruit and vegetables are not recommended to be eaten fresh and should at all times be boiled or fried.

Low living costs await you, as a budget meal will cost you roughly Rs200 (£2).

Mumbai's transport and accommodation

Public transport is not recommended as they tend to be very crowded during rush hour. Bus day passes will require a Smart ID card and costs approximately Rs70 per day. Taxis are very reasonable and will set you back about Rs21 for the first 1.5 kms and then a further Rs1 per 100 m. The airport is 28km away from Mumbai and prepaid taxis will range from Rs400 - Rs600.

Mumbai accommodation is a bit more expensive compared to elsewhere in India, starting off from about Rs250 per night per person for hostels and 3-star hotels around Rs4000 per person per night. Budget accommodation can be found near the railways or in South Mumbai or Colaba.