Other famous locations include Wagamon Hill station. Kottayam is blessed by rivers and backwaters, Meenachil river and Vembanad lake among them.
Kottayam has the unique distinction of becoming the first district in India to achieve 100% literacy. It is also called the land of latex,lakes,liquor and letters.This is due to the large number of rubber plantations and also many reputed national publishers like Malayala Manorama etc. Many of the famous Malayalam language newspapers are headquarted in Kottayam. It can be rightly called the educational capital of Kerala. Many famous colleges and schools present in the district. One of the earliest colleges in the state of Kerala and possibly in the whole of India was started by CMS(Church Missionary Soceity). Started by missionaries in 1817, in Kottayam town, the institution still preserves some of its pristine looks. The alumni of the college include erstwhile President of India Mr.K.R.Narayanan, former Chief Minister of Kerala Mr.Oommen Chandy among other numerous famous personalities. There are quite a few professional education institutions as well, with a state run Medical college and many enggineering colleges in the district. Kottayam is also the headquarters of a university which is known as Mahatma Gandhi University, and many colleges in central kerala are affiliated to this university. The district produces a wide variety of cash crops like vanilla,cardamom,clove etc. Kottayam is the first town in India selected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India to be transformed as an Eco City.
Malayalam is the local language.However English is widely spoken and understood and is used as the official language in most cases. Hindi is also spoken and understood by most native city dwellers.Even auto and taxi drivers are able to communicate effectively in English.
Kottayam is well connected by road and rail. Both state and privately owned buses operate to most other parts of the district and state. Trains pass through Kottayam to Kochi in the north and to Thiruvananthapuram in the south. In the district the main railway station is present at Kottayam town which is the district headquarters, and is one of the important railway stations in the state, with almost all Express and Superfast trains having a stop at Kottayam town. There are trains passing through Kottayam, from and to most major cities in the country like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, etc. The nearest airport is at Kochi, 76 kms away from the city. The other major nearby airport is at Thiruvanthapuram which is approximately 150 kilometres from Kottayam.
Getting around the city is easy with numerous autorickshaws available.However meters are not commonly used and it is advisable to negotiate the fare before boarding.However compared to other Indian cities like Chennai, Delhi& Bangalore, incidences of drivers cheating tourists or fleecing them are very rare. Tourist taxis although more expensive are a more reliable means of travelling longer distances in larger groups. Buses services are mostly very affordable. Local bus service system is there, and is present to most places in the district. State run buses also ply between most of the places in the district.
Although the city is a bit crowded, there are boat rides from the boat jetty at Kodimatha. Kumarakom situated nearby also offers house boat rides apart from leisurely strolls at the bird sanctuary.
Several budget hotels offering good food are located all around the city.Expensive hotels like Windsor castle at Kodimatha offer quality services. Quite a few major hotels are present in Kottayam town. Typical central travancore delicacies include Appam(soft bread) and Curry. Or Kappa(boiled tapioca) with curry. 'Karimeen'(Pearl Spot fish) fry is a popular dish not to be missed.
Kottayam is a relatively safe place for visitors any time.The people are highly cultured and helpful.However it is advisable for women to avoid travelling alone and to be conservatively dressed and avoid being too friendly with the local men. Excellent medical facilities are available round-the-clock with many multispeciality medical centres located all over the city. There is also a state run Medical College in Kottayam among other major hospitals.
There are numerous ayurvedic health centres offering massages and treatments for various ailments. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/09/09/stories/2006090903301900.htm http://www.ayurvedahospital.com/