Weather
Mumbai has four seasons, but in reality, it usually has hot weather practically all year round. During winter, temperatures dip to around 64-75 degrees Fahrenheit (17-24 degrees Celsius) at night.
Mumbai’s hottest month is May, when days have a temperature of 91-100 degrees Fahrenheit (32-38 degrees Celsius). Meanwhile, July is when the rainy season starts – expect that it will be cloudy, wet, and humid during this time. This will continue until October. It will get warm in November, but the temperature will significantly drop in December, which is the city’s busiest month.
Where to Stay
Mumbai’s tourist season starts from October and goes up to February. Starting March the heat begins to creep in. During the tourist season finding accommodations can be a challenge. Save yourself the trouble of looking for hotels – it would be best to make a reservation at a reputable serviced apartment like Lalco Residency that offers all the comforts of home with world-class services and amenities, such as free high-speed Internet connection, cable TV, air-conditioning, daily housekeeping services, on-site ATM and banking facilities, concierge services, and more.
That’s not to mention that most serviced apartments have ample space for lush foliage and greenery, where you can take a breather from the urban jungle. They’re also equipped with a living room, a kitchen, and a dining room – the perfect retreat for business travellers and families.
Events in Mumbai
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is an annual event celebrating arts, cinema and culture and is organized in the Kala Ghoda precinct every year. Usually this festival is organized in 1st half of February. If you are a movie buff you got to be at this event. If you have an ear for classical music then Banganga Festival is for you. It’s a yearly event organized by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation to promote and protect the musical heritage of the country. Renowned musician from all across the country play at this festival. It is held for 2 days in the month of January. If you are an Ed Sheeran fan then November is your month to visit Mumbai. On 19th November, Ed Sheeran is performing live at BKC in Mumbai! This concert is a part of the Asian leg of his world tour to support Ed Sheeran’s latest album ‘Divide’.
Getting Around
Taxis, double-decker buses, ferry boats to neighboring islands, and suburban train lines are the ways to get about in Mumbai. There is no airport train station, so your only options to and from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport are taxis and buses. You can opt for airport transfers c/o your serviced apartment, and instead of commuting, you can also have go for a chauffeur-driven car upon request.
What to Eat
The rule of thumb when dining in Mumbai: pay in cash. Most street markets, bars, and cafes (and even taxis) accept only cash.
It would be a sin not to taste Mumbai’s street food, so do give it a try. Popular choices are puri (flat dough that puffs up once it’s deep-fried) with chickpeas, kebabs, vada pav, pav bhaji, chicken tikka rolls, and Mumbai-style sandwiches – your choice of fillings served with yummy chutney.
If you’re a fan of seafood, you’ll love Mumbai cuisine. Being a seaside city Mumbai has host of seafood to offer. Prawns are a must-eat: You can have them any which you want – with gravy, deep-fried, with biryani, or even with fish. And don’t forget the butter garlic crab, which go well with rice or bread. Last but not the least, do try the very famous ‘Kala Khatta’ a quintessential Mumbai drink, akin to slushie it has added punch by lieu of spices used in it.
What to Wear
Being one of the hottest filming spots in India, Mumbai can be considered the country’s fashion capital. You are free to wear anything that you want. But it is recommended that you stick to shirts and jeans for utmost comfort. And since Mumbai’s humidity and heat can be brutal, it’s better to stick with light-colored and lightweight pieces, along with comfortable footwear.
Martin Wynn
