Tuberculosis is still present in India. Also, care should be taken when eating as few western travellers escape without a bout of diarrhoea. Sunscreen and a hat should be worn in hot weather. Each region has its specialities, but the basic division is between north and south Indian cuisines. In the south food tends to focus on spicy vegetarian and fish dishes, usually served with rice.
Restaurants always advertise whether they are 'veg' or 'non-veg'.
Chilli, turmeric, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander and cinnamon are commonly used, ground into a masala or mix for each dish. Thalis are a wonderful way of sampling lots of dishes - usually economical too. Those who crave western food can find it in tourist restaurants but it is often more expensive and inauthentic. More details at What's on when . What to buy Fabric, jewellery, Ayurvedic healthcare and cosmetics, electronic goods, cooking spices, tabla drums, English-language books, bootleg CDs.