Port Blair Travel Guide, India

Port Blair Travel-guide: General information

Port Blair is the capital city of the Indian Union Territory, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is also the largest city and the headquarters of the Andaman district and the local administrative sub-division with the same name, Port Blair.

Pristine white sandy beaches, coral reefs, sparkling crystal-clear water, fresh air and relaxing tranquility – that is Port Blair for you; no wonder it has long been a tourist haven. Whether it has been about exploring the exotic flora and fauna of the land areas, enjoying beach activities or taking a peek at the marine life during a glass-bottom boat trip, vacationers have loved it all; however, what they like about Port Blair travel above all is that the Isle-groups only airport, it is the main entry point.

Port Blair Travel-guide: Statistics

Area: 36 sq km

Population: 100,186

Language: Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Punjabi, Nicobari, English

Currency: Indian Rupee

Port Blair Travel-guide: Architectural Heritage

There is nothing special or remarkable to mark the planning of Port Blair city; however, there is one structure that has immense historical and architectural significance, the Cellular Jail. Also known as ‘Kala Paani’ (because of the inhuman tortures applied to the political prisoners during India’s struggle for freedom), the massive structure has awe-inspiring architecture. Seven wings extend from a central watch tower from where the guards would keep an eye on the jail inmates. The jail was declared a national monument in 1969 and now it houses a 500-bed hospital named Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital.

Port Blair Travel-guide: Economy and Infrastructure

Although new avenues of income are coming up in the form of various industries like handicrafts, fisheries and coir production, Port Blair’s economy is largely dependent on tourism. As such, Vir Savarkar Airport is the airport that provides entry into the islands; moreover, Port Blair has adequate infrastructure to support tourism. Port Blair not only provides access to the other islands, but has a number of luxury as well as budget hotels that offer accommodation facilities making your Port Blair travel a comfortable affair.

Port Blair Travel-guide: People and Culture

The locals are very friendly, courteous and co-operative; ask them for a thing that is within their means/capacity and they will help you. Port Blair society is not really an affluent society, but people have high self-esteem – they will neither beg nor do any wrong deed; no wonder that crime-rate is very low in Port Blair and tourists feel safe to roam about.

Speaking of culture, the society is a nice mix of various cultures and traditions. Actually, people following different faiths – Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and other religions and speaking different languages like Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telegu, etc. In spite of their basic differences, people of Port Blair live in perfect harmony and enjoy the festivities in high spirits.

email to a friendAsk our travel experts a question about Port Blair