Fort Cochin is an odd place for backpackers. Lonely Planet makes a big deal about spending the rupees for a rice barge backwater tour. I did and found the experience rather boring. The backwaters weren't so far away from traffic and though the "punting" used to move the boat was interesting we only traveled 3km in 24hrs. When in town, you'll find the town to be something like a family tourist spot for wealthier tourists so the food and lodging is significantly more money - and not worth it. Kerala as a state is fascinating because it is one of the only Socialist states that within a Democracy and, well, it works. I loved the hammer and crescent graffiti adorning the walls. In February/March the mosquitoes are as thick as clouds if they forget to wash their street gutters with salt water...

Food wise place is AWESOME for seafood lovers.Wide selection of fresh seafood, which you can choose and they fry it on the spot for you to eat...Famous line for them " You Buy We Fry"!One can also take beer along and sit in the car and chill with beer and seafood. Place is quite dirty and needs to be maintained well. Tip - Its best to go in a group and would not recommend women going in that area alone especially not knowing the local language.

Fort Cochin is a really nice and relaxed town, I enjoyed it!
Go and see a Kathakali performance at the Kerala Kathakali center, or just stroll around the streets and enjoy the atmosphere. Fort Cochin is easily reachable by ferry from the mainland.

if you will grill by yourself fish who you will buy from chinese net's fishermen it will be a great dinner...if you don't...tell them to cook fish in any indian way...but not grilled please!

Best thing about Fort Kochi is that there isn't a lot of traffic. Most of the modern urban development has happened to the mainland part of city and the island is relatively quiet.