Located on the Arabian Sea, Kochi is an important port for the state of Kerala and is one of India's most beautiful coastal cities. Its strategic location has made it an important industrial hub for Kerala, formerly as a vital port for the spice trade.

The city enjoys a typical tropical climate, with daytime temperatures of about 30 degrees for most of the year, falling to around 25 degrees during the monsoon season (from May to early September). One of the most famous sights in Kochi can be found on the beach, where Chinese fishing nets, the official symbol of Kochi, can be seen in operation.