Mumbai can be daunting for a first timer—it’s a crowded, hectic and humid city. But as intimidating as it may look at first glance, it’s just as welcoming once you give it a chance. I’ve often had the pleasure of spending a few days in Mumbai in recent years when I’ve been on family trips to India. About a week ago, I came back from exploring Mumbai over a period of 3 days and here are some tips I recommend especially for those going for the first time!

Where to Stay:

Honestly, there are a lot of airbnbs and hotels in Mumbai—varying from simple to 5-star experiences. For two of my nights there, I stayed at the JW Marriott near Juhu Beach. It’s a pricier experience, but it is is a 5-star hotel and honestly one of the best hotels I’ve stayed during all of my travels abroad. You can truly see Indian hospitality at its best here. Free breakfast for two is included with a one-room stay and this is a breakfast unlike any other. There are at least a 50-100 various types of foods ranging from typical Indian specialities to international cuisines. I could never get bored of this breakfast because there’s something for even the most pickiest of eaters! You can also order your coffee and/or eggs the way you want them. There is also live music—including a classical wooden flute player at breakfast, which only adds to the authenticity of the experience.

How to get around:

Luckily, Uber is pretty popular in India. Plus, if you already have the app in the U.S., all you have to do is change your current location and you’re set. In some places, however, Uber isn’t as frequent. Many Indian cities use a more popular app called ‘Ola.’ Just like Uber, if you have the option of paying via credit card or paying with cash at the end of your trip. I found ‘Ola’ super user-friendly and there was always a ride available within minutes!

You have several options for choosing a ride—a regular sedan, a prime sedan and/or an auto rickshaw. In other places, these may be known as ‘tuk-Tuks.” What I love about Ola is that they have made rickshaws available and super cheap especially for short distances from as low as 40 rupees (50 cents). Plus, there’s a different kind of joy riding in a rickshaw with the wind blowing in your face as you catch the sights and smells of the city.

Foods to try:

Mumbai is known to have some of the best food in all of India. You don’t have to go to a specific restaurant to enjoy the rich taste of the food—in fact much of the joy and flavors of the food can be found in the street food. Here are my recommendations for foods to try:

1.) Vada pav: this is a fried, flavorful potato patty served between 2 buttered and toasted pieces of bread often with a dry red garlic chutney and/or green chilies (go for it if you can handle them). Vada pav is a Mumbai delicacy— from rich to poor adore the taste of this tasty snack.

2.) Sugarcane juice: What I love about sugarcane juice in India is that it’s easily found by its familiar and melodious ringing sound. To this day, India uses old but effective machinery to produce refreshing sugarcane juice and the vendors can be found selling from old wooden carts. A full glass only costs 40 rupees (~50 cents) and it is worth every penny.

3.) Seafood: Mumbai’s proximity to the Arabian Sea makes it home to some delicious seafood. I grew up eating seafood at home because my mom grew up in ‘Bombay’ (as it was previously known) and fish was a staple in the house at least 1x/week. You can find seafood joints anywhere, but those hole in the wall places are ideal. I recommend trying pomfret, king fish (surmai), baby shark (mori) and/or Bombay duck (Bombil). Most of these fish are not commonly served in the U.S. so Mumbai is the perfect place to try them. If you really want authenticity, then try Malvani masala with any of these seafood dishes, which is a brown curry made with heavenly spices and dry, grated coconut.

Hopefully, these tips help you get started with exploring my favorite city in the world! Feel free to comment below if you have any questions and/or suggestions.