In cheap hotels or Guest Houses on Swargadwar or New Puri, try to take care of your own belongings. DO NOT try to go to the beach after 8 pm. If you get seriously ill in Puri it is better to go on to Bhubaneswar to the Kalinga Hospital as the hospitals in Puri are very, very basic and not too clean. The hotel should be able to get a local doctor for you if you need one.
There are mouthwatering foodstalls on the beach selling fish, mutton, chicken kebabs, chops and cutlets. DO NOT try these, unless you want to experience the medical system of Puri. Even weather-beaten, battle-hardened, super-immune Indian stomachs can not tolerate these tasty but unhygienic attacks on your digestive system. Eat out of hotels, perfectly fine. But do NOT try the seashore roadside food stalls.
Stay safe from pandas of any temple.They will extract money from your pocket ruthlessly in the name of God. They are very influential and nothing can be done with the help of law. Avoid entering innermost sanctum of any living templeeven if you are Hindu/Indian.They will ask you to offer puja or pay respect to innumerous Gods here and there of same temple very politely/affectionately but will demand money in name of each God separately.No use arguing with them.If you are a bit religious/curious then carry enough change so that you can donate Rs 1,2,5, 10 to get rid of them without any commotion.
Stay away from monkeys.Dont lure them with food and other stuff.
