Country Information

Capital: Moscow

Time zone: Moscow and St Petersburg + 3 (GMT + 4 during the summer) Other regions vary.

Telephone services: Country Code: 7
Outgoing Code: 810; in smaller cities international calls may have to go through the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Fire – 01; Police – 02; Ambulance – 03

Tourist information: Intourist Travel Limited; Intourist House; 219 Marsh Wall; London E14 9PD Tel: (020) 7538 8600 Fax: (020) 7538 5967.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except for nationals Bulgaria; Czech Republic; Hungary; North Korea; Mongolia; Poland Romania; Slovak Republic; Vietnam and Yugoslavia. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure. All travellers are advised to contact the nearest Russian Embassy or Consulate for up to date details.

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of Bulgaria; CIS; Cuba; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Hungary; North Korea; Mongolia; Poland; Romania; Slovak Republic and Vietnam.

Health information: Polio; Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Other Health Risks: Cholera has been reported in Daghestan. Rabies is present.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: Rouble (Rub) = 100 Kopeks Exchange: Only at official bureaux. All transactions must be recorded on the CURRENCY declaration form issued on arrival. It is wise to keep all your receipts. NOTE Import and Export of local currency is prohibited; all remaining local currency must be reconverted on departure.

All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques are preferred to cash but you should also take some hard cash. US dollar cheques are recommended.
ATM availability: Over 350 locations

Cost of living: Moderate to expensive; since the change to free-market economy

Languages: Russian. English; French or German are spoken by some people

Weather: North and Central European Russia – Variable climate. Summer sunshine may be up to 9 hours a day whilst winters can be very cold. Siberia- Very cold winter with the possibility of pleasant summers. There is considerably seasonal temperature variation. Summers are usually short and wet. Southern European Russia – Winters are shorter than in the North.

Electricity: 220 volts AC; 50 Hz.

Post: Airmail to Western Europe takes over 10 days

Transport: AIR: Aeroflot runs services from Moscow to major cities. RIVER: Many companies offer cruises along several rivers. The Volga towns; The Golden Ring and Moscow – St Petersburg are popular routes. RAIL: The rail system is a vital part of the infrastructure due to the poor road system. Only a few long distance routes are open to use by visitors and reservations must be made on all journeys. NOTE: Do not leave possessions unattended at nay time. OAD: The European part of the Russian Federation depends heavily on it’s road network. The few roads in Siberia and further East are impassable during the winter. It is worthwhile to plan your route in advance and arrange motoring holidays through Intourist or another reputable agency.

Special information: EXTREME RISK: The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against travel to Chechen Republic and some other areas, check with FCO. Each specific region has its own code of dress and traditions which may be different to those in the West. NOTE: Carry ID at all times. Incidents of violent mugging; theft and pick pocketing in all cities continue to occur. Keep all valuables out of sight.

Capital: Yaren

Time zone: GMT + 12

Telephone services: Country Code: 674
Outgoing Code: Calls must be made through the international operator

Emergency telephone numbers: Contact local operator.

Tourist information: Refer to government office.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Regulations may be subject to short-term change. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: apart from those in transit providing they hold tickets for immediate travel to a third country

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from infected areas.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: Australian Dollar (A$) = 100 cents Credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques, preferably in Australian dollars, can be exchanged.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: The absence of taxes means some goods are cheaper e.g. electrical goods, cigarettes and alcohol. Visitors should buy essential goods in advance as shops are rather limited.

Languages: Nauruan and English.

Weather: A maritime, equatorial climate tempered by Northeast trade winds from Mar to Oct. The wettest period is from Mar to Oct. Hot all year round, wettest period – Dec to Mar.

Electricity: 110/240 Volts Ac 50 Hz.

Post: Up to 1 week

Transport: ROAD: A sealed road 19 km long circles the island and there are several miles of road running inland to Buada and the phosphate areas. Buses provide public transport. CAR HIRE: Available. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence is sufficient.

Special information: The island has a casual atmosphere in which diplomacy and tact are preferable to confrontation. Tourism is non-existent due to the environmental condition of the island following extensive phosphate mining throughout the 1990s.

Capital: Wellington

Time zone: GMT + 12 ( GMT + 13 from the last week in March to the first week in Oct.)

Telephone services: Country Code: 64
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 111

Tourist information: New Zealand High Commission, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4TQ Tel: (0839) 200 288 (recorded information).

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required (except for nationals of Australia). Regulations may be subject to short term change. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of EU countries for visits of up to 3 months (Portuguese nationals must have the right of residence in Portugal and French nationals must be residing in France. Nationals of Brunei, Canada, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Nauru, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland Thailand Tuvalu and the USA (except for US Samoans who do need a visa) for visits of up to 3 months. French citizens residing in Tahiti or New Caledonia for visits of up to 30 days. Nationals of the UK and other British Passport holders for visits of up to 6 months providing they have proof of the right of abode.

Health information: No innoculations are compulsary, but please seek medical advice prior to travel.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents. All major credit cards accepted. Travellers cheques in any international currencies, are widely accepted.
ATM availability: Over 1500 locations.

Cost of living: It is possible to travel relatively cheaply in New Zealand.

Languages: English and Maori.

Weather: Subtropical in the North island, temperate in the South Island. The North has no extremes of heat or cold, but winter can be quite cool in the South with snow in the mountains. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year.

Electricity: 230 Volts AC 50 Hz. Most hotels provide 110 volt sockets AC for electric razors.

Post: 4 – 5 days to Western Europe, slightly less to the USA.

Transport: FLIGHTS: The national airline operates flights between the main airports. RAIL: Reliable but limited. TRAVEL PASSES: allow unlimited travel on New Zealand Railways’ train, coach and ferry services. ROAD: COACH: Modern coaches operate scheduled services throughout the country. It is advisable to make reservations for seats. – Contact the tourism board for details. BUS: Regional bus services serve most parts of the country. TAXI: Metered taxis operate throughout the country. CAR HIRE: Major international and local firms have agencies at airports and most major cities. Minimum age for driving a rental car is 21 years.

Special information: Should a visitor be invited to a Maori occasion the pressing of noses is common.

Capital: Muscat

Time zone: GMT + 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 968
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 999

Tourist information: Directorate General of Tourism, PO Box 550, 113 Muscat, Oman Tel: 774 253 Fax: 794 238

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Tourist and Business visas are required by all except: Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Cases have been reported – take advice from your medical advisors
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from infected areas Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: Omani Rail (OR) = 100 baiza. All major credit cards are accepted although a commission charge may be made for their use. TC: Easily exchanged.
All major cards are accepted, although a commission may be added to charges when using a card. Travellers cheques in US dollars or pound Sterling are easily exchanged.
ATM availability: 50 locations.

Cost of living: It is impossible to travel on a tight budget. There are few middle range hotels and restaurants. There is a large contrast between budget and the remaining hotels.

Languages: Arabic and English.

Weather: June – July are very hot. Rainfall varies according to the region.

Electricity: 220/240 volts Ac, 50 Hz.

Post: Up to 2 weeks to Western Europe.

Transport: BUS: Services exist in Muscat and North Oman. TAXI: Prices are high and should be agreed in advance. DOCUMENTATION: Those who have a tourist visa can use their driving licence for up to 7 days. After 7 days a local licence is required and is available from the police station. Off-road driving conditions can be hazardous and road rescue very expensive.

Special information: Because of the situation of global and regional insecurity at present, travellers should exercise extreme
caution and make only necessary journeys to this country. If you intend to travel depite this advice you should be aware that Oman has only been open to the outside world for a short period therefore visitors should be sensitive to this. PHOTOGRAPHY: Signs will indicate areas where photography is prohibited. Collecting seashells; abalones corals, crayfish and turtle eggs is also forbidden. Avoid wearing shorts and tight fitting clothes.

Capital: Panama City

Time zone: GMT – 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 507
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 104, Fire – 103, Ambulance – 225 1436 / 228 2187.

Tourist information: Instituto Panameño de Turismo (IPAT), Apartado, 4421, Centro de Convenciones ATLAPA, Via Israel, Panamá 5, Republic of Panama Tel: 226 3167 or 226 4614 or 226 7000 Fax: 226 3483.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Regulations are expected to change at short notice. Contact the consular authority before finalising travel arrangements. Panamanian immigration procedures are rigidly enforced and non-compliance will result in transportation at the visitors expense to their country of origin

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended (for Typhoid).
Malaria: Exists in the Vivax variety throughout the year in certain areas. The Falciparum variety is also present in certain areas and is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine.
Yellow Fever: Vaccination is strongly recommended for travellers planning to travel outside the urban areas. A vaccination certificate is recommended for those planning to visit the province of Darien.
Other Health Risks: Rabies. Dengue Fever.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: Balboa (Ba) = 100 centesimos Exchange: Banks and Gambios All major credit cards are accepted. Only US dollar travellers cheques are accepted.
ATM availability: Over 150 locations

Cost of living: Caters for all travellers and budgets.

Languages: Spanish. English is also spoken.

Weather: Hot all year with rains from May – Sept especially on the Pacific coast

Electricity: 120 Volts AC, 60 Hz. Plugs are flat 2 pin American type

Post: 5 – 10 days

Transport: FLIGHTS: Internal air services are operated by local companies which Panama City with all centres in the Interior. ROAD: BUS: Services between most large towns although they are very slow. TAXI: Fares are often not metered so agree fare in advance. CAR HIRE: Available in city centres and airports. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence will be sufficient

Special information: Crime is rife in areas of the city. In the San Felipe district most of the cheap accommodation can be found, but it is not safe to venture out at night in this area. Colon is renowned for danger. Common sense precautions should be taken, deposit valuables in the hotel safe. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against travelling to, or transiting in the Darien as there are risks of violence and kidnapping.

Capital: Lima

Time zone: GMT – 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 51
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 011 / 5114.

Tourist information: Fondo de Promoción Turística (PROMPERU) Calle Uno Oeste, s/n Urb, Edificio Mitinci, 14th Floor, Corpac, Lima 27, Peru Tel: (1) 224 3142 or 224 3133 Fax: (1) 224 3408 or 224 3396. e-mail postmaster@promperu.gob.peru

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Refer to the embassy for the latest list of exceptions to those nationalities, which require visas.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in rural areas below 1500m in the Vivax variety. The Falciparum variety exists sporadically near national borders and where petroleum is being exploited. Resistance to chloroquine for the Falciparum variety has been reported.

Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by visitors over 6 months of age travelling from infected areas. Vaccination is strongly recommended to all travellers who plan to journey out of the urban areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. – NOTE: Street vendor food is not recommended

Currency: Nuevo Sol = 100 centimos Exchange: Changing currency other than US$ can be difficult Credit cards have limited acceptance outside Lima. Exchanging travellers cheques can prove a complex process outside of Lima. US dollar cheques are recommended
ATM availability: Over 430 locations

Cost of living: Costs have increased dramatically in the last few years. Budget travellers can still find cheap accommodation, although the cities are much more expensive than rural areas.

Languages: Spanish and Quechua. English may also be spoken

Weather: Coastal areas: Summer is Oct – Apr which is the rainy season in the mountainous regions. May Sept is regarded as the best time to visit the mountains.

Electricity: 200 Volts AC 60 Hz

Post: Up to 2 weeks. Postal facilities are limited outside Lima.

Transport: RAIL: Can provide a scenic view of the landscape and sections are of the highest railway in the world. Connections however are limited. ROAD: A recently built highway connects Lima with other cities. NOTE: Landslides are common in the rainy season making for slow travel. A ‘Customs Duty Payment’ badge must be displayed at all times. BUS: ‘Greyhound’ type buses operate along the Pan-American highway TAXIS: Do not use meters so agree fare in advance. CAR HIRE: International companies have outlets in the major cities and Airport. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required

Special information: Register with your Embassy when you arrive in Lima. Terrorist action may occur. Travel in groups is recommended. Street crime is common.