Country Information

Capital: San Juan

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 787
Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 787 343 2020; Fire – 787 343 2330; All services – 911

Tourist information: Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association; Suit 702; Plaza Centre; 954 Ponce de León Avenue; Miramar; Sancturce 00907; San Juan; Puerto Rico Tel: 725 2901 Fax 725 2913.

Passport information: Same as the USA

Visa information: Same as the USA

Health information: Polio; Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia and Rabies

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

Currency: US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents. All major credit cards accepted. US dollars are preferred for travellers cheques
All credit cards are accepted and travellers cheques are easily exchanged
ATM availability: Over 630 locations

Cost of living: Accommodates all types of travellers.

Languages: Spanish. English is widely spoken.

Weather: Hot tropical climate. The temperature varies little throughout the year. Cooler in upland areas

Electricity: 120 volts AC; 60 Hz.

Post: Up to 1 week

Transport: ROAD: TAXI: A special service called a ‘Linea’ will pick up and drop off passengers where they wish. They operate between San Juan and most towns at a fixed rate. CAR HIRE: Available at the airport and city agencies. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is required. BUS: Services operate in the cities although usually stop at 2100.

Special information: As well as offering lavish entertainment, notably casinos and a variety of nightlife, in the interior there are anthropological sights of interest, such as a replica of a Taino Indian village, near Guayama.

Capital: Niamey

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 227

Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Office Nationale du Tourisme, Bp 612, avenue du Président H Luebke, Niamey, Niger Tel: 732 447 Fax: 733 940

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

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and Tunisia.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the country in the Falciparum variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by all travellers arriving from all countries over one year of age.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia Cholera and Rabies.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: CFA Franc. (CFA Fr) = 100 centimes
Access and MasterCard are accepted on a limited basis. Hotels, restaurants and most shops exchange travellers cheques. French francs are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Moderately expensive for tourists.

Languages: French, Hausa – spoken widely in addition to other African languages

Weather: Summers are very hot from Oct – May. Heavy rains and high temperatures are common from July to Aug.

Electricity: 220/380 Volts Ac, 50 Hz

Post: Up to 2 weeks. Poste Restante operates.

Transport: ROAD: Many are impassable during the raining season. It is prohibited to travel on any other route than the one entered on your passport by the police in the previous town. BUS: Daily buses operate between the cities although can be unreliable. DOCUMENTATION: IDP, Carnet de Passage and 2 photos are required. The min age to drive is 23.

Special information: HIGH RISK: Following the coup in early April all travel to Niger should be avoided. For essential travel contact the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice Unit for up to date information. Niger remains politically unstable and travellers should be careful when visiting rural areas. Those travelling outside the capital should contact the Embassy first. Traditional Muslim beliefs prevail and should be respected. PHOTOGRAPHY: Permits are required from the police.

Capital: Abuja

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 234
Outgoing Code: 009

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Nigerian Tourist Board, PO Box 2944, Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway, Lagos, Nigeria Tel: (1) 618 665

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

Visa information: Visa Required by all except nationals of ECOWAS countries for stays of up to 90 days, and nationals of Cameroon and Chad for up to 90 days.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists throughout the year mainly in the Falciparum variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from passengers over one year of age arriving form infected areas. Travellers arriving from non infected areas are advised to have the vaccination if travelling outside the urban areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera and Rabies. There is a very high prevalence of AIDS/HIV. Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Naira (N) = 100 Kobo
NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to N50 in notes
Credit cards have a limited acceptance, and due to a prevalence of credit card fraud, their use is not advised. Travellers cheques are accepted but expect to pay a high commission. US dollars and pound sterling are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Local produce can be bought inexpensively, but accommodation and foreign imports such as spirits, are very expensive.

Languages: English. There are over 250 local languages

Weather: The Southern coast is hot and humid with rainy season Mar – Nov. The North’s rainy season Apr – Sept. Nights are cold between Dec and Jan.

Electricity: 210/250 Volts AC, 50Hz.

Post: Unreliable and takes about 3 weeks.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Operate between the main cities. It is advisable to book in advance and account for delays which frequently occur. ROADS: Secondary roads are often impassable during the rainy season. Caution is required when travelling in the South. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required

Special information: EXTREME RISK: in Kaduna area. Violent street crimes and armed robberies are prevalent as is police and military harassment. Visitors should ensure they are met on arrival to ensure safe travel to their destinations. Armed robberies are prevalent in Lagos. Incidents of kidnap have been reported this year. So far they have been released without harm; take local advise on travel arrangements. Visitors are advised not to travel after dark outside the main tourist areas. Business ‘deal’ fraud is widespread. Casual wear is suitable. Smoking in public places is illegal.

Capital: Managua

Time zone: GMT – 6

Telephone services: Country Code: 505
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 118, Fire – 265 0162, Ambulance – 265 1761.

Tourist information: Instituto Nicaragüense de Turismo (Inturismo), Hotel Intercontinental, 1 cuadra al Oeste y L cuadra al Lago, Managua, Nicaragua Tel: (2) 281 137 or 227 185 Fax: (2) 281 187

Passport information: Valid passport required by all, valid for a further 6 months (minimum). Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and the UK for up to 90 days (all other nationals do require a visa) Nationals of Argentina, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hungary, Honduras, Liechtenstein, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists in the Vivax variety from June to Dec in the rural areas and the outskirts of towns
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Rabies

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Nicaraguan Gold Córdobe (NIO) = 100 centavos.
Credit cards have limited use. Travellers cheques are accepted, preferably in US dollars.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Relatively inexpensive but accommodation is in short supply.

Languages: Spanish. English is also spoken along the Mosquito Coast.

Weather: Tropical climate. Raining season = June – Nov. The mountains in the North are much cooler

Electricity: 110 Volts AC, 60 Hz

Post: Up to 2 weeks. Poste Restante is available in Managua

Transport: ROADS: Tarred roads exist to San Juan del Sur and Corinto. CAR HIRE: Available in Managua or at the airport. This is the most convenient way of travelling because public transport if often over crowded. DOCUMENTATION: National licences are only valid for 30 days. BUS: There is a service to the main towns, booking seats in advance is recommended. TAXI: Fares should be agreed in advance.

Special information: HIGH RISK: Hurrican Keith in 2000 caused severe flooding. Travel is still affected but conditions are improving. Check with embassy on arrival. Violent outbursts and bandit like activities do take place preceding major political events. Be prepared for for pick pocketing during your stay. Do not walk alone at night. PHOTOGRAPHY: Avoid taking photos of military installations.

Capital: Amsterdam

Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 31 (followed by 20 for Amsterdam, 10 for Rotterdam, and 70 for the Hague)
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services.

Tourist information: Netherlands Board of Tourism, PO Box 523, London SW1E 6NT Tel: (0891) 717 777- 50p/min

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of EU countries (except Finland and Sweden) who hold a valid national ID card. When required they must be valid for at least 3 months after the last day of the intended visit.

Visa information: Visa required by all except: Nationals of Australia, Brunei, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Malawi, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, and Venezuela for up to 3 months. Nationals who do not require a visa to visit a country which is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement. The following do not require visas for any of the Schengen member states. a) EU nationals, b) Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, The Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City.

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: In common with12 Member States of the European Union (EU), here the Euro is the currency. There are seven different banknotes and eight coins of the Euro. Each participating EU country has coins with one common side and a reverse side specific to each country, while the banknotes look the same throughout the euro area. Exchange: Offices are indicated with the letters GWK. All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in any major international currency; are easily exchanged. ATM availability: Over 6000 locations

Cost of living: Similar to other Western European countries.

Languages: Dutch, English, French and German are also spoken.

Weather: Mild, maritime climate. Summers are generally warm with changeable periods but excessively hot weather is rare. Winters can be fairly cold with the possibility of some snow. Rainfall is prevalent all year.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Approx. 5 days within Europe.

Transport: RAIL: The highly developed rail network is efficient and cheap. ROAD: Excellent road system. BUS: Extensive regional bus services exist. Long distance coach services operate between cities. TAXI: It is less usual to hail a taxi in the street in Holland. They are usually metered. CAR HIRE: Available from airports and main hotels. DOCUMENTATION: An international driving licence is not required as long as the licence from the country of origin is held. A ‘green card’ is advisable but not compulsory.

Special information: English is widely spoken and many locals will willingly use it. Casual clothes are acceptable everywhere. Possession of more than 30 grams of marijuana could lead to a hefty fine or even a jail sentence. Possession of hard drugs will result in immediate imprisonment.

Capital: Oslo

Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 47
Outgoing Code: 095

Emergency telephone numbers: Police 112, Ambulance 113, Fire Department 110,

Tourist information: Norwegian Tourist Board, Charles House, 5 Lower Regent Street, London SW1Y 4LR Tel: (020) 7839 6255 Fax: (020) 7839 6014.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of the EU holding a valid national ID card. Nationals of Austria, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Switzerland, if holding a national ID card. NOTE: Expired passports can not be considered as valid travel documents. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before travelling.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Australia, Canada, USA, the EU and Japan. Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland; Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Lesotho, Lithuania (for tourism only), Macau, Malawi, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Island, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Health information: Other Health Risks: Rabies is present on the island of Savlbard.

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

Currency: Norwegian Krone (Nkr) = 100 øre NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to Nkr 25000.
All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques, preferably in US dollars, can be exchanged in banks, hotels and shops.
ATM availability: Over 2000 locations.

Cost of living: Relatively expensive as in the other Scandinavian countries

Languages: Norwegian. Lappish is spoken by Sami people in the North. The majority of people also speak English.

Weather: Coastal areas have a moderate climate. Inland areas are more extreme with hot summers and cold winters.

Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz. Plugs are the continental 2 pin type.

Post: 2 -4 days within Europe.

Transport: RAIL: Connects main cities and Sweden. Substantial reductions can be gained through a ‘Scanrail’ pass. ROAD: The road system is of variable quality especially in the North during freezing conditions. BUS: Efficient service. DOCUMENTATION: IDP or national driving licence is required along with the vehicles log book. A ‘green card’ is strongly recommended.

Special information: Punctuality is very important especially if invited to someone’s home. Lunch is the main meal of the day, but it is often eaten as late as 17.00. Casual dress is acceptable everywhere during the day.