Country Information

Capital: Moroni

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 269
Outgoing Code: Calls must go through the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: No information at present.

Tourist information: Direction General de Tourisme, BP 97, Moroni, Comoros. Tel: 744 242 Fax: 744 241., Société Comorienne de Tourisme et d’Hôtellerie (COMOTEL) Itsandra Hotel, Njazidja, Comoros. Tel: 732 365

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Consult embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all. Transit, and Tourist. Visas are issued by the Immigration officer on arrival. Exit permits are required by all.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Falciparum variety present – strongly urged to take precautions
Yellow Fever: If travelling from an infected area a vaccination certificate may be required.

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. Observe strict food hygiene.

Currency: CFA Franc (CFA Fr) = 100 centimes.
There is a very limited acceptance of credit cards, restricted to mainly hotels. French Franc traveller’s cheques are recommended. The Banque Internationale des Comoros is the only bank that will exchange travellers cheques.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Tourists can expect to pay higher prices than on the mainland.

Languages: French and Arabic. The majority speak Comoran and there is a blend of Arabic and Swahili

Weather: Climate is tropical and very warm. Coastal areas are very hot and humid (Dec – March) with some rain and cyclones. Upland areas = cooler and have more rain.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC, 50 Hz

Post: At least 1 week.

Transport: Private vehicles are the only form of transport on the Islands. 4 wheel drives are needed for the interior and outlying islands, especially in the raining season. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: HIGH RISK: in travel to Anjouan and Moheli islands. Due to the coup, it is inadvisable to travel to the Comoros Islands. If you intend to travel despite these warnings you should be aware that religious customs should be respected especially during Ramadan. French residents and tourists tend to be quite relaxed about what they wear; although dress should be conservative. The islands of Anjouan and Moheli should be especially avoided due to on-going civil unrest.

Capital: Basseterre

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 869 Outgoing Code: 1 (Caribbean, Canada and USA) 011 elsewhere

Emergency telephone numbers: 911

Tourist information: St Kitts & Nevis Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Environment, Box 132, Bay Rd. Basseterre, St.Kitts. Tel: 465 2602 or 465 4040 Fax: 465 8794.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Canada and the USA with valid ID (for up to 6 months). Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of: Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU Countries (except Portugal who do require a visa) and Japan. Commonwealth countries (except Namibia and South Africa who require visas) Argentina, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, The Netherland Antilles, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands and Venezuela. Visitors continuing their journey to a third country within 14 days (Not available to certain nationals – see High Commission).

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

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

Currency: Easter Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents. Amex and Visa are the only credit cards accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are preferred.
ATM availability: 2 locations.

Cost of living: Very expensive, especially accommodation although this is reduced in the low season.

Languages: English

Weather: Hot tropical climate with cooling sea breezes. Possibility of hurricanes Aug – Oct. Most rainfall during the summer May – Oct. Showers may occur throughout the year.

Electricity: 230 volts Ac, 60 Hz.

Post: 5 – 7 days

Transport: SEA: There is a regular ferry service between St Kitts and Nevis. ROAD: A good road network on both island makes anywhere accessible within minutes. BUS: There are private; regular but unscheduled buses, which provide a comfortable service. TAXIS: Services on both islands have set fares. CAR & MOPED HIRE: Several agencies provide hire services. It is best to book cars through the airline well in advance. DOCUMENTATION: A local temporary licence must be obtained from the Police Traffic Department before driving any vehicle. This is readily issued on presentation of a valid national licence and a fee of EC$ 30.

Special information: The islands are now commercialised and all visitors are readily welcomed. Suitable clothes should be worn for towns and hotel/restaurants Tourism is on the increase, especially on Nevis.

Capital: Pyongyang

Time zone: GMT + 9

Telephone services: Country Code: 850 Outgoing Code: Calls go through the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: National Directorate of Tourism, Central District, Pyongyang DPR Korea Tel: (2) 381 7201. Fax: (2) 381 7607.

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

Visa information: Required by all. NOTE: Tourism in North Korea is currently permitted only in officially organised groups of 10 persons only.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: No reports of malaria
Yellow Fever: No reports of yellow fever
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: Won (NKW) = 100 jon.
NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited
Credit cards and Travellers cheques are not accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Mismanagement of the economy and the loss of several valuable trading partners has resulted in a shortage of commodities and an increase in prices.

Languages: Korean.

Weather: Hottest: July – Aug which is also the raining season. Dec – Jan is the coldest time. Spring and Autumn are usually dry and mild

Electricity: 110/220 Volts AC 60 Hz.

Post: Approximately 10 days. Outside the capital services are slow and unlimited.

Transport: ROAD: Quality is good. RAIL: Extensive rail network

Special information: Independent travel is prohibited, however there are official tours available, via Regent Holidays, UK. Concessions are made for specific business trips. There is no UK representation, in extreme emergencies British citizens may be able to approach the Swedish Embassy or German presence in Pyongyang.

Capital: Pyongyang

Time zone: GMT + 9

Telephone services: Country Code: 82
Outgoing Code: 001

Emergency telephone numbers: Police: 112; Fire & Emergency: 119

Tourist information: Korean National Tourism Corporation; 20 St George Street; London W1R 9RD Tel: (020) 7409 2100 Fax: (020) 7491 2302.

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. For full details contact the embassy for an up to date list of requirements for different nationalities.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Other Health Risks: Cholera; Japanese Encephalitis.

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: Won (SKW. NOTE: if the amount of foreign currency is greater than US$ 10 000 in value it must be registered on arrival. Export of local currency is limited to SKW 500 000.
All credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques are accepted; but may be difficult to cash in smaller towns. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Over 1 000 locations.

Cost of living: Caters for all types of budget. Hotels are government registered. Travellers usually opt to stay in Yogwans; the traditional Korean inn; which are reasonably priced; self-catering is available. Internal travel is inexpensive and reliable.

Languages: Korean.

Weather: Hottest during the raining season = July – Aug. Coldest = Dec – Jan. Spring and Autumn are mild and mainly dry.

Electricity: 110/220 Volts AC 60 Hz

Post: Approximately 10 days. Outside the capital services are slow and unlimited.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Frequent domestic services operate between main centres. ROAD: Excellent motorways link all major cities but minor roads may be poorer quality. BUS: Inexpensive and frequent services operate but are often overcrowded and make no allowances for English speakers. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: Korean culture is unique; incorporating a vivid portrayal of self-identity. Traditional agrarian culture persists in rural areas whilst the cities are a blend of history and technology. Shoes must be removed when entering someone’s house. Use the right hand for passing and receiving.

Capital: Kuwait City

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 965
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Kuwait Information Centre, 48 Queens Gate, London SW75HR.Tel: (020) 7589 2929 Fax: (020) 7225 0879.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before travelling.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates for a stay up to 3 months. Nationals of Saudi Arabia for an unlimited period.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Other Health Risks: Cholera

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

Currency: Kuwait Dinar (KWD) = 1000 fils.
All credit cards and travellers cards are accepted. US dollars are the preferred cheque currency
ATM availability: 180 locations.

Cost of living: Expensive and may be difficult for the budget traveller.

Languages: Arabic. English is generally widely understood.

Weather: Similar to Europe but hotter and dryer. Summer: (Apr – Oct) is hot and humid with little rain. Winter: (Nov – Mar) is cool with limited rainfall.

Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50 Hz single phase. UK-type flat 3 pin plugs are used

Post: Airmail to Western Europe takes about 5 days.

Transport: ROAD: A good network exists between cities. BUS: Reliable and inexpensive service operates between main cities. TAXI: Popular and reliable service, but fares should always be agreed in advance. CAR HIRE: Available. DOCUMENTATION: IDP required. Temporary licence available on presentation of a valid British licence.

Special information: NOTE: 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 British nationals should not attempt to travel anywhere near the border with Iraq. British nationals should register with their Embassy on arrival. All Islamic laws should be respected. Women should dress modestly. Men should not wear shorts or go topless in public. It is greatly appreciated if visitors learn a few words of Arabic. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: There is a danger of unexploded land mines throughout the country. Seek advice before using beaches and venturing out of the city. PHOTOGRAPHY: In theory a photography permit is required.

Capital: New Delhi

Time zone: GMT + 5.30

Telephone services: Country Code: 91
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Contact the hotel reception.

Tourist information: Government of India Tourist Office, 7 Cork Street, London W1X 2LN Tel: (020) 7437 3677 or (01233) 211 999 (brochure request line). Fax: (020) 7494 1048.

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

Visa information: Visa required.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the vivax variety throughout the year in the whole country excluding parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim. High resistance to chloroquine has been reported in the falciparum variety.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from everyone coming or who have transited through infected areas
Other Health Risks: Bubonic plague, meningitis, tick-borne relapsing fever, dengue fever, visceral leishmaniasis, filariasis and Hepatitis B.

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: Rupee = 100 paise
Exchange: At banks or authorised exchangers.. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited.
All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques can be widely exchanged. Pound sterling and US dollars are the preferred currencies.
ATM availability: Over 150 locations.

Cost of living: Caters for all visitors and budgets. Accommodation ranges from international standard to youth hostels. All commodities are inexpensive, in comparison with other countries.

Languages: The universal national language is English. There are 14 official languages in India. About 50% of the population are Hindi speakers. The Muslim population generally speak Urdu.

Weather: Hot tropical weather with variations from region to region. Coolest weather lasts from November to mid March, with cool fresh mornings and evenings and dry sunny days. Really hot weather occurs between April and June. Monsoon rains occur in most regions during the summer

Electricity: Usually 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are of the round 2 and 3 pin type.

Post: Airmail to Western Europe takes up to 1 week. Stamps are sold in hotels.

Transport: AIR: The domestic airline connects over 70 cities. Special fares are available throughout the year. SEA/RIVER: Services are often seasonal and suspended during the monsoon period. One particularly attractive route is the ‘backwaters’ excursion in the vicinity of Cochin. RAIL: The network covers much of the country and is relatively inexpensive.

Special information: NOTE: The Travel Advice Unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travelling to the Kashmir Valley and Jammu because of civil unrest. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Following the Earth Quake in January visitors should stay away from the GUJARAT STATE and other affected areas until normal services are restored. Major tourist destinations are quiet. However there is a serious risk of kidnapping in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Foreigners have been held at gun-point and therefore visitors are advised against travelling to this area. Possesion of even the smallest quantity of drugs of any kind results in very long jail sentences with long detention before trial. Footwear should be removed when entering houses or places of worship. Many Hindus are vegetarian. Religion plays a large role in everyday life and visitors are expected to respect the customs followed by the Indian people. Beware of confidence tricksters; particularly in Jaipur and Agra. Special care is required on beaches as no local warnings are given of trecherous undercurrents.