Country Information

Capital: Macau

Time zone: GMT + 8

Telephone services: Country Code: 853
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 999 (subject to change)

Tourist information: Macau Tourist Information Bureau, 6 Sherlock Mews, Paddington Street, London W1M 3RH Tel: (020) 7224 3390 Fax: (020) 7224 0601.

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

Visa information: May be obtained on arrival in Macao. Nationals of countries, which do not maintain diplomatic links with Portugal must obtain their Visas in advance from Portuguese consulates overseas, and may not obtain them on arrival in Macao. Visas are required by all except: Nationals of Brazil. India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland and Thailand for stays of less than 20 days. Residents of Hong Kong holding a Hong Kong Identity card. for a visit up to 90 days. Nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU, Japan for stays of less than 20 days. Narcotics, firearms, endangered species of animal and plants and pesticides.

Health information: Other Health Risks: Diarrhoeal diseases, hepatitis A and B, Oriental liver and oriental lung fluke and haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome may occur in this area.

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: Pataca (MOP) = 100 avos MasterCard is accepted. Travellers cheques may be changed at hotels, banks and bureau de change. Cheques in US dollars are the preferred CURRENCY.
ATM availability: Over 20 locations.

Cost of living: Visitors may expect to pick up a variety of bargains since Macau is a free port. A wide range of accommodation, suitable for all budgets, is available.

Languages: Portuguese and Chinese (Cantonese). English may be spoken by those involved in tourism.

Weather: Sub – tropical climate with very hot summers. There is a raining period during the summer months. Winds can reach gale force and typhoons are not unheard of.

Electricity: Usually 220 Volts AC 50 Hz.

Post: 3 – 5 days

Transport: ROAD: There are 5 bus routes in he city. CAR HIRE: Available. TAXI: Fares should be agreed in advance. DOCUMENTATION: IDP not required from drivers from the UK.

Special information: Macau is a mixture of Portuguese, Chinese and Western culture, the visitor can experience all of these in one location. Violent crime is quite rare although residential burglaries and pick-pocketing is a problem.

Capital: Fort-de-France

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 596
Outgoing Code: 19

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 17, Fire/Ambulance – 18

Tourist information: French West Indies Tourist Office, 178 Piccadilly, London, W1V 0AL Tel: (020) 7629 2869 Fax: (020) 7493 6594.

Passport information: Passport requirements as for France. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: As for France.

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

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: French Franc (FFr) = 100 centimes Exchange: US and Canadian Dollars are widely accepted.
All major credit cards are accepted, as are travellers cheques, preferably in French francs US dollars. ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Expensive, especially in the tourist centres.

Languages: French (Creole dialect).

Weather: Warm all year round with most rain falling during the Autumn, although showers can occur all year round. Upland areas are cooler.

Electricity: 220/380 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: 1 Week. Airmail must be sent from post offices.

Transport: SEA: Scheduled ferries operate between the main ports. ROAD: The system is well developed and surfaced. BUS: A limited service operates. TAXI: Government controlled, plentiful and reasonably cheap if shared. CAR HIRE: Excellent car hire facilities are available. Bicycles can also be hired. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is recommended, but a national driving licence is sufficient providing the driver has at least one year’s experience.

Special information: The French influence is clearly evident. The usual social courtesies should be applied.

Capital: Nouakchott

Time zone: GMT

Telephone services: Country Code: 222
Outgoing Code: International calls go through the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Société Mauritanienne de Tourisme et d’Hôtellerie (SMTH), BP 552, Nouakchott, Mauritania Tel: 251 353 Fax: 253 351.

Passport information: Required by all except nationals of Burkina Faso, Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo Côte d’Ivoire Gabon Gambia Guinea Republic Italy Madagascar Mali Niger Senegal and Sierra Leone who may enter on a national identity card or passport which has expired for no longer than 5 years. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of France and Italy (all other EU member states do need a visa) Members of the league of Arab states (except nationals of Morocco who do need a visa) Burkina Faso Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo Côte d’Ivoire Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea-Bissau Liberia Mali Niger Nigeria Romania Senegal Sierra Leone Togo and Tunisia.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Risk exists throughout the year in the falciparum variety.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for all travellers above one year of age, except travellers arriving from non-infected areas and staying less than two weeks in the country. Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera, 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: Mauritanian Ougiya (U) = 5 Khoums NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited
Credit cards and travellers cheques (in French francs) have limited acceptance.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Very inexpensive.

Languages: Arabic and French. English is rarely spoken

Weather: Most of the country is dry and hot with little rain. South – Raining season is July to Sept. The deserts are cool and windy in March and April.

Electricity: 127/220 Volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs = round 2 pin usually used.

Post: 2 weeks to Europe. Postal facilities limited to main cities

Transport: RAIL: 1 line operates between Nouadhibou and Nouakchott which serves passengers for free, however this is not recommended as journeys are often long and arduous. ROADS: Adequate but require 4 wheel drives. Sand storms may obscure vision in the dry season and may be impassable in the wet season.

Special information: Respect should be paid to the Islamic traditions.

Capital: Castries

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 758 Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: 999

Tourist information: St Lucia Tourist Board, 421A Finchely Road, London NW3 6HJ Tel: (020) 7431 3675 or 431 4045 Fax: (020) 7431 7920.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Canada and the USA with valid proof of identity ( for visits 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, the USA, EU countries, Japan. Commonwealth countries (except Namibia and South Africa). Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, San Marino, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, China, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela. Transit visitor who continue their journey within 14 days do not require a transit visa. This does not apply to nationals of Cuba or East European countries

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: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange: US$ gain a better rate All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are preferred
ATM availability: 3 locations

Cost of living: Caters for all types of budgets, with deluxe to self-catering accommodation

Languages: English. Local French patois is spoken

Weather: Hot tropical climate with cool sea breezes. Most rainfall occurs during the summer

Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz

Post: Up to 1 week

Transport: ROAD: All major centres are served by a reasonably good road network. BUS: Services connect rural areas with the capital. TAXI: Cheap and easy to use – tipping is unnecessary. CAR HIRE: Available in the towns or at the airport. DOCUMENTATION: On presentation of a national or IDP a local licence will be issued

Special information: St. Lucia is an island of contrasts with lush, green, volcanic vegetation in the interior, and long, unspoilt, white, sandy beaches. Beach wear should not be worn in towns

Capital: Plymouth

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 664
Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 999, Ambulance – 911.

Tourist information: Montserrat Tourist Board, Suite 433, High Holborn House, 52 – 54 High Holborn, London WC1V 6RB Tel: (020) 7242 3131 Fax: (020) 7242 2838.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of Canada, the USA and the UK and its colonies who may enter as tourists with a valid national ID card or other form of identity for a maximum stay of 6 months. Nationals of Australia, EU and Japan providing they enter as tourists for a maximum stay of 14 days. 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 USA. Nationals of Commonwealth countries (except Bangladesh Brunei India Maldives Namibia Pakistan South Africa and Sri Lanka who do require visas if their stay exceeds 14 days and if entering on business.) Nationals of EU countries (except nationals of Finland, Ireland and Portugal who do require visas if their stay exceeds 14 days and if entering on business) Nationals of Fiji, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Tunisia. NOTE Other nationals may not require a visa if entering as a tourist and not staying for longer than 14 days. However this does not apply to all nationalities therefore contact the passport office.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Dengue Fever, Dysentery and Hepatitis A are present.

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

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange: Commercial banks in Ulan Bator and bureau de change at certain hotels.
Visa is widely accepted. Travellers cheques are accepted in tourist areas. Pound sterling or US$ are the preferred currency.

ATM availability: 1 location only.

Cost of living: Following the volcanic eruption in 1996, the economy and the tourist industry have suffered.

Languages: English

Weather: Subtropical climate and warm all year round. Most rain falls between Sept and Nov. The heavy cloud-bursts refresh the climate and once cleared the sun re-appears.

Electricity: 120/220 volts AC, 60 Hz

Post: 1 Week

Transport: ROAD: A good network exists connecting all towns, but driving can be difficult for those not use to winding mountain roads. BUS: Scheduled buses run hourly. CAR HIRE: Available at the airport and hotels and is often included in the price of accommodation. DOCUMENTATION: A valid foreign licence can be used to purchase a temporary licence either at the airport or Plymouth police station.

Special information: The airport is currently closed, travel to the island is by ferry from Antigua. Access to some parts of the island is forbidden because of volcanic activity. Volcanic ash poses health problems. Consult your local Embassy for further information.

Capital: Kingston

Time zone: GMT – 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 876
Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 119, Fire/Ambulance 110.

Tourist information: Jamaica Tourist Board (at High Commission in London) Tel: (020) 7224 0505 Fax: (020) 7224 0551.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of the USA and Canada entering Jamaica from the USA or Canada who hold a valid national ID. If entering from other countries they do require a passport. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except: Nationals of EU countries (For varying lengths of stay – see the High Commission). Nationals of commonwealth countries for stays not exceeding 6 months. Nationals of the USA for stays not exceeding 6 months. Nationals of Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Norway, Turkey, for stays not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Japan, and Uruguay for a period not exceeding 30 days. Nationals of Venezuela for stays not exceeding 14 days.

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

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

Currency: Jamaican Dollar (J$) = 100 cents.
Exchange: Visitors should only change money at airport bureaux, banks or hotels.
All major credit cards are accepted. US dollar travellers cheques are recommended

ATM availability: Over 45 locations.

Cost of living: Expensive in the tourist centres.

Languages: English. Local patois is also spoken.

Weather: Tropical climate. Offically the rainy season is May/June and September/October although showers can occur at any time. Evenings tend to be cooler. Jamaica is in the Caribbean hurricane path, hurricanes if they strike are most likely July through November. Check for likelihood before travel.

Electricity: 110 volts AC, 50 Hz. American 2 pin plugs are mainly used.

Post: 4-5 days

Transport: ROAD: One third of the 17.000 km network is tarred. BUS: Reliable in Kingston and Montego bay less so for trans island travel. TAXI: Not all taxis are metered. CAR HIRE: Most major towns and airport have hire facilities. DOCUMENTATION: A full UK licence is valid for up to 1 year.

Special information: HIGH RISK: Most visits to Jamaica are trouble free but travellers need to be constantly vigilant because violent crime and robbery are continuing problems. Do not resist robbers. Do not walk out or use public transport at night, avoid isolated areas in daytime and do not walk alone on beaches. There are severe penalties for drug offences. Be cautious travelling to and from Kingston Airport as this route traverses inner city areas which can be violent.