Country Information

Capital: Amman

Time zone: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 962
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 192, Fire / Ambulance – 193. All services – 62111 (Jerusalem only)

Tourist information: Jordan Tourist Information Office, 211 Regent Street, London W1R 7DD Tel: (020) 7937 9499 Fax: (020) 7937 6741.

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

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Untied Arab Emirates providing holding valid passports for a stay of up to 3 months. Nationals of certain countries including all Western countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan can obtain visas on arrival at the airport in Jordan. Visas can be obtained on arrival EXCEPT if entering via the King Hussein Bridge when the visa MUST be obtained in advance of travel.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over 1 year of age coming 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: Dinar (JD) = 1000 fils.
CC: Accepted. TC: Those issued by British banks are accepted in authorised bureaux de change.
Amex and Visa are accepted widely, but MasterCard and Diners Club have more limited use. Travellers cheques issued by British banks are accepted in authorised bureaux de change. US dollars are the preferred currency
ATM availability: Over 50 locations.

Cost of living: Jordan is one of the smallest countries in the Middle East. It is also one of the most expensive, since most of the accommodation is in Amman.

Languages: Arabic. English and French are also spoken.

Weather: Summers are hot and dry with cool evenings. November to March are the cooler months with rainfall.

Electricity: 220 volts Ac, 50 Hz.

Post: Packages should be left open for customs officials. Airmail to Western Europe takes 3 to 5 days

Transport: ROAD: Good network of roads exists but vehicle needs to be in good working order and plenty of water and supplies should be taken on journeys. BUS: Services are efficient and cheap. TAXIS: Shared taxi service to all towns on fixed routes, also available for private hire. CAR HIRE: International companies are available from hotels.

Special information: Because of the situation of global and regional insecurity at present, travellers should excercise extreme caution and make only necessary journeys to this country. If you intend to travel despite this advice you should be aware that tourists should be sensitive and behave courteously and respect local customs. Jordan has been safe to travel in. However you should check with the FCO before travel as the reginal security situation can change very rapidly. The military keep a low profile and you are unlikely to experience anything but friendliness and hospitality. It is very important that Muslim beliefs and local customs are respected. Beach wear should be confined to the beach/pool.

Capital: Tokyo

Time zone: GMT + 9

Telephone services: Country Code: 81
Outgoing Code: 001

Emergency telephone numbers: Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) – 3403 7106, Japan Helpline – 0120 461 997. (operator service)

Tourist information: Japan National Tourist Organisation, Heathcote, House, 20 Saville Row, London, W1X 1AE Tel: (020) 7734 9638 Fax: (020) 7734 4290.

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

Visa information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of Germany, Republic of Ireland and the UK for a stay not exceeding 6 months. Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden for a stay not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Canada and the USA not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Finland, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Lesotho, Malta, Mauritius, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Surinam, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, and Yugoslavia, for stays not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Liechtenstein, Mexico, and Switzerland for a stay of 6 months. Nationals of Brunei for a stay not exceeding 14 days. Requirements may change at short notice, check with embassy for an up to date list of requirements.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended

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

Currency: Japanese Yen. (¥)
Exchange: At authorised banks and money-changers. NOTE: Import of local currency is limited to ¥5000000. All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques, preferably in US dollars, can be exchanged in banks and large hotels.
All major credit cards are accepted. US dollar travellers cheques are recommended

ATM availability: Over 700 locations.

Cost of living: Japan can be extremely expensive in comparison with other Asian countries.

Languages: Japanese. English may also be spoken in main cities

Weather: Winter: Cold and sunny in the South and around Tokyo. Very cold around Hokkaido. Summer = June – Sept can be warm to very hot. Spring and Autumn are generally mild. Sept – Oct Typhoons may occur.

Electricity: 100 Volts AC 60 HZ in the west. 50 Hz in Eastern Japan and Tokyo.

Post: 4 – 6 Days.

Transport: RAIL: Network is one of the best in the world. ROAD: Driving in Japan is not recommended. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required. Public transport is well developed and efficient.

Special information: Bowing is the customary form of greeting although handshaking is becoming more common. Remove shoes when entering a host’s home. Public toilets are often unsegregated. Blowing your nose in public is frowned upon. Japanese etiquette is very complex but foreign ignorance is tolerated.

Capital: Nairobi

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 254
Outgoing Code: 000

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 336886 / 501280.

Tourist information: Kenya Tourist Office, 25 Brooks Mews, off Davies Street, Mayfair, London, W1Y 1LG Tel: (020) 7355 3144 Fax: (020) 7495 8656.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Must be valid from 6 months from the date of entry. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Consult embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of the UK and others. Valid up to 3 months which can then be renewed at Nyayo House, Uhuru Highway, Nairobi. Refer to tourist office for further visa requirements.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Prevails throughout the year. Falciparum variety is present and high resistance to Chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: Vaccination is strongly recommended to all visitors if travelling outside the urban areas. A vaccination certificate will be required by anyone arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, rabies, and their is the risk of aids, therefore take sterilised needles if injections are 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.

Currency: Kenyan Shilling (Ksh) = 100 cents.
NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited. Black market transactions are inadvisable.
Diners Club and Visa are accepted. Travellers cheques can be changed at banks. Pound sterling is the preferred currency.
ATM availability: 40 locations.

Cost of living: Kenya is greatly influenced by Western European standards of living

Languages: English and Kiswahili.

Weather: Coastal areas are tropical and the lowlands are hot and dry. The rainfall can be heavy.

Electricity: 220/240 Volts AC 50Hz Plugs = UK type 3 pin.

Post: About 4 days to Europe. Letters can be sent c/o Poste Restante in any town. Poste Restante is well organised in Nairobi and free to collect.

Transport: ROADS: All major roads are now tarred. TRAIN: Overnight to Mombassa and Nairobi. BUS: Matatus (normally mini buses) are notorious for their involvement with accidents. BEWARE: Bandits are common on the roads leading to the Somali border. Walking alone at night can be dangerous. DOCUMENTATION: British licence is valid for 90 days but must be endorsed by the police.

Special information: Western European habits prevail. Be alert for muggings and armed attacks if travelling in Nairobi or Mombassa. Avoid travelling after dark and isolated places. This is particularly relevant, following the civil unrest during the 1997 elections Game reserves and tourist areas on the coast are generally very safe.

Capital: Bishkek

Time zone: GMT + 5 (GMT + 6 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 7 ( 3312 for Bishkek).
Outgoing Code: International calls can be made from telephone offices, via an operator service

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 03

Tourist information: State Committee for Tourism and Sport, Togolok Moldo 17, 720033 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Tel: (3312) 220 657 Fax: (3312) 212 845.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all and must be valid for 1 year after period of stay. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: As requirements are liable to change visitors are advised to contact the Kyrgyz embassy in Brussels

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Other Health Risks: Rabies, Diphtheria. Hepatitis A and Tick-borne encephalitis. Consult your doctor before travelling.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. It may be difficult to obtain a balanced diet and it may therefore be wise to take vitamin supplements.

Currency: 1 Som = 100 Tyn.
Exchange: All bills are normally settled in tax. Due to the shortage of change travellers advised to take small notes. NOTE: The import and export of foreign currency is prohibited.
Credit cards are accepted in some of the large hotels in the capital. Take US Dollars in cash in preference to traveller’s cheques.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Very inexpensive.

Languages: Kyrghz and Russian. English may be spoken by those involved with tourism

Weather: Continental climate with little rain. Heavy snowfalls can be expected in the winter

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Round 2 pin continental plugs are standard.

Post: Anything from 2 weeks to 2 months.

Transport: ROAD: Travel by road is difficult because of the terrain. BUS: There are regular services to many parts of the country but they often crowded. TAXI: Can be found in all major towns. Many are unlicensed and fares should be agreed in advance. Many street names have changed so it is wise to ask for directions with the old and new street names. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required and 2 photos.

Special information: Mugging and theft is increasing in cities as well as rural areas some thought to be committed by uniformed police. Exercise caution at all times and keep valuable items out of sight. Do not walk at night. Carry your passport or a photocopy of it with you at all times. Failure to do so may result in arrest. Do not travel in unofficial taxis. Visitors to Southern Kyrgyzstan, including Osh, should take particular care and register with the British Honorary Consul (Tel: 3312 660869) before travelling to this area.

Capital: Phnom Penh

Time zone: GMT + 7

Telephone services: Country Code: 855
Outgoing Code: Calls must go through the operator

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Ministry of Tourism, Boulevard Preah Monivong, Corner Rue 232, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: (23) 26107 Fax: (23) 24607.

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

Visa information: Required by all. Tourist and Business types granted

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists all year throughout the country in the Falciparum variety, which has been reported as being highly resistant to chloroquine
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required if arriving from an infected area.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Plague, Poliomyelitis, 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: Riel (CRI) = 100 sen
Exchange: US$ are widely accepted and exchanged. Other currencies are not readily recognised. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited.
Travellers cheques and credit cards are not accepted currently
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Due to civil war, prices fluctuate, although restaurants are in abundance in Phnom Penh

Languages: Khmer. Chinese and Vietnamese are also spoken. French is spoken by older generations and English taught to younger generations

Weather: Tropical Monsoon Climate. May – Oct is the Monsoon. Winters in the North can be cold. Temperatures throughout the country are fairly constant.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50 Hz. Power cuts are frequent an power is only available in the evenings outside Phnom Penh.

Post: 4 – 5 days.

Transport: Independent travel is restricted. ROAD: Travel permits are required to cross provincial borders. Most roads are in poor condition. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: HIGH RISK. The security situation is improving but is still dangerous. Foreigners have been kidnapped and others may be targeted. NOTE: the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel outside major urban areas and tourist sites. Venturing outside areas under government control will carry a higher degree of risk. Banditry is rife. Slow down when approaching check points. Cambodia remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. PHOTOGRAPHY: Ask permission before taking photos and extra courtesy should be shown towards monks.

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.