Country Information

Capital: Georgetown

Time zone: GMT – 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 592
Outgoing Code: 001

Emergency telephone numbers: Ambulance – 56900 (Georgetown only).

Tourist information: Caribbean Tourism Organisation, 42 Westminster Gardens, Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RR Tel: (0171) 222 4335 Fax: (0171) 222 4325.

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

Visa information: Visas not required for full nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU countries (except Austria who do require a visa). and Japan for stays up to 30 days. NOTE: Contact the High Commission for a up-to-date list of nationals requiring visas as requirements often change

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in certain areas in the Falciparum variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. NOTE: Sleeping under a mosquito net and using insect repellents is recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from infected countries (contact High Commission for list of infected countries according to Guyana).Vaccination is strongly recommended to any traveller planning to travel outside the urban areas.

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

Currency: Guyana Dollar (Guy$) = 100 cents. Limited acceptance of credit cards. Travellers cheques (in US$) are accepted, but can take a long time to exchange.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Relatively inexpensive. Most accommodation is located in populated areas.

Languages: English. Hindi, Urdu, Creole and Amerindian are also spoken.

Weather: Hot tropical climate with the most rain between Nov – Jan and Apr – July.

Electricity: 110 Volts AC, 60Hz

Post: 7 – 10 days. Post services can be unreliable so recorded delivery is recommended.

Transport: FLIGHTS: The only reliable means of travelling into the interior is by air. ROAD: All weather roads are concentrated in the Eastern coastal strip. Most journeys will involve crossing waterways with ferries, which may create delays. BUS: Regular but crowded services operate in Georgetown. TAXI: Recommended as a method of transport at night. A supplement is added to evening fares and for long journeys it is recommended that fares are agreed in advance.

Special information: Guyana, Georgetown in particular, are notorious for street crime. Do not expose valuable possessions at any time and avoid showing signs of wealth. Travel with caution after dark. Men should not wear shorts.

Capital:

Time zone: GMT + 8

Telephone services: Country Code: 852
Outgoing Code: 00

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

Tourist information: Hong Kong Tourist Association, 125 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5EA Tel: (020) 7930 4775 Fax: (020) 7930 4777.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all.

Visa information: Visa requirements for all nationals are issued subject to duration of stay. Visitors are advised to check for current information.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: There may occasionally be a risk in rural areas.

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

Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) = 100 cents All credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Pound sterling and US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Over 1000 locations.

Cost of living: Although Hong Kong is a tax haven, commodities and accommodation can be expensive. However, transport is cheap and some luxury items are often cheaper than in Europe.

Languages: Chinese and English, Cantonese is most widely spoken.

Weather: Winter: influenced by the North – Northeast monsoon. Summer: is influenced by the Southwest monsoon. Summers are very hot with the rainy season June – Aug. Spring and autumn are warm with occasional rain and cooler evenings. Winters can be cold.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50.

Post: Airmail to Europe takes 3- 5 days.

Transport: RAIL: More expensive than the ferry, but quicker. BUS: Services are often very crowded. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended but not legally required.

Special information: Hong Kong has reverted to Chinese rule as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic. Contact the Embassy or tourist office prior to travelling for up-to-date information on passport and visa requirements. Usual social courtesies should be applied. When addressing a national of Hong Kong the family name comes first, for example, Wong Man Ying is Mr Wong. Casual dress is acceptable.

Capital: Tegucigalpa

Time zone: GMT – 6

Telephone services: Country Code: 504

Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 119, Fire – 198, Ambulance – 37 8654.

Tourist information: Instituto Hondureño De Turismo, Apartado Postal 3261, Centro Guanacaste, Barrio Guanacaste, Tegucigalpa, Honduras Tel: 383 975 Fax: 382 102

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 Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Curacao, El Salvador, Guatemala, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Switzerland, Uruguay, and Vatican City. Those in transit continuing their journeys within 48 hours. Nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU Countries and Japan.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended

Malaria: Exists throughout the year in the Vivax variety within certain regions.

Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from all travellers arriving from infected areas.

Other Health Risks: 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: Lempira (L) = 100 centavos.
All credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are recommended.

ATM availability: Over 20 locations.

Cost of living: Relatively inexpensive. Accommodation is graded. Food and transport are also inexpensive

Languages: Spanish. English is also spoken.

Weather: Tropical climate which is cooler in the mountains. Raining season = May – to Oct. The North coast is usually very hot with rain all year round.

Electricity: 110/220 Volts AC, 60Hz

Post: 7 days.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Local airlines operate services between principle towns and is much more convenient for business visitors. ROAD: Over half the roads are suitable for all weather conditions. BUS: Services operate to most large towns but the services are well used and booking in advance is essential. TAXI: Usually are not metered so agree the fare in advance. CAR HIRE: Available at the airport. DOCUMENTATION: Foreign and international licences are accepted.

Special information: The impact of Hurricane Mitch is severely affecting travel, personal safety and other factors such as water purity. However some main tourist areas are open. Exercise caution – beware of bag slashing, and muggings. Beware of poisonous snakes, alligators, scorpions, wasps and other stinging insects. Beachwear should not be worn in towns. Visitors should register with the Embassy or consulate on arrival.

Capital: Zagreb

Time zone: GMT + 1 (+ 2 from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in September)

Telephone services: Country Code: 385
Outgoing Code: 99

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 92, Fire – 93, Ambulance – 94

Tourist information: Croatian National Tourist Office, 2 The Lanchesters, 162-164 Fulham Palace Road, London W6 9ER, Tel: (020) 8563 7979, Fax: (020) 8563 2616.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except those holding a valid identity card. Return Ticket Required, may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the Embassy before travelling.

Visa information: Visas are issued on the border and are required by all except: Nationals of the EU, Nationals of Algeria, Argentina, Bulgaria, Chile, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Hungary, Japan, Liechtenstein, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey and Vatican City. Nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA may obtain visas on arrival in Croatia.

Health information: 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: The Kuna (Kn) = 100 Lipa (Lp).
Exchange: The only true repositories of value and real medium of exchange locally are the German DM and the US$ (Sterling is rarely used).
NOTE: The import and export of local currency is limited to Kn 2000.
All major credit cards are accepted. German DM is the preferred Travellers cheque currency
ATM availability: Over 80 locations.

Cost of living: The Croatian economy is still recovering after civil war. Visitors may be charged higher prices than locals.

Languages: Croat-Serb with the Latinate alphabet.

Weather: Continental climate in the North and Mediterranean on the Adriatic cost.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz

Post: May take several days.

Transport: ROAD/RAIL: The main road/rail route to and from Western Europe now effectively stops at Zagreb (coming from Ljublijana) with extensive detours via Hungary for international traffic going South to and from Serbia, Republic of Macedonia and Greece. DOCUMENTATION: National or IDP required. A ‘Green’ card should be carried by visitors taking their own car into Croatia.

Special information: Visitors from Foot & Mouth infested areas may be strip searched and dis-infected at entry points. Everyone MUST be bale to show proof of identification when asked – carry your passport and keep a photocopy of your passport details in a safe place. Tourism facilities are operating normally and normal travel precautions should be taken. Outside the tourist areas there may be some unexploded mines from the war in 1995. Travel should be avoided in areas adjoining Rebublika Srspka (Bosnia-Herzovogena; Serbia and Montegnegro) For up to date information contact the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice unit before travelling. Certain restrictions exist on taking photographs in some areas.

Capital: Port-au-Prince

Time zone: GMT – 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 509
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 114, Ambulance – 118.

Tourist information: Caribbean Tourism Organisation, 42 Westminster Gardens, Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RR Tel: (020) 7222 4335 Fax: (020) 7222 4325.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Canada and the USA, over 18 years of age with proof of nationality for a stay of up to 30 days. However because of recent political relations between the USA and Haiti, the US Embassy is advising travellers from the USA to be in possession of a valid 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 the UK holding passports that indicate right of abode in the UK. Nationals of Austria, Denmark Germany, Luxembourg and Sweden for a stay not exceeding 90 days. Nationals of the USA and Canada for a stay not exceeding 90 days. Nationals of Argentina, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, South Korea and Switzerland for stay not exceeding 90 days. Visas are available on arrival for nationals of France for a stay of up to 3 months and for nationals of Spain and Italy for a stay of up to 1 month. Travellers in transit who do not leave the airport.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the year on the Falciparum variety below 300m.
Yellow Fever: Recommended. A vaccination certificate s required from all passengers coming from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Bancroftian filariasis, 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: Gourde (Gde) = 100 centimes Exchange: US$ accepted and exchanged everywhere. CC, AMEX is widely accepted, others less so. TC: Accepted in banks and major shops.

Amex is widely accepted, but others less so. Travellers cheques are accepted in banks and major shops. US dollars are the preferred currency.

ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Accommodation is limited in Haiti, varying form luxury hotels to modest small inns and guesthouses.

Languages: French and Creole. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

Weather: Tropical climate with high humidity. Intermittent rain throughout the year. Hill resorts are much cooler.

Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60 Hz.

Post: Up to 1 week.

Transport: ROADS: All weather roads have been constructed. BUS: Operate on an unscheduled basis. TAXI: Station wagons run between the capital and the large towns. CAR HIRE: Available independently or through the hotels. NOTE: Petrol can be scarce outside the capital. DOCUMENTATION: Some national licences are accepted but IDP is recommended.

Special information: RISK of personal crime and violence, especially for tourists due to their relative affluence. It is estimated that 85% of the population live below the poverty line. Do not leave your accommodation after dark and do not travel to rural areas.

Capital: Libreville

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 241
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: Office National Gabonaise du Tourisme, PO Box 161, Liberville, Gabon Tel: 722 182

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea who must have an ID card or passport expired for less than 5 years. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact the relevant consular authority before finalising travel arrangements.

Visa information: Visa Required by all except nationals of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo. Nationals of France can obtain a visa on arrival. Tourist and business visas are granted.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid, Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Precautions required. Falciparum variety prevalent. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by all travellers over one year of age.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera, rabies, River blindness also present. Although incidence of Ebola is unlikely, sensible precautions should be taken.

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.
NOTE: Import of local currency is limited to CFA Fr 250000.
There is very limited acceptance of any credit cards or travellers cheques.

ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Prices and services are generally expensive for the tourist.

Languages: French and the African language – Fang

Weather: May – Sept = Dry Season. Feb – Apr = Raining Season. Trade winds prevail during the dry season

Electricity: 220 Volts Ac 50 Hz

Post: Airmail at least 1 week to Western Europe.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Regular domestic flights operate. SEA: River barges and Ferries operate along the waterways. RAIL: Currently being expanded connects main cities. ROAD Mostly not tarred of poor standard, inadvisable during the raining season. CAR HIRE: Possible from main hotels and airports. DOCUMENTATION: IDP required.

Special information: A yellow fever certificate will be required to enter the country.