Country Information

Capital: Nassau

Time zone: GMT – 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 242

Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 911 For Travelers In Distress (242) 326-HELP

Tourist information: Bahamas Tourist Office, 3 The Billings, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, Surrey GUI 4UL Tel: (01483) 448 900. Fax: (01483) 571 846. E-mail: btogfd@bahamas.com

Passport information: Valid passport required by all, except nationals of Canada (for 3 weeks providing they hold a birth certificate, a citizenship card or a landed resident care with photo ID) and the USA (for 8 months providing they hold an original or certified birth certificate accompanied by a police clearance record and a driver’s licence or a voter’s registration card along with an official photo ID). 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 visits of less than 8 months (3 months for nationals of Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal and Sweden). Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic and the Ukraine for visits of less than 1 month. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, for visits of less than two week. Common wealth countries (with the exception of the Maldives, Pakistan and Nauru who do require a visa), South Africa, and Namibia for visits of less than 3 months. Israel, Japan and Mexico for visits of less than 3 months. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino Switzerland, Turkey and the USA for visits of less than 8 months. South Korea, Andorra, Djibouti and Sao Tomé and Principé for a length of visit to be determined upon entry.

Health information: Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving within 6 months of visiting an infected area.

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

Currency: Bahamian Dollar (Ba$) = 100 cents US dollars (par value) are also in use.

All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques, preferably in US dollars or Pound sterling, are accepted.
ATM availability: Over 25 locations.

Cost of living: Avoid the tourist centres when looking for cheaper accommodation and food. Staying in the Bahamas may prove difficult for the budget traveller.

Languages: English

Weather: The Bahamas are slightly cooler than other islands in the Caribbean. More refreshing September to May.

Electricity: 120 volts AC 60 Hz

Post: 5 days.

Transport: SEA: A mail boat serves the outer island which may also be used by passengers. ROAD: Inexpensive and frequent buses are available. TAXIS: Metered. CAR HIRE: Major companies have agencies at the airport and in Nassau. DOCUMENTATION: A valid British driving licence is valid for 3 months

Special information: Bahamas has 700 islands in total. The tourist may consider visiting those that are less commercial. Beach wear is not acceptable in towns where informal dress should be worn. Men are expected to wear Jackets in the evenings in resaurants and casinos. It is illegal to work without a work permit. Employment is scarce so do not expect to find work to finance your visit. Violent crime is increasing and a number of incidents have taken place in tourist areas. Lock balcony doors in hotel rooms. Penalties are severe for involvement in drugs – (Possession and /or trafficking).

Capital: Thimphu

Time zone: GMT + 6

Telephone services: Country Code: 975
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not available at present.

Tourist information: Tourism Authority of Bhutan, P.O.Box.126, Thimpu, Bhutan. Tel: (2) 23251/2. Fax: (2) 23695., Bhutan Yod Sel Tours and Treks. PO Box 574, Thimpu, Bhutan. Tel: (2) 23912. Fax (2) 23589.

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

Visa information: Visa required by all except for nationals of India. Tourists must pay a minimum sum in Bhutan (about 220 US dollars) NOTE: There are two ways of entering Bhutan, by air to Paro Airport or by road to the Bhutanese border town of Phuntosholing. All travellers entering by road must ensure they have the necessary documentation for transiting through India.

Health information: Polio and Typhoid: Vaccination Recommended.
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in the Southern belt. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported in the falciparum variety of the disease.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required if coming from an infected area.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies, Meningitis. Altitude sickness affects some tourists. – Medical facilities are very limited in Bhutan.

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: 1 Ngultrum (NU) = 100 chetrum (Ch).
Exchange: Leading foreign currencies can be exchanged at the Bank of Bhutan. Major hotels may also exchange currency. Amex and Diners Club have a very limited acceptance. Traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at the Bank of Bhutan branches.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Caters for all budgets, but predominantly very inexpensive. Accommodation varies from hotels in the capital to guesthouses and cottages elsewhere.

Languages: Dzongkha is the official language. A large number of local dialects are spoken due to the isolation of many villages. Nepali is common in the South of the country.

Weather: June – Aug: The temperatures drop dramatically as this is the monsoon period. Nights are cold. Generally Oct, Nov and Apr – mid Jan are the best times to visit when rainfall is slight and temperatures are pleasant.

Electricity: 220 volts Ac, 50 Hz.

Post: Airmail to Europe can take up to 2 weeks.

Transport: ROAD: The country has a fairly good internal road network. The Northern regions of the High Himalayas have no roads. YAKS/PONIES/MULES: The main form of transportation. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: Due to the high terrain altitude sickness would be a problem for some and medical evacuation is difficult. Tourists are required to pay a minimum daily sum (aprox. US$ 220.) Religion has a strong influence on traditional ways of life. Travel to the country has been restricted to visitors for many years and some areas are closed to foreigners. The country must be entered via India or Bangladesh.

Capital: Gaborone

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 267
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 351161

Tourist information: Dept of Tourism, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Private Bag, 0047, Gaborone, Botswana Tel: 353 024 or 313 314 Fax: 308 675

Passport information: A valid passport is required by all and must be valid for 6 months. Return ticket required. May be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: No information available at present.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Falciparum variety present.
Other Health Risks: Rabies; Bilharzia; Cholera; Rabies; Ticks; Sleeping sickness present.

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: Pula (P) = 100 thebes Note: Export of local currency is limited to P500.
Credit cards are accepted on a limited basis. Travellers cheques are accepted, but the surcharge may be high.
ATM availability: 27 locations.

Cost of living: Comparable with western Europe.

Languages: English and Setswana.

Weather: Oct to Apr – Hot and Wet season. May to Sept – Cooler and Drier.

Electricity: 220/240 Volts AC, 50 Hz Plugs – 13 amp socket.

Post: 1 – 3 weeks by airmail

Transport: AIR, RAIL AND BUS: Major cities are linked by these networks. ROAD: tarmac roads are limited mostly being sand tracks. Reserves of water and fuel should always be taken. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended for stays up to 6 months, after which a Botswana driving license must be obtained.

Special information: Casual clothing is acceptable. Respect for the traditional way of life must be displayed. Do not take photographs of airports, official residences and military and defence establishments.

Capital: Minsk

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 375
Outgoing Code: International calls go through the operator

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 02, Ambulance – 03, Fire – 01

Tourist information: Intourist, 219 Marsh Wall, Isle of Dogs, London E14 9FJ Tel: (020) 7538 8600 Fax: (020) 7538 5967.

Passport information: Passport must be valid for 6 months after departure. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of the CIS republics. Transit visas are required if crossing Belarus to reach Ukraine or the Baltic States but not if travelling to the Russian Federation.

Health information: Other Health Risks: Poliomyelitis, Rabies.

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

Currency: Belarusian Rouble
Exchange: Should only take place at authorised bureaux and the transaction must be entered on the currency declaration form which will be issued on arrival. Amex and Visa are accepted in larger towns. Travellers cheques are not widely accepted but are preferable to cash. It is advisable to take hard currency as well.
ATM availability: 5 locations.

Cost of living: An improving economy exists with cheap to moderately priced goods available.

Languages: Belarusian, but Russian is also spoken by 13% of the population.

Weather: Temperate continental climate.

Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz, adapters are recommended.

Post: At least 10 days. Larger hotels offer Poste Restante facilities.

Transport: RAIL: 5590km of rail track is in use. ROAD: Tourists can only drive on approved routes. Valid visa and passport, insurance certificate and customs form guaranteeing the visitor will not take the car out of the country, Intourist documentation with the approved route and accommodation to be used must be carried at all times. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: The people of Belarus offer a welcoming and friendly hospitality to visitors. It is advisable to take warm clothing in winter and waterproofs throughout the year. Avoid dairy produce and mushrooms, which can carry high levels of radiation. Theft is a problem so exercise caution in major cities.

Capital: Belmopan

Time zone: GMT – 6

Telephone services: Country Code: 501

Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 911

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 must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the High Commission before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all, but it is advisable to contact the High Commission before departure as regulations are subject to change.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists throughout the year excluding the urban areas predominately in the benign Vivax form.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera.

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: Belizean Dollar (BZ$) = 100

Amex and Visa are widely accepted. MasterCard can also be used but to a more limited extent. US Dollars is the preferred currency for travellers cheques.

ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Caters for all travellers and budgets.

Languages: English is the official language but Spanish is spoken by over half the population.

Weather: Sub-tropical climate, hot and humid. Monsoon season June – September.

Electricity: 110/220 Volts Ac 60 Hz.

Post: Up to 5 days to Europe

Transport: FLIGHTS: Charter and scheduled flights operate between the main towns. ROAD: All weather roads link the main towns in the country although torrential rain during the monsoon season often makes these impassable. CAR HIRE: International companies exist in the main cities. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence is acceptable.

Special information: HIGH RISK. DUE TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY HURRICANE KEITH THE FCO ADVISE AGAINST ALL HOLIDAY AND OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO AMBERGRIS CAYE AND CAYE CAULKER. Petty crime is common and mugging is a problem in major cities. Travel in groups if possible. Common sense rules should be applied. It is inadvisable to discuss politics with the locals.

Capital: Ottawa

Time zone: Canada has 6 time zones from GMT – 3.5 in Newfoundland to GMT – 8 on the Pacific Coast.

Telephone services: Country Code: 1
Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: 911 or 0 (depending on province).

Tourist information: Visit Canada Centre, 62 – 65 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DT Tel: (0891) 715 000 (50p/min.) or (0891) 715 000 (general information)

Passport information: A passport valid for at least one day beyond the intended departure date from Canada is required. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of: Great Britain, Australia, USA, Japan, EU countries and others. NOTE: Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, it is advisable to check with the nearest Canadian Consulate, Embassy or high commission prior to travel.

Health information: No information available at present.

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

Currency: Canadian Dollar (Can $) = 100 cents.
Credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques in Canadian dollars are preferred
ATM availability: Over 13 000 locations.

Cost of living: Prices are similar to Western Europe. They are also dependent on season and province.

Languages: English. Quebec – French.

Weather: Summers are warm and sunny whilst winters can be very cold, especially in the North.

Electricity: 110 Volts AC 60 Hz. American style flat, 2 pin plugs are standard.

Post: 5 – 7 days.

Transport: FLIGHTS: About 75 airlines operate national services. RAIL: Services are extensive across Canada. ROADS: Extensive covering vast distances. COACH: One of the cheapest and most convenient ways of travelling the country. Each region is well served by networks of coach-lines. CAR HIRE: Available in all cities and airports to drivers with full licences over 21 years of age. DOCUMENTATION: Visitors may drive with their national driving licences for up to 3 months in all provinces.

Special information: Smoking has been barred from most public places.