Country Information

Capital: Bujumbura

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 257
Outgoing Code: 90

Emergency telephone numbers: All travellers are advised to consult the foreign office in their country of residence regarding emergency assistance.

Tourist information: Office National du Tourisme, BP902, 2 ave des Euphorbes, Bujumbura, Burundi Tel: (2) 24208 or 22202 22023 Fax: (2) 29390

Passport information: A valid passport is required by all. Return ticket required. Regulations may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the Embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all. Tourist and Business. Passengers arriving at Bujumbura airport will be issued entry stamps, providing they have previously informed their travel agency of their passport number and identity.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Take precautions as Falciparum variety exists of which resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylactic is mefloquine.
Yellow Fever: Strongly recommended. If arriving from an endemic area a vaccination certificate will be required. proof of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis.

Other Health Risks: Cholera, Bilharzia, Rabies, Meningitis 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: Burundi Franc (BIF) = 100 centimes.
Unlimited import of foreign currency, subject to declaration, export limited to amount declared on import. Import and Export of local currency is limited to BIF 2000.
Limited acceptance of MasterCard and Diners Club. Travellers cheques are not currently accepted
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Due to the coup of 1996 the country’s economy has been all but wiped out.

Languages: French and Kirundi, Kiswahili is also spoken.

Weather: The climate is mostly mild and pleasant, although a hot equatorial climate is found near lake Tanganyika and in the Ruzizi river plain.

Electricity: 220 Volts 50 Hz

Post: There is a main post office in Bujumbura. Delivery times uncertain.

Transport: FLIGHTS: There are no regular internal flights. ROADS: Most are sealed but often impassable during the raining season. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: NOTE: EXTREME RISK. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to Burundi. People outside the cities may not be used to visitors. Therefore respect should be shown for local traditions. Dress should be conservative.

Capital: Tirana

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

Telephone services: Country Code: 355
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 24445, Fire – 23333, Ambulance – 22235

Tourist information: Albturist (Travel Agency) c/o Regent Holidays (UK) limited, 15 John Street, Bristol BS1 2HR Tel: (01179) 211 711, Fax: (01179) 254 866.

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: Nationals of Great Britain, Canada, the USA, EU countries (except nationals of Greece who do require a visa). Nationals of Bulgaria, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. Transit passengers continuing their journey on the same or next aircraft.

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: Hepatitis A and B, 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: Lek (Lk) = 100 qindarka
Banks offer the best rate of exchange.
CC: MasterCard and EuroCard are accepted by banks and several tourist hotels. AMEX is not accepted.
TC: Accepted by some banks.

MasterCard and EuroCard are accepted in banks and some hotels. Travellers cheques will be cashed by some banks. U.S. dollars are preferred.

ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe, although it’s economy is improving. Visitors will be charged a far higher rate for services and goods than locals.

Languages: Albanian. In the South Greek is spoken. Italian may also be spoken.

Weather: Warm and dry periods occur between Jun – Sept. Cool and wet between Oct – May. Best time to visit is May – June and mid Sept.

Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz.

Post: Subject to delays and may take up to 2 months. Send recorded delivery to avoid loss.

Transport: RAIL: mainly single track, dilapidated and overcrowded. ROAD: Most are in poor condition. BUS: The major form of transportation in Albania. TAXIS: Can be found in the capital in front of the main hotels.

Special information: EXTREME RISK In view of the volatile situation we recommend against all travel to Albania. Apart from safety considerations accommodation is extremely difficult to obtain. The crime rate in Albania has always been high and it is steadily rising. Foreign visitors and their vehicles are an attractive target for criminals. Visitors should not overtly display valuables. Avoid remote areas especially at night. It is greatly appreciated if you attempt to speak Albanian. More specific advice is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Officer.

Capital: Yerevan

Time zone: GMT + 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 374
Outgoing Code: Outgoing calls to countries outside the CIS must be made through the operator. Long waits are inevitable

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

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

Passport information: Valid passport required by all and must be valid for 3 months from the point of departure. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before travelling.

Visa information: Visa required

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
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: The official currency is the Armenian Dram introduced to replace the Rouble in 1993.
The exchange rate is stabilising but rapid inflation is possible. US Dollars and Russian Roubles are sometimes used in official transactions. NOTE: The import and export of local currency is prohibited for non-residents. Import and export of foreign currency is unlimited by non-residents if declared on arrival.
Neither credit cards or travellers cheques are generally accepted.
ATM availability: 2 locations.

Cost of living: High inflation: all luxury goods are very expensive and in short supply.

Languages: Armenian and Russian.

Weather: Continental climate: Summers are hot and dry but temperatures fall at night. Winters are very cold with heavy snowfalls.

Electricity: 220 volts Ac, 50 Hz. Power cuts are frequent.

Post: International services are severely disrupted and extremely erratic with infrequent deliveries made. Letters may be more efficiently handled if posted via Paris but may still be subjected to considerable delay.

Transport: ROAD: Surfaces can be very poor even in the case of major highways. Supplies of fuel and parts are limited. Driving standards are poor. COACHES: Run between major centres of population.

Special information: NOTE: A cease-fire has been in place since May 1994 but the dispute over Nagrony Karabakh remains unresolved and border areas with Azerbaijan should still be avoided. Travel at night outside the capital Yerevan should be avoided if possible. It is not clear whether maintenance procedures for local aircraft are observed. Visitors are advised to travel by an International airline departing from outside Armenia. Visitors should avoid discussing politics with the local population.

Capital: Willemstad

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 599 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 114, Ambulance – 112. All services – 444444

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

Passport information: Passports required by all except: Nationals of Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands holding a national identity card. Nationals of the USA holding voters registration card or birth certificate and alien residents of the USA with an alien registration card. Nationals of Canada with birth certificate or proof of citizenship. Nationals of San Marino with a valid ID card or a passport not expired for more than 5 years. Nationals and Alien residents of Venezuela and travellers in Venezuela, visiting the Netherlands Antilles holding a national identity card. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Nationals of Australia, Canada the USA and Japan are allowed to stay for 14 days without a visa. Nationals of Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK are allowed to stay for 90 days without a visa provided they have onward or return tickets. NOTE: Contact the embassy for an up to date complete list of visa regulations, which are complex and may change at short notice.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 6 months of age arriving from infected areas.

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

Currency: Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (NAG) = 100 cents.
At official tourist shops purchases can only be made in US Dollars.
Credit cards are accepted in large establishments. US dollar travellers cheques are the most welcomed.
ATM availability: 10 locations.

Cost of living: The most expensive of the Netherlands Antilles.

Languages: Dutch. English, Spanish Papiamento are also used.

Weather: Hot all year round with cooling winds. Raining season Oct – Dec.

Electricity: 1110/220 volts AC 50 Hz.

Post: 4 – 6 days.

Transport: TRANSPORT
ROAD: An IDP is required. BUS: A good bus service operates throughout the island and many hotels operate their own mini-buses to the capital. TAXI and CAR HIRE: Plentiful.

Special information: Swim wear for beach / pool-side only.

Capital: Luanda

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 244
Outgoing Code: Calls through the operator are booked in advance

Emergency telephone numbers: Not available at present.

Tourist information: National Tourist Agency, CP 1240 Palácio de Vidro, Luanda, Angola, Tel: (2) 372 750.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Passports must have enough pages for all the Angolan stamps required. Travellers who do not have enough blank pages may be detained/deported. Return Ticket required. May be subject to short- term change. Contact Embassy before departure

Visa information: Visa required by all. Tourist travel is not permitted. Business Visas granted.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the falciparum variety.
Yellow Fever: Vaccination certificate required if arriving from an infected area.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera and Rabies. There is a very high prevalence of AIDS/HIV. Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling.

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: New Kwanza (NKW) = 100 lwie (LW). Note: All imported CURRENCY should be declared on arrival. Export of local currency is prohibited.
Credit cards and travellers cheques are not accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: High inflation present due country’s instability.

Languages: Portuguese. African languages are spoken by the majority of the population.

Weather: North: Hot and wet in the summer months (Nov to Apr) winter is slightly cooler and mainly dry. South: Hot throughout the year with a slight decrease in the winter months.

Electricity: 220 Volts Ac, 60 Hz. Plugs = Continental 2 pin.

Post: 5-10 days for airmail.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Between main centres. RAIL: Erratic with no sleeping cars or air conditioning. ROAD: Many roads are unsuitable for travel. Local advice is needed. DOCUMENTATION: ID papers to be carried at all times. All travel is strictly controlled and some business travel is prohibited

Special information: NOTE: HIGH RISK. The Travel Advice Unit of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel to Angola unless on essential business. Much of the country is mined and banditry and car-jacking are common. The UN office for the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Luanda [UCAH] is the best source for local advice. Carry identity documents at all times

Capital: Buenos Aires

Time zone: GMT – 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 54
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 101/107, Police helpline (24hrs) in English on 101, for victims of crime.

Tourist information: Argentine Consulate, 27 Three Kings Yard, London W1Y 1FL Tel: (020) 7318 1340 Fax: (020) 7318 1349

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay who, for journeys that do not go beyond these countries, can use their national ID cards. Return ticket required by Australia, Japan and others. May be subject to change at short notice. Contact the Consular authority before departure.

Visa information: Required by all for business purposes, refer to the relevant authority for visa requirements for tourists.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists in the Vivax variety in rural and areas below 1200m.
Other Health Risks: Rabies, noteworthy risk of Hepatitis A, Trypanosomiasis, Gastroentiritis, Intestinal Parasitosis and Anthrax. Anthrax is not at this time seen to be significantly more prevalent than in many rural economies worldwide.

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

Currency: Nuevo Peso (P) = 100 centavos
Diners Club, American Express and MasterCard. Travellers cheques can be exchanged in larger towns for US Dollars.
ATM availability: Over 800 locations.

Cost of living: Budget travel is not impossible. Reasonably priced lodging, food and transport is available. Allow for fluctuating prices between cities and rural areas.

Languages: Spanish is the official language. English, German, French and Italian are sometimes spoken

Weather: The central area is hot and humid between December and February and cooler in the winter. The north has a sub-tropical climate, the south has a sub-arctic climate.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC, 50 Hz. Plugs = older buildings require 2-pin, but 3-pin can be used in more modern buildings.

Post: Airmail to Europe takes between 5 to 10 days. Surface mail can take as long as 50 days, so airmail is advisable.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Air travel is the most convenient way to get around the main cities but is often in heavy demand and subject to delay. ROADS: Cross- country high ways are well built, although road conditions off the main routes can be unreliable. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required and this must be stamped at the offices of the Automovil club Argentina. Minor violations are subject to large fines. RAIL: One of the largest domestic rail- networks in the world. Good facilities and low class travel can be good value. There are six main routes out of Buenos Aires, but information can be hard to find elsewhere in Argentina.

Special information: Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas islands. Due to an increase in crime occasionally involving violence, avoid poorly-lit areas at night. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash at all times. Beachwear is not suitable for town. Avoid military installations, which usually allow no stopping.