Capital: Nuku’alofa
Time zone: GMT + 13
Telephone services: Country Code: 676 Outgoing Code: 0
Emergency telephone numbers: All emergency services – 911.
Tourist information: Tonga Visitor’s Bureau, PO Box 37, Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, Tel: 21733 Fax: 22507.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Regulations may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.
Visa information: Visa are issued on arrival to nationals of all countries.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from passengers over 1 year of age arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Competent medical and dental facilities are available. Hepatitis A and B occur. Health insurance is recommended.
Food & drink: Water outside of Nuku’alofa is untreated and not safe to drink. Dairy products are pasteurised.
Currency: Pa’anga (T$) = 100 seniti
Credit cards have limited use. Travellers cheques are accepted at some hotels and tourist shops. Australian dollar cheques are preferred.
ATM availability: Unavailable.
Cost of living: Relatively cheap
Languages: Tongan and English
Weather: Marginally cooler than most tropical areas. The best time is May to November. Heavy rains occur between Dec and Mar.
Electricity: 240 Volts Ac 50 Hz.
Post: 10 days
Transport: FLIGHTS: Royal Tongan Airlines operate regular flights between the main cities. SEA: Ferries sail between all the island groups. Schedules are subject to change according to demand and the weather. ROAD: A good network of metalled roads exists. Horses are often used. CAR HIRE: May be arranged through a number of agencies. DOCUMENTATION: A local licence is required from the police traffic department on production of a valid international or national driving licence, the fee and a passport. Min driving age = 18.
Special information: Shorts are not acceptable in towns. Visitors are not expected to tip.