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Capital: Avarua

Time zone: GMT – 10

Telephone services: Country Code: 682
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 999. Ambulance and hospital – 998. Fire – 996

Tourist information: Tourism Council of the South Pacific, 375 Upper Richmond Road West, London, SW14 7WX Tel: (020) 8392 1838 or (01344) 717 496 Fax: (020) 8392 1318.

Passport information: Required by all except nationals of New Zealand. Passports should be valid for 12 months after the intended date of departure. Return Ticket Required. Regulations may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required for business purposes. Not required for tourist purposes if staying for less than 31 days. NOTE: Proof of arranged accommodation and sufficient funds for length of stay will be required.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.

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

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents.
Both credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted. Australian dollars are the preferred currency in travellers cheques.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Can be expensive in the tourist centres. However, accommodation is increasing yearly, which may bring a price decrease in the resorts.

Languages: Maori. English widely spoken

Weather: Hot climate throughout the year. Most rain Nov – Apr.

Electricity: 240 Volts Ac, 50 Hz

Post: Up to 2 weeks.

Transport: The cheapest way to travel around the island is on an Inter-Island cargo ship. On Rarotonga there is a bus service and plenty of taxis. ROAD: Vehicles can be hired from a number of outlets. DOCUMENTATION: A current Cook Islands driving licence is required and available from the police station in Avarua on presentation of a national licence or IDP.

Special information: Religious celebrations, for instance Gospel Day in October, are taken very seriously and should be respected. Beach-wear should not be worn in the towns. Usual social courtesies should be followed.

Capital: Santiago

Time zone: GMT – 4 (GMT – 3 from second Sunday in October to second Sunday in March).
Easter Island: GMT – 6 (GMT – 5 from second Sunday in Oct to second Saturday in March)

Telephone services: Country Code: 56
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 133, Fire – 132.

Tourist information: Servicio Nacionale de Turismo (SERNATUR), Casilla 14082, Avenida Providencia 1550, Santiago, Chile Tel: (2) 236 1416 or 236 1420. Fax: (2) 236 1417 or 251 8469.

Passport information: Required by all except nationals of:- Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Paraguay and Uruguay who can enter with a special identity card for short term visits, and nationals of Taiwan, Mexico, and Peru who have an official travel document issued by the organisation of American States. Passports have to remain valid for 6 months after departure. NOTE: Passports of children must contain a photo and state the nationality. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: As the regulations are always subject to change at short notice it is advisable to check with the Chilean Consulate for the latest information.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.

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: Peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos.
Exchange: Many outlets will exchange currency. NOTE: Visitors should avoid black market exchange rates.
All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are preferred, but they must be exchanged before midday.
ATM availability: Over 1 000 locations.

Cost of living: Chile is no longer a bargain. Modest lodgings, food and transport however are still cheaper than Europe, North America or Argentina.

Languages: Spanish. English is also widely spoken.

Weather: No information at present

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50 Hz. 3 pin plugs and screw type bulbs are used.

Post: Daily airmail services to Europe take approximately 3 – 4 days.

Transport: FLIGHTS: There are frequent services to main towns. The southern part of the city relies heavily on air links. Reservations are essential. ROADS: Generally in good condition . It is advisable in remoter areas to carry spare parts, and petrol. Tyres must be hard wearing in the remoter areas. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required. BUSES: Inter-city buses are cheap and reliable. TAXI: Agree the fare in advance.

Special information: Violent crimes are rare but purse snatching in Santiago is not unusual. British Nationals should be cautious due to the arrest of the former dictator General Pinochet in Britain which has caused great animosity and occasionally street violence. Crime is common in the beach resorts during the summer. Always carry your identification and contact your embassy for advice. PHOTOGRAPHY: Avoid taking photographs of anything connected to the military.

Capital: Yaoundé

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 237
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not available at present.

Tourist information: Ministere du Tourism, BP 266, Yaoundé, Cameroon Tel: 223 353 Fax: 221 295.

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

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of Central Africa, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gavon, Mali and Nigeria for at stay not exceeding 90 days. Tourist and Business visas are issued.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Take precautions as Falciparum variety present, resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: Vaccination required. A vaccination certificate is required by all visitors over one year of age.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera, Meningitis and Rabies present. Medical facilities are particularly poor in rural areas.

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: Only notes issued by the ‘Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale’ are valid and not those issued by ‘Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest’
It is advisable to exchange French Francs or US Dollars rather than Sterling although both have very limited acceptance. French francs are the preferred currency in travellers cheques, although pound sterling is also accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: The economy has deteriorated due to civil unrest.

Languages: French and English are given equal importance in the constitution although French is more commonly spoken. Many local African languages are spoken.

Weather: South is Hot and dry from Nov to Feb. Rainy season mainly July to Oct although there is some rain Mar to Jun. Temperatures in the North vary.

Electricity: 110/220 Volts Ac 50 Hz. Plugs = round 2 pin.

Post: Approximately 1 week.

Transport: FLIGHTS: The most efficient means of internal travel, although you should beware that questions have been raised about aircraft maintenance procedures. RAIL: Slow and cheap, a limited few have restaurant facilities and air conditioning. Couchettes are available on some trains.

Special information: There has been an increase in violent crime and highway robbery is prevalent in the north in Yaounde, Douala and Kribi. Take sensible precautions. Avoid carrying valuables at any time. Avoid the north-west of the country. If travelling between Maroua and the Chadian border, seek advice from the local police and be prepared to travel with a military escort. Overland travel out of Cameroon can be difficult. The north is mainly Muslim and traditions and customs should be respected, for example, visitors should never step inside a Muslim prayer circle of rocks. In rural areas traditional beliefs predominate so it is essential to use tact. Cameras should be used with discretion and permission obtained before taking photographs. Do not take photographs of anything connected with the military.

Capital: Beijing

Time zone: GMT + 8

Telephone services: Country Code: 86
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 110, Fire – 119.

Tourist information: China National Tourist Office, 4 Glentworth Street, London NW1 5PG Tel: (020) 7935 9787 Fax: (020) 7487 5842.

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. Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. Heavy fines are levied for overstays of visa validity.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists throughout the country below 1500m in the Falciparum variety, which has been reported being highly resistant to Chloroquine.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by anyone arriving from infected areas
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, 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: Yuan (Renminbi RMB) = 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen Exchange: there is only one national bank which has 30 000 branches. In hotels and certain stores luxury items such as spirits may be bought in Western currency. All credit cards are valid in major provincial cities in designated establishments. US dollars are the preferred currency in travellers cheques.
ATM availability: Over 60 locations

Cost of living: China is still predominantly an agrarian community in spite of the recent Westernisation of it’s major cities. Consequently, prices vary substantially from region to region and city to city.

Languages: Mandarin Chinese. Cantonese, Fukienese, Xiamenhua and Hakka. English may sometimes be spoken.

Weather: Great variations in climate. Northeast = Hot and Dry summers with very cold winters. North and central has a continental rainfall, hot summers and cold winters. Southeast = Substantial rainfall, with semi tropical summer and a cool winter.

Electricity: 220/240 Volts AC, 50Hz.

Post: Approx. 1 week. All postal communications should be addressed “People’s Republic of China’

Transport: Independent travel is becoming increasingly possible and further information can be obtained from the Chinese National Tourist office (address above.) ROAD: Most places can be reached by road but many are of poor quality. BUS: reasonable bus services operate in the main cities.

Special information: Visitors are sometimes greeted by applause as a sign of welcome. The usual expected response is to applaud back. People often stare and spit. Personal theft is common. Since 1988 free travel to Tibet has ceased. China issues approximately 1000 visas a year for guided excursions. PHOTOGRAPHY: Do not take photos of airports and always seek permission before taking pictures of individuals.

Capital: Santa Fe de Bogota

Time zone: GMT – 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 57
Outgoing Code: 90

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 112 (01 in smaller towns and rural areas)

Tourist information: Ministerio de Desarollo Economico, Carrera 13, No 28-01, Pisos 5-9, Santa Fe de Bogota DC, Columbia. Tel: (1) 320 0077 Fax: (1) 287 6025., Corporacion Nacional de Turismo, Apdo Aereo 8400, Calle 28, No 13A-15, 16º-18º, Santa Fe de Bogota DC, Columbia. Tel: (1) 283 9466 Fax: (1) 284 3818.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all with 6 months validity except nationals of Chile and Ecuador travelling direct from their respective countries and holding national identity cards. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Not required by tourists staying less than 90 days. NOTE: Visitors must show proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay. Nationals of The People’s Republic of China, Taiwan and Haiti do require visas, whatever the purpose of their visit. All visitors must obtain an exit stamp from the security police before leaving. (Best obtained at the airport or in the main cities.)

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in low lying and rural areas in the Falciparum variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: Vaccination recommended
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Hepatitis and 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: Peso (Col$).
Exchange: The US$ is the easiest to exchange at hotels, banks, shops and travel agencies.

All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are preferred. These are easier to exchange in the larger towns.
ATM availability: Over 2,500 locations.

Cost of living: Accommodation and commodities are moderately priced in the cities

Languages: Spanish. Local Indian dialects and English is also spoken

Weather: Hot and humid with a raining season between May – Nov. Cooler climate in the upland areas

Electricity: 110/120 Volts AC, US 2 pin plugs are used.

Post: Airmail usually takes 5 – 7 days. International post boxes are yellow.

Transport: FLIGHTS: There is an excellent network of domestic flights and the large distances between cities makes this method of transport more convenient. ROAD: Highways connecting the main cities have recently been completed. Roads are usually passable except during the raining season. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is required.

Special information: Guerilla attacks on the periphery of Bogota and other urban centres are intensifying. Kidnapping and criminal violence remain problems especially in rural and border areas extreme caution is therefore required. Road journeys are dangerous and so is travel after dark. Personal safety and possessions are at risk at all times. Thus, whilst not specifically advising against travel to Colombia, great caution is needed and conditions cannot be guaranteed. Corruption is commonplace in Columbia.

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.