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Capital: Lima

Time zone: GMT – 5

Telephone services: Country Code: 51
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 011 / 5114.

Tourist information: Fondo de Promoción Turística (PROMPERU) Calle Uno Oeste, s/n Urb, Edificio Mitinci, 14th Floor, Corpac, Lima 27, Peru Tel: (1) 224 3142 or 224 3133 Fax: (1) 224 3408 or 224 3396. e-mail postmaster@promperu.gob.peru

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

Visa information: Refer to the embassy for the latest list of exceptions to those nationalities, which require visas.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in rural areas below 1500m in the Vivax variety. The Falciparum variety exists sporadically near national borders and where petroleum is being exploited. Resistance to chloroquine for the Falciparum variety has been reported.

Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by visitors over 6 months of age travelling from infected areas. Vaccination is strongly recommended to all travellers who plan to journey out of the urban areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. – NOTE: Street vendor food is not recommended

Currency: Nuevo Sol = 100 centimos Exchange: Changing currency other than US$ can be difficult Credit cards have limited acceptance outside Lima. Exchanging travellers cheques can prove a complex process outside of Lima. US dollar cheques are recommended
ATM availability: Over 430 locations

Cost of living: Costs have increased dramatically in the last few years. Budget travellers can still find cheap accommodation, although the cities are much more expensive than rural areas.

Languages: Spanish and Quechua. English may also be spoken

Weather: Coastal areas: Summer is Oct – Apr which is the rainy season in the mountainous regions. May Sept is regarded as the best time to visit the mountains.

Electricity: 200 Volts AC 60 Hz

Post: Up to 2 weeks. Postal facilities are limited outside Lima.

Transport: RAIL: Can provide a scenic view of the landscape and sections are of the highest railway in the world. Connections however are limited. ROAD: A recently built highway connects Lima with other cities. NOTE: Landslides are common in the rainy season making for slow travel. A ‘Customs Duty Payment’ badge must be displayed at all times. BUS: ‘Greyhound’ type buses operate along the Pan-American highway TAXIS: Do not use meters so agree fare in advance. CAR HIRE: International companies have outlets in the major cities and Airport. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required

Special information: Register with your Embassy when you arrive in Lima. Terrorist action may occur. Travel in groups is recommended. Street crime is common.

Capital: Managua

Time zone: GMT – 6

Telephone services: Country Code: 505
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 118, Fire – 265 0162, Ambulance – 265 1761.

Tourist information: Instituto Nicaragüense de Turismo (Inturismo), Hotel Intercontinental, 1 cuadra al Oeste y L cuadra al Lago, Managua, Nicaragua Tel: (2) 281 137 or 227 185 Fax: (2) 281 187

Passport information: Valid passport required by all, valid for a further 6 months (minimum). Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and the UK for up to 90 days (all other nationals do require a visa) Nationals of Argentina, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hungary, Honduras, Liechtenstein, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists in the Vivax variety from June to Dec in the rural areas and the outskirts of towns
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas.
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: Nicaraguan Gold Córdobe (NIO) = 100 centavos.
Credit cards have limited use. Travellers cheques are accepted, preferably in US dollars.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Relatively inexpensive but accommodation is in short supply.

Languages: Spanish. English is also spoken along the Mosquito Coast.

Weather: Tropical climate. Raining season = June – Nov. The mountains in the North are much cooler

Electricity: 110 Volts AC, 60 Hz

Post: Up to 2 weeks. Poste Restante is available in Managua

Transport: ROADS: Tarred roads exist to San Juan del Sur and Corinto. CAR HIRE: Available in Managua or at the airport. This is the most convenient way of travelling because public transport if often over crowded. DOCUMENTATION: National licences are only valid for 30 days. BUS: There is a service to the main towns, booking seats in advance is recommended. TAXI: Fares should be agreed in advance.

Special information: HIGH RISK: Hurrican Keith in 2000 caused severe flooding. Travel is still affected but conditions are improving. Check with embassy on arrival. Violent outbursts and bandit like activities do take place preceding major political events. Be prepared for for pick pocketing during your stay. Do not walk alone at night. PHOTOGRAPHY: Avoid taking photos of military installations.

Capital: Windhoek

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 264
Outgoing Code: 09

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 1011, Ambulance – 2032276, Fire – 2032270

Tourist information: Namibia Tourism, Private Bag 13346, Windhoek, Namibia Tel: (61) 284 0111 Fax: (61) 221 930

Passport information: Valid passport required by all, must be valid for 6 months after the date of leaving Namibia. Return Ticket Required. Requirement may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa Not required by nationals of EU countries (except Greece which do require visas) for stays of up to 3 months. Nationals of Angola Australia Botswana Brazil Canada CIS Cuba Iceland Japan Kenya Lesotho Liechtenstein Mozambique New Zealand Norway Singapore South Africa Swaziland Switzerland Tanzania USA Zambia Zimbabwe for up to 3 months.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Malaria exists within certain areas during periods of the year in the Falciparum variety
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by those arriving from infected areas excluding those under 1 year of age. If arriving by scheduled flights and are in transit a certificate will not be required if passengers do not leave the airport.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera, 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.

Currency: Namibian Dollar (N$) = 100 cents South African Rand (r) is also still in use. CC: Widely accepted. NOTE: All currency must be declared at the point of entry. Import and export of local currency is limited to N$500.
Credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques in German DM currency are widely accepted
ATM availability: 34 locations

Cost of living: Moderately expensive in urban areas but reasonably inexpensive in rural locations

Languages: English, Afrikaans, German and African languages are spoken.

Weather: The coast is cool and rain free most of the year. Inland rain falls between Oct – Apr. Summer temperatures are high.

Electricity: 220/240 Volts AC, Plugs are of the 3 pin type

Post: 4 days to 2 weeks. Good airmail service available

Transport: ROADS: Are well maintained. FLIGHTS: Are often the most economic way to travel. The national airline links all the major cities. RAIL: Trains operate between the main cities and offer first class and sleeping facilities. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: Western customs prevail. EXTREME RISK: in Caprivi and Kavango. Do not travel to Caprivi because of a state of emergency and do not enter the Sperrgebeit (prohibited diamond area). Also avoid the Angola border where there has been military action. Take advice locally on which areas to avoid. Do not enter the townships at night.

Capital: Maputo

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 258
Outgoing Code: Outgoing International calls must go through the operator

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 493924 ( Maputo only), Police – 119, Ambulance – 117, Fire – 198

Tourist information: Empresa Nacionale de Tourismo (ENT) CP 2446, Avda 25 de Setembro 1203, Maputo, Mozambique Tel: (1) 420 147 or (1) 450 150 Fax: (1) 421 796.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all with a minimum validity of 6 months. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure

Visa information: Required by all.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Risk exists throughout the year across the whole country in the Falciparum variety. Reported as being highly resistant to chloroquine
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by all travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas.
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: Mozambique Metical (M) = 100 Centavos NOTE: import and export of local currency is prohibited.
No credit cards or travellers cheques are accepted currently

ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Although civil war has ended economy remains unstable.

Languages: Portuguese in addition to many African languages

Weather: The climate varies according to the area. Inland is cooler with most rain between Jan and March. The coast is warm and dry Apr – Sept. Hottest and wettest between Oct – March.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC, 50Hz.

Post: Approximately 1 week by air to Europe. Available from main cities.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Air taxi services are available and are the safest means of travel outside the main cities due to the internal fighting. RAIL: All rail services are liable to disruption at present. BUS: Buses are available but plenty of food and water should be taken since journeys are frequently interrupted by check points to examine documents. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: NOTE: Travel to the Montepuez region should be avoided. Throughout the country armed robbery and other violent crimes are prevalent. No road should be considered safe. There is also the risk of unexploded mines. Travel between major cities should only be undertaken in daylight. Road travel becomes difficult or impossible in the rainy season (Jan-March). Some roads are still damaged by floods in the south and central areas. Check with local authorities before travelling. Casual wear is acceptable. Formal dress is seldom required.

Capital: Ulan Bator

Time zone: GMT + 9 (GMT + 8 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 976 (Followed by 1 for Ulan Bator).
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: Mongolian Tourism Association PO Box 10/195, Ulan Bator, Mongolia.- 1 Prime Minster Amar Street, Ulan Bator 13, Mongolia Tel: (1) 323 363 or 320 219 Fax: (1) 323 363 or 320 219.

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

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of Kazakhstan (up to 90 days), nationals of Malaysia (for up to 28 days), nationals of the Philippines (up to 21 days), nationals of Singapore, Poland, Romania and North Korea (up to 14 days).

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: Tugrik (MNT) = 100 mongos Exchange: Commercial banks in Ulan Bator and bureau de change at certain hotels.
Credit cards are accepted by main commercial banks and large hotels. US dollars are the preferred currency in travellers cheques.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Very cheap for Mongolians although visitors are expected to pay ten times the prices charged to locals. Ask the price before you eat. Independent travel can be relatively cheap although tour groups may be charged very high prices.

Languages: Khalkha Mongolian. Many dialects are spoken

Weather: Cool climate with short, mild summers and longer severe winters.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Airmail to Europe takes up to 2 weeks

Transport: FLIGHTS: Internal flights are operated by Air Mongol. NOTE: It is not known whether maintenance procedures are properly carried out on internal flights. RAIL: The main route runs from North to South. ROAD: Paved roads can only be found in or near major cities. Most of the roads are unpaved. BUS: Services run between towns. CAR HIRE: Available through tourism companies.

Special information: NOTE: As communications within Mongolia are poor, providing consular assistance can be difficult. Visitors may only enter Mongolia by air or train. Entry overland by other means is not permitted. Religious customs should be respected. Do not talk about death, divorce or accidents as mentioning these is considered a bad omen and will be taken seriously. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Street crime is on the increase in Ulan Bator and visitors should exercise caution, do not go out on foot after dark.

Capital: Macau

Time zone: GMT + 8

Telephone services: Country Code: 853
Outgoing Code: 00

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

Tourist information: Macau Tourist Information Bureau, 6 Sherlock Mews, Paddington Street, London W1M 3RH Tel: (020) 7224 3390 Fax: (020) 7224 0601.

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

Visa information: May be obtained on arrival in Macao. Nationals of countries, which do not maintain diplomatic links with Portugal must obtain their Visas in advance from Portuguese consulates overseas, and may not obtain them on arrival in Macao. Visas are required by all except: Nationals of Brazil. India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland and Thailand for stays of less than 20 days. Residents of Hong Kong holding a Hong Kong Identity card. for a visit up to 90 days. Nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU, Japan for stays of less than 20 days. Narcotics, firearms, endangered species of animal and plants and pesticides.

Health information: Other Health Risks: Diarrhoeal diseases, hepatitis A and B, Oriental liver and oriental lung fluke and haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome may occur in this area.

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: Pataca (MOP) = 100 avos MasterCard is accepted. Travellers cheques may be changed at hotels, banks and bureau de change. Cheques in US dollars are the preferred CURRENCY.
ATM availability: Over 20 locations.

Cost of living: Visitors may expect to pick up a variety of bargains since Macau is a free port. A wide range of accommodation, suitable for all budgets, is available.

Languages: Portuguese and Chinese (Cantonese). English may be spoken by those involved in tourism.

Weather: Sub – tropical climate with very hot summers. There is a raining period during the summer months. Winds can reach gale force and typhoons are not unheard of.

Electricity: Usually 220 Volts AC 50 Hz.

Post: 3 – 5 days

Transport: ROAD: There are 5 bus routes in he city. CAR HIRE: Available. TAXI: Fares should be agreed in advance. DOCUMENTATION: IDP not required from drivers from the UK.

Special information: Macau is a mixture of Portuguese, Chinese and Western culture, the visitor can experience all of these in one location. Violent crime is quite rare although residential burglaries and pick-pocketing is a problem.