Country Information

Capital: Warsaw

Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 48
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 997, Fire – 998, Ambulance – 999

Tourist information: Polish National Tourist Office, First Floor, Remo House, 310 – 312 Regent Street, London W1R 5AJ Tel: (020) 7580 8811 Fax: (020) 7580 8866.

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 the UK for tourists or business visits not exceeding 6 months. Nationals of all other EU countries for periods not exceeding 90 days. Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Honduras, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Lithuania, South Korea, Malta, Monaco, Nicaragua, Norway, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, and the USA for visits not exceeding 90 days. Nationals of Bulgaria, Cuba, Estonia Hungary, Macedonia, (FYROM), Mongolia, Romania, for visits not exceeding 30 days Nationals of CIS countries providing they hold an official invitation or vouchers from travel agencies (except nationals of Uzbekistan) who do require a visa.

Health information: Other Health Risks: Rabies, Tick-borne encephalitis.

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

Currency: Zloty (Zl) = 100 grozy Exchange: border crossing points, hotels. NOTE: Import and export of local currency by non-residents is prohibited.
All major credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted. Travellers cheques in German Deutschmarks are preferred.
ATM availability: Over 500 locations.

Cost of living: Prices are no longer as cheap as they once were.

Languages: Polish. There is a German-speaking minority. English and French may also be spoken.

Weather: Temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. Rain falls throughout the year

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Continental sockets are used

Post: 4 days. Poste Restante facilities are available throughout the country

Transport: ROAD: BUS: There are good regional bus and coach services. CAR HIRE: Various car rental agencies operate and rental also available at the airport. DOCUMENTATION: Travellers using their own cars should have car registration cards, a ‘green card’ for insurance purposes an valid insurance. An IDP is recommended although not compulsory.

Special information: Visitors are made welcome by the Poles, who are a very hospitable. Roman Catholicism plays an important role in daily rural life. Conservative casual wear is acceptable for the day. More formal attire is suitable for social evenings out. Visitors are advised to register with a hotel or local authorities within 48 hours of arrival. There is a serious risk of personal robbery on trains and at main rail stations. Passengers are at most risk when boarding trains. Never leave property unattended.

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: San Juan

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 787
Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 787 343 2020; Fire – 787 343 2330; All services – 911

Tourist information: Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association; Suit 702; Plaza Centre; 954 Ponce de León Avenue; Miramar; Sancturce 00907; San Juan; Puerto Rico Tel: 725 2901 Fax 725 2913.

Passport information: Same as the USA

Visa information: Same as the USA

Health information: Polio; Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia and Rabies

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

Currency: US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents. All major credit cards accepted. US dollars are preferred for travellers cheques
All credit cards are accepted and travellers cheques are easily exchanged
ATM availability: Over 630 locations

Cost of living: Accommodates all types of travellers.

Languages: Spanish. English is widely spoken.

Weather: Hot tropical climate. The temperature varies little throughout the year. Cooler in upland areas

Electricity: 120 volts AC; 60 Hz.

Post: Up to 1 week

Transport: ROAD: TAXI: A special service called a ‘Linea’ will pick up and drop off passengers where they wish. They operate between San Juan and most towns at a fixed rate. CAR HIRE: Available at the airport and city agencies. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is required. BUS: Services operate in the cities although usually stop at 2100.

Special information: As well as offering lavish entertainment, notably casinos and a variety of nightlife, in the interior there are anthropological sights of interest, such as a replica of a Taino Indian village, near Guayama.

Capital: Niamey

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 227

Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Office Nationale du Tourisme, Bp 612, avenue du Président H Luebke, Niamey, Niger Tel: 732 447 Fax: 733 940

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

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and Tunisia.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the country in the Falciparum variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by all travellers arriving from all countries over one year of age.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia Cholera 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: CFA Franc. (CFA Fr) = 100 centimes
Access and MasterCard are accepted on a limited basis. Hotels, restaurants and most shops exchange travellers cheques. French francs are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Moderately expensive for tourists.

Languages: French, Hausa – spoken widely in addition to other African languages

Weather: Summers are very hot from Oct – May. Heavy rains and high temperatures are common from July to Aug.

Electricity: 220/380 Volts Ac, 50 Hz

Post: Up to 2 weeks. Poste Restante operates.

Transport: ROAD: Many are impassable during the raining season. It is prohibited to travel on any other route than the one entered on your passport by the police in the previous town. BUS: Daily buses operate between the cities although can be unreliable. DOCUMENTATION: IDP, Carnet de Passage and 2 photos are required. The min age to drive is 23.

Special information: HIGH RISK: Following the coup in early April all travel to Niger should be avoided. For essential travel contact the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice Unit for up to date information. Niger remains politically unstable and travellers should be careful when visiting rural areas. Those travelling outside the capital should contact the Embassy first. Traditional Muslim beliefs prevail and should be respected. PHOTOGRAPHY: Permits are required from the police.

Capital: Abuja

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 234
Outgoing Code: 009

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Nigerian Tourist Board, PO Box 2944, Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway, Lagos, Nigeria Tel: (1) 618 665

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 except nationals of ECOWAS countries for stays of up to 90 days, and nationals of Cameroon and Chad for up to 90 days.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists throughout the year mainly in the Falciparum variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from passengers over one year of age arriving form infected areas. Travellers arriving from non infected areas are advised to have the vaccination if travelling outside the urban 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: Naira (N) = 100 Kobo
NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to N50 in notes
Credit cards have a limited acceptance, and due to a prevalence of credit card fraud, their use is not advised. Travellers cheques are accepted but expect to pay a high commission. US dollars and pound sterling are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Local produce can be bought inexpensively, but accommodation and foreign imports such as spirits, are very expensive.

Languages: English. There are over 250 local languages

Weather: The Southern coast is hot and humid with rainy season Mar – Nov. The North’s rainy season Apr – Sept. Nights are cold between Dec and Jan.

Electricity: 210/250 Volts AC, 50Hz.

Post: Unreliable and takes about 3 weeks.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Operate between the main cities. It is advisable to book in advance and account for delays which frequently occur. ROADS: Secondary roads are often impassable during the rainy season. Caution is required when travelling in the South. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required

Special information: EXTREME RISK: in Kaduna area. Violent street crimes and armed robberies are prevalent as is police and military harassment. Visitors should ensure they are met on arrival to ensure safe travel to their destinations. Armed robberies are prevalent in Lagos. Incidents of kidnap have been reported this year. So far they have been released without harm; take local advise on travel arrangements. Visitors are advised not to travel after dark outside the main tourist areas. Business ‘deal’ fraud is widespread. Casual wear is suitable. Smoking in public places is illegal.

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.