Country Information

Capital: Port Moresby

Time zone: GMT + 10

Telephone services: Country Code: 675
Outgoing Code: 05

Emergency telephone numbers: Police, Fire and Ambulance = 000. (NOTE: this is not accessible in some areas)

Tourist information: Tourism Promotion Authority, P.O.Box 1291, 2nd floor, Niugini Insurance Haus, Boroko, Papua New Guinea Tel: 320 0211 or 327 2521 Fax: 320 0223 or 325 9119.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Passports should be valid for one year after entry. Return Ticket Required. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required. May change at short notice contact the High Commission. NOTE: On receipt of a stamped addressed envelope the high commission can supply information sheets on how to apply for visas for Papua New Guinea.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists all year throughout the country below 1800m. Falciparum is the dominant variety and reported to b highly resistant to chloroquine
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera – serious risk. Hepatitis A and B are endemic.

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: Kina (PGK). NOTE: Export of local currency is prohibited.
Amex is widely accepted. Travellers cheques are widely accepted in shops and hotels. Australian dollar cheques are preferred.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Although accommodation varies from international hotels to basic huts, everything is very expensive

Languages: English. 700 local dialects are also spoken

Weather: Tropical climate which cools with increases in altitude. Most rain falls between Dec and Mar.

Electricity: 240 Volts AC 50 Hz. Australian style 3 pin plugs are in use

Post: 7 – 10 days.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Services which operate are expensive. Internal services should be booked between November and February. ROAD: Limited. Public motor vehicles (PMV) are very efficient and provide a good way of meeting the locals. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence is sufficient. RIVERS: Commonly used as a thoroughfare.

Special information: Law and order remains poor. Incidents of rioting, looting and shooting occur without warning in major towns. Increase in violent crime requires extra care to be taken. There is continuing volcanic activity near Rabual in East New Britain Province and on Manam Island in Madang Province. Do not use public transport. Travellers should be met at Port Moresby upon arrival.

Capital: Mexico City

Time zone: Spans 3 time zones from GMT – 6 to – 8

Telephone services: Country Code: 52
Outgoing Code: 98

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 08.

Tourist information: Mexican Ministry of Tourism, 3rd Floor, 60 – 61 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DS Tel: (020) 7734 1058 Fax: (020) 7930 9202.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all and must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry required by all except nationals of USA, Canada and Japan who can present a birth certificate or other valid national ID card with photograph. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visas usually required. Check the requirements with the appropriate consular authority.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists in the Vivax variety in rural areas of certain states.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 6 months of age arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Rabies, Cholera – is a serious risk precaution is strongly recommended. Travellers arriving within 2 weeks of having visited an infected area are required to have a vaccination certificate.

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: Nuevo Peso (MXN) = 100 cents All credit cards are accepted. US dollar travellers cheques are preferred.
ATM availability: Over 9 000 locations.

Cost of living: Relatively inexpensive. Caters for all travellers and budgets.

Languages: Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken.

Weather: Climate varies according to altitude. Lowland are hot and humid whilst higher areas have a more temperate climate.

Electricity: 110 Volts AC, 60 Hz, US 2 pin, flat plugs are standard.

Post: 5- 7 days to Europe, surface mail is slow.

Transport: FLIGHTS: There is an excellent network of daily scheduled flights between commercial centres. RAIL: Mexico has a good rail network, which connects the major towns. ROAD: Slightly less than half is paved. BUS: Mexico is linked by an excellent and very economical bus service. CAR HIRE: Available at airports, city centres and resorts. DOCUMENTATION: IDP or nationals driving licence is acceptable.

Special information: Travel is usually trouble free but sensible precautions should be taken because violent robbery is increasing, especially in Mexico City. Exercise caution on public transport, airports, the Mexico City metro and tourist sites. Use taxis from ranks. It is advisable to ‘dress down’. Take particular care at cash machines.

Capital: Manila

Time zone: GMT + 8

Telephone services: Country Code: 63
Outgoing Code: International calls to smaller towns must go through the operator

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: Philippine Department of Tourism, 17 Albermarle Street, London W1X 7HA Tel: (020) 7499 5443 (general enquiries) or (020) 7499 5652 (incentive travel) Fax: (020) 7499 5772.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Passport MUST be valid for more than six months. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except transit passengers. Tourists and business travellers will not require visas providing they have a valid passport for at least one year and onward tickets, providing their stay does not exceed 21 days. NOTE: Certain nationalities will require pre arrival approval by the authorities in Manila before visas can be issued. Check with the embassy before making travel arrangements. Overstaying can lead to detention and heavy fines.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in certain areas below 600m in the Falciparum variety, which has been reported as being highly resistant to chloroquine.
Other Health Risks: Dengue Fever, 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: Philippine Peso (PP) = 100 centavos Exchange: Large commercial and central bank dealers in Manila. Always use authorised money changers or banks in Manila Metro area.
Credit cards are accepted in larger cities. Travellers cheques may be difficult to exchange and commissions may be high. US dollar cheques are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Over 800 locations.

Cost of living: Can be relatively inexpensive in comparison with Northern and Western Europe. Philippines is a haven for shoppers with bargains available at all shops, but especially markets. Hotels range from the deluxe to small guest houses and prices vary accordingly.

Languages: Filipino. English is widely spoken and Spanish may also be spoken.

Weather: Tropical climate with constant sea breezes. Rainy season = June – Sept. Oct – Feb is the cool dry season. Mar – May is usually hot and dry. There are occasional typhoons between June and Sept.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 60 Hz. 110 Volts is available in most hotels. Plugs = flat and round 2 and 3 pin

Post: At least 5 days.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Internal services are operated by several companies. Reservations should be confirmed prior to departure date due to high demand. BUS: Widely available and cheap. ROAD: Travel off national highways and paved roads, especially at night, is particularly dangerous. Inter island travel by small boats can be hazardous as storms whip up very quickly.

Special information: EXTREME RISK: in Mindinao – Southern Zamboanga Peninsula and islands south west of Mindinao. Typhoons earth quakes and volcanoes are known hazards in the Philippines. Seek advice on recent activity before travelling. Tourists from the West are considered wealthy by the host population. Stick to the main tourist areas. Visitors are required to carry dentification at all times. Visitors are advised to be vigilant and avoid travel off the beaten track especially on Mindinao where bandits and Islamic militants are active. There are also many cases of kidnapping and piracy. Casual dress is acceptable in most areas excluding Muslim areas where visitors will be required to cover up. Armed Islamic groups are active in some areas and great care is needed [Consult the FCO website] Medical care is VERY expensive. Passports must be valid for more than 6 months. Overstaying the length of the visa is a serious offence which can lead to detention and heavy fines. The Philippines consist of over 7 000 islands . Charter planes may be hired to visit the most remote. Possession or trafficking in even the smallest amount of drugs can lead to the death penalty. Take care of accepting food and drinks from strangers as there are reports of these being laced with substances that cause drowsiness or unconsciousness. There are also reports of single male travellers being set up for extortion over charges of paedophile activity for which there are severe penalties including the death sentence.

Capital: Riga

Time zone: GMT + 2 ( GMT + 3 in summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 371
Outgoing Code: 810

Emergency telephone numbers: Ambulance – 03, Police – 02, Fire – 01

Tourist information: National Tourism Board of Latvia, Pils laukums 4, Riga LV 1050, Latvia Tel: 722 9945 Fax: 722 9945.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Must be valid for 2 months after period of stay. NOTE: Palestinian passports are not recognised. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except: Holders of British passports. Nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Republic of Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, the Slovak Republic, the USA and the Vatican city for a maximum stay of 90 days, and nationals of Hungary for a maximum stay of 30 days. Nationals of those countries may also travel to Lithuania and Estonia. Other nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Belize, Chile, Cyprus, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezuela are entitled to apply for visas on arrival.

Health information: Other Health Risks: Rabies, Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, and Hepatitis.

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

Currency: 1 Latvian Lat (Ls) = 100 santims
Exchange: the banking system is still being developed but there are bureaux de change in most post offices, hotels and railway stations.
Credit cards and travellers cheques are only accepted on a limited basis. The preferred foreign currencies are US dollars and the German Deutschemark.
ATM availability: Over 10 locations

Cost of living: Generally less expensive than Western Europe

Languages: Latvian. Russian is increasing. English, German and Swedish may also be spoken

Weather: Temperate climate but with considerable temperature fluctuations. The Summer is warm with relatively mild weather in spring and autumn. Winters can be very cold

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European style 2 pin plugs are used.

Post: Airmail to Western Europe takes 3 – 4 days.

Transport: RAIL: Reasonably developed network connects Riga with the other main towns. ROAD: There are good connections from Riga to all other parts of the country. BUS: A better form of transport than trains in Latvia. CAR HIRE: Available through hotels. Reservations are recommended.

Special information: Latvians can appear rather reserved and formal, but very welcoming to foreign visitors. Tourists should exercise caution as petty crime is a problem. Carry a copy of your passport as ID.

Capital: Tripoli

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 218
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Department of Tourism and Fairs, PO Box 891, Sharia Omar Mukhtar, Tripoli, Libya Tel: (21) 333 2255 Telex: 20179

Passport information: Valid passport required by all, except holders of Palestinian identity documents or ID issued to nationals of the following countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Consult embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa Required by all except nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen who must hold a ‘No Objection’ certificate or return tickets. NOTE: Very difficult to obtain tourist visas.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: A small risk exists in certain areas.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for visitors arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera and Rabies are present.

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

Currency: Libyan Dinar (LD) = 100 Dirhams NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited.
Visa and Diners Club have a limited acceptance. Travellers cheques in US dollars are widely accepted
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Libya has great internal wealth, but due to it’s foreign policy can not form constructive trade links with U.N. states.

Languages: Arabic, some English and Italian.

Weather: The climate is warm all year round. It can be cool in the evenings. Some rainfall Nov – Feb

Electricity: 150/220 Volts AC, 50 Hz. There are many power cuts.

Post: Takes approximately 2 weeks to Europe, can be erratic and unreliable.

Transport: ROAD: Petrol is available but spare parts are difficult to obtain. Driving standards are poor. TAXI: Fares should be agreed in advance. CAR HIRE: Available in Tripoli and Benghazi.

Special information: Because of the situation of global and regional insecurity at present, travellers should exercise extreme
caution and make only necessary journeys to this country. If you intend to travel depite this advice you should be aware that diplomatic relations are slowly being restored with Libya and the international community. Travellers can expect travel arrangements to be a little slow. Great care should be exercised in using cameras.

Capital: Chisinau

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 373
Outgoing Code: International calls go through the operator

Emergency telephone numbers: Consult hotel on arrival.

Tourist information: Moldova – Tur, 4 Stefan cel Mare, 2058 Chisinãu, Moldova Tel: (2) 262 569 Fax: (2) 262 586.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all – must be valid for 6 months from date of arrival required by all. In certain cases additional documentation may be required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of the former Soviet Union.

Health information: Other Health Risks: Rabies, Hepatitis B.

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

Currency: 1 Leu (l) = 100 bani Exchange: Foreign currencies can be exchanged in hotels or bureaux de change. Moldova is essentially a-cash only economy.
Credit cards and travellers cheques (US$) are accepted on a limited basis
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: Reasonably inexpensive

Languages: Russian. Romanian.

Weather: The climate is pleasant and mild. The autumns are crisp and sunny and there is sometimes snow in the winter.

Electricity: 1220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: All mail to and from Moldova is subjected to long delays of up to 6 weeks. It is advisable to send recorded delivery to avoid loss.

Transport: ROAD: the road network covers 10 000km. TAXI: These can be found in front of the main hotels housing foreigners. Fares should be negotiated in advance although drivers prefer to charge per hour. Taxis run mostly on liquid gas hence the bottles, which are stored in the boot leave little room for luggage. CAR HIRE: Is available. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: Dress should be casual but conservative. Expensive jewellery and cameras should be kept out of sight. Travel to Transdniestria should be avoided, since it is not under Moldovan government control and the security situation is not under control. Do not share taxis with strangers.