Country Information

Capital: Porto Novo

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 229
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: 30 14 31 (UK Embassy)

Tourist information: Office National du Tourisme et de l’Hôtellerie (ONATHO), BP 89, Contonou, Benin Tel: 315 402.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except the nationals of the following countries, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, Niger Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, where possession of a national identity card or expired passport of less than five years will be accepted. Return Ticket Required. May be subject to short term change. Contact the Embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all excluding the above nationals in addition to the national of Denmark, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Take precautions as Falciparum variety present.
Yellow Fever: Required with a vaccination certificate if arriving from an infected area.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Meningitis, Rabies, Trypanosomiasis, Cholera

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 = 100 centimes
Benin is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale is valid Credit cards are accepted on a very limited basis. French francs are the preferred currency in traveller’s cheques.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Moderate growth resulting in continuous rising prices.

Languages: French. A variety of languages are also spoken by ethnic groups. Some English is spoken.

Weather: South: hot and dry from Jan to Aug. Rainy season is May – July and Sept – Dec. North: hot and dry from Nov to Jun and cooler and very wet Jul – Oct.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50 Hz.

Post: 3-5 days for airmail.

Transport: RAIL: 600 km of track runs from Contonou to Pobé, Ouidah, Seg boroué and Patakou. ROAD: these are reasonably good but most are impassable during the rainy season. It is advisable to clear your itinerary with the authorities. Foreigners travelling outside Contonou are subject to restrictions and visitors are advised to check their position before travelling. TAXI: Settle fares in advance. CAR HIRE: A number of local car hire firms now exist. DOCUMENTATION: International Driving License is required.

Special information: NOTE: Recent attacks and armed robberies require the visitor to be vigilant. Importance is placed on religious beliefs which should be respected.

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: Hamilton

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 441
Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 911.

Tourist information: Bermuda Tourism, 1 Battersea Church Road, London SW11 3LY Tel: (020) 7771 7001 Fax: (020) 7771 7037.

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

Visa information: Visas are not required for stays of up to 3 weeks.

Health information: No vaccinations are compulsary, but please seek medical advice before travelling.

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

Currency: Bermuda Dollar (Bda $) = 100 cents
Export of local currency is usually limited to Bda$ 250. US Dollar cheques are widely accepted. MasterCard American Express Visa and Diners Club are all accepted in hotels shops and restaurants.
ATM availability: 54 locations.

Cost of living: Very Expensive. Bermuda is a holiday destination for affluent tourists.

Languages: English is the official language. There is a small community of Portuguese speakers.

Weather: Semi-tropical climate, with cool sea breezes. Showers can occur at any time of the year.

Electricity: 110 Volts AC 60 Hz. American flat, 2-pin plugs are used.

Post: Airmail: 5 – 7 days to Europe.

Transport: ROAD: Visitors are not allowed to drive in Bermuda. TAXI: Official taxis display a small blue flag.

Special information: Most hotels and restaurants require jacket and tie in the evening. Social conventions are mostly British influenced.

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: Bandar Seri Begawan

Time zone: GMT + 8

Telephone services: Country Code: 673
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not available at present.

Tourist information: Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Brunei. Tel: (2) 382 822. Fax: (2) 383 811. Information Bureau Section, Information Department, Prime Ministers Office, Bandar Seri Begawan 2041, Brunei Tel: (2) 240 400 Fax: (2) 244 104.

Passport information: A valid passport is required by all with assured re-entry facilities to country of origin or domicile required by all. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after entry to Brunei. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of: The UK for up to 30 days and nationals of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Sweden for up to 14 days (nationals of other EU countries do require a visa). NOTE: All visitors must be able to display proof of sufficient funds on entry.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by those over one year of age who have visited an infected area within the previous six days.
Other Health Risks: Cholera.

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: Brunei Dollar (Br$) = 100 sen. Exchange:Foreign currency and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at any bank. Hotels and department stores may also exchange traveller’s cheques. CC: Generally accepted by major establishments. NOTE: The export of local currency is limited to Br$1000. Travellers cheques are accepted and can be exchanged at hotels and department stores. Preferable currency for cheques is US dollars. All credit cards are generally accepted by major establishments.
ATM availability: Over 25 locations.

Cost of living: Accommodation can be very expensive. Transport and food are comparable with prices in the rest of East Malaysia.

Languages: Malay. English Chinese dialects are also spoken

Weather: Tropical climate most of the year. Monsoon = Oct – Mar when there is very heavy rainfall

Electricity: 230 Volts AC 50 Hz. Plugs are either square or round 3 pin.

Post: 2 – 5 days.

Transport: BUS: services operate to the main centres. CAR HIRE: Available at the airport and large hotels. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is legally required. A temporary licence can be obtained on presentation of a national licence.

Special information: Avoid passing or receiving with the left hand or pointing the soles of the feet towards companions. Shoes should be removed when entering Muslim homes. If offered refreshments by a host it is considered rude to refuse. Accommodation is impossible to find outside the main towns.

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.