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ABOUT TONGA
The Kingdom of Tonga in the south Pacific
Ocean comprises an archipelago of 171 islands, 48 of them inhabited,
stretching over a distance of about 800 kilometres (500 miles)
in a north-south line. The islands lie south of Samoa, about one-third
of the way from New Zealand to Hawaii.
THE VENUE
For more information about the Puataukanave Hotel please
visit www.puashotel.com
CURRENCY & BANKS
The national currency of Tonga is the pa'anga
(currency code TOP), divided into 100 seniti.
Coins 5 seniti, 10 seniti, 20 seniti, 50 seniti. 1
Seniti is available but being phased out. Notes 1 Pa'anga, 2 Pa'anga, 5
Pa'anga, 10 Pa'anga, 20 Pa'anga, 50 Pa'anga, 100 Pa'anga.
Exchange Rates :
www.xe.com
IMMIGRATION & DEPARTURE TAX
A visitor’s visa will be
issued, free of charge, for the period of one month
from the date of arrival at the airport provided the
visitor holds a valid return ticket out of the
Kingdom to a country which he shall be able to enter
and the Immigration Officer is satisfied that the
visitor has sufficient funds to financially maintain
himself while in the Kingdom.
If you would like to
extend your visa or you have any further inquiries
contact the Immigration Department in Nuku’alofa –
Phone 26 970, Fax 26 971. Visitors holding non
Tongan passports are advised that it is illegal to
take up employment, business, schooling or study
courses while in the Kingdom on a visitor’s visa.
All non Tongan passport holders shall ensure that
their visas remain valid for the period for which
they are in the Kingdom. Persons in breach of the
Immigration Act may be prosecuted and subject to a
term of imprisonment or fine or both.
Do you need a
visa?
You do not need a
visa prior to arrival if you are a citizen from one
of the following countries. All others need visas
prior to arrival.
Australia, Austria,
Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam,
Bulgaria, Canada, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Federated
States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, French
Polynesia (New Caledonia, Tahiti, Wallis & Futuna),
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan,
Kiribati, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia,
Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands,
New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania,
Russia, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon
Islands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St Kitts &
Nevis, St Lusia, St Vincent & the Grenadines,
Sweden, Switzerland, The Bahamas, Turkey, Tuvalu,
Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America,
Vanuatu.
Departure Tax is T$25 per person, children
under 12 free
TIME
Tonga is 13 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and the first to see the
light of each day.
EMERGENCIES
Police
922 or Phone (676) 70 234
Fire
999 or Phone (676) 70 089
Hospital
933
Any Emergency Assistance
911
LIQUOR LAWS
The legal drinking age is 18. The sale of alcoholic beverages is
prohibited from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday, with the exception
of licensed hotels.
DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE
Travellers from overseas board they have a
duty free allowance of 2.25 liters of spirit or alcoholic beverages.
WEATHER & DRESS
Summer clothing is suitable during most of the year, however a sweater,
jacket or wrap is recommended for evening wear throughout the year.
Although casual attire is suitable for most occasions, Tongans are
conservative so moderate dress is expected. Shirts should always be worn
in public places as it is against the law to appear in a public place
without a shirt. Women should not wear swimsuits, low-cut tops, or very
short skirts away from hotel pools and beaches.
Vava’u enjoys a tropical climate with average daily
temperatures of 29ºC in January and 24ºC in June. The weather is warm
and generally sunny throughout the year. November to April, the weather
is more humid and thunderstorms are more frequent, but the water is
warmer for swimming, there is still excellent visibility for diving, and
quieter winds for sailing.
Traditionally this is referred to as cyclone season
but only one cyclone has touched down in Vava’u in the last 10 years.
During the winter months, the weather is settled with temperatures
ranging from about 23-27ºC
From May to September, southeast trade winds range
from 15-25 knots. During the summer months, northeast winds of 10-20
knots are the norm.
ELECTRICAL SUPPLY
Electricity is 240 volts and a three pin plug like Australia and New
Zealand is used.
MEDICAL
SERVICES
Ngu Hospital, Talau (+676) 70 201
Senior Medical Officer (+676) 70 304
Sister-in-Charge and Nurses (+676) 70 203
Dental Services (+676) 70 202
Medical facilities are good but basic, facilities in Nukualofa are more
advanced. Like any country you would visit is pays to have travel
insurance.
TELEPHONE
The international country code is 676.
Tonga Communications Corporation is located next to the Post Office,
open all the time for domestic and long-distance calls. Fax service also
available during office hours.
Does not do Collect calls to United Kingdom/United
States/Niue/Cook Islands
MOBILE
TELEPHONE
Two providers exist for GSM cellular, Tonga
Communications Corporation (TCC) and Digicel. GSM roaming is only
supported on 800/900 GSM phones and they must also be "unlocked".
Roaming is still a little haphazard from other countries. You can buy
SIM cards at the International Airport in Nukualofa, Nukualofa, Haapai
or Vava'u.
CONSUMPTION TAX
Tonga has a 15% Consumption Tax charged on all goods and Services by
registered suppliers (threshold is $100,000 p.a. except fruit,
vegetables and Fish. Most prices include CT but some places add it to
their stated prices - be careful!
CREDIT CARD/EFTPOS
Credit Cards are available at most tourist businesses - they attract
up to 5% premium. EFTPOS is less commonly accepted.
For
more information please visit http://www.vavau.to
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Last modified:
06/04/09 |
