From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Guinea- Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 12:04:15 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1348 Path: world!daemon Message-ID: <970530120414_76702.1202_CHN18-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: daemon@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 94 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Guinea-Bissau ============================================================ Guinea-Bissau - Consular Information Sheet May 6, 1997 Country Description: Guinea-Bissau is a developing nation on the west coast of Africa. Portugese is the official language; French is also widely spoken. Facilities for tourism are minimal but growing. Entry Requirements: A visa is required and must be obtained in advance. Travelers may obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, 1511 K Street, N.W., Suite 517 & 519, Washington, D.C. 20005 at (202) 872-4222. Areas of Instability: Sporadic armed conflict in southern Senegal sometimes affects travel in northern regions of Guinea-Bissau near the Senegalese border. U.S. citizens traveling to the region west of Ingore, including Sao Domingos and Varela, may wish to check with the American Embassy in Bissau regarding latest travel conditions. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Guinea-Bissau are extremely limited. Medicines often are not available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Travelers have found that supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage has proven to be useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559. Information on Crime: Petty crime is common. Travelers should exercise caution at the airport, in markets and at public gatherings. Thieves have occasionally posed as officials to make off with bags and other personal items. Unattended vehicles are often broken into. U.S. residents and businesses increasingly are targets for armed robbery. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips For Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Road Safety and In-Country Travel: Roads in Guinea-Bissau are generally in good condition, though travel off of paved roads can be difficult during the May-October rainy season. Emergency services such as ambulances, are virtually non-existent. Travelers on public transportation such as buses, taxis, and ferries should take safety precautions. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Restrictions on Photography: Visitors should request permission from security personnel before photographing military or police installations, the airports, or docks. Currency Regulations: Credit cards and travelers checks are rarely accepted in Guinea-Bissau. Inter-bank fund transfers are difficult and time-consuming to accomplish. Telephones: Travelers may have difficulty finding public phones and receiving international calls. Telephone services are expensive. Embassy Location/Registration: U.S.citizens are encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bissau at Bairro de Penha, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Guinea-Bissau. The U.S. Embassy's mailing address is C.P. 297,1067 Codex, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. The telephone number is (245) 25-2273/4/5/6 and the fax is (245) 25-2282. No. 97-075 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated January 31, 1996 to update information on areas of instability, restrictions on photography, currency regulations, and to add information on road safety and in-country travel. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories