Kuwait

1. Kuwait is expensive. For a country with a highly sophisticated financial system, it can be a remarkably frustrating place to change money. Banks charge excessive commissions and moneychangers often refuse to change travelers' cheques. The bright spot is that credit cards are widely accepted.

2. The situation in Kuwait is calm, but you should be vigilant. Keep in touch with developments in the Middle East. Any increase in regional tension might affect travel advice. Need for caution, no need to worry- when the tension in the Middle East is heightened.

3. Landmines are still to be found in Kuwait. When traveling outside Kuwait City it is advisable to keep to tarmac roads. Care should be taken when using beaches and picnic spots. Even where officially cleared there is still a danger from unexploded ones. Do not pick up any strange metal, plastic or other objects lying around. Do not souvenir hunt for war memorabilia.

4. Driving is hazardous. Many drivers exceed speed limits, switch lanes without warning, frequently ignore traffic lights and speak on their mobile phones while driving with scant attention to other road users. Constant vigilance is essential. You can drive only if you obtain a temporary Kuwaiti driving license and take out compulsory third party insurance.

5. Kuwait is a Muslim state and Islamic customs, in public, are strictly observed. You should respect the accompanying customs.

6. The import and use of narcotics, alcohol and pork products are forbidden. Possession of obscene material may also be punished by a prison sentence. Drunken behaviour in public or driving under the influence of alcohol renders the offender liable to a fine or imprisonment and/or deportation and the withdrawal of their driving license.

7. In public, general modesty of behaviour and dress is expected. Women are expected to dress up accordingly.

8. Photography near military and industrial sites, particularly oil fields, is not permitted.

9. Visas should be obtained in advance from a Kuwaiti embassy, or arranged through a sponsor/host in Kuwait. (Some hotels will arrange this for guests booked with them. Kuwait Airways can also arrange this for their passengers). The visa consists of a white paper, which is handed in to the immigration official on arrival, and a pink paper, which is handed in on departure.

10. There is a state medical service with local clinics and several good hospitals. There are also a number of doctors and dentists in private practice, and private hospitals. Their fees are controlled by the State and are expensive. Ensure that you have medical and travel insurance.

11. Passports are usually retained by government bodies for official purposes. You must have a copy of their passport.

12. The authorities take a very serious view of "bouncing" cheques. The law does not provide for offenders to be released from custody on bail. "Post-dating" cheques is illegal.

13. Get a visa before traveling. Bring enough money. Keep belongings in a safe place. Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice before traveling.

14. Respect local laws and customs. Modesty of behaviour and dress is expected.

15. Avoid taking photographs of military and industrial establishments, particularly oil fields.

16. Driving is hazardous. Vigilance is essential. Enter next of kin details into the back of your passport.

17. Big No to - drugs or alcohol, pork products, pornographic material.

18. Kuwait has a very cheap and extensive system of both local and inter-city buses. You can also use local taxis to get around, though these have no meters, so get a firm price before starting out.

19. Tipping is only expected in fancier restaurants. Know, however, that the service charge added to your bill in such places goes into the till, not to the wait staff. Bargaining is not common except in souks (bazaars).

20. Fuul, felafel and houmos are the three staples of the Middle East, and you'll find them at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Fuul is a paste made from fava beans, garlic and lemon, usually served swimming in oil. Felafel is deep-fried balls of chickpea paste with spices, served in a piece of khobz (Arabic flat bread) with pickled vegetables or tomato. Houmos is cooked chickpeas ground into a paste and mixed with garlic and lemon. Arabic bread is eaten with absolutely everything and is also called aish, meaning 'life'. It's round and flat and makes good filler. Main dishes are usually chicken, kebabs or meat and vegetable stews. A lot of Kuwait's restaurants are Indian, which rarely have anything other than biryanis (a spicy rice dish) on the menu. Western fast foods abound. Coffeehouses (qahwa) are a great social institution in Kuwait.

TIME ZONE

GMT + 3

TELEPHONE SERVICES

Country Code: 965
IDD: International Direct Dialing is available
Outgoing Code: 00

LOCAL TOURIST INFORMATION

Department of Tourism; Ministry of Information; PO Box 193; 13002 Safat

PASSPORT INFORMATION

Valid passport required by all. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before traveling.

VISA INFORMATION

Required by all except: Nationals of Bahrain; Oman; Qatar; and the United Arab Emirates for a stay up to 3 months. Nationals of Saudi Arabia for an unlimited period.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Alcohol; pork products; goods from Israel. Penalties are severe and almost everyone's bag is checked at customs.

AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX

KWD 2 for international departures. Children under 12 are exempt.

HEALTH MATTERS

Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Other Health Risks: Cholera

FOOD AND DRINK

Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

CURRENCY

Kuwait Dinar (KWD) = 1000 fils. All credit cards and travelers cards are accepted. US dollars are the preferred cheque currency.
ATM availability: 180 locations.

MONEY WIRING SERVICES

MoneyGram: 800 288 Western Union: 245 0852

CREDIT CARD EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Amex: +44 1273 696933
Diners Club: 965 5755588
Kuwait Visa: (1) 410 581 9091

TRAVELERS CHEQUES EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Kuwait Thomas Cook: +44 1733 318950
Kuwait

BANKING HOURS

0800 - 1200 Sun to Thurs.

COST OF LIVING

Expensive and may be difficult for the budget traveler.

LANGUAGES

Arabic. English is generally widely understood.

WEATHER

Summer: (Apr - Oct) is hot and humid with little rain.
Winter: (Nov - Mar) is cool with limited rainfall.

RELIGIONS

Mostly Muslim with Christian and Hindu minorities.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

2000: Jan 01; 10-12. Feb 25-27. Mar 18-20. Apr 08. Jun 16. Oct 28 Nov 30. Dec 31.
2001: Jan 01; Feb 25; 26; Mar 07-09; 28. Jun 05. Oct 15; Dec 18-20

POST

Airmail to Western Europe takes about 5 days.

RADIO FREQUENCIES

BBC: 17.64 15.58 11.76 9.410 VOA: 15.21 11.83 9.740 6.070.

WOMEN IN SOCIETY

Harassment of women travelers has been increasing. Do not travel alone in secluded places.

TRANSPORT

ROAD: A good network exists between cities.
BUS: Reliable and inexpensive service operates between main cities.
TAXI: Popular and reliable service; but fares should always be agreed in advance.
CAR HIRE: Available.