Passport
A valid passport is valid for at least 6 months.
Visa
A Visitor's Permit will be issued to most nationals on arrival
at the airport. The permit is free of charge and allows stays
of up to 2 months. However, visitors from the following countries
need clearance from the Immigration Department and are required
to give prior notice in order to obtain a visitor's permit:
a) Albania, Algeria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bulgaria,
Cambodia, China (PR), Cuba
b) Egypt, Czech Republic, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India,
Iraq, Jordan, Kiribati, Korea (DPR)
c) Laos, Liberia, Libya, Lebanon, Mongolia, Morocco, Nauru,
Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan
d) Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Slovak
Republic, Somalia, Sri Lanka
e) Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Yemen.
Currency
Solomon Islands Dollar (SI$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations
of SI$50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of SI$1,
and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Credit cards
All major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and tourist
resorts. However check with your credit card company for details
of merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be
available.
Travelers cheques
Can be exchanged at banks. To avoid additional exchange rate
charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in
Australian Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions
The import of local and foreign currency is unlimited provided
declared on arrival. The export of local currency is limited
to SI$250; the export of foreign currency is limited to the
amount declared on arrival.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into the Solomon Islands
without incurring customs duty:
a)200 cigarettes or 250g cigars or 225g of tobacco.
b)2 liters of wine or spirits.
c)Other dutiable goods up to a total value of SI$400.
Prohibited items
Unlicensed firearms or other weapons and offensive literature.
Fruit and vegetables other than from New Zealand needs an
import permit.
Getting There
By Air:
The national airline Solomon Airlines (IE) operates flights
from Australia and New Zealand.
By Sea:
International ports are Honiara and Yandina. There are plans
to build a new deep-sea harbour at Noro on New Georgia, which
will replace the port at Gizo. The cargo line Bank offers
a limited number of passenger places.
Getting Around
By Air:
Domestic scheduled and charter services are run by Solomon
Airlines (IE) from Henderson Field to most main islands and
towns in the Solomons.
By Sea:
Large and small ships provides the best means of traveling
between islands. Services are run by the Government and by
a host of private operators.
By Road:
Traffic drives on the left. There are over 800 miles of roads
throughout the islands. About 280 miles are main roads and
a further 500 miles are privately maintained roads for plantation
use. Road maintenance is limited and the general condition
of the roads is poor.
a)Taxi:
Available in Honiara and Auki. It is advisable to agree the
fare beforehand.
b)Car hire:
This is available through hotels in Honiara. A national driving
licence is prefered.
Health
Like many other tropical countries, malaria is also endemic
in the Solomon Islands. Appropriate malarial medication should
be taken and it is wise to consult your doctor or chemist
a few weeks before leaving home. Water is normally safe in
the major resorts, but precautionary boiling is recommended
in other areas.
Social Conventions
A casual atmosphere prevails and European customs exist alongside
local traditions. Informal wear is widely suitable although
women often wear long dresses for evening functions. Visitors
are discouraged from wearing beachwear and shorts around towns
and villages.
Tipping
There is no tipping on the Solomon Islands and visitors are
requested to honour this local custom.
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