Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Tonga without incurring
customs duty by persons over 18 years of age:
a)500 cigarettes or 100 cigars.
b)2.25 liters of spirits or 4.5 liters of wine or one carton
containing 335ml cans of beer.
Pohibited Items
a)Import of firearms, ammunition and pornography is prohibited.
b)Birds, animals, fruit and plants are subject to quarantine
regulations.
c)The export of valuable artefacts and certain flora and fauna
is restricted.
Health care
The Government provides comprehensive medical and dental facilities
for residents and visitors. Visitors only pay a token fee
for medicines. Health insurance is recommended.
Getting There
By Air:
The main airlines serving Tonga are Royal Tongan Airlines
(WR) and Air Pacific (FJ).
By Sea:
Ports of entry are Nuku'alofa, Pangai, Neiafu and Niuatoputapu.
There are no regular passenger services, but berths may be
available on cruise ships.
By Rail:
There are no direct rail services between Bulgaria and Western
Europe although there are frequent services between Sofia
and Yugoslavia (Belgrade), Romania (Bucharest), Greece (Thessaloniki)
and Turkey (Istanbul).
Getting Around
By Air:
Royal Tongan Airlines (WR) provide regular services.
By Sea:
Local ferries sail between all the island groups. Ferry schedules
are subject to change according to demand or the weather.
By Road:
Traffic drives on the left.
a)Bus: Minibus services are available throughout Tongatapu.
c)Taxi: Saloon-car taxis, minimokes and mini-buses
are available.
d)Car hire: May be arranged through various agencies.
Self-drive or chauffeur-driven cars are available. A current
local driving licence is required.
Social Conventions
Shaking hands is a suitable form of greeting. A token of appreciation,
while not expected, is always welcome, especially gifts from
the visitor's homeland. Casual wear is acceptable. It is illegal
not to wear a shirt in public. Sunday is regarded as a sacred
day, an aspect of Tongan life thrown into sharp relief by
the controversy surrounding the so-called 'Tongan loop'. Travelers
to Tonga are advised to respect the religious beliefs of the
islanders.
Tipping
Tippind is not encouraged, but no offence is caused if services
are rewarded in this way.
Passport
A valid passport is required by all.
Visas
Visas are issued on arrival to nationals of all countries,
provided visitors have a valid passport, valid onward or return
tickets, proof of adequate funds for their stay, a valid visa
for the onward destination and relevant health certificates
(a yellow fever certificate and/or a valid cholera certificate
is required by all travellers over 1 year old arriving from
an infected area).
Currency:
Money: Currency unit--pa'anga. One pa'anga = 100 seniti.
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