| Portugal |
Facts for the Visitor
Visas| US citizen: | No visa required, visitors permitted to stay 3 months. |
| Japanese citizen: | No visa required, visitors permitted to stay 3 months. |
| A Portuguese phrasebook is recommended. |
| Available everywhere. Most are on the Plus and Cirrus networks. The usual maximum withdrawal is Esc 40,000. |
| US$ 1 = 213 Portuguese Escudos (Esc) on January 5, 2001. Currency will change to the Euro on January 1, 2002. |
| 220V, 50Hz. Plugs have 2 round pins. |
| International Certificates of Vaccination are not required. |
| A service charge is included in the restaurant bill. No additional tip is necessary. |
| The metro system in Lisbon is limiting. Buses and trams are more convenient to travel the city. Single-ride tickets purchased on the bus or tram are Esc 180. A 2-single-ride ticket (2 rides for the price of one) can be purchased for Esc 180 at Elevador de Santa Justa on Rua de Santa Justa. This discount ticket is not valid for the metro. |
| In addition to hotel, youth hostel (pousadas da juventude), and pension (pensão), Portuguese towns have an abundance of private rooms (quartos) and guesthouses (residenciais). The cheapest accommodation tends to be quartos, easily spotted by a sign over the doorway. The quality of room at a quarto varies. Since they are privately owned, they aren't subject to a comparative rating system. Walking the town to view several quartos will find you decent lodging at low cost. |
| Don't expect to find a coin laundry in Portugal. Wash by hand or pay premium at a dry cleaner. |
Copyright © 2000-2002 Wes and Masami Heiser. All rights reserved.