Northern Mariana Islands Travel Tips

The currency of the Mariana Islands is the US Dollar. Banknotes come in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 while coins can be found in US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent.

There are several Asian and American banks located in the Mariana Islands, where currency from major world countries can be exchanged. ATMs are widespread and can be found at most banks and shopping centres. Credit cards are accepted in most major stores and the larger restaurants and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at banks and in some hotels.

Banks are open from 10:00 until 15:00, Monday to Friday. Some of the bigger banks are open until 18:00.

There are no restrictions on the import and export of local or foreign currency. Amounts above US$10,000, however, must be declared.

The following may be imported into the islands without incurring any customs duty: 600 cigarettes; 2.3 litres of alcohol; 3.8 litres of wine and Japanese sake; a reasonable quantity of perfume that is for personal use only. Narcotics and uncooked food are banned while all firearms require a licence.

220/240V 50HzHz; American style two-pin plugs are used.

Hepatitis A and B and Tuberculosis occur and rare outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis have been reported. Therefore, vaccinations for all of these should be considered. There have also been some cases of dengue fever reported, but as there is no vaccination available, you should make sure that you wear long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk and use mosquito repellent at all other times.

There is a modern hospital on Saipan with both excellent care and facilities provided. Rota and Tinian offer basic facilities and treatment for minor ailments but for serious conditions, travelling to Saipan would be recommended. While full medical facilities are available, it is not free of charge and treatment may have to be paid for upfront. A comprehensive health travel insurance is recommended.

Local meat, poultry, seafood and vegetables are regarded as being safe to eat, although make sure that all meat is thoroughly cooked. It is adviseable to drink bottled water to prevent upset stomachs.

Medical emergency telephone number: 911

The Northern Mariana Islands are regarded as a very safe place in which to travel, especially areas which are popular with tourists. It is however important to remain on guard as all worldwide tourist destinations have a heightened threat of terrorist occurrences.

Petty crime does exist, especially at main tourist attractions and in the main towns. It is recommended that you to always hold on to your belongings and try to avoid flashing valuables and money around in public. Violent crime is virtually unheard of against tourists, but you should always be on your guard and avoid dimly lit areas at night.

Police: 911

While the ancient Chamorro culture of the original inhabitants can still be traced, American influences have taken over and Western conventions are well understood.

Handshaking is the usual form of greeting, and first names are usually used, even for formal introductions. If you are visiting somebody’s house, you should always remember to show standard courtesies such as complimenting the host on their house, taken a token gift, taking your shoes off if required and being punctual.

Casual wear is the norm throughout all of the islands, although some top-class restaurants do require a smarter appearance.

It is customary to tip between 10 and 15 per cent if there is no service included in the bill. Tax-free shopping is available all across all three islands as well as in Saipan International Airport.

The country code for the islands is +1 670. There are payphones throughout Saipan and in most hotels across all three islands. The internet is widely available and while you will find a number of internet cafés, reliability is somewhat limited.

GMT +10

All passports must be valid for at least 60 days after date of entry unless you are from the US. Nationals of Australia, Canada, Ireland and the UK are exempt from Visitor Entry Permits and everyone else should seek advice from their nearest embassy. US citizens do not require a visa and do not have a limit as to how long they can stay.

Visitors may be asked to prove that they have available funds to the equivalent of US$100 for each day of their intended stay. If you are looking to stay longer than 30 days, a visa extension must be obtained. Tourists can get an extension of up to two months.