Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday 
Banks: 09:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 21:00, daily, some closed on Sundays
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, some open at weekends
Post Offices: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday

Travel to Phoenix is regarded as being fairly safe. Individual tourists are rarely victims of violent crime and locals are generally helpful and will come to your aid if required.

Petty crime does occur in tourist hotspots, so it is recommended that you hold on to your belongings and try to avoid flashing cash and valuables about in the street. Keep your valuables in a hotel safe or leave them at home.

The currency used across the United States is theUS dollar. Notes can be found in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 as well as rarer higher denominations, while coins come in denominations of US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent.

You will find that the large majority of shops and businesses accept payment by credit card, although you should always take some cash out with you, just in case. Currency can be exchanged at the airport or within any bank. You will need to find an exchange bureau to change up traveller‘s cheques.

ATMs are plentiful in Phoenix, so as long as you are carrying an internationally recognised bank card such as Visa, MasterCard or Cirrus, you should have no problem in withdrawing money at one of these machines. There are also money wiring services available such as Thomas Cook, Moneygram and Western Union.

If you are arriving from outside of America, you will have to complete a customs declaration form. Your duty-free allowance is: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars; one litre of spirits and personal gifts not totalling more than $100. Many things are banned from being brought into the country such as fresh food and agricultural products; items from North Korea, Cambodia, Libya and Cuba; pre-Columbian artefacts and pornographic material. There are strict regulations on drugs and firearms.

110V AC, all plugs are two-pronged

The people of Phoenix are incredibly laid back when it comes to social etiquette. They are very friendly and it pays to be courteous if you want an enjoyable stay here.

There are very few rules to follow, with the main ones being to always address people using their first names unless they require you to do different. Many doctors and priests prefer to be addressed by their title. Greetings usually consist of a handshake between men and a kiss on the cheek between women. If you are visiting someone’s house, a token gift should be brought along such as a bottle of wine or some chocolates.

If you are conducting business, always make sure you are on time for meetings and a suit and tie is usually expected. Business attire is generally smarter than it is in many European cities.

As with social etiquette, you will find that there is no strict dining code in Phoenix. Important things to remember are to always wait until all members of your party are served before starting your meal, stop eating and rise if someone makes a toast and if you are dining at someone’s house, it is considered polite to finish everything on your plate.

If you've never been to the desert before, it is important to prepare yourself for the harsh environment. Regardless of what time of year it is, the desert sun is strong and bright. Sunscreen is essential, as is drinking plenty of water. Even if you don't feel hot and particularly thirsty, the dry air quickly steals moisture from your body, leading to dehydration. You may need to use a body lotion as well, as skin dries out quickly in the desert.

The desert is also home to some poisonous creatures and while you must watch out for them, most of them rarely spotted by tourists. Rattlesnakes are common, but your chances of meeting one are incredibly slim. However, never stick your hand into holes among the rocks and always watch where you're walking. Arizona is also home to a large poisonous lizard called the Gila monster. These are black-and-orange lizards which are even less common than rattlesnakes.

Arizona State Hospital: +1 602 244 1331

Emergency services: 911

More than 300 languages are spoken in America including over 170 that are indigenous to the area. While English is the main language spoken in Phoenix, many different ethnicities and nationalities are represented. Because of this, many other languages are available for study.

European Union nationals need to fill out a form requesting a visa at least 72 hours before they plan to travel to the US. You may need to show evidence of funds and an onward ticket. Canadians also require a passport to enter the US.

Phoenix has a number of tourist information offices dotted across the city, but the main one can be found at 400 East Van Buren street, Suite 600, Phoenix, Arizona 85004. You can contact the office by calling: +1 602 254 6500.