Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Banks: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 19:00, daily, many closed on Sundays
Museums: 10:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday, some open on weekends

Petty crime is does exist in tourist hotspots around the city, but no more so than in any other tourist destination. It is recommended that you always hold on to your possessions and make an effort not to flash cash and valuables when walking in the street. Keep your valuables in the hotel safe or at home to minimise the risk of theft or loss.

Most of the petty crime in Salt Lake City is restricted to certain areas that are not necessarily on the tourist circuit. Pioneer Park in downtown, long known for its drug and homeless problems, is one of them, though the city has made great efforts to clean it up in recent years.

The currency used nation-wide is the US dollar, which can be found in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 as well as higher denominations, and coins, which are available in US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent.

While the majority of shops and businesses accept credit and debit cards, it is recommended to carry some cash on you at all times. Currency can be exchanged at the airport or any bank branch, while there are also some exchange offices spread around the city, which can change cash or travellers’ cheques.

ATMs are widespread in Salt Lake City, so withdrawing money with an internationally recognised bank card should not present any problems. Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express are the most widely accepted. Money wiring services are also available, including Thomas Cook, Moneygram and Western Union.

Visitors arriving from outside the USA are required to fill in a customs declaration form upon entering the country. No fresh food or agricultural products are allowed to be taken in; while items from North Korea, Cambodia, Libya and Cuba; pre-Columbian artefacts; chocolate liquors; or obscene publications are also banned. There are also strict regulations on drugs and firearms. Duty-free allowance is: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars; a litre of spirits.

110V AC, all plugs are two-pronged.

Fifty per cent of Salt Lake City residents are Latter Day Saints. This increases to 80 per cent in the suburbs. Be conscious of religious sensitivities and try to avoid making any derogatory remarks concerning religion. In general, locals are very welcoming. To show your appreciation for this hospitality, it is important to follow some basic elements of American etiquette if you want to get the most out of your stay.

While there is no strict etiquette as such, the general atmosphere is quite conservative. Apart from those conducting business, the dress code in Salt Lake City is quite casual, so don’t feel you need to dress up just for dinner. Be considerate of the local religion and abstain from visiting churches while services are under way. Join an orderly line if waiting for a public service; this is the custom. Never smoke in a non-smoking area.

As with social etiquette, there are no strict dining conventions in Salt Lake City. When dining out at a restaurant, it is polite to wait until all members of your group are served before starting your meal. If someone proposes a toast, you should stop eating and only start again when the toast is over

Dessert is often served after a meal, as is coffee or tea. You will find that alcoholic beverages, other than beer, are not available at most restaurants. When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork parallel to one side of your plate to show you have finished. If you invite friends to eat with you, this may be taken as a signal that you will pay for the meal.

If you run into any health problems while on holiday in Salt Lake City, excellent medical facilities are on hand and staff will attend to you promptly. Emergency treatment will be administered and charged for later; while any minor medical advice or prescriptions will have to be paid for up front, making it sensible to take out a comprehensive insurance policy that covers you for such eventualities. Collect all your medical receipts in case you need to make a claim.

There are no specific vaccinations mandatory for travel to the USA, but it is advised to make sure you are up-to-date with standard vaccinations such as tetanus. Tap water is safe to drink and eating out shouldn’t pose any risks.

St. Mark’s Hospital
Tel: +1 801 268 711
Emergency services: 911

The vast majority of Salt Lake City residents speak English.  The Rose Park and Glendale districts have many Spanish-speaking locals.

Salt Lake City has a visitor centre, is located in 90 S. West Temple, Downtown. They can be contacted by calling: +1 801 521 2822; or by visiting their website at: www.saltlake.org. The Utah Travel Council on Capitol Hill has information as well as books on travel and related topics throughout the city and state.

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.