New Caledonia Travel Guide
GENERAL
Capital
Nouméa.
Geography
As a country located in Oceania listed on ezinereligion, New Caledonia is a group of islands off the northeast coast of Australia. The entire main island is crossed by a crystalline serpentine mountain range. The western half is relatively flat and overgrown with rubber trees, the east coast is mountainous and offers palm-fringed beaches. About 48 km southeast of New Caledonia is the Ile des Pins (Kunie), which is known for its stalactite caves with stalagmites and stalactites. The Loyauté Islands Ouvéa, Lifou and Maré are east of the main island. The remaining islands are the Chesterfield Group, the Huon Group, Hinter, Matthew and Walpole.
Government
French overseas territory (Territoire d’outre-mer / TOM) with limited self-government since 1956. Transitional statute that grants the island extensive autonomy since 1998. Parliament (Congrès territorial) with 54 members. Two representatives are sent to the Paris National Assembly and another to the Senate.
Head of state
François Hollande, represented by High Commissioner Thierry Lataste since May 2012, since June 2016.
Head of government
Philippe Germain, since April 2015.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz.
Time zone
New Caledonia Time: CET +12
MONEY
Currency
For the French overseas territories (Départements d’Outre-Mer) French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion as well as for the local authorities (Collectivités Territoriales) Mayotte and St. Pierre and Miquelon, the euro has been the official currency since January 1, 1999. For more information on using the euro, see the France chapter. In the French Overseas Zealand (Pays d’outre mer / POM) French Polynesia and in the French overseas territory (Territoires d’Outre-Mer / TOM) New Caledonia, the official currency is the CFP Franc, which is pegged to the Euro.
1 CFP Franc = 100 Centimes. Currency abbreviation: CFP Fr, XPF (ISO code). Banknotes are in circulation to the denomination of 10,000, 5000, 1000 and 500 CFP Fr; Coins in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 CFP Fr.
Credit cards
MasterCard, Visa, sometimes also American Express and Diners Club are accepted by large hotels and car rental companies. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
Attention: Travelers who pay abroad with their bank customer card and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
ATMs are available in Nouméa. If these are functional, money can also be withdrawn with an ec card (with Maestro symbol).
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-3.30 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
- France.
Currency Exchange
Money can be exchanged at the airport and in banks. In banks you should inquire about the fees in advance, as they can be very high under certain circumstances.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is French. 33 Polynesian and Melanesian languages as well as English are spoken.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following items can be imported into New Caledonia duty-free:
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g tobacco (people aged 17 and over);
1 l of spirits with an alcohol content of over 22% (but not anisette or absinthe) and 2 l of wine or sparkling wine (people aged 17 and over) or
2 liters of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of less than 22%;
50 g perfume and 250 ml eau de toilette (people from 15 years);
500 g coffee and 100 g tea;
Gifts worth up to 30,000 CFP Francs (half for travelers under 15 years of age).
Prohibited imports
Import ban on food, plants (including wood and straw) and animals.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Business visits should be arranged in advance. Business meals as a form of negotiation are rare. Prices should be given in euros or CFP Francs. The best time to travel on business is from May to October. Business hours: Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.-5.30 p.m., Sat 7.30 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Economy
- France.Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
15 Rue de Verdun, BP M3 98849 Nouméa Cédex.
Tel: 24 31 00.
Internet: www.cci.nc
Business contacts
- France.Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
15 Rue de Verdun, BP M3 98849 Nouméa Cédex.
Tel: 24 31 00.
Internet: www.cci.nc
COMMUNICATION
Phone
80% automated telephone network with self-dialing remote service. There are public card phones. Telephone cards are available at post offices.
Cellphone
GSM 900. The network operator is Mobilis (Internet: www.opt.nc). Roaming agreements exist with France, Australia and New Zealand, among others.
Internet
Internet provider is Offratel (Internet: www.offratel.nc). Public Internet access in Internet cafes, post offices and on publicly accessible computers in shops and companies.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes around 1-2 weeks. The New Caledonia Post Office (OPTNC) has branches throughout New Caledonia. They provide banking services and telecommunications. The main post office on Rue Eugène Porchéron is open from 7.45 a.m. to 11.15 a.m. and from 12.15 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Curiosities made from seashells, wood carvings, ceramics, hand-painted fabrics, aloha shirts, tapas fabrics and records with Polynesian music. In some duty-free shops you get a discount if the purchase exceeds 2000 CFP. Shop opening times: Mo-Fr 7.30-11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.-6.00 p.m., Sa 7.30-11.00 a.m.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
There are numerous nightclubs and the only casino in the South Pacific on Anse Vata Beach. The night clubs in Nouméa offer European and local entertainment. Cinemas show French-language films.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
Most hotels are small and cozy, with prices ranging from moderate to expensive. There are modern hotels in Anse Vata and Baie des Citrons, and bungalows in the more remote parts of the main island and on the remote islands. Further information from Union de l’Hôtellerie Touristique de Nouvelle Caledonie (UHTNC), c / o Kuendu Beach Motel, BP 404, NC-Nouméa (Tel: 23 40 00) (small and medium-sized hotels), or the Association of International Hotel Chains (ACHI), c / o Le Meridien Hotel, PO Box 1915, NC-Nouméa (Tel: 26 50 00).
Camping
You should ask permission from the landowner to camp.
Other accommodation options
Outside the capital there is an inexpensive hostel with dormitories and communal facilities. Youth hostel card is not absolutely necessary. Information from the Association des Auberges de Jeunesse de Nouvelle Calédonie, 51 to rue Pasteur Marcel Ariege, PO Box 767, NC-98845 Nouméa. Tel: 27 58 79 (Internet: http://www.hihostels.com/dba/country-NC.fr.htm).
Information from Chambre d’Agriculture de Nouvelle Calédonie (Chamber of Agriculture), Antenne de Bourail, BP 847, NC-98870 Bourail. Tel: 44 23 48 (Internet: http://www.gouv.nc/).
CULTURE
Religion
60% Catholics, 30% Protestants and others.
Social rules of conduct
The atmosphere is casual. Casual clothing is appropriate, but more elegant clothing is expected in some restaurants. In the evening men should wear long trousers in restaurants and clubs. Jackets and ties must be worn in the casino. Tips are not expected.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Warm, subtropical climate, tempered by trade winds. Main rainy season between January and March. Cooler temperatures April to August, warm September to March.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +687 Area (km2) 18,575 Population 271,615 Population density (per km2) 15 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 15
