Tuvalu Travel Guide
GENERAL
Official name of the state
Republic of Tuvalu.
Capital
Vaiaku (Funafuti).
Geography
As a country located in Oceania listed on ethnicityology, Tuvalu (formerly Ellice Islands) is an archipelago of nine small atolls in the Pacific Ocean and extends about 560 km from north to south. The closest neighbors are Fiji (south), Kiribati (north) and the Solomon Islands (west). The main island of Funafuti is also the capital and is located 1920 km north of Suva (Fiji). The Funafuti atoll, on which half of Tuvalu’s population lives, is only 3 meters above sea level. A possible rise in sea levels is therefore of great concern to the people of Tuvalu.
Government
Parliamentary monarchy (in the Commonwealth) since 1978. Constitution of 1978. Unicameral parliament with 15 members. General parliamentary elections take place every four years, and the prime minister and cabinet are chosen from among the members of parliament. Independent since 1978 (former British protectorate).
Head of state
Queen Elizabeth II, represented by the Governor General Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli, since April 2010.
Head of government
Enele Sopoaga, since August 2013.
Electricity
240 V, 60 Hz; only on Funafuti. Adapter recommended.
Time zone
Tuvalu Time: CET +13
TRAVEL WARNING
Country-specific safety information
There is currently no country-specific security notice for Tuvalu.
Worldwide safety notice Please also note the external link, opens in new window, worldwide safety notice.
General travel information
There is no German embassy in Tuvalu. The German embassy in Wellington / New Zealand is responsible.
All Germans who travel to Tuvalu or who live there temporarily or permanently can be included in a crisis prevention list on a voluntary basis. The embassy advises making use of this option so that – if necessary – it can contact Germans quickly in crisis and other exceptional situations. Admission to the crisis prevention list is password-protected online via the external link, opens in a new window the embassy website.
Germans who have registered on the crisis prevention list, which was previously kept manually, are asked to enter their data again via the Internet.
Street address: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Wellington 90-92 Hobson Street Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Postal address: PO Box 1687 Wellington 6140, New Zealand Tel.: +64 4 47 36 063 Fax: +64 4 47 36 069 Internet: External link, opens in new window www.wellington.diplo.de/ Email: [email protected]. de
Tuvalu does not have a diplomatic mission in the Federal Republic of Germany. Inquiries can be directed to the Tuvaluan Honorary Consul in Hamburg:
Address: Honorary Consul of Tuvalu Mr. Uwe Casper Ohlendorfer Str. 39a 21220 Seevetal Tel.: +49 4185 70702999 Fax: +49 4185 7070298 E-Mail: [email protected]
Money / Credit Cards The currency in Tuvalu is the Australian dollar. There is also a Tuvaluan dollar (coins only).
There are no ways to withdraw money from ATMs in Tuvalu. Payment by credit card is also not possible. Travelers should therefore ensure that they have enough cash with them for the duration of their stay. Traveller’s checks are also accepted. Overseas payments of more than 2,000 Australian dollars require foreign exchange approval.
Tourism Further travel information can be found on the government’s official tourism website at External link, opens in new window www.timelesstuvalu.com.
Natural disasters From the beginning of November to the end of April, strong winds can be expected in the South Pacific, including Tuvalu, some of which can reach cyclone strength. Travelers are advised to find out about the current situation on site before starting their journey.
MONEY
Currency
Australian and Tuvaluan currencies are legal tender, and amounts over 1 dollar are always paid in Australian dollars.
1 Australian dollar = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: A $, AUD (ISO code). There are banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 AS, coins in denominations of 2 and 1 A $ as well as 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.
Tuvaluan dollar = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: TW $. Coins are in circulation to the value of 1 TV $, as well as 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.
Credit cards
Generally not accepted. In the National Bank of Tuvalu it is occasionally possible to withdraw money with Visa or MasterCard at the bank counter. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
There are no ATMs.
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.
Bank opening times
Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Fri 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
No restrictions on the import and export of local and foreign currencies. There is an obligation to declare from an amount equivalent to A $ 2,000.
Currency Exchange
It is recommended that you bring Australian dollars in cash.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is Tuvaluan (a Polynesian language), as well as English.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles can be imported into Tuvalu duty-free:
200 cigarettes (people over 18 years);
1 l spirits or wine (people over 18 years).
Note: The following articles can also be imported duty-free, but must be declared upon entry:
1 binoculars,
1 video camera,
1 film camera with 200 m film,
1 camera with 6 rolls of film,
1 MP3 player,
1 portable radio,
1 laptop / typewriter,
Sports equipment for personal use.
Prohibited imports
Pornographic products, pure alcohol, drugs and intoxicants, weapons and ammunition, animals. Obligation to declare plants and animal products (these are subject to quarantine regulations).
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Business is formal, punctuality is a matter of course.
Business hours: Mon-Thu 7.30 a.m.-4.15 p.m., Fri 7.30 a.m.-12.45 p.m.
Economy
Tuvalu Co-operative Society Ltd
PO Box 11, Funafuti
Tel: 2 07 47.
Business contacts
Tuvalu Co-operative Society Ltd
PO Box 11, Funafuti
Tel: 2 07 47.
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service.
Internet
Main provider: Tuvalu.TV (Internet: www.tuvalu.tv).
Post Office
Airmail shipments to Europe are on the way for 5-10 days. U. longer. Mail traffic is sometimes unreliable.
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
Hats, mats, necklaces and traditional wooden boxes with lids (tulumas). Shop opening times: Mon-Sat 6 a.m.-11.59 p.m.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Every 14 days there is a disco evening at the Vaiaku Lagi Hotel. Dance performances with local artists can be organized, the fees are not very high.
CULINARY
CULTURE
Religion
Protestants (98%).
Social rules of conduct
When entering a church, a village meeting house (Manepa) or a private house, one should take off one’s shoes. If visitors are invited to a feast, certain rules of conduct must be observed. It is considered impolite to speak a foreign language in the presence of someone who does not understand that language. Therefore, an obvious move by the host to have a private conversation should be interpreted as a polite gesture. Alcohol consumption is only permitted in pubs with a license. Casual clothing is acceptable, but women should avoid mini skirts and bikinis. Nudism and “topless” are not allowed. Tipping is not common.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Hot and humid climate. Hardly any temperature fluctuations between the seasons. From March to October it is a little cooler and more pleasant, the rainy season lasts from November to February.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +688 Area (square km) 26 Population 10,869 Population density (per square km) 418 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 911
