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Bahrain travel guide - Bahrain
holidays, flights & hotels.
Top destination guides for Bahrain holidays;
Bahrain Holidays, Bahrain Holiday Packages Overview
Flanked on each side by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain is an archipelago located in the Persian Gulf. The country is known for its social liberalism when compared to the other countries in the region. It is a popular with tourists because of its authentic Arab feel and lack of strict Islamic rules. The culture in Bahrain is fairly relaxed. It is also a shopping and social mecca with a cosmopolitan feel, making it increasingly popular with visitors. Bahrain combines the legacy of more than 5000 years with modern culture. It is home to many forts like the World Heritage Site of Qalat Al Bahrain. The island also has a number of excellent museums that attract a lot of attention from visitors. The Bahrain National Museum houses artefacts spanning over 9,000 years to showcase the history of the country. Beit Al Quran is another excellent museum showcasing the Quran's Islamic artefacts. Bahrain offers a rich selection of historical attractions like the Al Khamis Mosque, one of the oldest in the region and Barbar Temple, an ancient temple dating back to the Dilmunite Period. The Saar Temple, A'ali Burial Molunts and Arad Fort of Muharraq are equally impressive. The Sakhir desert in Bahrain is home to the 400 year old Tree of Life. Horse riding, scuba diving and bird watching are popular activities. Manama offers a diverse selection of shopping malls like the Seef Mall and Bahrain City Centre along with traditional markets like the Gold Souq and Manama Souq that attract thousands.
Tourist Offices - Bahrain Tourist Office, Manama: +973 715
713 or www.bahraintourism.com
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Entry Requirements
All persons who wish to enter Bahrain need
a visa except citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Kuwait,
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates). Visas are
relatively easy to obtain on arrival and are extendable. All
visitors also require a passport valid for at least six months, and
tickets or documentation for return or onward
travel.
- For Australians -
Australians need a passport and an eVisa, obtainable
via the Internet (www.evisa.gov.bh)
prior to their visit, or a 14-day tourist or business visa
obtainable on arrival.
- New Zealanders require a passport and an eVisa,
obtainable via the Internet (www.evisa.gov.bh) prior to
their visit, or a 14-day tourist or business visa obtainable on
arrival.
- US citizens require a passport and a visa or
electronic visa to enter Bahrain. Single entry Electronic Visas may
be obtained on the Internet (www.evisa.gov.bh)
before travel, or a 14-day tourist or business visa can be obtained
on arrival.
- US citizens require a passport and a visa or
electronic visa to enter Bahrain. Single entry Electronic Visas may
be obtained on the Internet (www.evisa.gov.bh)
before travel, or a 14-day tourist or business visa can be obtained
on arrival.
- British nationals require a passport and an eVisa,
obtainable via the Internet (www.evisa.gov.bh) prior to
their visit, or a three-month tourist or business visa obtainable
on arrival.
Bahrain Holidays - Currency of Bahrain
The official currency is the Bahraini Dinar (BHD),
divided into 1,000 fils. Notes come in denominations of 500 fils,
and 1, 5, 10 and 20 dinars. The BD is linked to the US Dollar at a
rate of US$1=BD 0.375. Money can be exchanged at the airport,
bureaux de change (which usually offer the best rates), commercial
banks in Manama or at moneychangers operating in the souq. ATMs are
available in the larger towns. Credit cards and travellers cheques
are widely accepted at hotels and the larger retail stores, but
smaller shops generally prefer cash. It is easiest to carry
travellers cheques in US dollars to avoid additional charges. Most
offices, businesses and government departments are closed on
fridays as it is a weekly holiday. Banks are usually open
7.30am-12pm and 3.30pm-5.30pm, Saturday to Wednesday, and
7.30am-11am Thursdays.
Bahrain
Telephone Access Codes and Communications
The international direct dialling code for
Bahrain is 973, and the outgoing code 00. There are no city or area
codes. Public phone booths are easily located, some accepting
freely available phone cards and some coins. The country is covered
by a GSM 900 and 1800 mobile phone network. There are several
Internet service providers and Internet is available at most of the
larger hotels in Manama.
Bahrain
Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Travellers to Bahrain over 18 years do not have
to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g tobacco (in open
packets); perfume up to 237ml; 1 litre alcoholic liquor and 6 cans
of beer for non-Muslim passengers only; and gifts to the value of
BD250. Arms and ammunition, methylated spirits, drugs and jewellery
require an Import Permit.
Bahrain
Holidays & Packages- Tipping Information
If service charge is not added to the bill,
waiters and taxi drivers expect a 10% tip. Porters will be happy
with about 100 fils per item of baggage.
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