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Portugal Practical Information |
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 Currency: The escudo, Portugal monetary unit, is divided into 100 centavos. The Euro, the new European Monetary Union currency, will gradually replace the escudo. Starting January 1st, 2002, Euro bank notes and coins will be issued to complete transactions. On a hotel or restaurant bill, the number of escudos appears to the left of the dollar sign and the centavos to the right, so that 20$50, translates to 20 escudos and 50 centavos. There are about 187 escudos to the US dollar, but check the latest exchange rates before your clients depart. Traveler's checks and Eurocheques are widely accepted, as are most credit cards, including American Express, Diner's Club, Eurocard, MasterCard and Visa. Many automated teller machines are tied to international networks, such as Cirrus and Plus.
LANGUAGE: Portuguese is the mother language in Portugal and it is spoken by nearly 190 million of people worldwide Although, Portuguese resembles Spanish, English and French are the two most widely spoken foreign languages.
While local residents genuinely appreciate any attempt by visitors to speak Portuguese, about half of the Portuguese population has a working knowledge of English.
CUSTOMS: Residents or non-residents who leave or enter Portugal territory are free to take with them national and foreign currency in coins and notes, travelers cheques and other securities intended to pay for the travel expenses, but are obligated to inform the customs authorities if the values involved exceed 2.5 million escudos (approximately US$13,000.00).
Travelers over 17 years old, may bring in the following items, duty free: 2 bottles of table wine, 1 bottle of hard liquor, 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, 1.75 ounces of perfume and small quantities of tea or coffee for personal use. Bringing fresh meat into Portugal is forbidden. For further information, contact the Embassy services or the Portuguese Consulates.
TIME: Continental Portugal and Madeira Island are on the Greenwich time - five hours ahead of Eastern Time & eight ahead of Pacific Time. The Azores Islands are 1 hour behind the Portuguese mainland. Daylight savings time begins the last Sunday in March (clocks are turned one hour ahead) and ends the last Sunday in October (clocks go back one hour).
ELECTRICITY: The electrical current in Portugal is 220 volts, 50 cycle AC, and outlets are two round prongs. As an advice, pack a converter and an adapter.
CLIMATE: Mild year round. Summers are dry and clear, with warm sunshine extending long into Autumn. Winters are moderately cool and are the rainiest time of year, except in subtropical Madeira, where there is little rain. Mid-Summer temperatures range in the 70 F, while Winter temperatures range from the low to mid-50s.
DRIVING: In Portugal all road traffic drives on the right. At the main squares, crossings and junctions, vehicles approaching from the right have the right of way, unless otherwise indicated on signposts. At crossings with roundabouts, the vehicles already on the roundabout have priority. All traffic signs are in accordance with international standards.
Drivers Documents: Legal ID, valid national or international driving license, both with photographs, car registration documents or equivalent, proof of ownership of the vehicle or equivalent and insurance certificate. In the case of a hire car, the driver should also bear the hire contract. Violations are punished with an on-the-spot fine payable in cash.
Seatbelts: The use of seatbelts is compulsory for both the front and rear seats, except for vehicles not originally fitted with rear seat belts. Any infringement is punishable with a heavy fine.
Alcohol Levels For Drivers: It is against the law to drive under the influence of alcohol, i.e. a blood alcohol level of 0.5 grams/liter or more. All those violating this regulation are punishable with a heavy fine, confiscation or suspension of their driving license and/or prison, according to the degree of blood alcohol shown.
Breaking the Highway Code: In cases of breaking the Highway Code and if the person responsible is not resident in Portugal, an on-the-spot fine in cash and in escudos must be paid, or an amount equal to the maximum fine for the violation must be deposited.
Speed Limits: In addition to any speed limits indicated by the signs, drivers of cars and motorcycles are subject to the following speed limits: 50 km/hour (31 mph) on towns and villages, and 90 km/hour (55 mph) and/or 120 km/hour (75 mph) on main roads or motorways. |
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| Full Service Portugal Practical Info Vacation, Tour and Cruise Planner |
| Click here to start planning a great Europe vacation, tour or cruise with our Virtuoso Travel Advisors. You may call us too, but we'd really appreciate it if you complete a vacation planner first so we can determine which destination specialist to introduce you to.Thank you very much! Call 1 800 330 8820 or 415 446 5252 to book your Portugal Practical Info vacation. | |
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During this time of price volatility in the Portugal Practical Info vacations, travel, tour and cruise industry, please be advised the pricing can fluctuate within the same day. All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked.
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