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New Caledonia Practical information New Caledonia

 
 
Area : 7172  sq.mi - Population 245580 hab.
New Caledonia

Our expert New Caledonia

map

map New Caledonia

Weather

  • Noumea  24°C 24°C 24°C 24°C

Practical information New Caledonia

superficie

Area

7172  sq.mi
vol

Flights

At least 25 hours with two connections. Nouméa is 10,286 mi away from London.
decallage horaire

Jet Lag

population

Population

245580 hab.
aeroports proche

Airports

Tontouta international airport is located 28 miles north-east of Nouméa. Avoid taking a taxi, they are very expensive (roughly £75). Opt for a shuttle transfer instead (roughly £22) or a city bus (roughly £4).
securite

Security

In Nouméa, avoid walking in desolate districts at night time and leave your valuables with the hotel management. Respect the Kanaks by asking them the authorization to cross their territory and do not overlook a negative answer. If you are diving, do not tease the yellow-lipped sea kraits (black and white sea snakes): their bite can be lethal but they only attack if provoked. As far as the interior of the island is concerned, do not forget to ask for the land owner's authorization to enter private property (or the tribe chief when coming onto a tribe's territory).
langue

Languages

French is the official language. Approximately 30 Melanesian dialects, regrouped as 19 languages, are also spoken by the New Caledonians.
formalites

Requirements

For European citizens, an identity card is enough but a valid passport is preferable due to stopovers.
religion

Religion

Catholicism represents 59% of the population, whereas Protestantism accounts for 38% and Islam for 3%.
monnaie

Currency

The currency is the Pacific franc (CFP), which is fixed to a set rate against the Euro: 100 CFP = £0.75 Sterling or £1 Sterling = 133.70 CFP. The most widely accepted credit cards are Visa and American Express, and these can also be used to withdraw money (primarily in Nouméa). Bring traveller's cheques in Pounds, too, as these will be easy to cash in banks. However, make sure that you have enough cash in CFP francs so you will not be court short on Pine Island and on the Loyalty Islands. Banks are open during the week from 7:30am to 15:45pm.
transports

Local transportation

For inter-island travel, opt for flying. Leaving from Nouméa, Air Calédonie has a regular air service to the Isle of Pines and the Loyalty Islands. On Grande Terre, there are many buses allowing you to get around at low cost. To rent a car, all you need is a national driver's licence. The speed is limited to 70 mph outside built up areas. It is also possible to rent a car on the Isle of Pines and the Loyalty Islands. Around 75% of the roads are tarmacked, but not necessarily in good condition; beware of the numerous pot holes formed by the rain.
sante

Health

No vaccine is required, but be sure to be up to date with the usual vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, polio). During the rainy season (from December to March), protect yourself against mosquitoes to avoid catching dengue fever (a type of strong fever), since mosquitoes can pass on the disease.
electricite

Electricity

Voltage of 220 V. Bring an adaptor.
frequentation

Flood of tourists

New Caledonia welcomed 101,000 visitors in 2005.
taxe

Taxes and tips

Almost all services are subject to a global tax of 4% on services. Tipping is not common practice in New Caledonia.
telephone

Telephone

To call New Caledonia form the UK, dial 00 687 + number you are trying to reach.
From New Caledonia to the UK dial 00 + 44 + number without the initial 0.