Portugal's new economic prosperity is rapidly changing the land from a sleepy country on the Iberian Peninsula to one that is taking a quantum leap into its future. Today there's a wonderful new energy in Portugal, plus trendy eateries, exciting new nightspots, bold museum exhibits and smart shops. If you havenât been to Portugal lately, the time to go is now.
But the Portugal of yesteryear with a culture of rich traditions, an illustrious past and people with a warm and friendly welcome will never fade. Nor will the clear blue skies and sparkling ocean, soothing beachside resorts, magical towns and villages, or the fabulous fiestas and regional menus and wines.
Under the influence of Prince Henry the Navigator in the 15th century, Portugal explored the world making it one of the wealthiest countries in the West. Today much of this past grandeur can be seeing the many buildings in old Lisbon. Once known as Lusitania during the Roman rule of Julius Caesar, Portugal has grown and developed over the centuries under the influence of the Moors and Spain as well as its own internal challenges. Today it is a country with a rich cultural heritage that invites the traveler to explore the old and the new.
Portugal is an enchanting European destination and easy to maneuver from the thriving capital city of Lisbon to the glorious southern Algarve Coast to the spectacular Madeira Island. And considering the country's ideal driving size, hiring a Budget Rent-a-Car from conveniently located agencies is one of the easiest and prettiest ways to explore.
Occupying the western Iberian peninsula in southwest Europe, the Republic of Portugal borders on the Atlantic Ocean, with Spain to the north and to the east. One of the smallest European states, mainland Portugal measures approximately 88,940 km² (34,340 miles²). The capital is Lisbon, which is situated on the coast. The official language is Portuguese but in the larger cities such as Lisbon and Porto, it is easy to find Englishspeaking Portuguese. The same does not apply to the more remote areas.
Portugal is a land of natural grandeur and colour, with a sweeping coastline and a green, mountainous interior. It is divided into two different geographical regions; the northern region is mountainous with a rainy, fairly cool climate while the southern region is drier and warmer with rolling plains. Portugal is a country of diversity, offering a wide range of activities for visitors. It has beautiful beaches and historic towns; typical Portuguese architecture can still be found alongside the more modern architecture which has sprung up due to the recent economic growth. Portugal lends itself to a whole range of outdoor activities: tennis, golf, water sports, hiking, horse riding, and, during winter, skiing in the northern mountains.
Time
Portugal's time is Greenwich Mean Time, making it one hour behind Central European Time, five hours ahead of USA Eastern Standard Time and ten hours behind Australian Eastern Time. There are no different time zones within Portugal. Portugal no longer applies seasonal time changes.
Tourist Offices
Direcao General do Turisme (DGT) is the national tourist board. There are tourist information offices in virtually every city. Identified by the sign 'Turismo', these offices provide visitors with free maps which usually include brief descriptions of sights as well as lists of useful telephone numbers. The Turismos usually keep a list of approved accommodations and can direct you to a quarto, which is a private house which offers lodging. Finding an Englishspeaker at these offices should be no problem. The main tourist information in Portugal is situated in Lisbon at:
Palacio Faz
Praca dos Restauradores
(near Restauradores metro station)
Tel. 351-346-3314
Airport Tourist Office
Tel. 351-849-3689
Amoreiras shopping centre
Tel. 351-657-486
Visas & Passports
Nationals of EU countries are allowed to stay in Portugal for up to 90 days, and need only their national identity cards or, in the case of UK citizens, their passports, to enter the country. Nationals of New Zealand and Australia who hold valid passports can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. Nationals of the USA and Canada can stay for up to 60 days without a visa.
There are a number of foreign embassies and consulates in Portugal. The embassies have a solely diplomatic function. If a visitor is seriously ill or in trouble, they should contact the relevant consulate for legal advice and medical referrals. The embassies are found in Lisbon and the consulates are found in other major cities. Portugal also has a number of embassies in foreign countries.
Customs
There is no limit on the amount of currency that a visitor can bring into Portugal. In order to export more than PTE 100,000.00 in local currency or PTE 1,000,000.00 in foreign currency, proof must be presented that at least that amount of money was brought in by the visitor.
The dutyfree allowance for nonEU travellers is 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos; one litre of alcoholic drinks not over 22% volume; two litres of still table wine; 50 grams of perfume and 0.25 litres of toilet water. The dutyfree allowance for EU travellers is 300 cigarettes or 400 grams of tobacco or 75 cigars or 150 cigarillos; 1.5 litres of alcoholic drinks over 22% volume or 3 litres of alcoholic drinks not over 22% volume; 5 litres of still table wine; 75 grams of perfume and 0.375 litres of toilet water.
Any goods originating in the EU, and which are contained in your personal luggage qualify as dutyfree items.
Money
The unit of currency in Portugal is the escudo, which is further divided into 100 centavos. Prices are written with a $ sign between escudos and centavos. For example ESP 25$50 stands for 25 escudos and 50 centavos. There are ESP 10,000$00, 5,000$00, 2,000$00, 1,000$00 and 500$00 notes and ESP 200$00, 100$00, 50$00, 20$00, 10$00, 5$00, 2$50 and 1$00 coins in circulation at present. ESP 1,000$00 is referred to as a conto.
Peak Seasons
Peak season in Portugal extends from June to September. The season in the Algarve is from late February to November.
Post & Telecommunications
The time period for mail to reach a European destination is approximately four to six days while delivery to Australia or the USA is approximately 8 to 10 days. Postage for letters and postcards up to 20 grams costs about ESP 130$00 if sent to nonEuropean destinations, approximately ESP 90$00 if sent to nonEU destinations and ESP 70$00 if sent to EU destinations.
Standard pay phones accept coins only up to ESP 50$00, making them impractical for international calls. Local calls carry a minimum charge of ESP 20$00. More useful are the Credifones, which accept plastic cards available from newsagents, tobacconists and telephone offices. These cards are available in ESP 750$00 or ESP 1,725$00 denominations. International calls cost approximately ESP 300$00 per minute to Europe, and ESP 600$00 per minute to the USA and Australia during peak times.
Unit charges from private phones are approximately a third cheaper than public phones while calls from hotel rooms are almost double the standard rate. On the whole, it is cheaper to phone between 20:00 and 08:00, and over weekends. To call Portugal, dial the international access code 351, the area code and then the number. From Portugal, the international access code is 00.
There is a domestic and international fax service, CORFAX, which is available at post offices.
Electricity
The standard current is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz, and plugs are generally of the two pin round type, thus you may need an adapter plug and a voltage converter that fits the standardised plug outlets.
Disabled Travellers
Air Portugal, British Airways and the Portuguese Railway provide facilities for disabled travellers. Most large towns have reserved parking for disabled drivers, and these can be used by foreigners if their cars are suitably marked. Tourist buses and specially adapted cars are available for hire, and wheelchairs can be hired in most cities. The Portuguese Handicapped Person's Association is situated in Largo do Rato, Lisbon (tel. 351-1-606936).
Budget Travel
Tourist offices have lists of all the recognised youth hostels, hotels, pensions, pousadas (luxurious establishments run by the state) and camping grounds. Portugal has approximately 22 hostels. The Portuguese Hostelling International affiliate runs the country's HI hostels. Their address is:
APPJ
Rua Andrade Corvo 46
1000
Lisbon
Tel. 351-1-539725
History
Early History
Due to Portugal's pleasant climate, plentiful game and fish from the coast and rivers, this part of the Iberian peninsula supported a flourishing population in prehistoric times. Very few traces of this culture remain. Portugal was colonised by a whole range of civilisations, the first one being the Celts who settled the Iberian Peninsula around 700 BC. After the Celts, the Phoenicians traded from the site of presentday Lisbon and the Carthaginians and Greeks set up trading posts along the southern coastline. After the Second Punic War (218 to 202 BC) when the Iberian peninsula was annexed by the Romans, the region came under a kind of unified control for the first time. Despite the subsequent colonisation of much of the country and the building of roads, aqueducts and elegant bridges, very few remnants of the Roman period can be seen in modern Portugal. The main Roman contribution was the system of vast agricultural estates established in the Alentejo and the introduction of new crops that were to become the mainstays of the Portuguese economy, namely wheat, barley, olives and grapes.
The Moors
During the 8th century, the Moors crossed the Straits of Gibraltar and invaded the Iberian Peninsula. This invasion had a lasting effect on the country, as the Moors introduced their culture, architecture and agricultural techniques to Portugal. In the South of Portugal, place names and people's features still act as reminders of these times. Moorish rule lasted until the 12th century, when Christian forces moved south and overran the Moorish towns and castles. The leader of the Christian forces, Afonso Henriques, was now called the first king of all Portugal. Numerous cathedrals were built to commemorate their victories over the Moors. By the mid 13th century, the Christian conquest was complete, and fledgling kingdoms of Portugal extended to its current borders.
The Age of Discovery, and Napoleon
Once the kingdom of Portugal was established, the Portuguese kings turned their attention to maritime adventures that would provide them with great colonial wealth. Prince Henry the Navigator started a famous school of navigation and launched the Age of Discovery. These adventurers led expeditions into Africa looking for wealth and glory, as well as a mysterious messianic figure named Prester John, the ruler of a Christian paradise. Bartolomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1487, and in 1498, Vasco da Gama reached Calcutta. Portugal established numerous colonies along the East African and Indian coasts and Pedro Alvares Cabral sailed to Brazil. The Portuguese Empire had spread over four continents by the mid 16th century. The wealth of the empire was boundless and Portugal was at the height of its influence, but the glory was not to last and the country became debtridden. Portugal then came under Spanish rule, a situation which was to last for a period of 60 years. By 1640, the Portuguese took back the throne when a member of the House of Braganca was instated. Joao IV was, however, merely an enlightened despot who squandered money on massive, flamboyant architectural projects. Later on in 1807 when Napoleon's army invaded Portugal, the royal family fled to Brazil and only returned when the French were driven out in 1821. As the empire disintegrated with Brazil's declaration of independence, and with incourt fighting, the Portuguese monarchy was doomed.
Recent History
By 1910 the monarchy was abolished and a republic was founded. In 1926 the democratic phase was ended by a military coup which introduced the dictatorship of Antonio de Oliveira Sabazar, which lasted until 1968. General dissatisfaction led to a peaceful military coup in April 1974. During the 1970s and 80s, Portugal's political scene experienced extreme swings between right and left and the economy suffered due to strikes and land ownership disputes. Entry into the EU in 1986 secured a measure of stability, which has been helped along by the acceptance of Portugal as a full member of the European Monetary System in 1992.
Economy
Portugal's economy is supported mainly by agriculture. Two out of five of the Portuguese people earn their living from farming. The chief farming region is the central highland where wine grapes are produced. In southern Portugal oranges, lemons, tangerines, figs and almonds are produced. Olives are grown through out the country and rice is grown on the Tagus River. Cattle, sheep and hogs are also kept. One of Portugal's most important products is the cork oak; Portugal provides more than half the world's cork.
Fishing is another mainstay of the Portuguese economy, with sardines and tuna being the main catches. Fisherman also bring in cod from the sea off the Canadian coast. Portugal's most important mineral product is wolframite, found in the northeastern parts of the country. Other products include coal, pyrites, lead, copper and kaolin. The main manufacturing industries involve wine making and sardine packing, while secondary industries include textile mills and tobacco factories. Olive oil, flour and tiles are also produced. The Portuguese people are skilled lace makers and potters. The increase and expansion of Portugal's tourism industry means that it now contributes more to the economy than ever before. EU membership provides vital funding for Portugal and has helped to improve the country's infrastructure.
Population
Portugal is home to approximately 9,858,600 people, and has an average population density of 106.7 people per km². Lisbon's population stands at approximately 2,048,200 people.
Government
Portugal's government consists of a Westernstyle democracy based on the Assembleiada Republica, a singlechamber parliament with an elected president and 230 members. There are two main political parties, namely the ruling rightofcentre Social Democratic Party (PSD), and the opposition Socialist Party (PS). There are a number of other parties, including the United Democratic Coalition (CDU) which links the Greens with the Communist Party. Because of the connection, members of the Greens are referred to as 'watermelons': green on the outside and red on the inside.
Despite its turbulent past (which included many changes in government and a number of coups), Portugal is a stable country which is keen to take advantage of the development opportunities offered by being part of the European Community. The main problems faced by the government include a marked difference in economic development between the north and south of the country, high illiteracy and infant mortality rates, inflation, and the need to improve the efficiency of the agricultural system.
Language
Portuguese is the official language of Portugal. Like French, Italian, Spanish and Romanian, Portuguese is a romance language derived from Latin. It is spoken by 10 million people in Portugal as well as millions of others in Brazil and the African nations that once formed part of the Portuguese Empire. Portuguese is now the seventh most spoken language in the world. In the larger cities, almost half of the people a visitor will come into contact with will be able to speak some English, but in the more remote areas, few of the local people speak any foreign languages. Any attempt by visitors to speak Portuguese will be well received, and appreciated.
Religion
Although freedom of worship is permitted in Portugal, 99% of the population is Roman Catholic. The Church and government have been separate since 1910 but the government is Roman Catholic in its sympathies. The Protestant community numbers less than 120,000. The number of Jewish people living in Portugal is even smaller.
Art & Culture
Music
Fado is the bestknown form of Portuguese music, said to have originated in the yearnings of 16thcentury sailors. True fado is a melancholy expression of enigmatic Portuguese emotion that cannot really be translated; most of what is offered in tourist shows is far from authentic.
Theatre
Portuguese plays are performed at Lisbon's principal theatre, Teatro Nacional de Dona Maria II. Performances are given from August to June and foreignlanguage productions are staged from time to time.
Art
The Age of Discovery promoted cultural exchange with the rest of Renaissance Europe and several artists left their mark on Portuguese art. The effect of the Baroque era can be seen in the intricacy of Portuguese woodwork. The 19thcentury artist Domingos Antonio de Sequeira's technique would later inspire French Impressionists. More recently, Maria Helena Vieira da Silva has won recognition for her abstract paintings, while Carlos Botelho is wellknown for his renditions of Lisbon's street life.
Museums
There are numerous museums in Portugal, each relating to the specific area, its history and people.
Architecture
Portugal is a treasuretrove of historical and modern architecture. The Moorish influence can be observed in many of the churches and castles. The Manueline, synonymous with modern Portuguese architecture, is a hybrid of Islamic and Gothic heritage. More recent architecture by Alvaro Siza blends Portguese traditions with modernism's functionality.
Food & Drink
Large portions and excellent value for money are to be expected in a country where eating and drinking receive such serious attention. Lunch is a very leisurely affair, and lasts between noon and 15:00, while evening meals are normally eaten between 19:00 and 10:30.
The seafood in Portugal is excellent, especially the fish such as sole, tuna and cod. Also worth trying is the ham from the Chaves region and lamb from Alentejo. Portugal has a range of desserts and cakes. Coffee is very popular and is served either as a black espresso, or with lots of milk. Beer is very popular and local brands include Sagres, Super Bock and Tuborg. Wine comes in three forms, red, white and sparkling, and is excellent. Port is produced near Porto and also comes in three forms: ruby, tawny and white.
Entertainment
Cinemas are fairly cheap and most offer reduced prices at least once a week. Foreign films are shown in the original language, with Portuguese subtitles.
Sport
Portugal offers a wide range of sports and sporting facilities. Most hotels and resorts have clay tennis courts. Sailing, boating, windsurfing and other water sports are very popular along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Yachting and sailing facilities are found at Cascais Yacht club, the marinas in Lisbon and at the expanding Vilamoura Marina in the Algarve. Portugal's rivers, streams and coastline make the country a fisherman's dream. Golf can be practised all year round and the courses in Lisbon and the Algarve are said to be the best on the Continent. Portugal also offers hiking, and horse riding along sandy beaches, along mountain trails and through small villages.
Soccer, otherwise known as football, is Portugal's most popular sport. It dominates the sporting scene; everything stops so that a big match can be watched. The football season lasts from August until May and every village and town tries to find enough players to make up their own team. The main teams are Lisbon's Benfica and Sporting and Porto's FC Porto.
The bullfighting season lasts from late April to October. Although the rules do not allow for a public kill, the bulls often have to be killed after a fight. Ribatejo is the main bull breeding region, and major fights are staged in Ribatejo Vila Franca da Xira and Santarem.
Shopping
Portugal offers a whole range of goods which are well made and offer fairly good value for money. Woven baskets, beautiful handembroidered table linens and blouses are sold at markets and in gift shops. Traditional embroidered silk bedspreads are made in Castelo Branco and excellent, handmade lace can be bought near Porto. Handicrafts range from inexpensive pottery to more substantial purchases like Arraiolos rugs, filigree gold or silver jewellery and leather goods such as shoes and bags. Alantejo's cork is made into picture frames, lidded buckets and a whole range of other goods.
Shows & Festivals
It is said that for every day of the year in Portugal, there is a different market day or festival.
- Holy Week Festival, celebrated in Braga during Easter, involves a series of colourful processions.
- Festival of the Crosses (Festas das Cruzes) is held in Barcelos during May, and is noted for its processions, folk art performances and regional handicraft exhibitions.
- The Feira Nacional da Agriculture (National Agricultural Fair) is held in Santarem in June. This grand country fair features bullfighting, dancing and folk singing.
- Festa do Santo Antonio (Festival of Saint Anthony), a street festival, is held in Lisbon.
- Festas de Sao Joao (St John's Festival) is held from 16 to 24 June in Porto. It features all the town folk bashing each other over the head with leeks or plastic hammers.
- Festas da Nossa Senhora da Agonia (Agonia Fair and Festival) is held on the first Sunday after 15 August and is known for its folk art, parades, fireworks and handicraft fair.
- Feira de Sao Martinho (National Horse Festival) takes place between 3 and 11 November and features all kinds of horses, riding contests and bullfights.
Parks & Reserves
There are a number of parks and reserves in Portugal but the main and most attractive one is the PenedaGeres National Park in the far north of the country. It offers breathtaking scenery and a wide range of flora and fauna, and is a popular destination for Portuguese day trippers and holiday makers. The locals normally stay close to the main camping spots, leaving the rest of the park to hikers. The park has a number of short trails dotted with swimming holes, and horse riding facilities and canoes are available.
Climate
The Portuguese climate is temperate. It is extremely hot only in midsummer in the Algarve and Alentejo, but is very pleasant along the coast, where an evening breeze cools the temperature down. The tourist season begins in spring (late February) and continues throughout the autumn (November). In the Algarve, springtime begins in February with a beautiful display of wild flowers. During September and October, Indian summer occurs and this ensures that the sun still shines warmly in November. During winter the temperatures are mild and it rains frequently, especially in the north. The only area which does not receive a lot of rain is Madeira, where the winter season is always very popular.
The average daily minimum and maximum temperatures for Lisbon during January are 6 °C and 14 °C (43 °F and 57 °F). During July, the average minimum temperature is 17 °C (63 °F), while the average maximum is 27 °C (81 °F). The average yearly rainfall for Portugal is between 510 mm (20 inches) and 1,000 mm (39 inches). In Lisbon, the number of days during which precipitation can be recorded averages 15 in January and two in July. In Porto, the average is 18 days in January and five in July. Snowfall does occur in the mountains, particularly Serra da Estrela which has basic ski facilities. The tourist season in the north of Portugal lasts from May until September.
Geography
Measuring approximately 88,940 km² (34,340 miles²), Portugal occupies the southwest part of the Iberian Peninsula. To the north and to the east it borders on Spain, while to the south and to the west, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. Northern Portugal is mountainous, with the highest point being the Serra da Estrela. The vast plains of the Alentejo region lie south of Lisbon. A mountain range divides the Alentejo from the Algarve, which runs along the south coast.
Health
There is very little to worry about in Portugal on the health side. Some beaches are not marked as safe and it is best to avoid swimming there as Atlantic currents are notoriously dangerous. The usual precautions apply; use sun block and sun screen and wear a hat to guard against sunburn and sunstroke. EU nationals should apply for an EIII or similar form a few weeks before departure as this allows for free emergency medical treatment in Portugal. Travel insurance is a good backup considering the rather small investment required. The local chemists or farmacia can provide solutions for minor health problems. For more serious problems, the local tourist office can direct you to the closest hospital with an Englishspeaking doctor. The allpurpose emergency telephone number is 115.
Safety
Portuguese crime against visitors usually involves pickpocketing, theft from cars or pilfering from camping grounds. These crimes normally occur in areas with a high tourist density, such as the Algarve, Lisbon and other major cities. Using a money belt and not leaving valuables in cars or tents should ensure that visitors have little cause for concern. The allpurpose national emergency number is 115. For more routine police matters and for direct fire brigade access, each town or district has its own emergency numbers.
When the damp, cold, dull weather of London gets you down, it’s nice to know there's an airport or two close by. The hardest part is trying to decide on a destination … Portugal looks nice. And now is the best time to go (well, from the end of January when the almond trees begin blooming until the end of October when summer finishes).
Special flight deals to the home of Christopher Columbus are a good buy at the moment. Of course they’re subject to various restrictions, such as you must return within 10 or 14 days, but is that so bad? Two weeks enjoying the sun, sea and culture in a country with some of the cheapest prices in Europe.
My flight took me to Faro, in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. From there it was an easy bus ride to any of the popular coastal towns. Behind the tourist office counter at Faro airport was a friendly, English-speaking woman who loaded me up with brochures and helpful tips. Then I was on my way.
First stop, Tavira:
This laid-back fishing village straddles the Rio Sequa and has all the charm I expected of Portugal and more. It was a Greek settlement in 380 BC and has been inhabited ever since. The foundations of the main pedestrian bridge across the river date from Roman times. My guide book said there was a ruined 13th century castle in the town and, looking out the hotel room window, I saw it. Not much remains and the walls that do stand have been surrounded and almost swallowed up by the city and vegetation. But it is there.
Loule:
This small rural town is found high in the hills above Faro. The scenery is very rural — clusters of houses pop up among the acres of farmland. If it’s pottery, basket weaving, brassware or copper you’re looking for, you’ll find it here.
Quarteira:
This sleepy Portuguese fishing village is beginning to grow in popularity, tourists drawn by the excellent beach. But, life in the fast lane it ‘ain’t. A walk through the streets is a marvellous insight into the Portugal of old. Traditional houses, dirt and cobbled streets and happy, smiling locals always ready to tell you all about their “little piece of paradise”.
Vilamoura:
If you’re looking for somewhere to moor your yacht and want all the action of a highly developed tourist centre, head for Vilamoura. Nightlife, golf course, yacht marina ... it’s all here.
Albufeira:
It’s not referred to as “The St Tropez of the Algarve” for nothing. All you party animals won’t want to leave. Everything you could want in a full-on party holiday is here — the nightlife, a huge range of resort activities and the desperate young locals trying to “pick up” tourists. Unfortunately among all this modernism, the essence of Portugal is lost. This could be any tourist resort anywhere in the world. You won’t find anything of historical value here.
Lagoa:
Only come to this sleepy town on your way to Carvoeiro. This was once the more popular of the two, but has recently been outgrown and overtaken as a tourist destination by the nearby seaside town of Carvoeiro. Lagoa is an empty shell, with the few remaining motels horribly overpriced for what you get.
Carvoeiro:
My favourite of all the towns along the south Portugese coast, Carvoeiro manages to combine an “indigenous” feel with all the facilities you’d require, including a fabulous sandy beach, great restaurants and an array of shops. Take a leisurely walk along the coast to some amazing rock and cliff formations nearby. There is a fair selection of motels, large and small, but I advise you to get here soon because, like all good towns, this one’s getting exploited by development.
Lagos:
This town is a hive of activity and popular with backpackers because it boasts a youth hostel. Overlooking a beautiful harbour, Lagos has one of the most scenic positions on the coast. A settlement has existed here since 350 BC and the remains of these former occupants are profuse. Walls around the old section of the town date from the Roman occupation, while the more recent (17th century) Forte Ponta da Bandeira is the dominant feature of the harbour. Take a look inside the chapel Igreja de Santo Antonio at the magnificent baroque interior and then over to the museum across the road. If history bores you, head straight for the coast — this is an ideal place to laze away the days and make the most of the sunshine.
TRAVEL TIPS:
Eating out in Portugal is a treat — cheap and very good. Special tourist menus are a feature at almost every restaurant and offer good value meals.
When getting a taxi from the airport to the town watch out for unscrupulous cabbies — one tried to tell me it was a nine mile trip when actually it’s closer to three miles. Don’t pay through the nose, and try to bargain.
Buses are fast, safe and good value. A rail system also links many of the coastal towns.
Hiring a car (from the airport at Faro or before you leave) is a good idea if you want access to the more remote villages in the hills. When stocking up on the cheap alcohol remember to shop around. Prices for different items vary enormously from shop to shop, and town to town.
Expect to pay from $2500 (approx $230 = £1) and upwards for a double room in a motel (always try bargaining). |
