Tonga

Real Tonga Airline operates domestic flights between the isles of the Kingdom and is the fastest way to fly from one island to another to-date. Even though the planes do not have the best track record in terms of safety and are operated in a somewhat disorganised way (cancellations at the gate are common, and so are sudden schedule changes), the airline remains the primary way of getting around the islands, especially those far apart.

Visitors to Tonga that come from visa exempt countries don't need visas prior to arrival for stays of up to 90 days. Visa-free countries include: Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kirabati, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Russia, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lusia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, The Bahamas, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vanuatu. All citizens who do not come from one of the aforementioned countries require a visa prior to arrival. All travelers must hold a valid passport. Check out whether you need a visa or not at: www.visahq.com/tonga/requirements

The tropical maritime climate allows to enjoy the Kingdom of Tonga and all its small islands throughout the year. Snorkelling, diving, sunbathing and other outdoor activities can be fully enjoyed from May to October (the driest season). On the contrary, if you are planning to go from November to April – known as the wet season – be aware that heavy rainfall and cyclones hit the island and most of the outdoor activities are cancelled.

Time zone: GMT +13

Bicycles are a cheap and fun mode of transportation around the main island. Many guest houses have bicycles for hire or complimentary use.

The buses in Tonga are an inexpensive way of getting around. There is no scheduled timetable, however, buses usually start early in the morning around 8:00 and run until 17:00 and no buses operate on Sundays. It is advisable if you have travelled out of Nuku’alofa for the day that you are on a bus for return into town by 15:00. There are two central bus stations located along Vuna Road in Nuku’alofa. Opposite the Tonga Visitors Bureau office, is the Central Bus Station that takes you to the Hospital and around the town area. To travel to the far eastern and western districts, catch a bus from the station opposite the Ministry of Education building.

Recognise a taxi by the ”T” in front of the numbers/letters of the number plate. They are not permitted to operate on Sundays. Please ensure you ask for the taxi fare to a certain place before you agree to pay or get on. There are numerous taxis on Tongatapu and Vava’u and elsewhere very few or none.

The main Post Office is located in Nuku'alofa and 4 more agents in the outer islands. All together work as a network offering shipping and receiving mail, printing services and business services (rely on them for your business mail).

Rely on Neeru's Pharmacy staff for a quick service or for more serious health problems visit Village Mission Clinic and Pharmacy, which offers wider services like doctors appointments, prescriptions and non-prescription medicines, health advice, home services (a fee is required) and more. Neeru's Pharmacy Nukuʻalofa, Tonga +676 26 200 Monday – Friday: 9am – 7pm, Saturday: 9am – 3pm Village Mission Clinic and Pharmacy (Unit 4 and 5 Patco Business Centre), Taufa’ahau Road, Nuku’alofa, Tonga +676 27522 Monday – Friday: 8:3am – 5pm, Saturday. 10am – 1:30pm http://villagemissionclinic.org

Country code: +676

The standard voltage is 240V/50hz. The power plug and socket are type I, meaning that if you're travelling from Europe re the US an adapter is required. Travellers from China, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Argentina don't need an adapter.