General information about the Northern Mariana Islands. All about holidays in the Northern Mariana Islands: reviews, tips, guide

What is interesting to see in the Mariana Islands?

O.Saipan, 23 km. long and 8 km. wide - the largest among the Marianas and is the administrative center of the Commonwealth. Saipan impresses with its beauty and all year round attracts tourists warm sea and bright sun. The center, Gararan, is the most...

Video from the Mariana Islands

How to get to the Mariana Islands?

From Russia to about. Saipan can be reached by flying via Seoul, South Korea, or Tokyo, Japan. There are daily flights from both states to the Mariana Islands.

flight time: 3 hour flight from Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya),

4.5 hours flight from South Korea(Seoul, Busan),

5 hours flight from China - Shanghai (regular charter flights from Beijing and Guangzhou are also available)

vaccinations: No vaccinations are required to visit the Mariana Islands.

How to comfortably move around the Mariana Islands?

road traffic: Driving is right-hand drive, cars are left-hand drive. The rules of the road are the same as in Russia with small exceptions, for example, at a red light, you can turn right, letting cars from the opposite lane turn left.

Traffic and rules are very simple. There are no huge traffic jams like in big cities. Top speed is 35 mph, on some big roads 40-45 mph. For renting a car, the age limit is 21 years and older.

Traffic Laws:

Wear seat belts (fine from $50.00)

Children under 4 must be fastened in child seats, from 4 years and older - with a car seat belt

At the stop signal (STOP) on the school bus, you must stop

It is forbidden to enter the oncoming lane

Parking on the blue (with a sign for the disabled) is prohibited

The middle lane (yellow solid or dotted on both sides) is allowed to be used only during a left turn or a full U-turn, but only after a complete stop.

After sunset, it is necessary to turn on the dipped beam (18:30)

When the car is stopped by the police, do not get out of the car. You need to open a window.

Driving while intoxicated is strictly prohibited.

car rental: Car brands

Toyota, Ford, Nissan, KIA

The documents

It is enough to have a Russian license with you. You can pay by card or cash.

The car is rented with a full tank and the car must be returned with a full tank. In case of violation of the contract, the amount for gasoline is tripled.

In some car rental offices, it is offered to pay for gasoline in advance.

Insurance

Each car rental office offers several types of insurance.

Car insurance is not required. You can opt out of insurance, but in this case, you must leave your credit card details.

Taxi: Taxis in Saipan can only be hailed from hotel stands. Taxi services, although metered, are expensive.

buses: Saipan, Tinian and Rota do not have an urban transportation system. There is a free duty free bus from the store to the hotels and back.

hitch-hiking: On the Mariana Islands it is possible to hitchhike, but this is not a common practice.

airports: Each island: Saipan, Rota and Tinian has international/local airports. The main airport of the Mariana Islands - international Airport on about. Saipan.

airlines: Asiana Airline (O.Z.)

Delta Airlines (DL)

Shanghai Airline (FM)

Continental Airline (CO)

Freedom Air (FRE)

railway: There are no railways in the Marianas.

ports: The only one international port- on Saipan, and three local - on the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

Where is the best place to stay while traveling in the Mariana Islands?

Climate in the Marianas

The climate is tropical. O. Saipan is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the owner of the most constant round-the-clock year-round temperature in the world of +27 degrees C. The season for tourists in the Mariana Islands is open all year round.

There are 2 seasons - dry and wet. The wet season falls for 6 months from July to December. A special characteristic of the wet season is intermittent rains during the day and heavy rains at night, which does not prevent tourists from enjoying the warm sea and the bright sun. The average air temperature during the wet season is +33 - +35 degrees Celsius and the average rainfall is 1800-2000 mm.

The dry season falls for 6 months from January to June. The weather this season is cool with a light breeze and the air temperature drops to +27 degrees Celsius. The average water temperature is +25 degrees Celsius, precipitation is reduced to a minimum, droughts are possible.

Between July and November, tropical storms and typhoons are possible in the Pacific Ocean. Basically, they become infected in the Mariana Islands and go north, gaining their strength already off the coast of the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Korea or Japan.

National cuisine of the Mariana Islands

The cuisine in the Marianas is international. Initially, with the development of the textile and tourism industries on the islands, a multinational population developed. The Chinese, Filipinos, Thais, Japanese, Koreans, Americans, Australians and other nationalities have influenced the diversity of the islands' cuisine. Accordingly, the island has many restaurants and eateries to the liking of each of these nationalities.

The locals are very hospitable, and if you make friends in Saipan, you will definitely be invited to visit, where they will offer local dishes such as red rice, meat or poultry grilled or in coconut milk, corn tortillas, spicy chicken calaguen, apigigi (young coconut with starch flour wrapped in a banana leaf), tropical fruits and many other dishes. You can taste local dishes in hotel restaurants or at the local fair on Garapan on Thursdays.

Tourist safety in the Marianas

History of the Marianas

The first settlers migrated from South-East Asia to the Marina Islands 1500 BC Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer and navigator, discovered the Marianas and mapped them in 1521, and in 1565 Spain declared the islands its territory and...

Mariana Islands souvenirs

Coconut crafts Bojobo mascot crafts Bojobo seed crafts Shell and coral jewelry Traditional wood crafts Traditional bone crafts Coconut leaf wicker crafts Traditional bead crafts Paintings Healing noni fruit products Noni...

Mariana Islands: interesting facts

The deepest depression in the world Mariana Trench, whose depth exceeds 11,000 meters, is located east of the island of Saipan.

Guinness book records:

Temperature: in the Mariana Islands, the most stable temperature in the world is +27 C.

In 2007, Marine Dive magazine put 18 categories of dive-related sites around the world up for readers' votes. After voting, 5 prestigious awards were determined for the Mariana Islands.

Managaha Island Lagoon won first place as “Best Snorkeling Spot”

Fourth place was shared by Managaha for “ best beach” and the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota for “ Best Region for diving”

Fifth place was shared by Rota for "Teteto" beach as "Best Beach" and the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota as "Best Resort Area".

Underwater cave "Grotto" is considered the second most beautiful place in the world among diving specialists. Skin Diver magazine has listed this place as one of the top 10 scuba diving spots.

For four consecutive years, Managaha Island has been awarded and received the title of “Most the best place diving and snorkelling” at the Tokyo International Fair.

Saipan - Treasure Island! The Saipan Museum of History and Culture has the world's largest collection of artifacts and treasures from Spanish galleons! In 1638, at Cape Aguingan in the Saipan Strait, not far from the PIC Hotel, the galley Nuestra Señora de la Conception wrecked with a cargo of gold. Only a small part of the cargo was found by an underwater expedition in the 80s of the last century. Most of the treasures still remain at the bottom of the strait. The most expensive part of the treasure is in the museum and their duplicates can be seen in one of the halls: gold jewelry inlaid with diamonds and other precious stones, necklaces, chains, fine porcelain, etc.

On the island of Saipan lived the artist Douglas Rankin, who created a unique painting technique - banana painting. Instead of a brush, he used cuttings from a banana tree. He cut and wrapped leaves, carved dies and rollers from trunks. Then he created unique paintings with his unusual instruments. Douglas Rankin died in 2007.

Official name - Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands(Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).

Located in the western part Pacific Ocean. The area is 477 km2, the population of the Mariana Islands is 80 thousand people. (2003). The official language is English. The administrative center of the Mariana Islands is the island of Saipan (over 50 thousand people, 2003). Public holiday - Commonwealth Day January 8 (1978). The monetary unit of the Mariana Islands is the US dollar.

Member of the Pacific Community (formerly UTK, since 1983).

The Mariana Islands are located between 13° and 31° north latitude and 144° and 146° east longitude on 14 islands of the Mariana archipelago, stretching for 685 km from north to south. It borders on the south with Guam (the 15th island in the Mariana ridge, turning into the deepest Mariana Trench on the planet - 10,900 m).

All islands are volcanic and mountainous. Length coastline- 1482 km. The northern islands (9) are younger. Active volcanoes remain on Pagan and Agrihan (an unnamed peak of 965 m is the highest point in Micronesia). Ma-ug and Guguan - nature reserves wildlife, thousands of seabirds nest in the trees on the tops of the cliffs. Sarigan is rich in tropical vegetation, home to a large colony of wild goats. The southern islands (5), including the largest ones (Saipan, 125 km2, Tinian, 105 km2 and Rota, 101 km2), are older. On calcareous soils, coconut palms, heat-resistant cereals, sugar cane, etc. grow there. Saipan has 6 different landscapes, from volcanic hills to wet lowlands and sandy beaches.

Natural resources: fish stocks in the 200-mile economic zone.

The climate of the Mariana Islands is tropical, even throughout the year, the average temperature is + 30 ° C, drier than in other parts of Micronesia. The amount of precipitation is low - within 250 mm per year. Rainy season: July - November. At this time there are typhoons.

The population of the Mariana Islands is growing rapidly (3-4% per year), incl. through immigration. Most of the population is made up of Micronesian peoples (Chamorro, Carolinians, etc.), there are Europeans, Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos and Koreans. Chamorro (mostly oral) and Caroline are widely spoken. Less than 15% of the population speak English in families. Most Chamorrans speak some Japanese to communicate with tourists. Competently 97% of the adult population of the Mariana Islands. Life expectancy for men is 73 years, for women - 79 years. Infant mortality 5.5 pers. per 1000 newborns.

Most of the population of the Mariana Islands is concentrated on the island of Saipan, 5 more islands are inhabited.

The Catholic religion dominates, combined with adherence to traditional legends, beliefs and taboos.

In 1521 F. Magellan discovered the Mariana Islands. Their colonization in the 17th century. was accompanied by armed clashes between the Spaniards and the indigenous people - the Chamorros, most of whom were exterminated. They got their name in honor of Marianne of Austria - the widow of the Spanish king Philip IV. In 1899 Spain sold them to Germany. After the 1st World War, under the mandate of the League of Nations, the islands came under the control of Japan. In 1947, the United States received Mariana as one of the United Nations Trust Territories. Access to the islands was restricted due to US military installations. Most of Tinian (from where the B-29 aircraft took off for the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki) is still reserved for the use of the US Armed Forces. In 1972, negotiations began between representatives of the islands and the US government on the future status of the Marian. In 1975, they signed an Agreement establishing the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, which are "in political union" with the United States. Since 1978, after approval by referendum, the Marian Constitution came into effect, on the basis of which the first elections of legislative and executive power were held. In 1986, the aforementioned Agreement entered into force. In 1990, the UNCT abolished the status of a mandated territory in relation to the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands.

The Marianas is a self-governing Commonwealth "in political alliance" with the United States, which controls foreign relations and defense. The head of state is the President of the United States. The indigenous population has American citizenship, but does not participate in American elections. Federal financing of the Marian economy is the responsibility of the US Department of the Interior.

The country does not have an administrative division, but there are 4 municipalities ( northern islands, Saipan, Tinian and Rota).

Executive power is exercised by the governor (Juan N. Wabauta) and the lieutenant governor (Diego T. Venevente), elected by direct universal suffrage for 4 years. The next elections are in 2005. The bicameral Legislative Assembly has 9 senators (elected for 4 years) and 18 members of the House of Representatives (for 2 years). The population of the islands also elects a "permanent representative" in the United States with residence in Washington (unlike Guam, which has its own delegate to the US House of Representatives).

Political parties: by analogy with the United States - Republican (its members are the current governor and permanent representative in Washington, 4 senators and 16 deputies of the lower house) and Democratic (3 senators and a deputy), Reform Party (senator), Agreement Party (deputy).

The Mariana Islands do not have diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation.

GDP per capita 12.5 thousand US dollars. The main sectors of the economy are the rapidly growing clothing industry and tourism. About 50% of the workforce is employed in the tourism industry (25% of GDP), another 35% (mostly Chinese) in the clothing industry. The number of foreign workers is more than 4 times higher than the number of local workers, among whom unemployment is high - 30%.

Role Agriculture small. Coconut palm, breadfruit, vegetables and fruits are grown on small farms. Cattle are bred on the ranch. Fishing and processing of fish (mainly tuna) are of certain importance.

length highways- about 400 km. 2 seaports - on Saipan and Tinian. Of the 6 airports, 3 have paved runways and a helipad.

The islands are visited annually by 500,000 or more foreign tourists (the Japanese predominate, the Marianas are the Pacific islands closest to them and memorable places battles of World War II).

US financial aid is important to the Marian economy, but its share of the country's budget has been declining in recent years as the local revenue base has grown.

The main export item is garments. Food, fuel, construction materials and equipment are imported. The main partners are the USA and Japan.

The school system includes public (primary and secondary schools) and private schools. You can continue your education at the Northern Marian College, as well as at educational institutions in the United States.

Mariana Islands, or to be more precise - the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI - Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands)- small Island state in micronesia, in the western part Pacific ocean. The ridge consists of 15 islands of volcanic origin, the largest of which Saipan, Tinyan and Company. However, only 14 islands belong to the Commonwealth, and the fifteenth is an island Guam, the largest and southernmost of Marianas islands, is considered a separate territory belonging to USA, which they received as a war trophy back in 1898. The islands form two chains - northern and South, stretching in the ocean for almost 650 km.

South Commonwealth Marianas islands borders on Caroline islands that are under guardianship and lie 1100 km from the island Company, to the east - Marshall islands, in the west -, to the north and northwest is located. To the east of the islands is perhaps the most important local geographical attraction, familiar to everyone from school geography lessons - Mariana Trench, with a depth of 11,775 meters.

Saipan - main island state, located approximately 2660 km east of Manila; 2730 km north of Port Moresby ( Papua New Guinea) , 5980 km west of Honolulu (Hawaii, USA) and approximately 80 km northeast of the island Guam (USA). There are no cities on the islands in their usual sense, and even the inhabited territories cannot be called urbanized. After all, even the island Saipan, with administrative centers Susupe and Goropan occupy an area of only 120 sq. km.

The ubiquitous and demanding Japanese and Koreans dominate here among the tourists. They really know a lot about quality service. They come here in tens of thousands every month, especially during the days of the Japanese golden week or at New Year . This is explained by the fact that Tokyo or from Seoul before Saipan the flight is approximately three and a half hours. And the state language here, it seems, is English, and the monetary unit is the dollar. USA, but still, at times, the impression does not leave the impression that these islands are almost Japanese or Korean - this is how the presence of Asian tourists is felt here. Many restaurants with Japanese names accept both Japanese yen and Korean won, and hotel staff willingly answers in both Korean and Japanese.

Most recently the newspaper "Saipan Tribune" wrote about how a Japanese doctor named Hiroyuki Maida, who has been visiting for ten years in a row Saipan from Tokyo, arrived on the island for the jubilee hundredth time. To the question: "Why?" - he laughs and replies that on his very first visit here he fell in love with Saipan and now he likes it here as much as ten years ago.

Tourists from Russia here in the vast minority, although they appear here, perhaps more often than other Europeans. And they're starting to like it too. And everyone has their own reasons for this. Diving enthusiasts, for example, can be seduced by the beauties Grotto- a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep and tunnels to open sea. Here you can also dive to the crash sites of World War II planes in the harbor Tanapag, to the caves and breeding sites of conger eels in the area Obyan Beach, as well as to huge coral massifs off the coast in the area. But for snorkeling the best place on Saipan- island Managaha, on the Tignane- beach Tachona, and on Company - Corell Gardens, coral gardens in the bay Sasanaya. If you have never dived at all, then on Saipan everything you need, you will be taught by Russian dive guides.

The same tourists who are far from diving, masks, snorkels and scuba gear are not familiar with Marianas the islands will also be very good. it perfect place both for the relaxed and for active species recreation. Runs through the islands great amount cycling and walking routes. On the Saipan main route - trail Laderana Tangka through the forest Marpy Commonwealth. There is a beautiful route along the coast Cummer and Taga south of San Jose on the Tignane.

Other ways to relax include windsurfing, which is extremely popular here (the best place is the beach Micro on the Saipan), tennis, golf and short underwater excursions in the lagoon between Saipan and island Managaha, where you can see at the bottom of the sea, in addition to its numerous inhabitants, traces of the wrecks of Japanese ships or American bombers "Superfortresses" B-29. Don't forget to bring your driver's license with you to travel along the scenic roads to anywhere on the island.

Beach holidays here are a real pleasure. One of the favorite places for tourists is the island Managaha, which is located half an hour by boat from Saipan(round-trip ticket 50USD). It's best to spend the whole day here. The island is small, quiet and cozy. The whole beach is pure white sand, no algae and shells. You can rent sun loungers and a mask with a snorkeling tube (15USD) and swim, look at undersea world… There are a huge number of various inhabitants of the seabed, of all shapes and colors, and they are completely not frightened - many of them can be easily touched with your hands, and if you offer them some kind of delicacy, they will be happy to eat from your hands ... And when you get hungry themselves, numerous restaurants, many located in the shade of palm trees, will offer you dishes for every taste.

Local population - chamorro. Smiling, welcoming and friendly. They smile not because it is necessary to do so out of courtesy, but simply because the smile reflects their state of mind. The characteristic features of local etiquette include an almost Japanese reluctance to refuse a guest or the fear of upsetting him with his refusal. Therefore, situations of complete misunderstanding are not uncommon, since a local resident can easily give the advice that, in his opinion, will not upset the tourist, and not at all the one that corresponds to reality. At the same time, some Asian "compliance" is striking, which, however, does not go beyond the usual careful attitude towards tourists. And at the same time, in some regions, especially on the outlying islands, the influence of the old traditions of the indigenous inhabitants of the islands is noticeable, with numerous taboos and ceremonies. In most places visited by tourists, the orders are quite European, and you can not be afraid of any difficulties in communicating with the locals.

Nature and Climate

If you ask a local resident about what kind of Saipan if the weather happens, then you will not hear many and lengthy explanations. The weather all year round is either good or very good. Often very good. That is, it is when it is warm, regardless of the time of year + 27 + 30 degrees in the shade. Clear sky, blue-blue ocean and water temperature +26 degrees. And good weather differs from very good weather in that it is only a couple of degrees lower.

It is worth noting that sometimes the islands are hit by typhoons that originated in the open spaces Pacific ocean. But even these typhoons did not prevent us from taking Saipan worthy place in Guinness Book of Records for the most stable weather and temperature in the world.

The sun is very hot here and the level of solar radiation is very high, so it is recommended to wear sunglasses, hats and light protective clothing, which should not be discarded when swimming, especially in the first days after arrival - a thin layer of water does not protect from ultraviolet radiation at all.

Do not underestimate the danger of tidal currents - when passing through the cracks and narrowness of the reefs, they form quite powerful eddy currents that can seriously impede navigation. For unaccustomed swimmers, one should be careful in the ocean surf, because even a small wave with a force of up to two points generates intense rebound waves that can greatly complicate the beaching.

Many beaches covered with coral rubble and volcanic rocks are quite difficult to move around and require strong shoes. Also, special requirements for footwear and clothing are imposed when visiting caves, in which ideally smooth sections of rocks are periodically replaced by characteristic limestone "brushes" with rather sharp edges.

Currency exchange and Banking

The state currency is the US dollar (USD). The exchange rate fluctuates in line with changes in the financial market.

There are 100 cents in one US dollar. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 dollars, as well as coins in denominations of 1 dollar, half dollar (50 cents, half dollar) and quarter dollar (25 cents, quarter) and denominations of 5 and 1 cent.

Almost everywhere they accept Japanese yen and Korean won.

Traveler's checks in US dollars are accepted everywhere. USA, and it is absolutely not necessary to visit a bank branch, since most hotels, restaurants and large stores cash them on the spot. If during the trip you are going to visit small islands, we still recommend that you stock up on the necessary amount of cash in advance.

Bank branches are open from Monday to Thursday, from 10.00 to 15.00, on Fridays - from 10.00 to 18.00. Some banking offices on the outlying islands may operate on their own schedule.

ATMs and Credit Cards
All major international credit cards of common payment systems are accepted everywhere: VISA, Master Card, Diners Club, American Express. On remote islands, you may encounter problems when trying to pay for something with a plastic card, because often small private shops simply do not accept card payments. Most hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies and diving centers on Saipan, Tinyan and Company accept plastic cards for payment. ATMs can be found in branches of banks and large shopping malls.

VAT and Tax-Free
When paying for services in hotels, a hotel tax of 10% is charged. There are no other commercial taxes, including VAT.

Customs and Passport Control

Allowed import and export of national (USD) or any other foreign cash currency, as well as checks, including travel, debt and securities. Imported cash exceeding the equivalent of 10,000 USD is subject to mandatory declaration. Items made of gold and precious stones are subject to mandatory declaration.

Prohibited import to Marianas islands of drugs, stimulants, psychotropic substances, anabolic steroids and growth hormones, amphetamines, erythropoietin, barbiturates, hallucinogens and some other medicines.

The transport of weapons is strictly regulated: firearms, pneumatic, cold steel and sports (including nunchucks, bows and crossbows, slingshots, switchblade and folding knives), as well as ammunition for it and parts of weapons, which require appropriate certificates and licenses issued by the office of the General prosecutor CNMI.

Perishable products, mangoes from the Philippines, meat and meat products are prohibited for import into the country, except for those made in the mainland. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, on the Hawaii and Guam, noodles with instant meat and other "dry" foods.

We allow duty-free import of the following goods:
- no more than 600 cigarettes manufactured in USA with notice Surgeon General's Warning, or, no more than 200 cigarettes manufactured in other countries;
- up to 450 grams of cigars;
- up to 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages(for persons over 21 years of age);
- up to 1 liter of weak alcoholic beverages (for persons over 21 years old);
- up to 2 ounces (56 ml.) of perfume;

If the specified norms are exceeded, the owner of alcohol must pay a duty for each fluid ounce in the amount of: 5 cents for beer and wine, 3 cents for spirits. Commercial items are not exempt from taxes and duties, as they are not considered everyday items.

You should pack flammable items, aerosols, hairspray, lighter gas, piercing items in your luggage, as they will not be allowed on the plane as hand luggage.

Transportation of animals
With rules for the transport of pets and clearance travel documents we recommend that you familiarize yourself with them in advance, when booking and buying air tickets. Please note that the weight of the animal and the container for its transportation is not included in the free baggage allowance and is paid exclusively as excess baggage. Only guide dogs accompanying their owners in flight are transported free of charge.

Time

On the Marianas On the islands, time is not converted to winter and summer. It always remains in one unchanged time zone and is + 10 hours to the time Greenwich.
Hourly difference between Moscow and Saipan is + 7 hours.

Visas and Consular Information

Citizens Russia for a trip to Marianas islands for up to 45 days visa is not required. On November 16, 2009, the U.S. Homeland Security Department published requirements for citizens Russian Federation for visa-free entry into the territory Northern Mariana Islands. Is now no exception and the island Guam, which is part of Marianas islands, not included Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands- from January 15, 2012 citizens of the Russian Federation can visit Guam without a pre-arranged visa USA. Visa-free entry does not apply to other territories USA and should not exceed 45 days of stay in the territory Northern Mariana Islands.
An important condition for entry to the Mariana Islands is the presence of a biometric foreign passport (i.e. valid for 10 years)

Tourists undergoing customs control upon arrival at Northern Mariana Islands must submit the following documents:

Valid departure ticket from Northern Mariana Islands with a fixed date of departure, not subject to change and not exceeding a period of 45 days from the date of entry into the territory Northern Mariana Islands.
I-736 (Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information).
Completed and signed form I-94 (Arrival Departure Record)
Passport valid for the period of the trip. Children, including infants, must have their own separate passport. Only machine-readable passports issued using optical character recognition technology are allowed to enter.
Voucher or hotel booking confirmation.

Correct and timely completion of the questionnaires and the availability of the above documents cannot guarantee unhindered entry into the territory Marianas islands and Guam. Immigration has the right to refuse entry without giving reasons.

If you intend to travel for a period exceeding 45 days, you must apply for a visa in advance at the embassy USA or consulates USA located on the territory Russian Federation. Entrance to the territory and Guam allowed for holders of valid visas USA.

An unaccompanied child under the age of 18 must have the following documents in addition to their passport and a completed Form I-736 for entry:

Notarized permission from parents to travel unaccompanied by adults;
- Copies of passports of both parents.

Opening hours of institutions, shops and museums

The usual working hours of trade enterprises are from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 17:00, on Saturdays from 08:00 to 13:00. Many private shops have their own hours and are often closed on Sundays, but most major department stores and duty-free shops are Saipan open all week.

Bank branches are open from Monday to Thursday, from 10:00 to 15:00, on Fridays - from 10:00 to 18:00. Some banking offices on the outlying islands may operate on their own schedule.

Transport

The remoteness of the islands from each other made the plane the most convenient means movement. Railways no at all. Except taxi public transport missing. The best way to get to know Saipan is a rental car.

Aircraft
Almost all tourists come to Marianas islands by plane. The main and largest airports are located on Saipan and Guam. Airplanes from countries arrive at this airport daily. Asia and North America . Flights are operated by airlines Japan Airlines, Continental Micronesia, Northwest Airlines and Asia Airlines.

Direct flights to Marianas islands from Moscow and other cities Russia does not exist. The shortest route to Northern Mariana islands for tourists Russia passes through countries South-East Asia. Usually tourists from the Russian Federation go to Saipan or Guam with transit stops at Tokyo, Hong Kong or Seoul.

Domestic flights between the islands are operated by local airlines. The plane is the most convenient means of transportation on the islands. There are several domestic flights daily between Saipan, Rota and Tignan.

Buses
There is no developed system on the islands bus service, however, there are several routes connecting the main cities. But you can easily find a taxi at the airport and in the city, in parking lots near hotels. A number of hotels organize regular bus routes to major shopping malls and the airport.

Car rental
The most convenient way to travel around the islands is by car.

Renting a car will not be difficult for you. There are many car rental agencies on the island. It is best to take a car in already well-known and proven companies Hertz or Avis. All rights are valid on the island and no deposit is required. The rental price depends on its term and, of course, on the class of the car. The cost of gasoline is 1.9 USD per gallon (4 liters).

Before you get behind the wheel, be sure to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of the traffic rules adopted on the island.

Telephone codes

In order to call Marianas islands, you need to dial the code:

8 - 10 - 1 - 670 - "island code" - "subscriber number"

Subscribers on all islands have seven-digit numbers, where the first three digits of the number indicate a specific island, and the rest are the subscriber's number.

telephone system Marianas islands is modern and integrated with communications USA. International telephone communications available from any public phone, from most hotels and restaurants.

pay phones
You can find pay phones everywhere. All of them work with telephone cards, which are sold at post offices, newspaper and tobacco kiosks. You can make local, as well as long-distance and international calls from any pay phone. You can purchase cards T&E Long Distance and PTI Long Distance denominations of 5 and 10 USD. All local calls cost, depending on the place of the call, from 25 to 35 cents, from a hotel room - 50-75 cents per minute. Some phones accept credit cards AT&T and credit cards.

cellular
Cellular communication covers almost everything southern islands and part of the north. Roaming with local networks PTI Pacifica Inc.(GSM 850 standard) and Wave Runner LLC Mariana Islands(i CAN GSM, GSM 1900) is available to subscribers of the largest Russian cellular companies through the networks of other operators in the region.

Internet
Internet services in the territory Marianas The islands are relatively poorly formed, but recently certain efforts have been made to develop them. Internet cafes are few and far between, mostly focused on Saipan, however, almost all major hotels and business centers have their own access points, including those equipped with WiFi.

Representations of the Russian Federation

Within the territory of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands diplomatic, trade and other missions Russian Federation no.

Electricity

On the Marianas On the islands everywhere the voltage in the network is 220-240V, with a current frequency of 50Hz. Plugs and sockets are class A, i.e. those that are widely used in Northern and Central America and in . The plug consists of two parallel blades. In the Japanese version, the contacts are the same length. In the American one, one is slightly longer than the other. Devices with a Japanese plug can be used in American outlets, but not vice versa.

Tips

Tipping is accepted but not required and usually amounts to no more than 10-15% of the bill. Mandatory tips -1 USD, are given only to hotel employees when bringing luggage and to dancers in striptease clubs. When paying for rooms directly at the hotel, a hotel tax of 10% is charged. There are no commercial taxes. Bargaining is not accepted.

Additional Information

The Marianas use the imperial system of weights and measures.

Personal safety
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands considered a safe country to visit. The crime rate is low, the situation with personal security is quite calm. There is petty theft, currency fraud and other offenses, without outgrowing, however, the local sizes familiar to the islands. When visiting the country, it is recommended to be guided by common sense - you should not leave valuables and documents unattended, it is not recommended to deliberately demonstrate your well-being or visit certain areas alone and at night, this especially applies to Philippine neighborhoods.

Health and Medicine
No vaccinations are required to cross the border of the country. When visiting outlying islands vaccination against hepatitis B and dengue is recommended.

All drinking water on the islands comes from natural sources or rainwater harvesting and within settlements practically safe to use. However, it is recommended that you only use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing your teeth, or making ice, especially during the first week of your stay. Milk and dairy products are usually pasteurized and are safe to consume. Meat, seafood and fish are considered safe, but it is still recommended to use them only after preliminary heat treatment, preferably hot. Vegetables should be thoroughly washed and pre-treated, and fruits should be peeled.

Medical care at Marianas islands is quite high quality, but relatively expensive. On the Saipan, Tinyan and Company there are quite modern clinics, with qualified staff and good equipment to provide most medical services. Ambulance is provided free of charge, for other cases of contacting doctors, you will need to pay on the spot. Cash is preferred, however some clinics work with credit cards. In case of serious medical problems, patients are transferred to clinics Hawaiian islands or Japan.

Dangerous plants and animals
There are no dangerous animals on the territory of the islands. However, there are many poisonous or rather aggressive sea creatures in the surrounding waters, so when swimming and diving under water, you should pay special attention to the bottom and the water column. The backbones of many bottom-dwelling fish are venomous, and the quills sea urchins and the sharp edges of coral massifs leave harmless, but rather painful and long-healing wounds. It is recommended in all cases of diving in unfamiliar places to consult with local residents or diving instructors.

manners
When photographing local residents you should always ask their permission beforehand.

Saying hello and goodbye is accepted by the hand.

Attitude towards clothing is quite democratic. In formal occasions, it is supposed to have strict evening wear - light trousers or a long skirt and a strict shirt with medium-length sleeves will be enough, and in the evenings a light sweater will be useful. In everyday life, you can get by with a light dress and even jeans, although jeans are not the best choice in the local hot climate. The most appropriate leisure wear is a t-shirt and shorts. Beach suits are not recommended to be worn outside the coastline, too open bikinis can also cause disapproval.

The Northern Mariana Islands, which actually and legally belong to the territory of the United States of America (like the entire Mariana Archipelago), are presented to us as a separate direction. This was not done by chance: the very nature of the holiday, and many of the nuances of staying here are completely different than on other American beach resorts. For a tourist, the Northern Mariana Islands is an untouched and very beautiful tropical nature, many historical sites associated with the battles for the Pacific during World War II, fantastic coral reefs, sea fishing with a rich and varied catch, golf, surfing, diving, snorkeling and good conditions for a beach holiday.

How to get there

There is no direct flight from Russia to the islands. You can fly to Saipan with a connection in Shanghai (China Eastern), Tokyo (Japan Airlines and Northwest Airlines) or Seoul (Asiana Air). The duration of the flight (excluding connections) is about 16 hours.

In case of a flight through Tokyo, tourists will need to apply for a transit visa.

Search for flights to Saipan (nearest airport to Northern Mariana Islands)

Visa to the Northern Mariana Islands

To enter the territory of the Mariana Islands for up to 45 days for the purpose of tourism, citizens of Russia do not need a visa.

Customs

Import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited. Any amount can be imported in cash, traveler's checks and payment cards. Only amounts over 10,000 USD are required to be declared. When importing gold, a declaration is required. Items for personal use are not subject to duty, the import of perishable products (meat, vegetables, fruits, etc.), weapons and drugs into the country is prohibited. The export of corals and other local marine life is prohibited.

Prices on the page are for September 2018.

Useful phone numbers

All emergency services (ambulance, police, fire): 911

Roaming on the islands is not yet available to subscribers of Russian operators - but you can rent a cell phone there. Phone calls to Russia are best made using a phone card from public telephones in hotels, on the streets and in shops. Calls from hotel rooms are much more expensive.

Electricity

Mains voltage 110 V, 60 Hz. The outlet standard is American.

Weather in the Northern Mariana Islands

Money

Tourist travelers checks in US dollars are accepted everywhere, except for the most remote islands. It is not necessary to exchange them: most hotels, restaurants and large shops accept them as cash. There are commercial banks in Saipan, Rota and Tinian. On other islands, tourists will have to carry enough cash with them to pay for goods and services, as small private shops do not accept travelers checks. This also applies to the rental of boats and yachts, as well as payment for the services of guides and conductors. Major credit cards (especially Mastercard and Visa) are also accepted almost everywhere, but again only on the larger islands.

Tipping is optional and remains entirely at the discretion of the tourist. There is no generally accepted tip size, according to tradition in bars and restaurants Foreign tourists leave "for tea" no more than 10% of the bill, and porters and maids in hotels are usually given 1 USD.

Shopping and shops

Prices in all stores are fixed, bargaining is not accepted.

Popular hotels in Northern Mariana Islands

Entertainment and attractions of the Northern Mariana Islands

The best places for snorkeling: Saipan - Managaha island, Tinian - Tachona beach, Rota - Corell Gardens in Sasanaya Bay. All three main islands of the archipelago are good for hiking. The main route in Saipan is the Laderana-Tangka trail through the Marpi Commonwealth Forest. Tinian has an excellent route along the banks of the Cummer and Taga south of San José.

Other ways to relax: windsurfing is popular here (the best place for it is Micro Beach on Saipan), tennis, golf and short underwater excursions in the lagoon between Saipan and Managaha Island, where on the bottom of the sea, in addition to its numerous inhabitants, you can see traces of the wrecks of Japanese ships. and American B-29s.

The Mariana (Ladron) Islands are an archipelago located in Micronesia, in the western Pacific Ocean, consisting of 15 large and several small islands and reefs. The island of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have the status of unincorporated organized territories of the United States. The Mariana Islands have maritime borders with the Philippines, Japan, the Marshall Islands, and the Caroline Islands.

There are about 50 underwater volcanoes and 11 island volcanoes in the area of the archipelago. The highest point is 965 meters. Mariana Trench - the most deep point a break in the earth's crust with a depth of 11,775 meters.

Total area - 1018 sq. km, the population is about 215,000 people, among which 56% are Asians, 36% are the peoples of Oceania, the rest are of mixed origin. Of the religions, Roman Catholic Christianity prevails, local religions and cults are widespread. The official languages are English, Chamorro, Caroline.

The administrative center is Garapan (Saipan Island).

Cities of the Mariana Islands

Saipan is the most suitable island for historical tourism. The infrastructure is well developed here, there are golf courses, conditions for diving and swimming. Saipan has the most even weather in the world - year-round here +27 degrees.

Garapan is the administrative center of the Mariana Islands, where popular tourist places are Sugar-King-Park and Shops duty free. Not far from Garapan, the American Memorial Park and the World War II Museum are of interest. On the territory of the park, in addition to historical sights, you can see natural - mangrove forests with a large number of rare birds, as well as sports and stage venues (where local festivals and concerts are held).

Managaha Island - the oldest and most picturesque - with beautiful coral reefs and exotic fish. Historically memorable places on the island are the cliffs of Banzai - Cliff and Suiside - Cliff, the Korean Peace Park.

Tinian Island is the most peaceful, with one village of San Jose. A fashionable hotel, casino, shops and restaurants harmoniously fit into the measured life of the island. The attraction here is the accumulation of ritual stones of ancient peoples - Latte - Stone - Site.

The highest point of the island of Rota rises almost 500 meters above the sea. Places of attraction for tourists here are the Toga limestone cave, replete with stalactites and stalagmites, Mount Taipingo, an old Japanese locomotive, Chugai rocks with ancient petroglyphs and a bird sanctuary.

Agrihan Island is the peak of a young volcano almost 1000 meters above sea level and the most high point in Micronesia. There is almost no flora and fauna on the island, and perhaps only extreme people come here - divers and fishermen.

The most popular islands of the Northern Group are the Anatahan volcano, the Asuncion volcano, Pagan, Farallion - de - Pajaros, the Maug Islands.

How to get to the Mariana Islands

There is no direct air connection between Belarus and the Mariana Islands.

The best option would be a flight from Moscow with a connection in Tokyo, Shanghai or Seoul. Travel time excluding connections will be about 16 hours.

The climate of the Marianas

The territory of the Mariana Islands is influenced by a tropical trade wind climate.

Throughout the calendar year, the air temperature in the archipelago averages +27 degrees, water - +25 degrees.

The annual rainfall is 1800 - 2000 mm per year. Humidity can reach 82%. The rainy season usually falls between June and November. And from August to December, strong winds and storms are possible.

The best time to travel around the archipelago is from December to March and from May to June.

The hotel base of the Mariana Islands is represented by both hotels belonging to world-famous chains and local 3 * - 4 * hotels that provide guests with decent service and comfortable accommodation. The average cost of living is from 90 to 300 US dollars per night.

Private boarding houses and motels can be called as economy accommodation options. An overnight stay here will cost from 35 to 65 US dollars. There are no hostels in the Marianas.

The beaches of the Mariana Islands

The islands of the Southern group have beaches with fine white sand, the Northern - with black volcanic.

The best and most beloved beaches of the Mariana Islands are Micro - Beach, Lao - Lao - Bay, Lader - Beach, Paupau - Beach. But lovers of secluded relaxation will always find a wild beach nearby to enjoy the sea, sun and beautiful nature to their fullest.

On the island of Tiniana, Tachona Beach attracts attention, on Rota - Corell - Gardens, Teteto - Beach.

On the island of Saipan on Micro Beach, there are excellent conditions for windsurfing.

When swimming in the open sea, be careful.

Banks, money, exchange offices

The Marian currency is the US dollar, which is equal to 100 cents. Circulation has paper bills in denominations of 1,2,5,10,20,50,100 dollars and coins in denominations of 1 dollar, penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents), half - dollar (50 cents). Most islands also accept Japanese yen and Korean won.

Banking hours:

From Monday to Thursday - from 10.00 to 15.00

Fridays - from 10.00 to 18.00

Credit cards of the world's major payment systems (preferably Master Card and Visa) are accepted for settlements almost everywhere. ATMs are located in many banks and shopping centers. Travel - checks (preferably in US dollars) are also accepted for settlements almost everywhere, except for the most distant islands.

There are no commercial taxes on the islands, the hotel tax is 10%.

Tipping in the archipelago is 10 - 15% of the total cost of services.

Tourist safety

The Mariana Islands are a safe zone for tourists. Only elementary rules should be followed:

Valuables, large sums of money and documents should be left in the hotel safe
In crowded places, it is not recommended to leave personal belongings unattended.
It is not recommended to walk alone at night in deserted places.
Do not take pictures of local residents without their permission
Before going outside, be sure to use sunscreen, wear UV-blocking sunglasses, and light clothing with long sleeves.
Before leaving, you should take preventive measures against diseases of hepatitis B and dengue fever
It is recommended to use only bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice
Meat, fish and seafood are recommended to be consumed only thermally processed.
Vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed, vegetables should be pre-cooked, and fruits should be peeled beforehand.
When swimming in the sea, be careful because of the so-called "reverse currents"
When moving along many coasts, special shoes are required due to coral rubble and volcanic rocks

Transport

The most common mode of transport in the Mariana Islands is by plane and helicopter.

There is no rail connection, public transport is not very well developed, but tourist buses run between hotels, shops and restaurants.

You can also use taxi services.

The car rental service (from $20 per day with an international driver's license and credit card), motorcycle (from $10 per day), mountain bike (from $2 per day) is popular in the archipelago. Movement is right-handed.

Entertainment, excursions, attractions

The main attraction of the island of Guam is its main street - Chamorro, where every evening you can watch locals singing and dancing, who, moreover, prepare national dishes. By the way, Chamorro is the name of the locals. There is something for divers to do on Guam - Fort Apugan is fraught with many mysteries.

On the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota come lovers of trekking - hiking.

Saipan also has interesting cave Grotto with underground lakes 15 meters deep and tunnels going straight into the sea.

Cuisine and restaurants

The national cuisine of the Mariana Islands is a mixture of traditions of many peoples.

The most popular dishes local cuisine are:

"lemai" - fruits breadfruit fried in oil
fried bananas
shrimp and shellfish patties
fried lamb or beef ribs
"haole" - beef, pork, chicken or fish dishes with a sauce of lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, pepper, sesame oil
"kelagen - benadu" - venison with sauce
"kadu" - various soups (for example, from poultry, potatoes, spinach and beer)
fish cooked in all sorts of ways
specially prepared eggplant with coconut milk and spices
all kinds of exotic fruits

For dessert - shortbread cookies, puff pastries, banana donuts, chocolate bananas, coconut oatmeal

From alcoholic drinks - local coconut wine "Tuba" (naturally fermented juice of a young coconut)

Shopping and shops

Shop opening hours:

On weekdays - from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 17.00

Saturdays - from 8.00 to 13.00

Private - on an individual schedule

Day off - Sunday (except for large supermarkets and Duty Free shops)

Most often, souvenirs made from sea shells and coconuts, hats and bags from the leaves of tropical plants, textiles, jewelry made from agate, corals and pearls are brought from the Mariana Islands.

The Marianas are famous for their duty-free shops, the prices of which are quite reasonable.

Customs

You can import and export national and foreign currencies without restrictions in cash, travel - checks, credit cards. An amount in excess of $10,000 and gold must be declared.

Allowed to import:

Up to 600 US or 200 other cigarettes, up to 454g cigars
Up to 1 bottle of strong alcohol, up to 1 bottle of wine, up to 1 case of beer (for persons over 21 years old)
Perfumes and personal items - in reasonable quantities

It is forbidden to import:

Perishable products
Drugs and narcotic medications
Mango fruit from the Philippines
Meat and meat products (except those made in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands)
"dry" foods (such as instant noodles)
parrots

When importing pets, an international veterinary certificate is required. For cats and dogs, a rabies vaccination record must be made at least 30 and no more than 90 days before departure.

If you didn’t find a suitable vacation option - transfer the hassle of organizing a trip to our professional managers by filling out and they will promptly contact you! We can send you anywhere in the world!