Business Hours
Typical Work Days are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Banking Hours
Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and on Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in New York City

Shopping Hours
Monday thru Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

On Sundays many stores are open from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Clothing
• Spring – You’ll want to bring a light jacket or warm sweater for the cooler climate.

• Summer – Bring short sleeves and sunscreen to help with the summertime sun.

• Fall - A light jacket or warm sweater should be brought if traveling at this time of year.

• Winter – At this time of year you’ll want to bring sweaters, a coat, hat and gloves.

Currency
• Transactions are completed in US Dollars. Click here to see current exchange rates.

• A currency exchange service is available at the hotel’s front desk.

• You may also change your money or cash travelers checks at banks. Remember to bring along your passport to help facilitate exchanges.

Electrical Current
110 Volts, 60 Cycles AC

Health Insurance
The United States has a very high quality of medical care. However, it is a private system and, as such, is very expensive by any standard. You should consider the purchase of your own health insurance a necessity. Even if you are covered by your home country's national health insurance system, your country will probably not pay all costs associated with health care in the U.S., so additional coverage is necessary.

Visitors taking medicine prescribed by a doctor should bring a copy of the prescription in case it needs to be renewed by a doctor in the U.S.

Language
The national language of the United States is English and it is widely spoken in New York City.

Liquor Laws
In the United States, all states require that you be 21 years of age or older to purchase and/or consume alcoholic beverages.

Phone
The United States has an Area Code system. For New York City there are several Area Codes (212), (646), (917), (347), (718)

• International calls are made by first dialing 011 followed by the country code followed by the numbers.  
• Calls to other states in The United States are made by dialing the number 1, then area code before the number.  
• For local directory assistance, call 411.

Public Holidays

Tipping
Tips or service charges are not usually added to a bill in New York. The exception to this is when a large group of approximately eight or more are dining together in a restaurant, in which case the establishment may state in advance that a gratuity of 15% will automatically be added to the bill.

Tipping is not expected, though welcome. It is customary to tip 15% of the sub-total (before taxes) is given. This applies to waiters, waitresses, barbers and hairdressers, taxi drivers, etc.

Visas
For local Visa requirements please visit www.travel.state.gov.com