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CAMPING
Portugal has more than 100 campsites, including several
in the area of Lisbon, most notably a modern and well-maintained
one on the edge of Monsanto Forest in the west of the
city. Facilities here include swimming pools, restaurants
and bungalows for hire. It is illegal to camp on beaches
or within city limits, while lighting fires in forests
is strictly forbidden. An online camping guide at www.roteiro-campista.pt
provides comprehensive information about the wide range
of camping and caravaning facilities available in Portugal.
CLIMATE
Mainland Portugal is blessed with both an Atlantic and
Mediterranean climate, providing mild year-round weather
with no excessive variations of temperature. In the
south of the country, summers are warm with very little
rain except in early spring and autumn. The northwest
has mild winters with relatively high levels of rainfall
and shorter summers. The islands of the Azores benefit
from a temperate climate, influenced by the regulating
conditions of the nearby Gulf Stream and the archipelago's
mid-Atlantic location. Madeira boasts a warm subtropical
climate throughout the whole year.
CLOTHING
The months of July and August can be very warm
in Portugal, so it is advisable to wear light clothing.
In spring and autumn - the temperate climate seasons
- light clothing is recommended, accompanied by some
warmer clothes for days when the temperature may fall.
COMPLAINTS
All restaurants and hotel establishments are obliged
by law to have a complaints book (livro de reclamações),
which must always be available to customers. All complaints
must then be forwarded to the DGT (Direcção-Geral
de Turismo).
CREDIT CARDS
The most commonly accepted credit cards in Portugal are 4B (Spain); Clau (Andorra); Visa; American Express; EC-Eurocheque; Eurocard/Mastercard; Banksys (Belgium) and Diners Club. There is a national network of automatic cash machines identified by MB (Multibanco), from which cash can be dispensed 24 hours a day. The maximum amount that can be drawn per day with an MB card is 200 euros.
CRIME
Visitors are advised to leave passports and other valuables
in the hotel safe-deposit box. Ladies are encouraged
to keep a good grip on hand-bags due to the increase
in bag-snatching during the last few years, particularly
in the main tourist areas. Pickpockets are always active
on buses, trams, trains and around the main shopping
areas. The national emergency number is 112.
CURRENCY
The former Portuguese unit of currency, the escudo, was replaced
by the euro on 1 January, 2OO2, set at the fixed rate of 1
euro = 2OO.482 escudos.
Composed of 1OO cents, the euro has eight coin denominations
for 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 1O cents, 2O cents, 5O cents,
1 euro and 2 euros. Seven notes are also in circulation for
5 euros, 1O euros, 2O euros, 5O euros, 1OO euros, 2OO euros
and 5OO euros. The same currency is valid in 11 other European
countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Holland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain.
The euro is also the official currency for payments made through
the international banking system such as cheques, money transfers,
credit card transactions, etc. There’s no limit to how
much foreign currency can be taken into Portugal, which can
be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change. All major credit
cards are accepted at most establishments throughout the country
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
There's no limit to the amount of goods which can be
taken from Portugal to another European Union country,
provided they are for personal use (ie not for resale)
and proof of purchase can be made.
Visitors travelling to Portugal from outside the EU
should check their allowance prior to departure.
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