Arriving in the country for the first time, the traveler should dispose the essential information, which would allow him to adapt faster to local specifics and overcome the “new place complex” quicker. We hope that the submitted information will help you during your first visit to Moldova and its capital – the city of Chisinau.

General information

Moldova lies in the southeastern part of the European continent. The country occupies the area of 33,76 thousand square kilometers and borders on Romania in the west and Ukraine in the east. Maximal distance from east to vest in Moldova is 150 km, maximal distance from south to north is 350 km. The largest river is Nistru.

• Time zone - GMT +02.00
• Population - 4 320 000 people
• Capital – Chisinau, 800 000 inhabitants
• Form of government - parliamentary republic

Official language - Moldavian. As a mean of international communication, Russian is used widely. Employees of service and entertainment industry (hotels, restaurants, casinos, clubs) in large cities of Moldova master English, as well.

Climate

Climate of Moldova is temperate continental. Temperature span of January is –3C to –9C; that of July is +19C to +30C. Precipitation is 400-560 mm/year, mainly in spring and autumn. The best time for a visit is September and October. The period from May to August is quite pleasant, either, but autumn is the harvest time, so, in addition to fine weather, you can enjoy the natural abundance of Moldova.

Visa regulations

Visa is necessary for all the foreign visitors except the citizens of CIS (but Turkmenia), Cuba, Northern Korea, Mongolia, Romania and Vietnam. Transit passengers who continue their trip on the same day, or are waiting for transfer in the airport and have the confirmative documents, do not need it, too.

Requirements For Foreign Citizens To Enter Moldova

• Passport must be valid 3 months beyond intended stay
• Tickets and Documents for return or onward travel
• Visa is Required
• Vaccination - None Required

• Valid signed passport
• Application form, fully completed and signed
• Passport-type photograph
  
  Note: For Non-USA citizens, the following documents are also required

For Tourists: Copy of hotel confirmation or letter of confirmation from tour operator

For Business: Letter of invitation from Company or Organization in Moldova

For Private Visit: Your friend or relative in Moldova should obtain an official invitation from the local visa office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Important: Citizens of European countries, USA and Canada do not need the invitation unless their sejourn in Moldova exceeds 6 month. Foreign citizens can obtain visa in diplomatic mission of Moldova in their country, or receive it at the entrance in the republic.

Price of a visa depends on the purpose of the visit (business, tourism, transit) and its duration. In the holidays time (e.g. Wine fest in October) visa regulations may be tempered. All the foreign citizens arriving in Moldova should be registered in police within 3 days after the arrival.

Customs

Import of foreign currency is not limited. Export is permitted within the limits of imported amount. National currency may be imported and exported without any restrictions. Though, sums exceeding 5 000 USD limit are subject to compulsory declaring.

It is permitted to bring in the country and to take out 1 block of cigarettes (200 pieces) and 1 liter of spirits at most. Cameras, portable personal computers and other electronics are subject to declaring.

Firearms, cold steel, explosives and gas cans need a special permission from Moldovan Ministry of Internal Affairs. Pets need a veterinary certificate.

It is forbidden to import foodstuff without certificate of conformance; toxic, radioactive and explosive substances; printed issues and images fostering ideas of war and violence.

Money

Monetary unit of Moldova is Moldavian leu (plural - lei). 1 leu equals to 100 bans. There are banknotes of 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 leu. Coins in circulation are 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 ban.

Exchange value of Moldavian lei against the US dollar is about 14 lei for a dollar. In order to avoid troubles, exchange your money in banks or exchange offices. There are exchange offices that work nonstop.

American dollars are in use too; you can pay with it, for example, in a restaurant or a taxi.

All the malls, supermarkets and shops accept the national currency only. However, most of them accept "Visa" and "Europay/Mastercard". As a rule, there are currency exchange offices and ATMs in large trade centers.

Transnisrian Republic has its own currency: Transnistrian ruble, equal to 100 kopecks. This currency is not convertible, and it doesn't circulate outside Transnistria. Terms of currency exchange in Transnstria are quite severe and are frequently modified. Payments via credit cards and travelers' checks are virtually impossible there.

Accommodation

On arrival in Moldova you can dwell in a hotel, either large or small one, or appeal to a real estate agency. Almost any city of Moldova has one or two real estate agencies, which would offer you a lodging conform your preferences and financial opportunities.

Food

There are many interesting restaurants in Chisinau, which are worth visiting while staying in Moldova. As a rule, they offer the visitors traditional European and national cuisine (the symbol of which is definitely the Moldavian «mamaliga»). Besides, there are Mexican, Irish, Russian, Indian and Chinese restaurants in Chisinau. The hearty meal in a Chisinau restaurant will come to 15-20 US dollars (without spirits) at most. In other cities it may cost even less. Tips in the restaurants Moldova amount to 5-10% of the bill, and, as a rule, are not included.

Safety

To protect yourself from the illegal actions of the third persons, be prudent. Coming back to the hotel in the dark, you should better take a taxi, which will drive you straight from your departure point to the destination. To take a taxi use one of the telephone numbers from the «Transportation» section. Do not communicate with strangers; facing police stay calm, show your passport if required and ask them to help you find your hotel. One of the most effective ways to assure your safety and solve the arising problems is to address a security agency.

Transportation

Within Chisinau, transportation is performed by urban public transport: buses, trolley buses, jitneys or taxis. Having decided to go by an overcrowded trolleybus, pay a special attention to your documents and money and make sure that they are hidden properly.

Fare in public transport makes up to 3 lei (for going in a jitney). Regular buses, jitneys and trains perform the interurban communication. Regular buses depart on the schedule from Central and Southern bus stations. Jitneys depart from both bus stations and a small station in the northeastern city gates (Calea Iesilor str.). Trains depart from the singular railway station in the center of the city.

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