First visit to Moldova
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 +21C to +39C. 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
Requirements For Foreign Citizens To Obtain Visa To Moldova
- 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.
Citizens of European countries, USA and Canada do not need the invitation unless their
sojourn in Moldova exceeds 6 month. Foreign citizens can obtain visa in diplomatic mission P> 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 12 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.
Also see
