Information for Tourists about Karelia. Visa, Currency, Time Zone, Climate...

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Visa

As far as Karelia is a republic of Russian Federation, one needs a valid passport and Russian entry visa for visiting its territory. The entry visa can be obtained at a local Embassy or Consulate. It must be registered within 3 days (72 hours) upon your arrival to Russia (excluding weekends and official holidays). More information about the tourist visa.

Currency

The currency is the Russian ruble. You should exchange some money at the border. You can exchange Your money at the official spots and in banks, also. But most of them operate with US dollars and Euro, only. Very few of them exchange Norwegian and Swedish crowns and GB pounds. The rate varies a little in different points and is determined by the rate approved by the Central Bank of RF. 1 Euro is about 35 and 1 US dollar is about 29 Rubles, usually. But, sometimes, it changes well over. All payments here must be made in rubles only, according to the state law. You can pay by card (MasterCard or Visa) in some places, also. But, very often, payments can be made cash, only.

Language

The official one in Karelia is Russian. Some people in Petrozavodsk can speak English, but the number of them is not more than 10-20%. The knowledge of other languages is more seldom thing. But it is not a problem to find a guide for tours, excursions who can speak some of the following: English, German, Finnish, Swedish and, sometimes, French, Norwegian.

Time Zone

Petrozavodsk city and the whole republic of Karelia belongs to the Moscow's one. Moscow's winter time is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Time (equals Greenwich + 3 hours). In summer it is 4 hours ahead of Greenwich. The summer time changes the winter one on the last Sunday of March, at 2 a.m. The clocks are shifted forward by 1 hour. On the last Sunday of October, 3 a.m. the clocks are shifted backward by 1 hour - summer time ends. Most of the European countries use such a system too. Thus, the difference between, for example, London and Moscow is always equal to 3 hours. Moscow time is used in all the schedules (trains, buses, ships, planes, etc.) all over Russia.

Voltage

The standard voltage in Karelia is 220V (as in the whole RF). But, sometimes, another values are used (for example, in trains). A part of the Russian plugs (and sockets) differs from the European standard. Nevertheless, it is not a problem to find an adapter. You can get all the information about the voltages and plug types in our country (and other countries of the whole world) from here http://www.yung-li.com.tw/EN/info/ww_specifications.htm

Climate

It is rather mild in Karelia. It is not very cold in winter and not very hot in summer. The temperature is usually higher than minus 10 degrees by Celsius (plus 14 degrees by Fahrenheit) in winter, though sometimes the frost is stronger - to minus 20-30 °C (minus 4-22 °F). Or even colder, but this happens rarely. Summer is usually rather chilly in here, though from time to time the temperature rises up to 25-30 °C (77-86 °F) and it becomes very warm and even hot for few weeks. As far as Karelia is a Northern republic, the winter is usually long here. It lasts for about five months or even more. There is always much snow during this season. The spring is usually cold. But, sometimes it is warm in the second half of April and in May. Though this warmth comes directly from the Sun only, which already rises high enough. The ground and the air aren't heated yet, so it is easy to catch cold in the second half of spring in Karelia. The autumn is often cold here. The average temperature is plus 10-15 °C (plus 50-59 °F) in September and October. November is, usually the month of the first snow, the first winter month. Some years the weather is warm in September and even in the first half of October. It can be about plus 20 °C (plus 68 °F). Autumn is often very rainy season in our republic. Sometimes, it rains for several weeks. Though, other years it is mostly very sunny during these months. Note, that the weather in Karelia often changes very rapidly, it can become colder very quickly - up to 15 °C (about 27 °F) per one day and even more. Beside this, the air is damp here and this circumstance intensifies the effect of frost. Sometimes, it is really cold during summer, also. The temperature may fall to about plus 10 °C (plus 50 °F) in the afternoon.

Water

There is a great amount of lakes and rivers in Karelia. Almost all of them are very pure. There are many various springs in the republic, also. The water taken from the faucet must be boiled if it is used for drinking. It is recommended not to use it for drinking and cooking. You can buy bottled water for this purposes (including very fresh one from karelian springs). It is cheap enough. Local population often uses filters, also.

Security Measures

Keep Your documents and money carefully, better in the pockets of Your clothes if it is necessary to take them when You are going somewhere. Don't leave Your money and documents in the places accessible for everyone. It is strongly recommended not to walk (or go anywhere) alone in the evening, at night and in the districts where there are few people on the streets. If You use a car please, park it on a special guarded territory, only.

Notes for Drivers

You should have driver's license if You want to drive a car on the territory of Karelia (and the whole Russia). You should have documents which confirm the registration of the car, also - if You drive Your own one (if You travel by it) or a written permission from the owner, if the car is owned by somebody else in Your country. Unfortunately, the quality of our roads leaves much to be desired. Be attentive and careful. The fuel quality is not good enough, also. It is recommended to have some reserve volume of fuel with You, always.

Accomodations

To be sure You'll get a suitable number in a hotel you liked, it is strongly recommended to book rooms beforehand. Thousands of tourists arrive to Petrozavodsk each summer and stay in the hotels of the city. Winter is popular enough tourist season, also. The best way to make a reservation is via a travel agency.

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