Las Vegas Travel Tips
Customs and Visas
Health
Money Matters
Crime & security in Las Vegas
Las Vegas tourist information
Public holidays
Useful contacts
US customs
Customs: meat or meat products, illegal , firearms, seeds, plants, and fruits are among prohibited goods. Also, do not bring in any duty-free goods worth more than $400 (US citizens) or $100 (foreign travelers). Visitors over 21 may import 200 cigarettes, 3 lb (1.3 kg) of tobacco or 50 cigars, and 34 fl oz (1 litre) of alcohol.
Non-residents may import, free of duty and internal revenue tax, articles worth up to $100 for use as gifts for other persons, as long as they remain in the US for at least 72 hours and keep the gifts with them. This $100 gift exemption or any part of it can be claimed only once every six months. It can include 100 cigars, but no alcohol. Do not have the articles gift wrapped, as they must be available for customs inspection.
If you are not entitled to the $100 gift exemption, you may bring in articles worth up to $25 free of duty for your personal or household use. You may include any of the following: 50 cigarettes, 10 cigars, 150 ml of alcohol, or 5 fl oz (150ml) of alcoholic perfume or proportionate amounts. Articles bought in duty-free shops in foreign countries are subject to US customs duty and restrictions but may be included in your exemption. However, if you stop off in Vegas for a couple of days “in-transit,” these may be confiscated.
For a breakdown of customs allowances contact the United States Customs Service, PO Box 7407, Washington, DC 20044. Tel: 202-514-4316.
Visas to visit Las Vegas
Entry requirements: a passport, a passport-sized photograph, a visitor's visa, proof of intent to leave the US and, depending on your country of origin, an international vaccination certificate are required of most foreign nationals. Visitors from a few European countries staying less than 90 days no longer need a visa. Vaccination certificate requirements vary, but proof of immunisation against smallpox or cholera may be necessary. Canadian and Mexican citizens, and British residents of Canada and Bermuda, are normally exempt but it is wise to check.
Since September 11, 2001, security measures are in place, and are subject to change without notice. Foreign nationals should always carry photo ID.
Top
Las Vegas travel health
Health care in the US is extremely expensive, so visitors should always have comprehensive travel insurance to cover any emergencies.
Hospitals
Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center, 2075 East Flamingo Road. Tel: 733-8800.
Lake Mead Hospital and Medical Center, 1409 East Lake Mead Boulevard, North Las Vegas. Tel: 649-7711.
St Rose Dominican Hospital,
102 East Lake Mead Drive, Henderson. Tel: 616-5000.
Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 Town Center Drive.
Tel: 233-7000.
Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, 3186 South Maryland Parkway. Tel: 731-8080.
University Medical Center,
1800 West Charleston Boulevard. Tel: 383-2000.
Valley Hospital, 620 Shadow Lane. Tel: 388-4000.
Top
Las Vegas money matters
Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, although not all cards at all places. Along with out-of-state or overseas bank cards, they can also be used to withdraw money at ATMs (automatic teller machines), which are commonplace in casinos. These are marked with the corresponding stickers (i.e. Cirrus, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Plus, etc.) If you plan to cash travelers' cheques, be sure to bring along your passport.
Automated teller machines (ATMs) are located throughout the city and in most major casinos, many of which also accept travelers' checks and cash foreign currency. There are many check-cashing services, which accept foreign cheques.
Shoppers in Clark County pay about 8.25 percent in taxes for all non-food items, or for food items purchased already prepared such as in a restaurant. There is often a slight difference between the tax in Clark County, the city of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite, Laughlin, and other areas of the state.
Top
Crime & security in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a relatively safe city despite the fact that it is awash in cash. In addition to the Metropolitan Police Department, which patrols nearly all areas, there are separate police departments in North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City. Other police agencies include Nevada Gaming Control officers, who keep the gambling business above board, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which investigates federal crimes.
Every casino has its own armed security force to protect customers and the casino's interests. If you have any problem inside the hotel, your first stop should be with security, although the chances of retrieving lost property are not good.
At no time should you leave any cash or belongings unattended. There are those who prey on the unsuspecting. For the most part, visitors to Las Vegas are safe in all casino areas including the street in front of the resorts, but, as in most cities, it is unwise to travel at night in areas that are not well lit.
Top
Las Vegas tourist information
There are public tourist offices throughout Clark County. These provide excellent information for Las Vegas travelers and often have discount coupons for any number of activities in the area. They can all be accessed through the Internet at www.lasvegas24hours.com, the website of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Everything you need to know about Las Vegas can be found here including an events calendar, detailed maps of the area, and visitor and convention information.
Tourist offices:
Las Vegas Visitor Information Center, 3150 Paradise Road.
Tel: 892-7573.
Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, 3720 Howard Hughes Parkway. Tel: 735-1616. Fax: 735-2011.
Boulder City Visitor Information Center, 100 Nevada Highway, Boulder City. Tel: 294-1252.
Top
Public holidays
New Year's Day: January 1st
Martin Luther King Day: 3rd Monday in January
President's Day: 3rd Monday in February
Labor Day: 1st Monday in September
Independence Day: 4th July
Veterans' Day: November 1st
Christmas Day: December 25th
Although Las Vegas recognizes all major public holidays in the US, it makes little difference to the casual visitor. Most government offices, including federal, county and city, close on holidays, but the majority of businesses that cater to tourists never close.
Most of the important holidays occur on the Monday closest to the celebration date. During most 3-day weekends Vegas becomes very crowded.
Top
Las Vegas useful contacts
All emergencies, tel: 911
Metropolitan Police Department, 400 Stewart Avenue, tel (non-emergency): 795-3111 or 229-3111.
North Las Vegas Police Department, 1301 East Lake Mead Boulevard, North Las Vegas, tel: 633-9111.
Henderson Police Department, 240 South Water Street, Henderson, tel: 565-8933.
Boulder City Police Department, 1005 Arizona St, Boulder City, tel: 293-9224.
Nevada Highway Patrol, tel: 486-4100.
Nevada Gaming Control, 555 East Washington, tel: 486-2000.
Ambulance Dispatch Center, tel: 384-3400.
Rape Crisis Hotline, tel: 366-1640.
Suicide Prevention Hotline, tel: 877/855-4673.
N.B. All Las Vegas tel. nos, unless stated otherwise, begin with the code 702. When dialling within Las Vegas, you don't use the code. When calling outside the area, even if the local code is still 702, you must dial the number in full. The area code throughout the rest of Nevada is 705.