New Zealand receives more than 3 million tourists a year who seek to witness the charms of this wonderful country. It is a remote country, but its natural beauty and the quality of life in its cities attracts powerfully the attention of those who seek for their holidays really extraordinary destinations.
Although when we talk about holidays we tend to avoid any kind of worry, embarking on a trip to an unknown country deserves detailed planning. That is why this time we have prepared an article where we address the main aspects to take into account if you decide to head for New Zealand.
Requirements to enter the country:
As you must know, in order to enter a country it is necessary, in many cases, to have a visa that allows it and above all the passport in force, at least until three months after the date of departure.
Although in the case of obtaining a visa, there are people who do not need it to enter New Zealand because they meet any of the following requirements:
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They are citizens or have a passport from the United Kingdom (which allows a stay of 6 months in the country).
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Are citizens or residents of New Zealand or Australia
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Are citizens of a nation that has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand (allowing you a 3 month stay in the country)
If this is not your case, you must apply for a visitor’s visa, with which you will have access to the country for a period of 9 months at most and one of the easiest ways to do so is through the Internet.
You should also note that if you are visiting New Zealand after October 1, 2019, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA) if you are from a country with a visa waiver agreement. You will also have to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) which is nothing more than a fee to be paid as a contribution to the tourist infrastructure and protection of the natural environment you will enjoy on your holidays. This will have a value of NZD$ 35.00 for each person who travels to the country and will be charged at the time of the transaction of your NZeTA.
Best time to visit New Zealand:
Being in the Southern Hemisphere, the months with the best climate are between September and April. If you take advantage of these dates, you are guaranteed to enjoy a wide variety of activities.
Don’t forget the sunscreen:
One of the things that can not miss in your luggage is the sunscreen, especially try to carry one with protection 50. It is very common to find in New Zealand warnings about the incidence of ultraviolet radiation, so you should avoid exposure to the sun’s rays during the midday hours.
Climate of New Zealand:
This country has very variable weather conditions from one region to another, although it stands out for a mainly temperate climate being the North Island warmer than the South Island. It has very humid regions like Auckland and others that receive an average of only 640 mm of rain a year like Christchurch.
Best places to visit in New Zealand:
When dealing with this subject it is very difficult to name just one place, because in its geography there are thousands of places that can be the perfect destination for a good vacation.
Today, New Zealand’s national parks are one of the country’s main tourist attractions due to their extraordinary beauty. In them visitors have the opportunity to come into direct contact with nature and discover the details that make the native flora and fauna of New Zealand in one of the most admired of the planet.
Its beaches are also very popular as there are beaches for all tastes. From the quietest with large white sands and turquoise waters to those with indomitable waves and black sands.
Similarly, its main cities are host to a large number of foreign visitors who arrive eager to learn about New Zealand’s high quality of life standards and to enjoy the warm welcome they provide to newcomers.
Language:
The most widely spoken language in New Zealand is English, although Maori is also recognized as an official language.
Currency:
The currency of this country is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$) but also accept payment through credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard.
Types of accommodation:
In New Zealand you can choose to stay in camps, hostels, hotels or motels. The price of the stay will depend on the type of accommodation and the season in which you decide to travel. For example, from December to May you may find high prices because these are the high season months.
Internet in New Zealand:
Staying connected in the New Zealand territory is no problem as there are many offers that allow you to purchase this service at reasonable prices. In addition, in many accommodations along with the payment of the stay is included the use of Internet.
Transport:
Although many recommend renting a car to have the freedom to go anywhere at any time you want, in New Zealand you can also move without difficulty from one place to another using public transport: taxis, buses, trains and so on.
We hope that the information provided in this article will help you if you decide to organize a vacation in this beautiful country. Remember to check every detail very carefully so that you can enjoy, without setbacks, a wonderful stay.