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For Indians: No passport/visa/permission is required. They can stay in permitted areas for as long as they want.
For Foreigners: A passport is required with an Indian Visa to enter India. This is also applicable to foreigners entering Andamans directly from charter/private yachts. Additionally, a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is also required which can be availed on arrival to Port Blair from the Immigration counter at the airport or, embarkation of ships at the seaport. RAP is issued for a 30-day visit to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and is extendable up to 15 more days. Tickets can be rescheduled in Port Blair itself from the respective airline offices.

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Andaman is a part of India. Thus, a visa for India is valid for the Andaman and Nicobar islands as well and is required for most foreign nationals. The visas are obtainable at the Indian missions, consulates, and high commissions overseas. They are valid for the period issued and range from a 15 day period to up to a six-month period for tourists. They are valid from the date of issue and it is wise to start travel as soon as the visa is obtained to take advantage of the entire period of visa validity. Once obtained, visas can be extended in India.

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Under the Foreigners (Restricted) Areas Order, 1963, the entire union territory of Andaman and Nicobar islands have been declared as a ‘restricted area’. Every foreigner, except a citizen of Bhutan, who desires to enter and stay in a Protected or Restricted Area, is required to obtain a special permit from a competent authority, known as RAP or Restricted area permit. The Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is easily obtained on arrival at Port Blair. The procedure usually takes 15 minutes, is free of cost, and is available to all foreign nationals.It has recently been brought to our notice that some Indian Visas issued to carry a stamp that reads “Entry to restricted areas NOT permitted”. Should your Visa carry such a stamp, please contact the embassy and have the visa re-issued as you will not be allowed to enter the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

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Most foreigners arriving at Port Blair are given a 30-day permit. Closer to the time of expiry (about 3 days ahead) this permit can be extended by another 15 days. This extension can be done either at the police station on Havelock island or at the Immigration Office in Port Blair, and you will need to show a confirmed return ticket (for the journey within the next 15 days) in order to get this extension. Please note that it may not always be possible to get this extension in a few hours and you may need to stay overnight to obtain the extension if you are applying in Port Blair.It is rare that tourists are given less than 30 days on the permit. However, it does happen to a few and it is recommended that you check the expiry of the RAP when the official hands it to you just in case it has been given only for a few days. Diplomats are usually not given the full 30 days and usually get between a week and 15 days.

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Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a group of 572 islands located in the Bay of Bengal. It is around 1000 miles away from the Indian subcontinent down South-East.

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Two ways – either take a flight to Port Blair from Kolkata, Chennai, or Delhi or take a ship to Port Blair From Chennai, Kolkata or vizag.

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A flight from Kolkata/Chennai takes two hours, while the one from Delhi takes about five hours. Ships take as long as 50 hours (3-4 days roughly).

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We believe holidaying in the Andamans can be done throughout the year – in summers/monsoon (no winter season there). However, tourist inflow is maximum during October to May. More info on the best tiem to visit Andaman. 

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There are only 32 inhabited islands in a total of 572 islands. Tourists are permitted only in a list of islands. You can see the list here.

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There are only 32 inhabited islands in a total of 572 islands. Tourists are permitted only in a list of islands. You can see the list here.

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Yes. Indian Rupee is used in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. You can exchange currency at the airport, from the banks, or currency dealers. Also, you can withdraw Indian Rupees from the ATMs there.

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The quantum of tourist inflow to the Andaman & Nicobar islands is a testimony of how safe tourists feel in the islands. These islands are some of the safest places to live/travel in the country.

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Andaman is not known for its vegetarian cuisine but with the inflow of tourists, vegetarian food has become easily available. So YES, if you are a vegetarian traveling to the Andamans, you need not worry. In fact, there are a few vegetarian restaurants we recommend. You can see one of the most famous vegetarian restaurants in Port Blair here.

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International dialing is available from most major hotels and ISTD booths in the markets. To make an international call, dial 00 followed by the Country Code followed by the Area Code followed by the Phone Number. Services tend to be reliable. Internet is available, though not as widely as in many other tourist areas and the connection is reputed to be very slow, but there is hope that things will improve in the next season. A roaming mobile signal is available in Port Blair but may be erratic on other islands. If you are planning to buy a new SIM card, we suggest you opt for BSNL as it has the best connectivity on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

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Given the fact that the Andamans has a mix of different religions, almost all festivals celebrated in mainland India including but not limited to Christmas, New Year, Diwali, Eid, and Easter are celebrated here. However, the biggest festival here is the ‘Durga Pooja’ due to the number of Bengalis on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

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The Andamans are a very relaxed place so the rules are simple as well. Act with respect and decorum, dress appropriately (especially away from the beach), and as anywhere, always ask permission before taking photographs of the local population. A beach destination does not mean that the locals are used to seeing women in revealingA beach destination does not mean that the locals are used to seeing women in revealing swimwear. Please be sensitive to the traditions of the locals and cover up when in areas where locals are present like jetty areas and village markets. Having said that, we would like to stress that the Andamans is a remote place and although the people are casual, one should not expect the kind of comfort or the level of service that is expected of a hotel/resort in mainland India.

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All of India has standard 220 Volts with sockets mixed between 3 round pins. While some sockets also take the two round pin plugs, to avoid confusion or disappointment, we suggest guests bring at least one travel adapter.

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India has a very mixed religious history and a reputation for religious tolerance. Hinduism is by far the most popular religion in the Andaman & Nicobar islands followed by Christianity and then Islam. Other religions that make up the total include Sikhism and Buddhism. Even in the Andaman Islands, there is quite a large mix, and while the Hindu festivals are the most celebrated ones, around Christmas time you will see small processions with Santa Claus’ and followers.

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The usual personal effects along with clothes. Make sure you have personal accessories suited to the appropriate voltage. It is 220V in India. Carry prescriptions of medications and spectacles. Make sure you have an international driver’s license if you wish to drive. Carry enough local currency equivalent to $100 worth at all times to pay for local services. Make sure your documents including cash, passport and credit cards, and tickets are secure, and keep a copy with you at all times.

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Preferably carry traveler’s cheques and cash in Indian currency up to $100 at all times to pay for local services. Credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, Amex are also widely accepted in Andaman.

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Yes. Using credit cards to withdraw cash is available at quite a few places in Andaman.

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Drugs are absolutely illegal in Andaman & Nicobar islands with severe penalties if caught in possession of even minute quantities.

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The whole of India falls under the same time zone so the local time is GMT + 5½ hours throughout the country, all year round. The Andamans are much closer to Thailand than India which means life in the Andamans happens a little bit earlier in the day, to make use of the daylight hours.

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Indian postal services, in general, have a very good reputation, domestically and internationally. However, in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the postal service is not reliable and there have been many instances of parcels and letters not reaching their destination. Hence, it is advised to use postal services in mainland India rather than the postal services in Andamans.

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Port Blair is the capital city of the Andamans and is of immense historical importance. There are many sights that are to be seen here and most do not require you to hire a guide. You can view a list of the places here (do in Port Blair). The ones we recommend have been marked.

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As such there are no dangerous predatory animals in the forests of the Andamans. So do not come here expecting to see tigers or lions. The forests here are inhabited by animals like wild boar, spotted deer, civet cat as well as numerous species of birds and butterflies. The vast forest canopy provides a home to many different species of reptiles as well. Snakes Both poisonous and harmless can be seen in the Andamans.Monitor lizards too inhabit these islands and the mangrove creeks provide shelter to ‘salties’ or saltwater crocodiles.Tourists are advised to pay attention to signboards posted on beaches as well as watch their step if walking through dense jungle or mangrove areas.