Time
Las Vegas and other western states are 7 hours behind Greenwich Meantime (GMT), and Anchorage in Alaska is 8 hours behind GMT. From March to November the United States observes Daylight Saving and is 6 hours behind and 7 hours behind GMT.
Voltage
Standard voltage is between 110 and 120 volts. Primary sockets generally require the 2 flat-pin variety. We recommend you pack a universal travel adaptor and you will need a voltage converter to use non-US appliances.
Money
The official currency in the USA is the US Dollar (USD).
Euro, British Pounds and other major currencies can be exchanged locally or in advance of departure. While exchange facilities will be available at most airports they can incur substantial fees, therefore it is recommended to change money at a bureau de change or bank. Cash can also be withdrawn from ATMs and debit/credit cards are accepted at most establishments. It’s advisable to request bank notes in a mix of denominations, as it can sometimes be hard to get change from large notes and smaller notes are handy for smaller purchases and gratuities.
Health
You should seek medical advice before travelling to the USA from your local health practitioner to ensure you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Tetanus is recommended. Emergency health care in the USA is expensive therefore it is important to ensure you have invested in good travel insurance.
Water
The water quality in the USA is good and tap water is always drinkable.
Food
The palate of the United States is much more diverse than most would expect it to be, with a different speciality from state to state, and there is much more to it than hotdogs and hamburgers! In the northernmost state of Alaska the traditional Eskimo staple of caribou is a firm favourite with steak and reindeer burgers on the menu at most restaurants. The nation’s beloved sweet wobbly treat of Jell-o is most popular in Utah, and you can even try it deep fried at the state fair. In Arizona fried dough was once a staple for many Native American tribes and is still eaten today, either plain or with ground beef, beans and cheese. If you’re in Nevada, try locally-made pesto or pignoli cookies made with pine nuts that have been harvest here for over 10,000 years. Or in Wyoming chow down on buffalo jerky, just like the cowboys did.
Eating out is very common in the USA, with families dining at restaurants on the weekends and during the week too. Most cities will have a wide range of restaurants and cuisines to choose from, ranging from traditional American favourites to more exotic dishes. You’ll also find eating establishments to suit any budget or time-frame, whether you want to grab a quick bite at a fast food joint or are looking to splash out as a Michelin-starred restaurant. If eating out it is important to remember that most wait staff rely on tips as the basis of their income, and generally expect to receive between 15-20% of the total bill price.