Language: French and Arabic are the official languages. There are many varieties of Comorian spoken too.
Currency: The official currency is the
Comoros Franc (KMF), which is divided into 100 centimes. Its value is tied to the Euro and many major tourist establishments accept Euros as payment. In towns, foreign currency can be exchanged at banks on
Ngazidja, but banking facilities are limited on the other islands. The Banque Internationale des Comores (BIC) is the only bank that will change travelers cheques. To avoid additional charges take travelers cheques in Euros. There
is no bank on Mwali. Banks are open on weekday mornings only, from 7am to 12pm. The acceptance of credit cards is limited to a few upmarket hotels.
Time: Local time is GMT +3.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs and one with receptacle with male grounding pin, are in use.
Communications: The international dialing code for the Comoros is +269. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for
South Africa). International calls made within the country require operator assistance. There is limited cell phone coverage, but this is growing. The Societe Nationale des Telecommunications provides a GSM 900 network. Internet access is scarce. A few hotels provide Internet.
Duty Free: Passengers of 18 years and older can bring 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g tobacco, one bottle of alcohol and one bottle of perfume without paying customs duty.
Getting Around: Share-taxis are a common form of transport as are taxi-brousses. Between islands there are internal flights (not to
Mayotte), and boat services connect the four islands in the archipelago. Ferries are the easiest and cheapest way of island hopping.
Tourist OfficeSociété Comorienne de Tourisme et d'Hôtellerie (COMOTEL), Njazidja: +269 732 365
EmergencyEmergencies: 17 (Police); 15 (Medical).
Embassies
Comoros Embassy,
New York,
United States (also responsible for
Canada): +1 212 750 1637.
Comoros Honorary Consul,
London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7722 1146.
Comoros Embassy,
Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 343 9483.
United States Embassy,
Antananarivo,
Madagascar (also responsible for Comoros): +261 20 22 212 57.
British
High Commission,
Port Louis,
Mauritius (also responsible for Comoros): +230 202 9400.
Canadian High Commission,
Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania (also responsible for Comoros): +255 (0)22 216 3300.
Australian High Commission, Port Louis, Mauritius (also responsible for Comoros): +230 202 0160.
South African High Commission,
Moroni: +269 321 947.
