Language

The official language is Bulgarian, using the Cyrillic alphabet. It belongs to the group of Slavic languages and is closely related to Russian and Serbian. Russian, previously a required subject in school, is also widely spoken. English is now the most widely studied second language, followed by German and French and Italian.

Religion

The main religion is Orthodox Christianity (85%). But there are also followers of the Catholic, Islamic (13%), Baptist, Methodist and Jewish faith. The Communist regime discouraged religion, however religious freedom has now been re-established and religious holidays are openly celebrated.

Time

Winter time: GMT +2 hours (October through March) or +1 hours - according CET (Central European Time).

Passports and visas

Entering the country is only possible with a valid international passport. The citizens EU and EFTA member states do not need an entry visa. Citizens of other countries need an entry or transit visa, which is issued by the embassies and consulates of the Republic of Bulgaria abroad. No visas are required of CIS citizens for a stay of 1 month, provided they are in the possession of a valid passport, a voucher for pre-paid tourist services or if they pay the sum of 40 USD for each day of their stay in the country.

Money

The official monetary unit in Bulgaria is the LEV (BGN), plural: LEVA, which consists of 100 stotinki. There are banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20,50 and 100 levs nominal and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 stotinki and 1 lev. There are exchange offices in all banks, hotels, airports, railway stations and border checkpoints. VAT in Bulgaria is 20%. 1 EUR = 1.95583 leva (fixed rate). See other currencies exchange rates at XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.

Credit cards

The usage of credit cards in Bulgaria is not of general practice. Most shops prefer cash payment. Credit Cards are mainly accepted in larger hotels, trade centres and car rental offices. Information for which credit cards are accepted can be received from the window stickers, where payment with credit cards is available. Most popular types are: Visa, MasterCard, JCB and Diners Club. American Express Travellers' cheques must be cashed at banks and most charge commission.

Banks

Usually work from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 16.00 h. and in case they work on Saturday - from 09.00 to 13.00h. In the resorts, banks work from Monday to Saturday with working time from 08.00 to 20.00h. The exchange offices usually work non-stop or from 09.00 to 17.00h. There are also 'bankomates' (ATM) on the streets of larger cities, some of the larger hotels and most banks.

Beaches

There are many long, beautiful, sandy beaches along the Black sea coastline. Most of them are fully organized - with shower facilities, beach chairs, umbrellas and sea sports facilities. All beaches are free of charge. A few years ago colours of the banners showing the state of the sea were standardized with the international ones as follows: Green banner - Calm Sea. The swimming is allowed. Yellow banner - Forbidden entering behind the float and usage of inflatable means. Red banner - Forbidden bathing and swimming.

Sports

All resorts offer excellent conditions for practicing wide scale of summer and winter sports. The most popular sports in Bulgaria are: football, ski & most winter sports, most water sports, tennis, volleyball, basketball, athletics, weight-lifting, wrestling, boxing, fishing, hunting, etc.

Telephone Services

Phone calls can be made from the hotel room, post office or public phones (with phone cards which can be bought at shops, news-stands, kiosks or post offices for Mobika-blue & Bulfon-orange) by dialling the number directly (for local calls) or the code of the country & town respectively when abroad. The international dialling code for Bulgaria is ++359, then for Sofia - 2, Varna - 52, Bourgas - 56, Plovdiv - 32, etc.

There are also 3 mobile telephone operators

Mobikom - using the NMT 450 system (048...)

MTel - GSM (0889/8/7/6...) and

Globul - GSM (0898...)

EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

Fire - 160

Ambulance - 150

Police - 166

Road Assistance - 146

Traffic Police - 165 or (02) 9882225 in Sofia

Post Offices

There are post offices in all resort complexes, which usually work from 08:00 to 21:00h. Post cards and letters can be left on the hotel reception or can be dropped in the post boxes in the resorts. Stamps can be bought from the hotel reception or at the post office.

Shops

In the resorts they usually work round-the-clock or from 09:00 to 21:00h. The rest work from 09:00 to 19:00h. and from 09:00 to 13:00h on Saturdays.

Restaurants

Most of the restaurants in resorts work from 10:00 h. - until customers are available, the rest work from 11:00 to 23:00h. The cuisine varies - traditional Bulgarian cuisine is served as well as Central / Western European, Chinese and Thai cuisine. Most luxury restaurants accept major Credit cards like Visa, MasterCard and Dinners Club. Menus are usually printed in both Bulgarian and English.

Pharmacies / Medical services

Most pharmacies open from 08:00 to 20:00 h. and some are open 24 hours. Medical services - Each resort has a fully equipped state clinic. There are also private medical centres and services. Phone for emergency medical service - 150. Free First Aid and consultation in emergencies.

RENT-A-CAR

Detailed information for car rental services - offices, prices and conditions of payment can be received at every hotel reception or tourist information offices /centres. Major international car rental companies with offices in Bulgaria: Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Avis and Budget. Local car rental companies offer much lower rates but operate older cars.

Taxi

Taxi can be found in front of almost every restaurant or hotel. Can also be called on the phone from the hotel or the bar and can be stopped on the street. When in Sofia look for the "OK-Supertrans" taxies (tel. 973 21 21) - these are the most reliable in terms of service, prices and fleet. The usual rate is 0.50 leva - call charge and about 0.40 BGN per kilometre travelled. Tips are recommended but should not exceed 10 - 20 % of the bill.

Buses

Information for state and private bus lines can be found on the reception of the hotel, bus station and tourist information centres. There is a good network of bus transportation throughout the country, which is a relatively cheap way to go round.

Airports

There are civil aviation airports in the cities of: Sofia (International), Varna, Bourgas, Plovdiv, Rousse and Targovishte. In rare cases of heavy mist at Sofia Airport, flights are redirected to Plovdiv Airport, which is about 160 km. from Sofia, and passengers are transported with buses to Sofia.

Gambling

Casino and Bingo halls - usually it is necessary to pay an entrance fee in the casinos. It's also necessary to carry a passport. Bingo halls are only operated in Bulgarian language.

Electricity

Voltage in Bulgaria is 220V and the frequency - 50 Hz.

Water

Tap water in Bulgaria is completely suitable for drinking, but at places it is highly chlorinated and bottled mineral water is recommended. Most local brands, like Gorna Banya, Devin, Bankya, Hissarya and Velingrad have excellent taste and curative characteristics. Most of them are originate from the famous SPA resorts that they carry the name of.

Tips

In most restaurants and bars it is not necessary to pay extra for the service, but the custom is to leave 5-10% from the value of the order. In the restaurants where the tip is included in the bill, its percentage is mentioned in the menu. Tips can also be given to the chambermaid, the errand-boy, the taxi drivers and at the petrol stations staff.

Fuel

The best Bulgarian fuel is the H 98 octane "Super/unleaded", with prices per litre of about 1.95 lev (1 EUR). The fuel most commonly used is the 95-H (unleaded), with price of about 1.60 lev (0.80 EUR) and Diesel - price about 1.30 lev (0.65 EUR). Petrol stations are conveniently situated throughout the country. LPG is also available at 0.90 leva per litre (0.45 EUR).

Yachting and Yacht Ports

Yachting is a sport, which now is starting to develop in Bulgaria. There are ports in Balchik, Golden Sands Resort, St. Constantine & Helena Resort and Varna to the North, and at Nessebar, Bourgas, Kiten and Tsarevo to the South. Conditions for usage of the yacht ports can be found from tour operators and the tourist information centres.