Entry requirements: A visa is not required of US citizens for stays of up to 60 days, but a valid passport is necessary. Immunizations are not mandatory. Travelers may import or export foreign currency in any amount, provided it is for "touristic purposes." No more than 5,000 Portuguese escudos per traveler may be imported into Portugal, although up to 25,000 escudos may be exported.

Climate and clothing: Wear summer clothing during the temperate sunny days and cool nights May-September. Fall-weight clothing and a topcoat or warm raincoat are appropriate for winter. A rainhat or umbrella is recommended.

Health: Health and sanitation standards generally are good. Tapwater is potable year round in large cities and in outlying areas during rainy seasons. Bottled spring water is available.

Telecommunications: Telephone and telegraph circuits are available to Western Europe and to almost all other points worldwide. Lisbon is five-time zones ahead of eastern standard time. AT&T card services are available through Marconi Operators. AT&T cards can only be used for calls to the United States.

Transportation: Direct flights are available from the United States, and worldwide connections are good. Domestic air services fly to Oporto in the north, Faro in the Algarve, and to several other provincial cities. Railroads and buses serve the entire country. Lisbon has good, inexpensive taxi, bus, streetcar, and subway service.

National holidays: The US Embassy and Consulates are closed on the following holidays: January 1 (New Year's), February 7 (Carnival), March 24 (Good Friday), April 25 (Liberty Day), May 1 (Labor Day), May 25 (Corpus Christi), June 10 (Portugal Day), June 13 (St. Anthony's Day--only in Lisbon), August 15 (Assumption Day), October 5 (Portuguese Republic), November 1 (All Saint's Day), December 1 (Portuguese Independence), December 8 (Immaculate Conception), December 25 (Christmas Day).

Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, May 1990.