All about holidays in the Northern Mariana Islands: reviews, tips, guide. Northern Mariana Islands

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Visa to the Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands are located in the western part Pacific Ocean and are legally part of the United States. The islands have representation at all American embassies. For this reason, the presence of an American visa in the passport is automatically a pass to the territory of the islands.

For citizens of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, a visa is not needed if the purpose of the trip is tourism, and the period of stay on the territory of the islands will be no more than 30 days, taking into account the dates of arrival and departure. If these deadlines are violated, foreign tourist will have to pay a fine for each day over 30 her according to the established tariffs, and in the future the violator of customs rules may have difficulty obtaining a US visa. However, before going on vacation to the Northern Mariana Islands, a tourist will need to obtain an entry permit or Visitor Entry Permit in advance. The tourist will need a permit when passing through border control at the Northern Mariana Islands airport. You can get a document from the Department of Immigration of the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands. The issuance of this permit is initiated by the host (hotel or official organization on the islands), the organizer tourist trip or tourist:

If the permit is issued by a hotel or travel agency, the tourist must provide them with a scanned first page of the passport, purchased airline tickets, a completed application form and a declaration of financial condition.

If permission is granted...

General information

Official name - Mariana Islands. A group of islands located in the western Pacific Ocean, in. Includes 15 large islands (Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian, etc.). The area is 1,018 km2. Population - 213 241 people. (as of 2010). Official language- English. The capital is Saipan. The monetary unit is the dollar.

The climate is tropical. The average temperature in January is +23+26°C, in July - +27°C. The islands are located in the belt of Pacific typhoons, which usually pass here from August to December. The wettest months are July-October, the dry season is from December to May. Precipitation falls 1800-2100 mm.

Story

Ferdinand Magellan went around South America and went out to the Pacific Ocean. The hardest part of the journey lay before him. Although he did not know it, he was to cross the most big ocean in the world at the widest point! In the winter of 1520-1521, in four months, he swam 11 thousand kilometers in the open ocean. Supplies ran low and the crew had to boil the leather belts. Finally, Magellan's fleet reached the islands, located about 1900 kilometers south of.

On the islands, Magellan replenished food supplies, but he was angry with the theft of the natives. Those, having seen the things of the Europeans, could not resist, so Magellan called the islands Ladrones, that is, the islands of Thieves.

In 1667 a group of missionaries was sent to the same islands. They were sent by the queen, who at that time was regent for her infant son. The queen's name was Mariana; upon reaching the islands, the missionaries renamed them after the queen. Since then, the islands have been called the Marianas.

In 1898, after the Spanish-American War, Spain ceded to the United States the island on which Magellan had once landed - Guam, the largest and southernmost island in the entire Mariana Archipelago. Spain sold the rest of the islands the following year. After World War I, defeated Germany ceded its possessions to Japan, and after World War II, defeated Japan ceded the islands to the United States.

South of the Mariana Islands is an archipelago of almost a thousand tiny islands scattered across the vast Pacific Ocean. The Portuguese were the first to discover them, but in 1686 the islands were annexed to Spain Spanish navigator Francisco Lazeano. He named the Caroline Islands in honor of Charles II of Spain. Charles II was the son of that very Queen Mariana. He grew up, although he was mentally retarded. The Caroline Islands also went to Germany, then to Japan, and then to the United States.

Attractions of the Mariana Islands

Saipan Island part of the Mariana archipelago. In 1521, during the first world travel The island was discovered by Fernando Magellan. At first, the island belonged to the Spanish colonizers. Then in the 19th century, the islands were ceded to Germany, which brought hired Japanese to Saipan for agricultural work. Soon the Japanese colonized the Pacific, including Saipan. Today Saipan is under the protectorate of the United States of America.

There are plenty of attractions on the island and its environs: Suisad cliff, Saint Lourdas, banzai cliff, bird island , Last command post, Calabera cave.

Saipan is the most visited island in the entire archipelago. Most interesting place on Saipan -

Grotto, a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep. Grotto is a natural limestone cave with an underwater exit to the sapphire waters of the Pacific Ocean. Three underwater tunnel connect the cave with the open sea. The cave looks like the gaping mouth of a large whale. Underwater cave Grotto in the north of Saipan is declared by scuba diving experts (for diving) the second place in the world in terms of its beauty.

Banzai Cliff located on top of Mount Marpi in the north of Saipan. From a height of 249 m above sea level, from the cliff offers an amazing view of the plateau at the foot and the ocean. At the end of the battle for Saipan, in order not to be captured by the Americans, Japanese soldiers and local Japanese population committed mass suicide. People, jumping on the rocks in the boiling sea, shouted "Banzai", paying last respects to the emperor and imperial Japan. Today, a Buddhist statue and a memorial have been erected on this site in memory of the dead.

Top of Mount Tapochao is the highest point on the island. Its height is 473 m above sea level. The mountain occupies a dominant position in the center of the island. From Tapochao opens a circular panorama. From here you can see the whole island at once and feel its beauty. At the top is a statue of Jesus Christ looking down at the island. The top of the mountain is a great shooting point for photographers.

Chamoli village located in the Garapan shopping center area. Built according to the rules of the ancient Chamorra and Caroline villages, this village introduces tourists to the local life and arts. Guests can try coconut peeling, banana stamp painting, coconut oil production and local sweets, as well as make their own Saipan beads, weave a tropical wreath, hat or basket. For men, there is also something to do here - to carve a real canoe and even try it in the lagoon of the island. Here you can also watch a Chamolin dance show, enjoy a barbecue and play local traditional games on the beach.

Bird Island got its name because of the sea birds that build their nests here. From the observation deck of this reserve, a charming view of a small bay with sandy beach, the habitat of the white sea swallow, kingfisher and sea turtles.

American Memorial Park was opened in 1994 in honor of 3,000 American soldiers who died fighting for Saipan and Tinian during World War II. But it's not only memorial Complex. The park has also become the venue for island festivals and active rest. Here you can swim, surf, softball, run and tennis.

Saipan Botanical Garden occupies an area of 30,000 m 2 It presents about 2,000 species tropical plants— from fruits to rare exotic flowers. Here, while visiting, you can taste coconut, papaya, mango, avocado, guava, star apple, citrus fruits. Flower lovers will be inspired by the plants and trees that bloom all year round. One of the attractions of the garden are green iguanas and tropical lizards.

Sanctuary of Our Lady. Legend claims that this place was revealed to a German priest in a divine vision during the Spanish rule. Later, Christians who came here to pray erected a statue of Our Lady. Next to the altar open sky is the only spring in Saipan fresh water, called "the holy water of Our Lady". Indigenous people believe in miraculous medicinal properties water from this spring. During the Second World War, this place was the only one that escaped the bombing.

Cuisine of the Mariana Islands

The cuisine of the Mariana Islands combines French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Thai culinary traditions.

Favorite drink local residents is coconut wine" tuba".

Among national dishes worth noting: all kinds of cakes; fried bananas; "lemai" - small slices of breadfruit fried in oil; all kinds of legumes; various salads; pies (especially good options with shellfish and shrimp); pancakes stuffed with meat and seafood; rolls.

The hallmark of the cuisine of the Mariana Islands are sauces and seasonings that can change the taste of any product beyond recognition.

Sauce " kelagen"- a mixture of well-chopped coconut with vinegar, palm oil, various spices and other ingredients. Meat with this sauce is baked, stewed, grilled or barbecued.

Many local dishes are not complete without sauce " finadeni"- a mixture of soy sauce, green onions, lemon juice and red pepper. This sauce is especially good in combination with soups and rice. In it, cooks marinate beef, poultry and pork, which are then roasted over a fire.

Simple but very hearty soups deserve special attention: "sutang-hu" - a hearty soup made from poultry and rice; "atolin-mais" - a thick stew; "chalakilis" - a soup made from poultry, onions, cloves, rice and coconut milk.

As for meat dishes, they are quite traditional, and mouth-watering sauces give them a local flavor. Popular dishes are: fried beef or lamb ribs; " haole"- fried beef; baked chicken; venison with sauce; pork chops with young taro leaves and many other colorful dishes.

A lot on the local table and different seafood. Be sure to try such dishes as: "la-jo" - mussels with beans; white fish in vinegar; "capricorn-fish"; the favorite dish of the islanders "a la Chamorro" - spicy fish; pies with oysters and shrimps; shark fins.

5 695 Capital: The administrative center is Susupe (on the island of Saipan).

Geography: The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, a state in Micronesia, in the Western Pacific Ocean, occupies most Mariana Islands (only 14 of the 15 Mariana Islands, the 15th is Guam, a separate territory also belonging to the United States). The islands form two chains - northern and southern, stretching for almost 645 km. from North to South. The Northern Mariana Islands cover an area of 480 sq. km.

Time: Time, relative to Moscow: ahead of Moscow by 6 hours in summer time and at 7 o'clock - in the winter.

Nature: Most of the islands of the northern chain are actually volcanic cones rising above the water (up to 965 m high), some of which are still active. Southern chain - coral and volcanic islands. Most major islands- Saipan (120 sq. km), Tinian and Rota, the smallest - Farallion de Medinilla, less than half the area square kilometer. The Mariana Islands mark the dividing line between the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. To the east of the chain of islands lies the world's deepest Mariana gutter depth up to 11,775 meters.

Climate: Tropical, trade wind. Typhoons are frequent and tend to pass over the islands between August and December. Precipitation falls 1800-2000 mm. per year, the rainy season is from July to October. The best time to visit the Northern Mariana Islands is during the dry months of December to March.

Political system: The head of state and executive power is the governor, elected by the population. Legislative Assembly consists of two chambers: the Senate (9 members) and the House of Representatives (18 deputies), which are re-elected every two years.

Population: The population is about 45.4 thousand people (1993), mainly Chamorro Micronesians, as well as immigrants from the Caroline Islands and the Philippines.

Language: English (official), Chamorro and Caroline are also widely used, Japanese and Korean are spoken in most hotels and some shops.

Religion: Roman Catholic Christianity, local religions and cults.

Economy: The basis of the economy of the Northern Mariana Islands is foreign tourism (233.3 thousand tourists in 1988, mainly from Japan) and agriculture. Heat-resistant cereals, coconut palms, sugar cane, breadfruit, coffee, bananas, tomatoes, cotton, citrus fruits are grown on the islands; breed cattle, pigs, goats; catch and process fish (mainly tuna). There are deposits of phosphorites, sulfur, iron and manganese ores. The export of the islands is agricultural products.
The main foreign trade partners are Japan, the USA.

Currency: U.S. dollar.

Main attractions: The Northern Marianas are often referred to as "America's Best-Kept Mystery", meaning enough untouched nature, abundance historical sites(especially associated with the period of the "Battle of the Pacific" in World War II) and the easy accessibility of the islands both from the territory South-East Asia and from America. Coral reefs, sea fishing, surfing and excellent conditions for passive recreation attract more than 240 thousand tourists a year to these tiny islands.

Saipan Island for some guests can turn into a nightmare for a package holiday, as it is literally crowded with tourists from Japan, moving in "organized columns" and constantly clicking the shutters of their cameras, the recreation infrastructure is relatively poorly developed here and is more oriented towards amateurs active image life than a spoiled "shop tourist", but this island is still famous for its charm - turquoise waters, white sands and excellent conditions for diving, swimming, snorkeling and hiking. Saipan - the most popular place"historical tourism" among citizens Japanese islands. In the recent past, this has enabled the island to achieve the fastest growth rate in Micronesia in terms of tourism and population growth, with new golf courses and numerous resorts sprouting up around the island. Tourists and foreign workers now outnumber the natives, and the island has lost many of its Micronesian character. However, Saipan still has everything that attracts tourists here - beautiful beaches on the western and south coasts, a bunch of scenic spots on stormy and rocky east coast, hilly hinterland and majestic cliffs on the north coast. The island itself has 23 km. long and 8 km. in width.

Garapan, the most Big city in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is the fastest growing city in the region. Almost destroyed during the fighting of World War II and relocated in the 1960s, Garapan has now been completely restored and is completely built up with sushi bars, karaoke clubs and other establishments that are clearly aimed at tourists from Japan. The white sands and turquoise waters of the city beach Micro are considered the most beautiful on the islands. North of the beach, the American Memorial Park stretches along the coast, which protects the habitat of forest and wading birds, and also serves as a favorite place for picnics and commemorative events dedicated to the memory of American soldiers killed in the US invasion of Saipan and Tinian. Also here is the Museum of the Second World War with an exposition of weapons, uniforms, ammunition, photographs and other military attributes of that time. Tinian is this sleepy island with a single village, just 2 km away. south of Saipan, has "happily" escaped the main influx of tourists and therefore serves as a good place to "escape from the blessings of civilization" if the hustle and bustle of Saipan seems too intrusive. It is hard to imagine that such a peaceful place could be involved in one of the most tragic events in history: Tinian "became famous" as runway for the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. San Jose, main locality islands, is the territory ancient village Chamorro. Those early settlers created the finest facilities that today are the main attraction for visitors. The main attraction of San Jose is the House of Tag, which served as a place of large meetings and the residence of Tag the Great, the legendary king of the ancient Chamorro state.

There are several on Tinian good places for swimming, including Cummer Beach in San José and Taga Beach south of the village, with turquoise waters and white sand. Chulu Beach on the northwest coast of Tinian is the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War, there was an American landing on the island, so massive archaeological excavations. Rota Island lies halfway between Saipan and Guam, and is only now beginning to "come out of the shadows" of the larger islands, it is still a slowly developing place with little recreational infrastructure. The main village, Songsong, still does without traffic lights or shopping malls. located on southwest coast Rota, Songsong stretches along a narrow peninsula, which rises only at the tip to the foot of Mount Taipingo (210 m.). The village is literally "saturated" with various stones, which serve both to strengthen the foundations of houses and to mark "streets" and as moorings and fences. The local Franciscan Church of Borgia boasts a centennial bell. You can travel from Songsong on foot or by jeep to the northeast, where the coast of the island has a special scenic view, or visit the white coral sands of Twixberry Beach or climb to the top of Mount Taipingo for superb views of the village, harbor and Sasanaya Bay. The Northern Mariana Islands is the perfect place to active view recreation. On Saipan, the most interesting place is Grotto (Grotto), a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep and tunnels to open sea. You can dive to the WWII plane crash sites at Tanapag Harbor, the caves and breeding grounds for conger eels at Obyan Beach, and the huge coral masses just offshore at the Saipan Grand Hotel. The best place for snorkeling in Saipan is Managaha Island, on Tinian - Tachona Beach, and on Rota - Corell Gardens in Sasanaya Bay. All three islands have good conditions for hiking. In Saipan, the main route is the Laderan Tangka trail through the Marpi Commonwealth Forest. There is an excellent route along the banks of Cummer and Taga south of San José on Tinian. Other ways to relax include windsurfing, which is extremely popular here, ( the best place- Micro Beach on Saipan), tennis, golf and short underwater excursions in the lagoon between Saipan and the Managaha Islands, where you can see at the bottom of the sea, in addition to its numerous inhabitants, traces of the wrecks of Japanese ships or American "Superfortresses" B-29. Most villages hold annual celebrations in honor of their patron saint, which are the biggest events of the year. Rota and Tinian each hold one such "festival", while Saipan has six: in San Vicente in early April, in San Antonio in mid-June, at Mount Carmel Cathedral in Chalan Kanoa in mid-July, in San Rock in mid-August, Tanapag in early October and Koblerville in late October. The Tinian Festival takes place during the last weekend in April or the first weekend in May in honor of Saint José, the island's patron saint. The biggest and most popular celebration in the Northern Mariana Islands, however, is the Rota festival on the first or second weekend in October. The celebration hosted by the Franciscan Church of Borgia includes a lavish banquet featuring only traditional Chamorro food and drink, religious processions, music and dance festivals.

Most events and festivals are still held in Saipan. Popular events are the half marathon and the 10 km offshore race at the end of January. The Kintetsu Buffaloes, a professional baseball team from Japan, trains and competes here in the spring, training and playing with local teams (at a fairly serious level) during the first two weeks of February. The annual Micronesian Open Regatta and the Saipan Lagoon Regatta are international windsurfing competitions, as well as the Hobie Cat competition, held in the Micro Beach area in mid-February. World-class athletes swim, cycle and run nearly 80 kilometers during the Tagaman Triathlon held in mid-May. The week-long Liberation Day Festival celebrates the liberation of the islands on July 4th, the Independence Day of the United States. The festivities include theatrical performances, a beauty pageant, a full night of varied entertainment, sports games and numerous banquets. The fishing tournament takes place in August, during the marlin season. Each island also hosts various fishing competitions, on Rota it's Labor Day for the weekend in early September, and on Tinian the Fishing Prize in early November.

Historical outline: Since the 17th century, the Mariana Islands have been a colony of Spain. In 1898 Spain sold the islands to Germany. In 1914, Japan captured the Mariana Islands, and in 1945 the Americans came here. After World War II, the Mariana Islands were part of Micronesia, a territory administered by the United States. In the 1970s, Micronesia was divided into four political-administrative units. One of these units was the Mariana Islands without its southern part (Guam Islands). In 1975, the inhabitants of the islands voted for the status of "freely attached" territory to the United States. In 1976, a free association agreement was signed between the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States. On November 3, 1986, this agreement entered into force, which meant the emergence of a new state - the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

National domain: .MP

Entry rules: All visitors require visas valid for up to three months and proof of no immigration intent. To obtain a visa, you must provide two completed questionnaires, two photographs, a passport valid for at least 6 months, as well as evidence of the absence of immigration intentions (certificate from work about salary, certificate of real estate, etc.). Formally, an invitation is not required to obtain a visa. Consular fee is $45, in addition, you need to pay the cost of a visa ($20 - one-time). The term of registration - from a couple of days ("express") to one and a half months - depends on the documents provided and the appointment of an interview. The received visa is not a guarantee of entry into the territory of the United States and the Mariana Islands. Russian citizens checked in at passport control. The immigration authorities at the first point of entry into the country put down on the insert the appropriate notes on the date of entry, the permitted period of stay in the country, the date of departure and the category of visa.

Customs regulations: Import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited. Any amount can be imported in cash, traveler's checks and payment cards. Only amounts over $10,000 are required to be declared. When importing gold, a declaration is required. Items for personal use are not subject to duty; perishable food, weapons, and drugs are prohibited for import into the country.

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands), a state in Micronesia - the western Pacific Ocean, occupies most of the islands Mariana archipelago(14 of the 15 islands. The 15th island of the chain is Guam, overseas territory USA).
The islands form two chains - northern and southern, stretching almost strictly from north to south for 736 km (460 miles). Most of the islands of the northern chain - rising above the water - volcanic cones (up to 965 m high), some of which are still active. Southern chain - coral and volcanic islands. The largest islands are Saipan (120 sq. km), Tinian and Rota, the smallest is Farallon de Medinilla, with an area of about 0.5 sq. km. km.
The northernmost (uninhabited) island of the archipelago, Mogue, was ranked first in National Geographic magazine's "Best Wildlife Destination" rating.
The Mariana Islands mark the dividing line between the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. To the east of the archipelago lies Mariana Trench, the depth of which reaches 11,775 m.
total area The Northern Mariana Islands is 480 sq. km.

The administrative center is the island of Saipan

Time: Time, relative to Moscow: ahead of Moscow by 6 hours in summer and by 7 hours - in winter.

Nature: Most of the islands of the northern chain are actually volcanic cones rising above the water (up to 965 m high), some of which are still active. Southern chain - coral and volcanic islands. The largest islands are Saipan (120 sq. km), Tinian and Rota, the smallest is Farallon de Medinilla, with an area of less than half a square kilometer. The Mariana Islands mark the dividing line between the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. To the east of the chain of islands lies the world's deepest Mariana Trench, up to 11,775 meters deep.

Political system: The head of state and executive power is the governor, elected by the people. The Legislative Assembly consists of two chambers: the Senate (9 members) and the House of Representatives (18 deputies), which are re-elected every two years.

Population: The population is about 45.4 thousand people (1993), mainly Chamorro Micronesians, as well as immigrants from the Caroline Islands and the Philippines.

Language: English (official), Chamorro and Caroline are also widely used, Japanese and Korean are spoken in most hotels and some shops.

Religion: Roman Catholic Christianity, local religions and cults.

Economy: The basis of the economy of the Northern Mariana Islands is foreign tourism (233,300 tourists in 1988, mainly from Japan) and agriculture. Heat-resistant cereals, coconut palms, sugar cane, breadfruit, coffee, bananas, tomatoes, cotton, citrus fruits are grown on the islands; breed cattle, pigs, goats; catch and process fish (mainly tuna). There are deposits of phosphorites, sulfur, iron and manganese ores. The export of the islands is agricultural products.
The main foreign trade partners are Japan and the USA.

Currency: U.S. dollar.

Main attractions: The Northern Mariana Islands are often referred to as "America's Best Surviving Mystery", referring to its relatively untouched nature, abundance of historical sites (especially those associated with the "Battle of the Pacific" period in World War II) and easy accessibility of the islands from Southeast Asia. and from America. Coral reefs, sea fishing, surfing and excellent conditions for passive recreation attract more than 240 thousand tourists a year to these tiny islands.

The island of Saipan for some guests can turn into a nightmare for a package holiday, as it is literally crowded with tourists from Japan, moving in "organized columns" and constantly clicking the shutters of their cameras, the recreation infrastructure is relatively poorly developed here and is more focused on lovers of an active lifestyle, than a spoiled "shop tourist", but this island is still famous for its charm - turquoise waters, white sands and excellent conditions for diving, swimming, snorkeling and hiking are still abundant here. Saipan is the most popular destination for "historical tourism" among the citizens of the Japanese islands. In the recent past, this has enabled the island to achieve the fastest growth rate in Micronesia in terms of tourism and population growth, with new golf courses and numerous resorts sprouting up around the island. Tourists and foreign workers now outnumber the natives, and the island has lost many of its Micronesian character. However, Saipan still has everything that attracts tourists - beautiful beaches on the western and southern coasts, many scenic spots on the rugged and rocky eastern coast, rolling hinterland and majestic cliffs on the northern coast. The island itself has 23 km. long and 8 km. in width.

Garapan, the largest city in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is the fastest growing city in the region. Almost destroyed during the fighting of World War II and relocated in the 1960s, Garapan has now been completely restored and is completely built up with sushi bars, karaoke clubs and other establishments that are clearly aimed at tourists from Japan. The white sands and turquoise waters of the city beach Micro are considered the most beautiful on the islands. North of the beach, the American Memorial Park stretches along the coast, which protects the habitat of forest and wading birds, and also serves as a favorite place for picnics and commemorative events dedicated to the memory of American soldiers killed in the US invasion of Saipan and Tinian. Also here is the Museum of the Second World War with an exposition of weapons, uniforms, ammunition, photographs and other military attributes of that time. Tinian is this sleepy island with a single village, just 2 km away. south of Saipan, has "happily" escaped the main influx of tourists and therefore serves as a good place to "escape from the blessings of civilization" if the hustle and bustle of Saipan seems too intrusive. It's hard to imagine that such a peaceful place could be involved in one of the most tragic events in history: Tinian "famous" as the runway for the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. San Jose, the main population center of the island, is the site of an ancient Chamorro village. Those early settlers created the finest facilities that today are the main attraction for visitors. The main attraction of San Jose is the House of Tag, which served as a place of large meetings and the residence of Tag the Great, the legendary king of the ancient Chamorro state.

There are several good swimming spots on Tinian, including Cummer Beach in San José and Taga Beach south of the village, which have turquoise waters and white sand. Chulu Beach, on the northwest coast of Tinian, is the site of fierce fighting during World War II, where American troops landed on the island, so massive archaeological excavations continue here. Rota Island lies halfway between Saipan and Guam, and is only now beginning to "come out of the shadows" of the larger islands, it is still a slowly developing place with little recreational infrastructure. The main village, Songsong, still does without traffic lights or shopping malls. Situated on the southwestern coast of Roth, Songsong extends over a narrow peninsula that rises only at its tip to the foot of Mount Taipingo (210 m). The village is literally "saturated" with various stones, which serve both to strengthen the foundations of houses and to mark "streets" and as moorings and fences. The local Franciscan Church of Borgia boasts a centennial bell. You can travel from Songsong on foot or by jeep to the northeast, where the island's shores are particularly scenic, or visit the white coral sands of Twixberry Beach, or climb to the top of Taipingo Mountain for superb views of the village, harbor, and Sasanaya Bay. The Northern Mariana Islands is an excellent place for an active holiday. On Saipan, the most interesting place is Grotto (Grotto), a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep and tunnels to the open sea. You can dive to the WWII plane crash sites at Tanapag Harbor, the caves and breeding grounds for conger eels at Obyan Beach, and the huge coral masses just offshore at the Saipan Grand Hotel. The best place for snorkeling in Saipan is Managaha Island, on Tinian - Tachona Beach, and on Rota - Corell Gardens in Sasanaya Bay. All three islands have good conditions for hiking. In Saipan, the main route is the Laderan Tangka trail through the Marpi Commonwealth Forest. There is an excellent route along the banks of Cummer and Taga south of San José on Tinian. Other recreational activities include windsurfing, which is extremely popular here (Micro Beach on Saipan is the best), tennis, golf and short underwater excursions in the lagoon between Saipan and the Managaha Islands, where you can see on the bottom of the sea, in addition to its many inhabitants, traces of the wrecks of Japanese ships or American "Superfortresses" B-29. Most villages hold annual celebrations in honor of their patron saint, which are the biggest events of the year. Rota and Tinian each hold one such "festival", while Saipan has six: in San Vicente in early April, in San Antonio in mid-June, at Mount Carmel Cathedral in Chalan Kanoa in mid-July, in San Rock in mid-August, Tanapag in early October and Koblerville in late October. The Tinian Festival takes place during the last weekend in April or the first weekend in May in honor of Saint José, the island's patron saint. The biggest and most popular celebration in the Northern Mariana Islands, however, is the Rota festival on the first or second weekend in October. The celebration hosted by the Franciscan Church of Borgia includes a lavish banquet featuring only traditional Chamorro food and drink, religious processions, music and dance festivals.

National domain:.MP

Entry rules: All visitors require visas valid for up to three months and proof of no immigration intent. To obtain a visa, you must provide two completed questionnaires, two photographs, a passport valid for at least 6 months, as well as evidence of the absence of immigration intentions (certificate from work about salary, certificate of real estate, etc.). Formally, an invitation is not required to obtain a visa. The consular fee is $45, in addition, you need to pay the cost of a visa ($20 - one-time). The term of registration - from a couple of days ("express") to one and a half months - depends on the documents provided and the appointment of an interview. The received visa is not a guarantee of entry into the territory of the United States and the Mariana Islands. Russian citizens are registered when passing through passport control. The immigration authorities at the first point of entry into the country put down on the insert the appropriate notes on the date of entry, the permitted period of stay in the country, the date of departure and the category of visa.

The Mariana (Ladron) Islands are an archipelago located in Micronesia, in the western Pacific Ocean, consisting of 15 large and several small islands and reefs. The island of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have the status of unincorporated organized territories of the United States. the Marianas have maritime boundaries with the Philippines, Japan, Marshall and Caroline Islands.

There are about 50 underwater volcanoes and 11 volcanoes - islands. The highest point is 965 meters. Mariana Trench - the most deep point a break in the earth's crust with a depth of 11,775 meters.

Total area - 1018 sq. km, the population is about 215,000 people, among which 56% are Asians, 36% are the peoples of Oceania, the rest are of mixed origin. Of the religions, Roman Catholic Christianity prevails, local religions and cults are widespread. official languages- English, Chamorro, Caroline.

The administrative center is Garapan (Saipan Island).

Cities of the Mariana Islands

Saipan is the most suitable for historical tourism. The infrastructure is well developed here, there are golf courses, conditions for diving and swimming. Saipan has the most even weather in the world - year-round here +27 degrees.

Garapan - administrative center Mariana Islands, where popular tourist places are Sugar-King-Park and Shops duty free. Not far from Garapan interesting American memorial park and the World War II Museum. On the territory of the park, in addition to historical sights, you can see natural - mangrove forests with big amount rare birds, as well as sports and stage venues (where festivals and concerts of local importance are held).

Managaha Island - the oldest and most picturesque - with beautiful coral reefs and exotic fish. Historically memorable places on the island are the cliffs of Banzai - Cliff and Suiside - Cliff, the Korean Peace Park.

Tinian Island is the most peaceful, with one village of San Jose. A fashionable hotel, casino, shops and restaurants harmoniously fit into the measured life of the island. The attraction here is the accumulation of ritual stones of ancient peoples - Latte - Stone - Site.

The highest point of the island of Rota rises almost 500 meters above the sea. Places of attraction for tourists here are the Toga limestone cave, replete with stalactites and stalagmites, Mount Taipingo, an old Japanese locomotive, Chugai rocks with ancient petroglyphs and a bird sanctuary.

Agrihan Island - peak young volcano almost 1000 meters above sea level and the most high point in Micronesia. There is almost no flora and fauna on the island, and perhaps only extreme people come here - divers and fishermen.

Most popular islands northern group- Anatahan volcano, Asuncion volcano, Pagan, Farallion - de - Pajaros, Maug islands.

How to get to the Mariana Islands

There is no direct air connection between Belarus and the Mariana Islands.

by the most the best option there will be a flight from Moscow with a connection in Tokyo, Shanghai or Seoul. Travel time excluding connections will be about 16 hours.

The climate of the Marianas

The territory of the Mariana Islands is influenced by a tropical trade wind climate.

Throughout the calendar year, the air temperature in the archipelago averages +27 degrees, water - +25 degrees.

The annual rainfall is 1800 - 2000 mm per year. Humidity can reach 82%. The rainy season usually falls between June and November. And from August to December are possible strong winds and storms.

The best time to travel around the archipelago is from December to March and from May to June.

The hotel base of the Mariana Islands is represented by both hotels belonging to world-famous chains and local 3 * - 4 * hotels that provide guests with decent service and comfortable accommodation. The average cost of living is from 90 to 300 US dollars per night.

Private boarding houses and motels can be called as economy accommodation options. An overnight stay here will cost from 35 to 65 US dollars. There are no hostels in the Marianas.

The beaches of the Mariana Islands

The islands of the Southern group have beaches with fine white sand, the Northern - with black volcanic.

The best and most beloved beaches of the Mariana Islands are Micro - Beach, Lao - Lao - Bay, Lader - Beach, Paupau - Beach. But lovers of secluded relaxation will always find nearby wild beach to enjoy the sea, sun and beautiful nature to the fullest.

On the island of Tiniana, Tachona Beach attracts attention, on Rota - Corell - Gardens, Teteto - Beach.

On the island of Saipan on Micro Beach, there are excellent conditions for windsurfing.

When swimming in the open sea, be careful.

Banks, money, exchange offices

The Marian currency is the US dollar, which is equal to 100 cents. Circulation has paper bills in denominations of 1,2,5,10,20,50,100 dollars and coins in denominations of 1 dollar, penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents), half - dollar (50 cents). Most islands also accept Japanese yen and Korean won.

Banking hours:

From Monday to Thursday - from 10.00 to 15.00

Fridays - from 10.00 to 18.00

Credit cards of the world's major payment systems (preferably Master Card and Visa) are accepted for settlements almost everywhere. ATMs are located in many banks and shopping centers. Travel - checks (preferably in US dollars) are also accepted for settlements almost everywhere, except for the most distant islands.

There are no commercial taxes on the islands, the hotel tax is 10%.

Tipping in the archipelago is 10 - 15% of the total cost of services.

Tourist safety

The Mariana Islands are a safe zone for tourists. Only elementary rules should be followed:

Valuables, large sums of money and documents should be left in the hotel safe
In crowded places, it is not recommended to leave personal belongings unattended.
It is not recommended to walk alone at night in deserted places.
Do not take pictures of local residents without their permission
Before going outside, be sure to use sunscreen, wear UV-blocking sunglasses, and light clothing with long sleeves.
Before leaving, you should take preventive measures against diseases of hepatitis B and dengue fever
It is recommended to use only bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice
Meat, fish and seafood are recommended to be consumed only thermally processed.
Vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed, vegetables should be pre-cooked, and fruits should be peeled beforehand.
When swimming in the sea, be careful because of the so-called "reverse currents"
When moving along many coasts, special shoes are required due to coral rubble and volcanic rocks

Transport

The most common mode of transport in the Mariana Islands is by plane and helicopter.

There is no rail service public transport not very well developed, but tourist buses run between hotels, shops and restaurants.

You can also use taxi services.

The car rental service is popular in the archipelago (from $ 20 per day with an international driving license and credit card), motorcycle (from USD 10 per day), mountain bike (from USD 2 per day). Movement is right-handed.

Entertainment, excursions, attractions

The main attraction of the island of Guam is its the main street– Chamorro, where every evening you can watch the locals singing and dancing, who, in addition, prepare dishes national cuisine. By the way, Chamorro is the name of the locals. There is something for divers to do on Guam - Fort Apugan is fraught with many mysteries.

On the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota come lovers of trekking - hiking.

Saipan also has interesting cave Grotto with underground lakes 15 meters deep and tunnels going straight into the sea.

Cuisine and restaurants

The national cuisine of the Mariana Islands is a mixture of traditions of many peoples.

The most popular dishes local cuisine are:

"lemai" - breadfruit, fried in oil
fried bananas
shrimp and shellfish patties
fried lamb or beef ribs
"haole" - beef, pork, chicken or fish dishes with a sauce of lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, pepper, sesame oil
"kelagen - benadu" - venison with sauce
"kadu" - various soups (for example, from poultry, potatoes, spinach and beer)
fish cooked in all sorts of ways
specially prepared eggplant with coconut milk and spices
all kinds of exotic fruits

For dessert - shortbread cookies, puff pastries, banana donuts, chocolate bananas, coconut oatmeal

From alcoholic drinks - local coconut wine "Tuba" (naturally fermented juice of a young coconut)

Shopping and shops

Shop opening hours:

IN weekdays– from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 17.00

Saturdays - from 8.00 to 13.00

Private - on an individual schedule

Day off - Sunday (except for large supermarkets and Duty Free shops)

Most often, souvenirs made from sea shells and coconuts, hats and bags from the leaves of tropical plants, textiles, jewelry made from agate, corals and pearls are brought from the Mariana Islands.

The Marianas are famous for their duty-free shops, the prices of which are quite reasonable.

Customs

You can import and export national and foreign currencies without restrictions in cash, travel - checks, credit cards. An amount in excess of $10,000 and gold must be declared.

Allowed to import:

Up to 600 US or 200 other cigarettes, up to 454g cigars
Up to 1 bottle of strong alcohol, up to 1 bottle of wine, up to 1 case of beer (for persons over 21 years old)
Perfumes and personal items - in reasonable quantities

It is forbidden to import:

Perishable products
Drugs and narcotic medications
Mango fruit from the Philippines
Meat and meat products (except those made in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands)
"dry" foods (such as instant noodles)
parrots

When importing pets, an international veterinary certificate is required. For cats and dogs, a rabies vaccination record must be made at least 30 and no more than 90 days before departure.

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