The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into Guinea: 1000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 1 kg of tobacco; 1 opened bottle of alcoholic beverage; Perfume for personal use. Electronic devices for personal use (laptop, CD/MP3 player, camera, etc.) must be declared.
Prohibited Imports
guns and drugs. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Republic of Guinea
No public traffic, appointments only after tel. Agreement.
Rue du Valais 7-9
Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 731 65 55. Embassy of the Republic of Guinea
Am Heumarkt 13/I/1/4
Vienna
Austria
+43 (0)1 713 60 87.
Mon-Fri 09.00-12.00.
Business
Business etiquette
Good knowledge of French required. Business hours: Mon-Thu 08.00-16.30, Fri 08.00-13.00.
Business contacts
Commercial Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea Jägerstrasse 67-69, 10117 Berlin, Germany Tel. +49 (0)30 20 07 43 30. Website: www.amba-guinee.de Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Artisanat de Guinée (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) BP 545, Conakry, Guinea Tel. +224 (0)4 62 35 20 63.
Communication
Phone
Autodial Long Distance Service. According to Abbreviationfinder.org, telephone connections are bad, international calls have to be made through the operator. Limited telephone and fax connections are normally available between 6pm and 6am.
Mobile phone
GSM 900. Mobile phone companies are Spacetel Guinea and Sotelgui.
Internet
Main providers: ETI (Internet: www.biasy.net/~en/philosophie.htm) and BINNTA (Internet: http://www.mirinet.net.gn).
Post office
There are post offices in the capital.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
