Idaho

Travel to Idaho

Climate

Idaho has a diverse climate with differing temperatures between north and south, but overall the air is dry and clear with little humidity. Generally the south is drier and has hotter summer temperatures, while the mountainous areas experience long and very cold winters with lots of snow. The best time to visit Idaho is in the late spring (May and June) and early autumn (late August and September).

In Boise, the capital of Idaho, average high temperatures in summer climb to about 90°F (32°C), and heatwaves are common in July and August. Winter temperatures typically average between 24°F (-4°C) and 37°F (3°C).

Health Notes when travelling to United States of America

There are no specific health risks associated with travel within the USA. Medical facilities are excellent, but expensive. Only emergencies are treated without prior payment and treatment can be refused without evidence of insurance or proof of funds. Good medical insurance is essential.

Safety Notes when travelling to United States of America

Travel within the United States is generally trouble-free, however, travellers should be aware that the US shares with the rest of the world, an increased threat from terrorist incidents. Security has been heightened, particularly at airports. Restrictions on hand luggage apply and travellers are advised to check on the latest situation with airlines in advance. Travellers should also be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities and should use common sense and take basic precautions. Hurricanes are common between June and November, putting the southern USA, including the Gulf Coast and the eastern US at risk. There is a risk of wildfires in many dry areas in the US, particularly on the West Coast from March to November.

Customs in United States of America

Laws vary from state to state, including speed limit, fines and punishment. The age at which you may legally buy and consume alcohol is 21 years.

Duty Free in United States of America

Travellers to the United States who are returning residents of the country do not have to pay duty on articles purchased abroad to the value of $800 provided their stay was longer than 48 hours and their duty-free allowance was not used in the 30-day period prior. For passengers arriving from Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, a duty-free allowance of $1,600 is allowed. The following items are included in this: 50 cigarettes and 10 cigars and 150 millilitres (5 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages or 150 millilitres (5 fl. oz.) of perfume containing alcohol. Restrictions may apply to goods from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Burma (Myanmar), Angola, Liberia and Sudan. It is prohibited to import Cuban cigars from any country.

Travellers to the United States who are non-residents do not have to pay duty on the following items: 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes and gifts to the value of $100 provided their stay in the USA is not less than 72 hours and that the allowance has not been used in the preceding six-month period.

Prohibited items for residents and non-residents include meat or meat products, poultry, narcotics, absinthe, plants, seeds, vegetables, fruits, soil, live insects and other living plants or animal pests. Fish is prohibited unless it carries disease-free certification. Wildlife and animals or their by-products carry restrictions. Dairy products and eggs from specified countries are not allowed. Firearms and ammunition are not allowed without the necessary license and permit.

Doing Business in United States of America

In such a large country, filled with so many diverse groups, business practices may differ according to each state, however rarely to any large degree. The East Coast is traditionally more formal than the West Coast, however in states such as California dress code and conservative appearance are as common as they would be in New York. Punctuality is important throughout the country and it is considered rude to be late for a meeting. Gift-giving is uncommon as it may be construed as bribery. Appropriate titles (Mr, Mrs, Ms) are used upon introduction and until otherwise stated. Americans favour politeness and greetings of 'Hello' and 'How are you?' are often expressed with sincerity. Business hours may vary in each state, but an 8am start and 5pm finish Monday to Friday is the most common with an hour over lunch.

Status and age are not necessarily indicative of seniority, nor do they carry much weight in themselves. Those doing business in the States should be mindful of this fact; never make assumptions about someone's position or rank. Best practice is to be respectful to all parties. That said, the US upholds a hierarchal business structure, in which 'the boss' is the ultimate decision-maker. Senior leaders have the power of the last word, and can go against the grain just as easily as they can follow popular opinion. Concentrate on winning over this individual, even if the greater group seems unsupportive. Americans value a direct style of communication. In this fast-paced, consumer culture 'time is money', and small-talk is viewed as unnecessary and wasteful. Get to the point quickly, speak about issues in a frank and open manner, and don't take offence if someone questions or challenges you outright.

Communication in United States of America

The international country dialling code for the United States is +1. Mobile networks cover most of the country, especially all urban areas, and wifi is widely available.

Tipping in United States of America

A 15 percent tip is expected by taxi drivers, bartenders, hairdressers and waiters, but don't tip in fast-food or self-service restaurants. In expensive restaurants or for large parties, tip 20 percent of the bill. It is normal to tip staff such as valets and porters in hotels; this is discretionary, although a minimum of $5 is expected. Most services are customarily tipped if the service is good.

Passport/Visa Note

It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Visa is required for short visits unless travelers qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the US for a stay of up to 90 days without a visa. Visitors under the VWP need to register online three days before travel and have an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This allows the US government to screen all visitors before travel. Visitors entering the country under the VWP must have a machine-readable passport (MRP) that has a barcode on the photo page. Travellers under the VWP must have passports that include biometrics if they wish to enter the country without a visa, which means that passports must contain unique personal data such as fingerprints or iris details. All passports must contain a digital photo image in order to travel visa-free. All visitors to the USA have a photograph and two fingerprints taken by an inkless scanner on arrival, including those travelling visa-free under the VWP.

As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA, a valid passport is required by immigration authorities. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Canadians:

The most important requirement on entering the U.S. is providing proof of Canadian citizenship. A valid Canadian passport is the best document to prove Canadian citizenship and the right to return to Canada. However, several other documents can serve, depending on the mode of transport. Generally, Canadian citizens do not require visitor, business, transit or other visas to enter the United States from Canada, though there are some exceptions.

Entry requirements for UK nationals:

UK nationals require a passport valid for duration of stay. Most passport holders can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) through the Visa Waiver Programme, which allows travel to the US for up to 90 days. The VWP includes tourism, certain types of business visit and transit to another country.

Entry requirements for Australians:

Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay. If visiting the US for fewer than 90 days, Australian nationals may be eligible to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and enter under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Entry requirements for Irish nationals:

Passports must be valid for duration of stay. Irish nationals can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme for entry into the United States.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders:

Passports must be valid for duration of stay. New Zealand nationals can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme for entry into the United States.

Entry requirements for South Africans:

South Africans must hold a passport valid for duration of stay. A visa is required.

Currency

The official currency is the US Dollar (USD), which is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards are widely accepted. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Exchange rate for 1 USD - U.S. Dollar
1.00 BMD Bermudan Dollar	0.90 EUR Euro	0.69 GBP U.K. Pound Sterling	108.90 JPY Japanese Yen	1.31 CAD Canadian Dollar	0.99 CHF Swiss Franc
1.38 AUD Australian Dollar	25.11 UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia	337.71 KZT Kazakhstani Tenge	1,505.84 LBP Lebanese Pound	0.71 LYD Libyan Dinar	6.86 BOB Bolivian Boliviano
107.88 NPR Nepalese Rupee	0.38 OMR Omani Rial	3.64 QAR Qatari Rial	1.38 SGD Singapore Dollar	8.29 SEK Swedish Krona	6.63 TTD Trinidad Tobago Dollar
9.98 VEF Venezuelan Bolivar	45.83 DOP Dominican Peso	6.72 HRK Croatian Kuna	18.63 MXN Mexican Peso	586.30 XOF West African CFA Franc	3.16 PGK Papua New Guinean kina
1.00 BSD Bahamian Dollar	2.11 FJD Fiji Dollar	22.64 HNL Honduran Lempira	110.53 DZD Algerian Dinar	1,191.31 MMK Myanma Kyat	11.19 BWP Botswana Pula
3.37 PEN Peruvian Nuevo Sol	693.53 CLP Chilean Peso	478.10 AMD Armenia Dram	24.17 CZK Czech Koruna	19.98 MDL Moldova Lei	124.29 ISK Icelandic Krona
2,938.75 UZS Uzbekistan Sum	3.85 ILS Israeli New Sheqel	0.71 JOD Jordanian Dinar	0.30 KWD Kuwaiti Dinar	31.35 UYU Uruguayan Peso	35.52 MUR Mauritian Rupee
28.51 NIO Nicaraguan Córdoba	8.34 NOK Norwegian Krone	3.92 PLN Polish Zloty	3.75 SAR Saudi Riyal	146.02 LKR Sri Lanka Rupee	35.62 THB Thai Baht
3.67 AED U.A.E Dirham	3.59 BRL Brazilian Real	4.05 RON Romanian New Leu	7.77 HKD Hong Kong Dollar	587.63 XAF Central African CFA Franc	22,474.70 VND Vietnamese Dong
13.95 ARS Argentine Peso	2.70 XCD East Caribbean Dollar	7.83 GTQ Guatemalan Quetzal	9.77 MAD Moroccan Dirham	0.38 BHD Bahrain Dinar	1.00 PAB Panamanian Balboa
1.50 AZN Azerbaijan Manat	3,117.81 COP Colombian Peso	68.30 KGS Kyrgyzstan Som	279.76 HUF Hungarian Forint	7.87 TJS Tajikistan Ruble	13,683.10 IDR Indonesian Rupiah
8.88 EGP Egyptian Pound	1,191.10 KRW South Korean Won	5,669.42 PYG Paraguayan Guaraní	4.16 MYR Malaysian Ringgit	538.75 CRC Costa Rican Colón	1.47 NZD New Zealand Dollar
104.74 PKR Pakistani Rupee	66.80 RUB Russian Rouble	15.60 ZAR South African Rand	2.12 TND Tunisian Dinar	2.00 BBD Barbadian Dollar	1.75 BGN Bulgarian Lev
2.95 TRY Turkish Lira	46.62 PHP Philippine Peso	32.62 TWD New Taiwan Dollar	196.50 NGN Nigerian Naira	107.15 XPF CFP Franc	3.91 GHS Ghanaian Cedi
124.92 JMD Jamaican Dollar	1.80 ANG Neth. Antillean Guilder	1.38 BND Brunei Dollar	110.56 RSD Serbian Dinar	6.58 CNY Chinese Yuan	19,898.50 BYR Belarussian Ruble
6.65 DKK Danish Krone	3.44 TMT New Turkmenistan Manat	67.26 INR Indian Rupee

Airports in Idaho

Boise Airport (BOI)
Boise Airport
http://www.iflyboise.com

Location: Boise The airport is located four miles (6km) from downtown Boise.

Time: GMT -7 (GMT -6 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 208 383 3110.

Getting to the city: Taxis, shuttles and ValleyRide buses into Boise are located at the lower level roadway outside baggage claim. The Sun Valley Express picks up passengers at the blue curb.

Car rental: Avis, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty have counters in the rental car lobby on the first floor.

Airport Taxis: Metered taxis are located on the lower-level roadway outside the baggage claim. Taxis park near the black-coloured curb.

Facilities: Facilities at the airport include food and beverage outlets, newsstands, gift shops, art exhibitions, ATMs, and conference facilities.

Parking: Four parking options are available: short-term parking, garage parking, long-term surface parking, and a remote lot with connecting shuttle service. Short-term parking is $2 per hour up to $23 per day. Long-term parking has a daily rate of $10 or $13 in the covered garage. The parking facilities accept cash, cheques, and all major credit cards.

Lewiston Airport (LWS)
Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport
http://www.golws.com

Location: Lewiston Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport is located two miles (3km) south of downtown Lewiston.

Time: GMT -8 (GMT -7 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Getting to the city: Ride the Valley has an hourly service from the airport between 6.20am and around 7pm. Taxis are available to town. Some resorts and hotels also offer transfer services.

Car rental: Car hire companies at the airport include Aivs, Budget, and Hertz.

Airport Taxis: Taxis are available from the airport, however it is a good idea to book ahead as they may not be waiting.

Facilities: Airport facilities are limited, but include a café, hair salon, FedEx, and a lost and found.

Parking: Parking is available in clearly-marked short and long-term sections, and is free of charge.

Boise

Nestled on a high desert plain with the snow-capped Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, visitors will be hard pressed to forget the city of Boise. Its location makes it a convenient gateway to Idaho's great outdoors. The Boise River flows directly through the centre of town, enhancing the 25-mile (40km) Greenbelt path system, which connects five major parks throughout Boise, providing runners, walkers, bikers and skaters with endless space for exercise. Towering mountains lie to the north, including the Bogus Basin Mountain Resort, just a few minutes' drive from the city. Also easily accessible are natural sand dunes, hot springs, and crystal clear mountain lakes.

When not exploring the area's natural wonders, travellers can enjoy Downtown Boise with its shops, galleries, restaurants and clubs. Central Grove Plaza host free concerts staged throughout the summer and festive celebrations, including the lighting of an enormous Christmas tree in winter. Renovated historic buildings like the 8th Street Marketplace and Union Block offer unique shopping and dining experiences. Boise has an active downtown association, which promotes initiatives like First Thursdays, when city businesses stay open late and offer various promotions.

Be sure to sample Boise's Basque cuisine. In the 1930s, a group of Basques left Europe and settled in Boise, leaving their unique mark on the city's unique flavour. Today, Boise has one of the largest concentrations of Basques in the world outside the Pyrenees. In Boise's Basque neighbourhood, visitors can enjoy the Basque market, traditional restaurants, and various cultural events.

Getting around in Boise

Boise's Green Belt path system makes walking, jogging, and biking highly enjoyable. ValleyRide bus service is available, through all the major tourist areas and the airport. There are always taxi companies available for a relatively reasonable price. For those with rental cars, Boise offers many convenient and inexpensive parking options.

Climate in Boise

Summers are hot and dry in this semi-arid continental climate, while winters are generally cold with snow on the surrounding mountains. There is very little annual precipitation in the city. Summer temperatures average 90°F (32°C), but hotter spells are common in July and August. Winter temperatures are typically between 24°F (-4°C) and 37°F (3°C).

Sightseeing in Boise

Boise is the capital of Idaho, and its largest city and cultural heart. While not known for world-famous landmarks and attractions, the city offers a number of interesting sights and activities for visitors.

Boise has a few excellent museums including the Boise Art Museum, the Idaho Black History Museum, and the popular Basque Museum and Cultural Center. Also worth a visit is the World Center for Birds of Prey, which hosts live presentations and educational tours for the whole family.

There are some lovely parks in Boise. Julia Davis Park is home to a small zoo and rose garden, as well as a scenic railroad. Barber Park is known for its wildlife, and visitors can spot deer, elk, bald eagles, and other animals. Barber Park is also the starting point for a summer tradition in Boise: floating down the Boise River. The Greenbelt path system connects five major parks throughout Boise, providing wonderfully extensive space for exercise and recreation.

Boise Attractions

Basque Museum and Cultural Center

In the 1830s a flood of immigrants from the Basque Country (Spain and France) arrived in the United States, Idaho being one of the five US states with notable Basque heritage. The mission of the Basque Museum and Cultural Center is to preserve the Basque history and culture through education, research, collections, and activities. The museum provides a look into traditional Basque heritage as well as the lives of Basque-Americans since settlement in the US through their collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, and unique oral history archives. The museum's calendar is filled with many interesting events, and visitors may get the chance to see colourful dancing, taste delicious food, and shop at the market.

Address: 611 Grove Street

Website: www.basquemuseum.com

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Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area

Bogus Basin has grown from a small ski hill with a rope tow into a large holiday ski destination with three lodges, numerous chairlifts, night skiing, and Nordic trails. Rental, repair, and retail shops are available on site, as are a ski and snowboarding school and tubing hill. During the summer, a Frisbee golf course is set up on the thawed-out trails, and nature hikes and children's camps are offered. Only 40-minutes' drive from downtown Boise, Bogus Basin is a popular day or weekend excursion from the city and one of the most popular snow playgrounds in Idaho.

Address: 2600 N Bogus Basin Road

Website: www.bogusbasin.org

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Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

The Craters of the Moon in Idaho was formed by volcanic eruptions about 15,000 years ago. The National Monument and Preserve offers a fascinating glimpse into the state's dramatic geological past with a vast landscape of hardened lava. The landscape may seem barren, but there is a large population of creatures and birds here. Calvin Coolidge described the park as 'a weird and scenic landscape peculiar to itself'. While it may not look exactly like the moon, the similarities were enough to encourage Apollo 14 astronauts to use it to prepare for their lunar expedition in 1969. Today visitors can take the Loop Road to most of the interesting sites, including the North Crater Flow, Devil's Orchard, Inferno Cone, the Tree Molds, and even lava tube caves. Craters of the Moon is located about 178 miles (286km) west of Boise.

Website: www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm

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Airports in Boise

Boise Airport (BOI)
Boise Airport
http://www.iflyboise.com

Location: Boise The airport is located four miles (6km) from downtown Boise.

Time: GMT -7 (GMT -6 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 208 383 3110.

Getting to the city: Taxis, shuttles and ValleyRide buses into Boise are located at the lower level roadway outside baggage claim. The Sun Valley Express picks up passengers at the blue curb.

Car rental: Avis, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty have counters in the rental car lobby on the first floor.

Airport Taxis: Metered taxis are located on the lower-level roadway outside the baggage claim. Taxis park near the black-coloured curb.

Facilities: Facilities at the airport include food and beverage outlets, newsstands, gift shops, art exhibitions, ATMs, and conference facilities.

Parking: Four parking options are available: short-term parking, garage parking, long-term surface parking, and a remote lot with connecting shuttle service. Short-term parking is $2 per hour up to $23 per day. Long-term parking has a daily rate of $10 or $13 in the covered garage. The parking facilities accept cash, cheques, and all major credit cards.

Sun Valley
Boise

The holiday destination of Sun Valley opened in 1936 as the first purpose-built ski destination in America, modelled after the renowned ski resorts of Europe. It was quickly christened the 'American Shangri-La' and has been a favourite of Hollywood stars and the glamorous ever since. In spite of its elite status, Sun Valley has a laid-back atmosphere. In keeping with the spirit of Idaho, the focus is on the pristine beauty of the environment and the feats accomplished by athletes and outdoorsmen.

Sun Valley is built around Bald Mountain, known affectionately as 'Baldy' and considered by many to be the single best ski mountain in the country. The old stomping ground of Olympians Picabo Street and Reggie Crist boasts something like 3,400 vertical feet (1,036m), 14 lifts and 65 runs on 2,054 skiable acres. The widely varying terrain of 'Baldy' and neighbouring Dollar Mountain means skiers of all levels can hit the slopes. The ski and snowboard school offer clinics for all skill sets and ages. A wide range of accommodation is also available, from romantic retreats to spacious family options, including four mountain lodges, the original and elegant Sun Valley Lodge as well as village condominiums and cottages.

Idaho Attractions

Overview

Idaho's appeal is firmly rooted in active outdoor pursuits, unspoiled wilderness and a no-nonsense pioneer heritage. Idaho conjures images of lonely mountain cabins rather than strip-malls and fast food joints. In many ways a visit to the state feels like a refreshing exit from modern America.

Idaho's greatest draw is its ski slopes. This otherwise overlooked state regularly features on lists of the top ski destinations in the US. The famous Sun Valley ski resort is a long-term favourite and is generally considered Idaho's most popular tourist attraction. Boise, the capital, also has its own backyard snow playground in the form of the Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area.

Boise boasts some interesting cultural sightseeing, beyond the city, the vast majority of Idaho's top attractions are scenic. The lunar landscapes of the Craters of the Moon National Monument are a unique sight. The Sawtooth National Forest, in the centre of the state, promises pristine forest and mountain landscapes, as well as more than 300 lakes. Hell's Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America, attracts adventurers down its gorge.

Basque Museum and Cultural Center

In the 1830s a flood of immigrants from the Basque Country (Spain and France) arrived in the United States, Idaho being one of the five US states with notable Basque heritage. The mission of the Basque Museum and Cultural Center is to preserve the Basque history and culture through education, research, collections, and activities. The museum provides a look into traditional Basque heritage as well as the lives of Basque-Americans since settlement in the US through their collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, and unique oral history archives. The museum's calendar is filled with many interesting events, and visitors may get the chance to see colourful dancing, taste delicious food, and shop at the market.

Address: 611 Grove Street

Website: http://www.basquemuseum.com

Wallace

The small city of Wallace, in the centre of Panhandle Region, has a historic pedigree and quaint demeanour that make it the quintessential American small town. Every building in its downtown centre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of this, there have been several Hollywood films set in Wallace, including Dante's Peak and Heaven's Gate, in downtown Wallace. The little town has fewer than 1,000 permanent residents but is a favourite with travellers. Located along the I-90 in northern Idaho, this pretty town in Silver Valley is home to the Oasis Bordello Museum, Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum, Wallace District Mining Museum, and the Sierra Silver Mines. Nearby Kellogg is a nice excursion from Wallace, with tours of the Crystal Gold Mine, and a number of eye-catching scrap metal sculptures.

Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area

Bogus Basin has grown from a small ski hill with a rope tow into a large holiday ski destination with three lodges, numerous chairlifts, night skiing, and Nordic trails. Rental, repair, and retail shops are available on site, as are a ski and snowboarding school and tubing hill. During the summer, a Frisbee golf course is set up on the thawed-out trails, and nature hikes and children's camps are offered. Only 40-minutes' drive from downtown Boise, Bogus Basin is a popular day or weekend excursion from the city and one of the most popular snow playgrounds in Idaho.

Address: 2600 N Bogus Basin Road

Website: http://www.bogusbasin.org

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

The Craters of the Moon in Idaho was formed by volcanic eruptions about 15,000 years ago. The National Monument and Preserve offers a fascinating glimpse into the state's dramatic geological past with a vast landscape of hardened lava. The landscape may seem barren, but there is a large population of creatures and birds here. Calvin Coolidge described the park as 'a weird and scenic landscape peculiar to itself'. While it may not look exactly like the moon, the similarities were enough to encourage Apollo 14 astronauts to use it to prepare for their lunar expedition in 1969. Today visitors can take the Loop Road to most of the interesting sites, including the North Crater Flow, Devil's Orchard, Inferno Cone, the Tree Molds, and even lava tube caves. Craters of the Moon is located about 178 miles (286km) west of Boise.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm