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Country Commercial Guides FY 2000: Lithuania Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Vilnius, released July 1999 Note*

CHAPTER IX. Business Travel

U.S citizens are allowed visa-free entry for a period of 90 days.

Phone, cellular phone, fax and e-mail communications are excellent, though the connectivity can be limited in rural areas.

Major hotels, quality restaurants, and some stores accept credit cards, but it is still mainly a cash economy. MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards; Diners Club and American Express are also accepted at a number of hotels and some restaurants and service stations. Budget accommodations, fast-food restaurants, smaller retail establishments and outdoor markets operate on a cash-only basis. A few commercial banks cash traveler's checks or provide cash advances against credit cards but the service charges are high. Lithuanian currency, the Litas, may be bought and sold at numerous currency exchange offices. In rural areas travelers should be prepared to pay cash for most of their expenses.

Lithuania is easily reached by air from Western Europe and, with connecting flights, from the United States. Travel by car is generally the fastest and most convenient mode of transportation within Lithuania and other two Baltic States.

There are today numerous restaurants in the major cities with first class cuisine and service. Supply and diversity of imported food, household supplies, common medications and personal items are excellent. Unleaded gas is available in every gasoline station in the country.

The availability of modern housing is still quite limited though improving. Often, apartments have to be renovated to meet the Western standards. Despite recent improvements, hot water may not always be available through municipal district heating systems; major apartment renovations should include installation of hot water heaters.

Street crime is relatively high in Lithuania. Travelers should take the same precautions, as they would visiting unfamiliar urban centers in the U.S. Although drinking water is chlorinated, it is not considered entirely safe because the filtering system does not remove viruses. Boiling drinking water is recommended. Imported spring water is available at many stores. Food contamination is not a serious problem.