South America and South Atlantic Islands

Insurance

 

Falkland Islands Government regulations state that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

Here's how we can help if things go wrong.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.
 

Consular representation

The Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory and as such there is no formal British Consular representation.  In an emergency, Government House in Stanley will assist British nationals.

The Falkland Island pound is fixed at a rate of one pound Sterling.  Bank of England coins and notes are fully accepted in the Islands at full value.

Air services

LANChile Airlines currently operate a once weekly service to Mount Pleasant Airport from Punta Arenas in southern Chile.  Onward air connections from Punta Arenas are available to Puerto Montt and Santiago de Chile, and onward from Santiago to other international destinations.  Once a month this service stops in Rio Gallegos, on the southern coast of Argentina.  The service will pick up passengers in Rio Gallegos on one week (usually the second Saturday of the month), and drops off passengers in Rio Gallegos the following week.  You should check with LANChile in advance for up to date information on Chile/Falkland Islands air services.

The RAF operate a fare-paying service from RAF Brize Norton (via Ascension Island) to Mount Pleasant Airport twice weekly.  This service can be subject to delays due to poor weather conditions, especially during the Southern Hemisphere winter.  The total journey time is approximately 20 hours. For further information, and how to book this service visit the Falkland Islands website or contact Falkland Islands Government House (see below for contact details).  You are advised to carry some currency in US$ in case the flight is diverted to South America or North Africa.

Weather

Beware of weather changes. The weather can change rapidly and it is often possible to experience several seasons in a single day. The sun can be very strong. Wearing of good sunglasses, hats and a high-factor sunscreen is recommended.

Departure tax

There is a £22 departure tax on leaving the Islands.

London office

The Falkland Islands Government maintains an office in London that can provide further information for people wishing to visit the islands.  Their contact details are:

Falkland Islands Government Office
Falkland House
14 Broadway
Westminster
LONDON
SW1H OBH

Tel:  020 7222 2542
Fax:  020 7222 2375
E-mail:  representative@falklands.gov.uk

 

Money

 

The Falkland Island pound is fixed at a rate of one pound Sterling.  Bank of England coins and notes are fully accepted in the Islands at full value. However, some travellers have experienced difficulties in exchanging Falkland Islands’ notes at their bank on return to the UK. You should therefore limit the amount of Falkland Islands currency you carry on departure.

 

In Stanley, many of the main shops, hotels and restaurants will accept MasterCard or Visa.  However, credit cards are not widely acceptable in Camp (the countryside).  You should check when making bookings.  There are no ATM cash machines on the Islands.  UK cheques can be cashed (for a fee).