Grand Canyon Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Grand Canyon, Arizona - AZ, USA)

Situated in the northern part of Arizona to the east of Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon is well connected with the outside world by road and air and has commendable visitor facilities.

General stores offering essential groceries and other supplies are dotted around the park, while getting around is straightforward with free, regular shuttle buses to sightseeing spots and a useful network of roads and tracks.

Tourism and Tourist Information

The Grand Canyon National Park has an excellent and comprehensive visitor center, with informative staff and hands-on exhibits. This center also supplies maps, brochures and books on the park and reading up on the Grand Canyon before you travel will stand you in good stead for getting the most out of your time here.

Canyon View Information Plaza
Address: East side of Grand Canyon Village, South Rim, Grand Canyon, Arizona AZ, USA
Tel: +1 928 638 7888

Language

There are literally hundreds of languages spoken all over the US owing to the large Hispanic, Chinese and Japanese communities and other ethnic minorities. The most commonly spoken language in the Grand Canyon, Arizona is English, as with other states in the country.

Visas

For information on whether you will require a visa for travel to the USA, Arizona and the Grand Canyon, it is best to check with your nearest consulate or embassy for information specific to your country. There are several different visas available, with visitors to the Grand Canyon usually needing a non-immigrant visa, which allows temporary stay. Citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries are allowed to enter America without a visa, providing they can meet specified requirements. It is always sensible to apply for visas well in advance before you travel to the Grand Canyon area.

Working

There are a number of categories of non-immigrant visas available for those intending to work in the Grand Canyon, Arizona and America temporarily. Working without a visa is against the law and there are penalties for those caught in breach of this. People intending to work in the Grand Canyon need to apply for the relevant visa in their home country and may also require a letter from their prospective American employer.

Smoking

Many restaurants in the Grand Canyon now operate a strict 'no smoking' policy and the attitude of locals towards smoking in public places has changed dramatically in recent years. Smoking is now also no longer permitted on public transportation in the Grand Canyon, including buses and trains. Before smoking in public areas in the Grand Canyon, it is often a good idea to check with those nearby first.

Tipping

Tipping is commonplace in the Grand Canyon and in many cases required, unless the service has been particularly poor. Restaurants in the Grand Canyon expect a tip of between 10 to 20 percent, as do taxi drivers. Bars in the area also appreciate tips and often leave a tips trays on the counter. Hotel staff in the Grand Canyon, including luggage carriers and hotel porters, also expect a small tip, which can be as little as a dollar or two.