Scottsdale Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Scottsdale, Arizona - AZ, USA)

Scottsdale is a charming city well-known for its concentration of art galleries, restaurants, variety of shopping, resorts, golf courses and Old West charm.

Now engulfed by the sprawling Phoenix metropolitan area, Scottsdale offers a more relaxed and upmarket alternative to downtown Phoenix, popular among those wishing to escape the harsh northern winters and bask in the Valley of the Sun's near-perfect climate.

Tourism and Tourist Information

The Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau can offer advice and tips when planning your holiday, providing information on a comprehensive list of attractions as well as logistics such as travel, directions, opening times and admission costs.

Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau
Address: 4343 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona AZ, USA
Tel: +1 480 421 1004
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 18:30, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00

Language

Over 300 languages are spoken throughout America, including more than 170 languages that are indigenous to the area. The most commonly spoken language in Scottsdale is English and different nationalities are well represented in America. Many other languages are on offer in language schools around Scottsdale and Arizona.

Visas

For information on whether you will require a visa for travel to the USA, Arizona and Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale usually needing a non-immigrant visa that permits 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 several weeks before traveling to Scottsdale.

Working

There are a number of categories of non-immigrant visas available for those intending to work in Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale need to apply for the relevant visa in their home country and may also require further documentation from their prospective American employer.

Smoking

Many eateries in Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, including bus and train travel. Before smoking in public areas in Scottsdale, check with those around you first.

Tipping

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