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Practical Information

 

 

Utilities (water and electricity):

Please be aware that the water and power supplies are not up to stateside standards. The tap water is salty and most people have 5 gallon bottles of drinking water delivered to their house or apartment. Low water pressure is common in some areas, supplemental water pumps may be needed and periodic power outages occur. Some people consider buying a generator. A 1.5 kW generator should be able to handle a refrigerator, lights and fans. A 5 to 6 kW generator should be enough for appliances such as 220 volt stove and air conditioner - an important consideration in typhoon season, October- December, when power outages may occur. Surge protectors and line conditioners are essential if you have computer equipment. On the positive side, millions of dollars are being spent on fixing the infrastructure and some improvements are already evident. 

To obtain water and electrical service you must apply to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation and pay a refundable deposit of $150 for electricity and $30 for water. The services are usually available the same day as you apply. Monthly bills will be sent to your mailing address.

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Telephone & Internet:

The Northern Mariana Islands became part of the North American Number Plan on July 1, 1997. This means that the islands no longer have a separate telephone country code and expensive international charges. Instead, the CNMI now has a regular area code, (670), just like every other part of the United States, Alaska, Canada, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Caribbean island nations. Toll free numbers are recognized here, which makes mail order shopping and customer support convenient. 

For international calls to foreign countries not included in the North American Numbering Plan, like Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Palau, Europe, the normal international dialing sequence exists, (011 + Country Code + Area code + Number).

There are many internet providers on island, including high speed cable and DSL. 

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Currency:

The U.S. dollar is the currency in the Commonwealth. Stateside style banks include the Bank of Guam, Bank of Hawaii, Bank of Saipan, and First Hawaiian Bank. On your arrival in the CNMI, it is easier and more convenient to bring credit cards or traveler's checks in US funds for immediate use. Cash is best. Some banks will not cash cashier's checks or money orders without a two-week "hold" on the amount even if the draft is of U.S. origin. A purchase receipt may be needed to cash traveler's checks. To open a bank account you will need a U.S. Social Security number.

You are advised to obtain a major credit card that gives Northwest or Continental frequent flyer bonus miles before you arrive in the CNMI.

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Post Office:

Saipan offers the same postal rates and services as any post office in the United States. The Northern Mariana Islands is in U.S. postal zone #8. Most people here have private post office boxes, however, home delivery can be arranged. Most air-mail from the states takes about a week to arrive. Boxes sent by "surface mail" tend to take 2 to 3 months to arrive. Therefore, it is recommended that Priority Air Mail be used for mailing items, as they only take about a week to arrive. Other carriers on island include DHL, Federal Express and UPS. They are, of course, more expensive than U.S. mail.

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Radio, TV and Newspapers:

Considering its location and small population, the Commonwealth has an extensive media service:

Radio: There are commercial, top-40 AM radio stations with sister FM stations. A non-commercial AM station is operated by a group of religious broadcasters who also have based their international short-wave station here. Another short-wave station on Saipan is owned by the Christian Science Monitor.

Television: Cable TV is widely available on Saipan and now interconnected with subscribers on Tinian. Programming is primarily taped on a delay basis on the west coast and shipped out to be carried about a week late. Unfortunately the CNMI is on the edge of most satellite "foot prints," making it a difficult and expensive proposition to bring in live programming. A daily local newscast is prepared on Saipan and local news coverage from nearby Guam is carried on a one-day delay. Some live programming, particularly sports, is brought in by satellite to Guam and then replayed on the Saipan system. Personal satellite dishes are uncommon so far. 

Newspapers: Unlike most mainland cities these days, Saipan has two and even three city newspapers on island. Two local daily newspapers are published on Saipan and the Guam-based Pacific Daily News publishes a Friday supplement covering the CNMI. (The PDN is flown to Saipan on a daily basis).

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Housing:

Houses and apartments are available for rent, although the rents are somewhat higher than in the U.S. Most apartments are furnished and air conditioned, and rents generally run from $600 to $1,400 per month. Many apartment units have coin operated laundry centers on the premises. 

Houses are primarily concrete, and are available both furnished and unfurnished. They generally rent from $600 to $1,500 per month. Realtors are available on island to assist with locating accommodations for new arrivals.

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Barber and beauty shops:

Many shops are located throughout Saipan. Most have complete beauty treatment including shampoo and set, permanents, haircuts, manicure, pedicure, hair-coloring and facial treatments.

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Clothing:

Our tropical climate and island lifestyle encourage cool, loose-fitting cotton shirts, slacks, blouses and dresses. Some cool, rainy evenings may call for a lightweight jacket or sweater. Casual clothing is acceptable and appropriate for almost all occasions. The long Hawaiian-style muu muu is acceptable for even the most formal occasions. You will be doing more washing/laundry than in the states, so wash and wear products are highly recommended. Dry cleaning facilities are available on island. 

Tennis or jogging-type shoes will get a lot of use. Diving or garden-style gloves may be handy if you like SCUBA diving, snorkeling or beachcombing. Beach shoes are a necessity for wading along the beaches and reefs. Sharp coral and poisonous stone fish lurk in the shallows.

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Food & Shopping:

Most food items you need are available locally. We have several mid-size grocery stores. Some produce is grown locally and other produce is brought in by air from the U.S. or Japan. Food prices are higher than mainland U.S. prices. You will find a variety of specialty stores, including Indian and Thai shops where hard to find spices, basmati rice, ghee, Thai wet curry paste and fresh lemon grass may be found. Tiny local bananas are a treat and papayas and mangoes are among the locally grown fruit.

Purchasing "big ticket" items from your point of hire and shipping them with your household goods may save you some money. Items in this category include air conditioners, ceiling fans, dryers, TV/VCR, lawn mowers, power tools, electrical generators, sewing machines and fax machines.

Other items you may want to bring include any and all lamps, area rugs (plus carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner) and whatever sports equipment you need. Don't bring valuable items that may rot or mold in the humid weather.

There is a Price Costco on island where most of the above mentioned items can be found. Prices are competitive to stateside prices.

Since we now are connected on the internet and via telephone, clothes and other mail order shopping are more convenient. Saipan has "Duty Free" shops that cater to tourists and carry many name brand clothing lines.

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Pets:

It is possible to ship your pet to Saipan, but it requires a stay in quarantine at the CNMI Government’s As Perdido Animal Quarantine Facility on Saipan. 

There is a quarantine fee to bring an animal into the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). For cats, it is $180 each with the Home Quarantine, or $360 each for the entire 120 days of quarantine. For dogs, it is $180 to $300 each with the Home Quarantine, depending on the animal’s weight, or $360 to $600 each for the 120 days, depending on the animal’s weight. 

The standard quarantine confinement time is 120 days. Animals brought from the United States may be eligible for a shorter (60-day) quarantine in the government facility if certain conditions are met (if the owner can furnish suitable quarantine conditions at the owner’s place of residence on island for the remaining 60 days of the 120 day quarantine requirement). This shorter quarantine is not guaranteed; it is a decision by the CNMI Veterinarian from the Office of Animal Health and Industry. The reason behind the strict requirements should be understood. The CNMI is a rabies free area, and the intent is to keep it that way.

Please be advised that it is mandatory to have a Pet Entry Permit.  Failure to obtain one will result in a fine.  You need to obtain the Pet Entry Permit before you leave your point of hire; otherwise your pet will not be accepted by the airline for the flight to Saipan or the CNMI.  This permit is obtainable from:

Office of Animal Health and Industry
Division of Agriculture, DLNR
CNMI Government
P.O. Box 10007
Saipan, MP  96950

Ph:  (670)-234-6169  or 234-9139
Fax: (670)-235-9001

Acquiring Pets Locally: There are a few small pet shops on island, but selections are limited. There is a local animal welfare group called PAWS (Pet Assistance & Welfare Services). This is a non-profit organization that assists in placing homeless dogs and cats to good homes.

Veterinary Services: There is a vet on island who offers most veterinary services. In addition to providing emergency and routine health care, items such as Heartguard, Revolution, and Frontline are available at the clinic. For more information on veterinary services, please call the Paradise Island Animal Hospital at (670)-234-9669.

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Schools:



Photo by Eran More

Our local public school system is not yet on par with the mainland U.S., though strong efforts to improve the quality of education are being made. There are both public and private schools. All inquires about the public elementary schools should be addressed to the Board of Education - Public School System. The P.O. Box and telephone numbers of the private schools are listed below. Tuition for private schools ranges from $200 to $400 per month per child. There is one public junior high school and three senior high schools.

Mount Carmel also has a senior Catholic high school. There are several kindergartens, one private day care center and a weekly play group that meets at a local park. At the other end of the educational spectrum is the Northern Marianas College, a community college, which is very modern in scope. Write for information and registration details long before coming to Saipan to ensure that your child is not left out.

Public School System
P.O. Box 1370 CK, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 288-0690 FAX: (670) 288-0694

Northern Marianas College
P.O. Box 1250, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 234-5498 FAX: (670) 234-0759

Calvary Christian Academy, K-Grade 5
San Antonio Village
P.O. Box 901, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 234-6026 FAX: (670) 235-8268

Eucon International School of Saipan
(670) 234-3203

Grace Christian Academy, K - Grade 12
P.O. Box 643 CK, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 322-3320 FAX: (670) 322-1855

Marianas Baptist Academy, Grades 7-12 
P.O. Box 904 CK, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 234-6508 FAX: (670) 234-6508

Mount Carmel Elementary School
Mount Carmel High School
Susupe Village
P.O. Box 6 CK, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 234-7188 FAX: (670) 235-4751

Northern Marianas Academy, Grades 9-12
Caller Box 10006-834, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 235-5597 FAX: (670) 234-0759

Saipan Community School, K- Grade 8 
P.O. Box 69, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 234-6687 FAX: (670) 235-7007

Saipan International School, Preschool - Grade 12
P.O. Box 3121, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 288-9660

Seventh Day Adventist, K- Grade 8
P.O. Box 1063, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 234-7326 FAX: 234-0521

Sister Remedio Pre School
P.O. Box 642, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 234-6247 FAX: 234-1411

Whispering Palms, Grades 1-8
P.O. Box 95, Saipan, MP 96950, USA
(670) 234-7451

CNMI Public Schools System website
www.pss.cnmi.mp

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To learn more about the Northern Mariana Islands visit the My Marianas website.