Frequently Asked Questions

The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) dialing code is +670  followed by a seven-digit telephone number.

The islands are served by two cellular telecommunications providers, IT&E which is the CNMI’s main cell phone network operator and DOCOMO Pacific Guam.  Most international cell phone network operators have roaming agreements with IT&E or DOCOMO or visitors are able to purchase short-term and affordable pre-paid SIM car4ds that offer both voice and data allowances from outside the arrivals hall of the Francisco C. Ada Saipan International Airport.

The CNMI is served by a reliable internet service, visitors can access free WiFi within the Paradiso Resort & Spa on their own devices or surf the net for free at the business center.

The US dollar is the official and only widely accepted currency in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Foreign currency exchanges and international banks are commonplace in Saipan with several branches of the Bank of Guam easily accessible. The islands of Rota and Tinian are also equipped with their own bank branches with ATMs. Travelers’ checks and major credit cards are commonly accepted at most restaurants, shops, and other tourism related businesses.

Duty free shops are available for departing travellers from Saipan at Francisco C. Ada Saipan International Airport.

Visitors to Saipan can import a reasonable quality of cigarettes, cigars and perfume without incurring customs duty. The duty-free limit (as at February 1st 2023) for loose tobacco or cigars is 454 grams, while 600 is the maximum number of cigarettes which can be imported duty free.

The CNMI has strict quarantine laws to help protect the islands indigenous flora and fauna.  Narcotics, unlicensed firearms, and some foods cannot be imported into the CNMI and penalties may apply for doing so.

Bottles of spirit beverages such as cognac, gin, Scotch whiskey, and vodka are often priced more attractively on the island of Saipan than in international airports.  R & J Wine & Liquor is open daily from 10 am until 8 pm and carry’s a wide selection of quality spirits and wines.

For more information on customs and quarantine rules for the CNMI you should visit CNMI Division of Customs and Quarantine website by clicking here.

The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) uses the same 110-120V electricity settings as the mainland of the United States and Canada. Type B and A wall plug sockets are both commonly used across the islands.

We recommend that visitors to Saipan bring along plug adaptors and transformers with that to ensure that they are able to use their electrical appliances.

Guests may borrow power adapters for use at the resort from our Guest Relations Assistants. 

It is easy to move around Saipan by traveling in a licenced taxi or driving a rental car. A United States driver’s license can be used and foreign visitors can use their home country licenses for up to 1 month.

The Paradiso Resort & Spa provide a complimentary shuttle service between the resort and Garapan. Our fully air-conditioned shuttle bus departs from outside the resort lobby or from Joten Store in Garapan at the following hours.  

English is widely spoken in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) and some nine-tenths of the population speaks a language other than English at home.

Saipan is home to more than nine-tenths of the CNMI’s population. Chamorro, related to Indonesian, is the principal language of the CNMI. Chamorro, Carolinian, and English are official languages; and Chinese and Filipino are also widely used by the population.

The island also has a large number of Korean and Japanese speakers.  

The Paradiso Resort & Spa Saipan multi-lingual staff speak Carolinian, Chamorro, Chuukese, English, Korean, Japanese, Tagalog, and Yapese.

Saipan is 14 miles (23 kilometers) long and 5 miles (8 kilometers) wide.  The best beaches and most popular areas are located on the western and southern coasts of the island, with the north and east of the island offering picturesque rugged and mountainous coastlines. The land area of Saipan is 44.6 square miles (115.4 square kilometers). 

The highest point on Saipan is Mount Tapachau which is 1,555 feet high and located in the islands center.

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) share the same Chamorro Time Zone as Guam and the Australian state of Queensland which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (GMT +10).

The current time in Saipan is: