Passport/Visa Requirements: As of January 2007, all U.S. citizens must have a passport when traveling by air to or from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico. Citizens of Canada, Mexico and the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda also must have a passport or other designated secure document to enter the U.S.
Beginning 1 June 2009, passports are required for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders with the U.S. and for cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda. Reconfirm travel-document requirements with your carrier prior to departure.
Population: 26,593.
Languages: English.
Predominant Religions: Christian (Protestant, Roman Catholic) and Jewish..
Time Zone: Daylight Saving Time is observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.
| Currency Exchange | Top  |
Banks are generally open Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm. Some have limited hours on Saturday until noon. ATMs are plentiful and can be found outside of banks, as well as in grocery stores, shopping complexes and malls.
Sales tax in all of the Grand Strand area is 7.5%. The hotel tax is 12%.
Tip waitstaff 15%-20% for good service. Tip bellhops US$1-$2 per bag. Tips for hotel cleaning staff depend on the rate of the room, starting with about US$3 a day.
July and August see the most heat and humidity with temperatures reaching above 90 F/32 C. If you aren't used to the humidity, go to the beach in the morning and plan some indoor activities in the afternoon. The spring and fall have milder weather with temperatures in the mid-70s F/23 C. Hurricane season is June-November. Make sure you know the evacuation routes from the city—they are indicated by blue signs posted along highways: In general, use Highway 9 to reach Interstate 95. Myrtle Beach also experiences frequent showers May-September in the afternoon. They generally do not last long, and they can be refreshing after a hot morning.
| Weather Forecast | Top  |
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| Pressure: | 1015.23180728 Millibars | | Dew Point: | 71 °F/ 22 °C | | Humidity: | 88% | | Visibility: | 1 Miles / 3 Kilometers | | Wind: | 0 MPH / 0 KPH N | | Comfort Index: | 77 °F/ 25 °F | | Last Updated: | 8/30/2008 4:00:00 AM |
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| SUN | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| OVERCAST | 86 °F
30 °C | 69 °F
21 °C | | MON | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SCATTERED CLOUDS | 86 °F
30 °C | 69 °F
21 °C | | TUE | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| OVERCAST | 82 °F
28 °C | 66 °F
19 °C | | WED | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SUNNY | 82 °F
28 °C | 68 °F
20 °C | | THU | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SCATTERED CLOUDS | 82 °F
28 °C | 68 °F
20 °C |
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| What to Wear | Top |
As a beach town and tourist spot, Myrtle Beach leans toward casualwear. Shorts and sandals work for most places, although you may want to pack something dressier if you plan to dine in one of the upscale restaurants. Don't dress in loud Hawaiian- or Caribbean-print shirts. You'll stand out as a tourist. Take a sweater, as some evenings can be cool and most buildings are heavily air conditioned. Businesswear in Myrtle Beach also tends to be casual. Men can usually wear slacks and a polo shirt, and women can wear skirts and sweater sets.
Although you probably will never build a snowman during one of your visits, off-season weather, especially in January and February, can be colder. You will need a warm jacket, but you can still take along a swimsuit—most accommodations have heated indoor pools.
| Communication | Top |
| Internet Access | Top |
Myrtle Beach has a few Internet cafes. Internet access is also available in the library, and most hotels either have access or are in the process of obtaining it. Wi-Fi is available at the airport and in many hotels. Starbucks, McDonald's and Barnes & Noble locations all offer Wi-Fi.
Have breakfast while you check your e-mail. Open Monday-Saturday from 5 am, Sunday from 7 am. US$3 per half-hour. 1706 Highway 17 N., Myrtle Beach. Phone 843-238-8230.
| Mail & Package Services | Top |
There are five post office locations in Myrtle Beach. The main branch is open Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm with shorter hours on Saturday. 505 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach. Phone 843-626-9533.
| Newspapers & Magazines | Top |
Multiple publications serve the Myrtle Beach area. The Sun News publishes daily and is available at newsstands. The tourist publication Strand Magazine, which covers entertainment, lodging and dining in Myrtle Beach, is available free at newsstands, grocery stores, hotel lobbies and other attractions around town. Copies of free area publications, dining guides and events calendars can be obtained at all visitors centers and in many restaurants, shopping areas and grocery stores.
Directory assistance in Myrtle Beach is 411. Emergency assistance is 911. Use cell phones or phone cards when staying at hotels, because calls through the switchboard are expensive. You can purchase phone cards from most pharmacies and grocery stores. Pay phones are not prevalent in the city, but cell-phone coverage is excellent on most mobile plans.
| Transportation | Top |
Several small airports accommodate private aircraft, but most visitors will arrive at Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). A plan to expand the airport is under review. The airport will have larger terminals and a new space over the next decade. Terminals may be under construction at times. 1100 Jet Port Road, Myrtle Beach. Phone 843-448-1580. http://www.flymyrtlebeach.com.
There is a public transportation system, but visitors should plan on renting a car. Make a car rental reservation in advance, as companies have been known to run out of cars in season. Myrtle Beach is extremely accessible, as most of the main tourist attractions are located off Highway 17, Highway 73 or Highway 501. Be aware that widening projects on Highway 17 have been under way for several years. The latest plans include adding a new North Myrtle Beach connector at the Main Street intersection, and new lanes and ramp work along the Highway 17 Bypass. Exercise caution in these areas and follow all detours.
| For More Information | Top |
| Additional Reading | Top |
Shagging in the Carolinas by Fess John Hook (Arcadia Publishing). A history of the dance and its survival through southern history.
Shag (Palace Pictures). This 1989 movie starring Bridget Fonda and Phoebe Cates recounts Myrtle Beach's love of the Carolina shag.
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Top |
This traveler assistance and tourist information center has several branches, including one at the airport. Open Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5 pm, Saturday 9 am-5 pm and Sunday 10 am-2 pm (shortened weekend hours Labor Day-February). 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach. Phone 843-626-7444. Toll-free 800-356-3016. For those with hearing difficulties, call 843-626-7444 voice/TTY. http://www.mbchamber.com.
