What you need to know

Las Vegas officially the City of Las Vegas and often known simply as Vegas, is the 29th-most populated city in the United States, the most populated city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area and is the largest city within the greater Mojave Desert. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city known for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife. It is the leading financial, commercial, and cultural center for Nevada.

The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous for its mega casino–hotels and associated activities. It is a top three destination in the United States for business conventions and a global leader in the hospitality industry, claiming more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any city in the world. Today, Las Vegas annually ranks as one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations. The city’s tolerance for numerous forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City, and has made Las Vegas a popular setting for literature, films, television programs, and music videos.

“Las Vegas” is often used to describe areas beyond official city limits—especially the areas on and near the Las Vegas Strip, which is actually located within the unincorporated communities of Paradise, Winchester, and Enterprise.

Population: 603,488 (2013)

Currency

It’s a good idea to exchange some money for U.S. dollars at home before you arrive in Las Vegas, as you’ll likely to get the best rates that way.

Climate

Las Vegas has a subtropical hot desert climate, typical of the Mojave Desert in which it lies. There is abundant sunshine throughout the year, with an average of 310 sunny days and bright sunshine occurring during 86% of all daylight hours. Rainfall is scarce, with an average of 4.2 in (110 mm) dispersed between roughly 26 to 27 total rainy days per year. Las Vegas is among the sunniest, driest, and least humid locations in all of North America, with exceptionally low dew points and humidity that sometimes remains below 10%.

The summer months of June through September are very hot, though moderated by extremely low humidity. July is the hottest month with an average daytime high of 104.2 °F (40.1 °C). On average, 134 days per year reach or exceed 90 °F (32 °C), of which 74 days reach 100 °F (38 °C) and 7 days reach 110 °F (43 °C). During the peak intensity of summer, overnight lows often remain above 80 °F (27 °C) and occasionally above 85 °F (29 °C).

Las Vegas winters are short and generally very mild, with stretches of chilly (but rarely cold) daytime temperatures. Like all seasons, sunshine during the winter is abundant. December is both the coolest and cloudiest month of the year, with an average daytime high of 56.6 °F (13.7 °C) and sunshine occurring during 78% of its daylight hours. Winter evenings are defined by clear skies and swift drops in temperature after sunset, with overnight lows sinking below 40 °F (4.4 °C) during the majority of nights in December and January.

Language

English is widely spoken in Las Vegas followed by Spanish

Safety

Be vigilant and do not leave any valuables visible in your car. If you are lucky enough to win a large jackpot, you can ask the casino to hold your winnings in its safe or to pay you with a check so that you are not walking out the door with a large amount of cash. If you insist on receiving all your winnings in cash, all casinos have security personnel available to escort you to your car or room upon request. Like most large tourism destinations, the Strip has its share of pickpockets, so keep your wallet in a front pocket or hold onto your purse.

Despite the advertising slogan What happens here, stays here, Las Vegas has laws that are vigorously enforced. If you fail to comply with the Nevada Revised Statutes, you will draw the attention of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which has jurisdiction over both the City of Las Vegas and all unincorporated areas in Clark County. Contrary to popular belief, prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas and all of Clark County, although it is legal at licensed brothels in a few rural counties of Nevada. Pedestrians may drink alcohol from an open container on “the Strip”, but not in automobiles (not even for passengers).

Health

You are in a desert, and your body will need fluids, especially in the summer months. Carry a bottle of water, and be sure to bring sunscreen.

Getting Around

The Las Vegas Monorail, runs along the east side of the Strip with stops behind several of the hotels and at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Do the math before boarding, it could be cheaper for a small group to take a taxi. Because the monorail stops at the back entrance of the hotels, it takes a long time to wind through the maze of casinos, often taking 30 minutes to an hour to get from one point to another on the Strip – if you’re in a hurry, take a taxi.
Buses can be an inexpensive and convenient option, especially if just traveling up-and-down the Strip, or to-and-from downtown. A bus ride is a good way to recuperate during those hot summer months after a long and tiring walk on the Strip since the buses are air-conditioned. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), +1 702 228-7433, operates 49 bus routes throughout the valley.
Deuce and SDX buses stop only at marked bus stops on the Strip which all have ticket vending machines where passes must be purchased in advance before boarding. The SDX operates on a pure proof-of-payment system, meaning that passengers can board and disembark SDX buses on the Strip through any bus door, but risk a substantial fine if caught riding without a valid pass. Indeed, SDX bus drivers sit inside a secure compartment, with a sign telling passengers to not bother them.
One of the easiest ways to get around is by taxi. It is relatively cheap to go from hotel to hotel, but be aware that since traffic is often so congested on the strip, taking a taxi often isn’t much faster than walking. Many taxis will cut off the strip to use a parallel road–this is often faster but can double your taxi fare. The taxi driver is required to use the meter and to take the shortest route to your destination. There is a surcharge for rides originating at the airport, but not for extra passengers. Taxi lines (queues) are typically found at the front of hotels.