Practical basics for international visitors to Downtown Los Angeles. For visa and entry rules, always rely on official government sources — we do not give immigration or legal advice.
Independent & unofficial. DTLA Business Guide is an independent and unofficial local guide. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, authorized by or endorsed by LA28, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee or the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
Airports
LAX is the main international gateway; BUR, LGB, SNA and ONT serve the region. See flylax.com.
Entry & visas
Requirements depend on your country. Consult official U.S. government sources: travel.state.gov and ESTA/CBP. We do not provide individualized immigration advice.
The basics
- Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC−7 in summer).
- Currency: U.S. dollar; cards and mobile payment are widely accepted.
- Connectivity: U.S. eSIM/SIM and widespread Wi-Fi; check your carrier’s roaming.
- Emergencies: dial 911.
- Weather: July–August in LA is typically warm and dry; sun protection and hydration recommended. (General climate, not a forecast.)
- Tipping: customary in restaurants and for services (commonly ~15–20%).
- Languages: English and Spanish are widely spoken; LA is highly multilingual.
Last verified: July 24, 2026. This section is updated as official information is released.