Are you planning a trip to Papua New Guinea and wondering what to expect? With its rich culture, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes, Papua New Guinea is a destination for adventurous travelers. From exploring remote villages to witnessing colorful festivals, there’s no shortage of exciting experiences to be had. But before you embark on your journey, it’s essential to know what to expect and how to prepare.
Knowing the entry criteria, regional traditions, and cultural standards can help you navigate this extraordinary nation as a traveler. There are several things to take into account, ranging from getting the appropriate visa to knowing the local food. Also, one must approach Papua New Guinea with consideration and respect due to its complicated political environment and history. You can make the most of your vacation and generate treasured experiences if you prepare ahead of time and are aware of your surroundings.
In this article, we’ll provide you with the essential tips and information you need to know before traveling to Papua New Guinea. From practical advice on packing and transportation to insights into the local culture and customs, we’ll cover it all. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first trip abroad, this guide will help you navigate the ins and outs of traveling in Papua New Guinea and make the most of your experience. So let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How do I plan a trip to Papua New Guinea?
Planning a trip to Papua New Guinea involves several steps:
1. Research and Planning:
- Start by researching about the country, its culture, customs, and attractions.
- Decide on the best time to visit based on your preferences for weather and activities.
- Identify the places you want to visit. Some popular destinations include Port Moresby, Alotau, Madang, Goroka, Lae, Kokopo, and Vanimo.
2. Booking Flights and Accommodation:
- Book your flights well in advance to get the best deals.
- Papua New Guinea offers a range of accommodation options to suit every budget and need.
3. Visa and Travel Documents:
- Check the visa requirements for your country. Unless you are a Papua New Guinean citizen, you will need a valid Papua New Guinean visa to enter the country.
- Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the time of your travel.
4. Health and Safety Precautions:
- Check the health and safety precautions you need to take while traveling to Papua New Guinea.
- It’s always a good idea to have travel insurance that covers medical evacuation.
5. Packing:
- Pack according to the weather and the activities you plan to do.
- Don’t forget essentials like medications, travel documents, and any special items you might need.
6. Local Transportation:
- The best way to get around Papua New Guinea is by plane.
- Avoid using local taxis or buses, known as public motor vehicles, or PMVs.
What do I need to know before traveling to Papua New Guinea?
Here are some important things to know before traveling to Papua New Guinea:
1. General Information:
- Papua New Guinea is a destination for adventurous travelers who want to experience a rich and diverse culture, wildlife, and landscape.
- The country is home to over 800 languages, making it the most linguistically diverse country in the world.
- Popular travel destinations include Port Moresby, Alotau, Madang, Goroka, Lae, Kokopo, and Vanimo.
2. Best Time to Visit:
- The best time to visit Papua New Guinea largely depends on your preferences for weather and the specific activities you wish to pursue.
- Dry Season (June to September): This is generally the best time to visit for most tourists. The weather is drier and more predictable, making it ideal for outdoor activities, cultural festivals, and wildlife viewing.
- Wet Season (December to March): The wet season brings heavy rainfall and higher humidity, which can make travel more challenging, especially in more remote areas.
3. Safety Tips:
- Papua New Guinea is a place for intrepid travelers. It’s always at risk from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and has a high level of violent crime.
- Do not use local taxis or buses, known as public motor vehicles or PMVs.
- Avoid walking or driving at night.
- Avoid areas in the vicinity of active volcanoes.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
4. Visa Requirements:
- Unless you are a Papua New Guinean citizen, you will need a valid Papua New Guinean visa to enter the country.
- All passport holders must apply for a visa before leaving home.
- You can apply for a range of visas including working visas, business visas, and tourist visas, at your nearest Papua New Guinean Embassy or Consulate.
- Your passport must be valid for 6 months from the time of your travel.
What should I pack for Papua New Guinea?
When packing for Papua New Guinea, you should consider the following items:
1. Clothing:
- It’s a tropical country, so expect high temperatures and a humid atmosphere.
- Lightweight layers of natural fabrics.
- Stay casual, conservative, and comfortable.
- 3-4 dresses – below the knees and lightweight.
- 2-3 tank tops.
- 1 over-shirt to keep off sun and bugs.
- 1 lightweight travel/hiking pants.
- 1 pair of shorts Bermuda length.
2. Footwear:
- Hiking boots.
- Trainers.
- Flip Flops.
3. Health and Safety:
- Prescription medicines.
- Over-the-counter medicines.
- Medical supplies (e.g., glasses, contact lenses, needles or syringes, diabetes testing supplies, etc.).
- Hand sanitizer or wipes.
- Water purification tablets.
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) with UVA and UVB protection.
- Sunglasses and hats.
- First-aid kit.
Accommodations in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea offers a range of accommodations to suit every budget and need. Here are some options:
1. Holiday Inn Port Moresby, an IHG hotel:
- This is a 3-star hotel located in Port Moresby.
- It has a rating of 7 out of 10 according to Tripadvisor.
- One of the top comments for this hotel is “It’s the best hotel in POM in my opinion.”
2. Madang Resort:
- This is a 4-star resort located in Madang.
- It has a rating of 8 out of 10 according to Tripadvisor.
- One of the top comments for this resort is “The harbour cruise and snorkelling tour were a definite highlight.”
3. Airbnb Rentals:
- Airbnb offers a variety of vacation rentals in Papua New Guinea.
- Options include homes in Wewak, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, and apartments in Port Moresby and Kokopo.
Is Papua New Guinea cheap to visit?
Traveling to Papua New Guinea can be moderately priced, but it largely depends on your travel style and the specific places you visit. Here’s a rough breakdown of the costs:
- Average Daily Cost: You should plan to spend around $212 (PGK805) per day on your vacation in Papua New Guinea. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
- One-Week Trip: A one-week trip to Papua New Guinea usually costs around $1,487 (PGK5,633) for one person and $2,974 (PGK11,267) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
- Two-Week Trip: A two-week trip to Papua New Guinea on average costs around $2,974 (PGK11,267) for one person and $5,948 (PGK22,534) for two people.
- One-Month Trip: A one-month trip to Papua New Guinea on average costs around $6,373 (PGK24,143) for one person and $12,746 (PGK48,287) for two people.
These costs include accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. Please note, that prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables.
As for flights, the cheapest ticket to Papua New Guinea from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $1,374. The most popular route is from Seattle to Port Moresby and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $1,8223.
How much is a tourist visa to Papua New Guinea?
The cost of a tourist visa to Papua New Guinea is 50 USD. This is for the eVisa, also known as the Easy Visitor Permit, which is available to 96 nationalities and is typically approved within 1-4 days. Please note that all visitors must obtain either an Easy Visitor Permit (eVisa), Visa on Arrival, or a tourist visa online or from the embassy.
How much cash can you bring into Papua New Guinea?
There are no restrictions on the amount of local or foreign currencies you can bring into Papua New Guinea. However, if you are carrying funds of more than SI$50,000 or its foreign equivalent, you must declare this to the customs authorities.
What is the dress code for Papua New Guinea?
The dress code in Papua New Guinea is generally casual, comfortable, and conservative. Here are some tips:
- Given the tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity, it’s advisable to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes made of natural fabrics like linen, silk, or cotton. These materials will keep you cool and are easier to wash and dry.
- Short, tight, or revealing clothes should be avoided. It’s important to respect local customs and sensibilities.
- Don’t forget to wear plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat to protect yourself from the sun.
If you’re exploring the outdoors, consider wearing long sleeves and pants, particularly in the evenings, to avoid mosquito bites. - For footwear, lightweight walking shoes or sneakers are usually fine. If you’re exploring exposed reefs at low tide, dive shoes can protect your feet
What is the best month to go to Papua New Guinea?
The best time to visit Papua New Guinea is during the dry season from May to October. During these months, you can expect pleasant temperatures, clear blue skies, and low levels of humidity. Rainfall is also at its lowest during this period.
However, if you’re planning to visit the Lae and Alotau regions, the best time would be in October and November.
How can I stay safe in Papua New Guinea?
Here are some safety tips for traveling in Papua New Guinea:
- Know where to go: In Papua New Guinea, every inch of space belongs to the people, to Papuan tribes or families. If you go exploring on your own, you might trespass on someone’s land and create an ugly situation. Make sure you know where you’re going. Ask where you should and shouldn’t go.
- Get a guide: A local guide will help you make a good impression when you arrive at remote tribal villages, and they will detect subtle signs of danger, steering you to safety.
- Watch your wallet: Pick-pocketing and other opportunistic crimes do happen, especially at local markets. Don’t make your wallet an easy grab, hide your belongings well, and don’t carry excessive amounts of cash or your passport when it’s not required.
- Carry hand sanitizer: Personal hygiene in Papua New Guinea is not exactly up to Western standards. Avoid food-borne illnesses and other health issues by washing hands well and using hand sanitizer regularly.
- Learn some Pidgin: If you want to communicate within Papua New Guinea, which boasts more than 700 languages and hundreds of tribes, the best way is through Tok Pisin (aka Pidgin), a kind of broken English.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help: You can’t possibly be fully prepared for PNG. With limited tourism infrastructure, very few regions in Papua New Guinea are connected by roads.
- Avoid walking or driving at night.
- Avoid areas in the vicinity of active volcanoes.
- Do not use local taxis or buses, known as public motor vehicles or PMVs.
- Travel with guides from a reputable tour company, particularly if you plan to hike.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
- Avoid driving at night.
- Avoid travel by motorcycle, taxis and public transport.
- Traveling by boat can be dangerous.
Where to go in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is a destination for adventurous travelers who want to experience a rich and diverse culture, wildlife, and landscape. This island nation in Oceania is home to over 800 languages, making it the most linguistically diverse country in the world. Here are some places you might want to visit:
- Port Moresby: The capital city of Papua New Guinea. You can visit the Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana War Cemetery, and the National Parliament House
- Alotau: A beautiful coastal town where you can visit Samarai, an island known for its historical significance during World War II, and the Massim Museum, which showcases the local culture and history
Remember to explore remote villages, witness colorful festivals, and learn about the traditions and beliefs of the local people. Papua New Guinea also offers stunning natural beauty, from its lush rainforests and rugged mountains to its coral reefs and volcanic islands.
You can see exotic birds, butterflies, orchids, and marsupials, as well as dive into the clear waters and discover shipwrecks and marine life
What to do in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea offers a wide range of activities for adventurous travelers. Here are some things you might want to do:
- Explore Remote Villages: Papua New Guinea is home to over 800 languages, making it the most linguistically diverse country in the world. You can explore remote villages and learn about the traditions and beliefs of the local people
- Witness Colourful Festivals: The country is known for its colorful festivals. Participating in these events is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture
- Discover Wildlife: The country offers stunning natural beauty, from its lush rainforests and rugged mountains to its coral reefs and volcanic islands. You can see exotic birds, butterflies, orchids, and marsupials.
- Diving: Dive into the clear waters and discover shipwrecks and marine life.
- Visit Historical Sites: In Port Moresby, you can visit the Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana War Cemetery, and the National Parliament House. In Alotau, you can visit Samarai, an island known for its historical significance during World War II, and the Massim Museum, which showcases the local culture and history.
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What to eat in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea offers a variety of traditional dishes that are primarily based on locally sourced ingredients. Here are some traditional dishes you might want to try:
- Talautu: A traditional Papuan dessert prepared using shredded coconut flesh, pineapple pieces, sugar, lemon juice, and coconut milk
- Kol Pis No Rais: A dish consisting of a mix of fish (usually canned tuna) and rice. Vegetables like peas and corn are also sometimes added, depending on preference and availability
- Kaima Bona Gatoi: A vegetable dish made by grilling eggplants, zucchini, hot peppers, and onions. Before grilling, all the ingredients are marinated in a mixture of vinegar, olive oil, herbs, and garlic
- Kaukau: One of the most popular dishes in Papua New Guinea, prepared using sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes are baked, then peeled and mashed
- Kumu: In Papua New Guinean, edible, highly nutritious green vegetables are known as ‘Kumu’. These include leaves such as Rungia, Kangkong, Amaranth, Aibika, and more
Thanks for reading! If you’re planning a trip to Papua New Guinea, bookmark our website for more travel tips and resources. Still have questions? Leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to help. Share this article with fellow travelers and friends who might be interested in exploring this incredible country.
