Passports and Visas
All visitors to Papua New Guinea are required to have a valid passport,
proof of onward passage and adequate financial means of supporting stay.
A visa is required for all visitors to PNG, this can be obtained on
arrival at Jackson’s airport, Port Moresby however, we recommend this is
obtained in advance from the PNG Embassy in Washington DC. The fee for
the visa is approx $10 if obtained in the US or 100 kina
Payable in local currency only if obtained in PNG on arrival. The visa
is valid for a stay of up to 60 days, extensions are available if
required.
Customs
There are strict laws prohibiting or restricting the entry of drugs,
steroids, weapons, firearms, protected wildlife and associated products.
If you are unsure about anything declare it to Customs upon arrival.
Departure tax
Visitors to PNG are required to pay approx US$20.00 departure tax. This
tax is not included in the cost of your ticket
Practical Information
Language
There is
an estimate of 800 traditional languages in
PNG. The
official national language is English. The two most commonly used
languages are Hiri Motu and Melanesian Pidgin.
Time Differences
PNG is +15 EST/+18PST and currently does not operate daylight saving at
this time
Currency & Banking
The unit
of currency is the Kina, pronounced "kee-nah", and sub-units of 100 are
called Toea, pronounced "toy-ya". Note denominations are available in
K2, K5,
K10, K20 and K50.
Travelers Checks and international credit cards are accepted at most
major hotels. American Express, Diners Club, Master Cars and Visa credit
cards are accepted at the Wilderness Lodges, and the MV Sepik Spirit.
Kina cash can be acquired at the banks of most international ports of
departure to PNG such as Sydney and Cairns. It is strongly recommended
you acquire your Kina cash at these banks prior to departing for PNG.
Although there is a bank at the Port Moresby international airport, it
keeps normal banking hours. Thus if you are arriving in PNG outside of
normal banking hours or if your connection time in Port Moresby to your
next domestic flight is short, it is highly recommended you obtain your
Kina cash outside the country. There are also banks in most major
centers in PNG, but tour schedules do not usually allow time for
banking. Most hotels and the Wilderness Lodges have some cash but this
is greatly limited and exchange rates are not as good as the banks.
Banking hours in PNG are generally from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday through
to Friday.
Taxes
Any applicable taxes are included in the cost of your trip
Tipping
It is not
expected nor the custom to tip in
Papua New
Guinea. However, if for example, you would particularly like to show
your appreciation for a job well done at the Lodges, there is a general
staff fund which acknowledges the `behind the scenes' efforts of all
staff who contribute to the overall success of your visit. It is best to
consult the Lodge or Hotel Manager before giving gifts or tips.
Please do not give gifts to individuals in villages. If you wish to do
so, ask your driver/guide to help you contact the Headman and leave your
gifts with him or alternatively with the Lodge Managers who in turn will
distribute same evenly amongst the people. Your understanding of this
will help prevent turning the people and in particular the children of
PNG into annoying beggars who are often found in other spoiled
countries.
Electricity
The electrical voltage system in PNG is 240 volts, AC, 50hzs. Some
hotels provide 110 volt outlets in guest rooms. PNG uses the same
electrical plug outlets as Australia.
Health & Safety
Insurance
Before your visit you should arrange sufficient medical and travel
insurance. Ensure the policy is adequate to cover costs for ambulance or
helicopter rescue, emergency surgery, or transportation home. We offer
comprehensive travel insurance policies to cover every eventuality – ask
your Aspire Down Under consultant for more details.
Vaccinations
The only
health requirement is a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever
or cholera if arriving from or traveling through infected areas prior to
arrival in
PNG.
Visitors are advised to take malaria precautions, but only your doctor
can recommend and prescribe the appropriate medication for you. As a
precaution, most travelers keep their tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis, and
polio inoculations current. Although the problem of diarrhea and
dysentery does not seem to be nearly as severe in PNG as in some of the
neighboring Asian countries, it is possible you will get some kind of
diarrhea at some stage of your trip. This is normal for travelers whose
bodies are adapting to strange food and water. In most cases the problem
is short term, not severe and is easily treated.
Water
In most
major centers, the public water supply is treated and is comparable to
World Organization standards;
however we recommend boiling water before drinking or only using bottled
water.
Weather Safety
Sun hat,
insect repellent, flashlight (power is turned off at night at some
lodges), sun screen lotion, rain jacket, extra pair comfortable walking
shoes (the first pair may get wet or muddy at some point in your
PNG
travels), malaria medication prescribed by your physician is
recommended.
Driving in Papua New Guinea
Not recommended due to possible dangers and roads are very scarce.
