Introduction
Where men flaunt their loincloths and stone coins still have currency. Despite being firmly tied to the USA's economic and political apron strings, the Federated States of Micronesia are doggedly hanging onto their traditional ways.
Destination Facts
Capital: Palikir (Pohnpei)
President: Manny Mori
Government: Constitutional government in free association with USA
Time zone: GMT +10 GMT +11
Area: 274
Population: 114000
Languages: Roman Catholic (50%), Protestant (47%)
Currency: US Dollar (US$)
Weight System: Imperial
Country Dialing Code: 691
Getting There
Go to the Federated States of Micronesia whenever the boss gives you time off. The temperature hovers around a balmy 81 ° F (27 ° C) all year, so don't worry about the weather. If it's a little more humid between July and November, at least you're never far from a cooling dip in the ocean. The islands are off the tourist trail so there's no distinct high season and few visitors at any time of year.
Getting there and away
The main gateways into the Federated States of Micronesia are Honolulu, Manila and Guam (flights arrive there from the USA, Australia and Asia). A Circle Micronesia air pass originating in Los Angeles or San Francisco, or a Visit Micronesia pass originating in Guam, will let you hop around the islands. There is a 10.00 departure tax from Pohnpei, 15.00 from Chuuk and 10.00 from Kosrae. Yap has no departure tax.
Getting around
Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap and Kosrae are linked by air, and there are small airstrips on just about every other island in the Federated States of Micronesia. The major islands have extensive road systems. Most roads are unpaved, with the main drag in town and the road to the airstrip being notable exceptions. Weno Island (Chuuk) has an efficient share taxi system, while Pohnpei has private taxis. You really need to rent a car - from around 40.00 a day - if you want to have a good look around the larger islands. Yap and Pohnpei both have local carriers that fly to the outer islands, but boat is the cheapest means of travel between islands. Chuuk has an extensive weekday system of commuter boats between its islands, and private speedboats do short runs throughout the country. Field trip ships link district centres with the outer islands - they're primarily cargo boats, but they're a good, cheap way to get around, with the added bonus that you'll meet a lot of locals. The trips may take several days and can be pretty grubby and tiring.
Visa:
Visas are not required for tourist visits up to 30 days. Your 30 days start afresh each time you move to a different island group. US citizens can extend their permit for up to a year.
Weather
Temperatures on all FSM islands average 26-27° C (80-81° F) year round. The wettest months are in late spring and summer; rainfall is heaviest on Pohnpei, where the interior gets as much as 10,000mm annually, making it one of the rainiest places on earth. Yap is the driest island. On the more northern islands you could almost be guaranteed that the temperature will be between 20° C (68° F) and 30° C (86° F) at any time of the day, any day of the year. Closer to the equator things are a bit warmer and days usually creep into the low thirties (high eighties). Humidity is usually high but the even temperature and fresh sea breezes mean conditions are never too stuffy. Heavy rainfall occurs between June and December but closer to the equator rainfall is distributed more evenly throughout the year, bulging a bit around December-January.
Where men flaunt their loincloths and stone coins still have currency. Despite being firmly tied to the USA's economic and political apron strings, the Federated States of Micronesia are doggedly hanging onto their traditional ways.
Destination Facts
Capital: Palikir (Pohnpei)
President: Manny Mori
Government: Constitutional government in free association with USA
Time zone: GMT +10 GMT +11
Area: 274
Population: 114000
Languages: Roman Catholic (50%), Protestant (47%)
Currency: US Dollar (US$)
Weight System: Imperial
Country Dialing Code: 691
Getting There
Go to the Federated States of Micronesia whenever the boss gives you time off. The temperature hovers around a balmy 81 ° F (27 ° C) all year, so don't worry about the weather. If it's a little more humid between July and November, at least you're never far from a cooling dip in the ocean. The islands are off the tourist trail so there's no distinct high season and few visitors at any time of year.
Getting there and away
The main gateways into the Federated States of Micronesia are Honolulu, Manila and Guam (flights arrive there from the USA, Australia and Asia). A Circle Micronesia air pass originating in Los Angeles or San Francisco, or a Visit Micronesia pass originating in Guam, will let you hop around the islands. There is a 10.00 departure tax from Pohnpei, 15.00 from Chuuk and 10.00 from Kosrae. Yap has no departure tax.
Getting around
Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap and Kosrae are linked by air, and there are small airstrips on just about every other island in the Federated States of Micronesia. The major islands have extensive road systems. Most roads are unpaved, with the main drag in town and the road to the airstrip being notable exceptions. Weno Island (Chuuk) has an efficient share taxi system, while Pohnpei has private taxis. You really need to rent a car - from around 40.00 a day - if you want to have a good look around the larger islands. Yap and Pohnpei both have local carriers that fly to the outer islands, but boat is the cheapest means of travel between islands. Chuuk has an extensive weekday system of commuter boats between its islands, and private speedboats do short runs throughout the country. Field trip ships link district centres with the outer islands - they're primarily cargo boats, but they're a good, cheap way to get around, with the added bonus that you'll meet a lot of locals. The trips may take several days and can be pretty grubby and tiring.
Visa:
Visas are not required for tourist visits up to 30 days. Your 30 days start afresh each time you move to a different island group. US citizens can extend their permit for up to a year.
Weather
Temperatures on all FSM islands average 26-27° C (80-81° F) year round. The wettest months are in late spring and summer; rainfall is heaviest on Pohnpei, where the interior gets as much as 10,000mm annually, making it one of the rainiest places on earth. Yap is the driest island. On the more northern islands you could almost be guaranteed that the temperature will be between 20° C (68° F) and 30° C (86° F) at any time of the day, any day of the year. Closer to the equator things are a bit warmer and days usually creep into the low thirties (high eighties). Humidity is usually high but the even temperature and fresh sea breezes mean conditions are never too stuffy. Heavy rainfall occurs between June and December but closer to the equator rainfall is distributed more evenly throughout the year, bulging a bit around December-January.
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