Introduction
PNG's unspoilt nature consoles you for its rough edges. Papua New Guinea is a raw land, remarkably untamed and as variegated as swamp and jagged limestone; mud and moss forest; suffocating heat and Highland chill; plumed, pearl-shelled villagers and prosaic hill people; tiny tree kangaroos and enormous Queen Alexandra Birdwing butterflies.
Destination Facts
Capital: Port Moresby
Prime Minister: Sir Michael Somare
Governor-General: Sir Paulius Matane
Queen: Elizabeth II
President: James Tanis
Government: democracy
Time zone: GMT +10
Area: 62840
Population: 5700000
Languages: English, Pidgin and Motu are the official languages; many indigenous languages are also spoken. 44% Protestant, 22% Catholic and 34% pantheistic beliefs
Currency: Kina (K)
Country Dialing Code: 675
Getting There
You'll probably want to avoid rainy seasons (although a good tropical downpour is a sight to be seen) but they vary across the country. In most places the wet season is December to March, the dry season from May to October. During April and November the weather can't make up its mind which way to go and tends to be unpleasantly still and sticky. The most notable variations on this pattern are Lae and Alotau where May to October is the wet (and we mean wet) season. The months from June to September are cooler, drier and better to visit PNG. There are no real high and low seasons in PNG. At Christmas, Easter and other major holidays, hotels and transport can fill up, and booking ahead is advised if you're in a town during one of the cultural shows. It's worth scheduling your trip around a festival or event, such as one of the unforgettable cultural shows that are held between July and October. If you plan on trekking, diving or looking for that elusive bird, you'll need to research the best times to go.
Getting there and away
Most visitors arrive by air, specifically from Australia to Port Moresby, although there are direct connections with Honiara (Solomon Islands) and Nadi (Fiji). Air Niugini, the national airline, operates between Australia and Asia (in conjunction with Singapore Airlines). Port Moresby is the largest international gateway but another international airport has just opened at Alotau (Milne Bay Province). The departure tax is about 7.00; if you overstay your visa, expect to pay a heavy fine before being allowed on the plane. Arriving or departing by sea is almost an impossibility unless on a cruise ship or a yacht (the best places in PNG to find a berth are Port Moresby, Madang and Milne Bay). Arriving by sea, expect a 'customs clearance fee' of about 40.00.
Getting around
Geographical realities - a small and scattered population which is often isolated in mountain valleys and on tiny islands - means flying is a necessity. Unfortunately, it also means it is expensive. The main carrier is Air Niugini, with several small operators touching down at very small airstrips. Bookings are quite reliable as most systems are computerised. If travelling on any of Air Niugini's domestic flights, make sure you check-in an hour in advance, otherwise booked seats will be given to passengers on waiting lists. The network of roads around the country remains limited, but Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs) are always at your beck and call. Essentially modified Japanese minibuses, PMVs are a cheap form of transport and pick up and drop off people at any point along a pre-established route. Driving a car in the country (left side of the road please) requires a valid overseas licence but be forewarned: tribal paybacks have meant some drivers have been killed by an accident victim's relatives. Some authorities suggest that if you are involved in an accident, keep driving and report the incident at the nearest police station. The major car rental companies (Avis, Budget and Hertz) are found in most main centres but because of the limited road network you won't get too far. Costs are also high. A good form of transport is boat. Passenger ships, freighters, charters, outboard dingies and canoes are cheap, though sometimes uncomfortable. Probably the best way to travel within PNG is to walk; your only real expense will be paying for guides and porters.
Visa:
Visas can be obtained on arrival at Jackson's International Airport for a maximum stay of 60 days in any 12 months. It is recommended however, that you obtain a visa prior to arrival.
Weather
PNG has one of the most variable climates on earth but the climate is typically monsoonal: hot, humid and wet. While April and November are truly anyone's guess, the defined wet (December to March) and dry (May to October) seasons are also subject to regional variation (especially in the islands). Rainfall, for example, varies tremendously. Temperatures on the coast are reasonably stable all year, usually hovering between 25 and 30 ° C (77-86 ° F) but humidity and winds are changeable. Temperatures drop at higher altitudes, and it can be very chilly in the Highlands.
Warning
Papua New Guinea is troubled by a high level of serious crime, particularly in the urban centres of Port Moresby, Lae and Mt Hagen. Travellers should use common sense to avoid any trouble - don't travel alone, especially at night and respect any local advice regarding safety. All travel to the Highlands region, except on essential business, should be reconsidered because of high levels of crime and inter-tribal violence. This includes the Southern Highlands, Enga, Western Highlands, Chimbu and Eastern Highlands provinces. Travellers should stay away from the no-go zone around the former Panguna mine in Bougainville. Check travel advisories and news services before travelling. See Safe Travel for updated government warnings.
PNG's unspoilt nature consoles you for its rough edges. Papua New Guinea is a raw land, remarkably untamed and as variegated as swamp and jagged limestone; mud and moss forest; suffocating heat and Highland chill; plumed, pearl-shelled villagers and prosaic hill people; tiny tree kangaroos and enormous Queen Alexandra Birdwing butterflies.
Destination Facts
Capital: Port Moresby
Prime Minister: Sir Michael Somare
Governor-General: Sir Paulius Matane
Queen: Elizabeth II
President: James Tanis
Government: democracy
Time zone: GMT +10
Area: 62840
Population: 5700000
Languages: English, Pidgin and Motu are the official languages; many indigenous languages are also spoken. 44% Protestant, 22% Catholic and 34% pantheistic beliefs
Currency: Kina (K)
Country Dialing Code: 675
Getting There
You'll probably want to avoid rainy seasons (although a good tropical downpour is a sight to be seen) but they vary across the country. In most places the wet season is December to March, the dry season from May to October. During April and November the weather can't make up its mind which way to go and tends to be unpleasantly still and sticky. The most notable variations on this pattern are Lae and Alotau where May to October is the wet (and we mean wet) season. The months from June to September are cooler, drier and better to visit PNG. There are no real high and low seasons in PNG. At Christmas, Easter and other major holidays, hotels and transport can fill up, and booking ahead is advised if you're in a town during one of the cultural shows. It's worth scheduling your trip around a festival or event, such as one of the unforgettable cultural shows that are held between July and October. If you plan on trekking, diving or looking for that elusive bird, you'll need to research the best times to go.
Getting there and away
Most visitors arrive by air, specifically from Australia to Port Moresby, although there are direct connections with Honiara (Solomon Islands) and Nadi (Fiji). Air Niugini, the national airline, operates between Australia and Asia (in conjunction with Singapore Airlines). Port Moresby is the largest international gateway but another international airport has just opened at Alotau (Milne Bay Province). The departure tax is about 7.00; if you overstay your visa, expect to pay a heavy fine before being allowed on the plane. Arriving or departing by sea is almost an impossibility unless on a cruise ship or a yacht (the best places in PNG to find a berth are Port Moresby, Madang and Milne Bay). Arriving by sea, expect a 'customs clearance fee' of about 40.00.
Getting around
Geographical realities - a small and scattered population which is often isolated in mountain valleys and on tiny islands - means flying is a necessity. Unfortunately, it also means it is expensive. The main carrier is Air Niugini, with several small operators touching down at very small airstrips. Bookings are quite reliable as most systems are computerised. If travelling on any of Air Niugini's domestic flights, make sure you check-in an hour in advance, otherwise booked seats will be given to passengers on waiting lists. The network of roads around the country remains limited, but Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs) are always at your beck and call. Essentially modified Japanese minibuses, PMVs are a cheap form of transport and pick up and drop off people at any point along a pre-established route. Driving a car in the country (left side of the road please) requires a valid overseas licence but be forewarned: tribal paybacks have meant some drivers have been killed by an accident victim's relatives. Some authorities suggest that if you are involved in an accident, keep driving and report the incident at the nearest police station. The major car rental companies (Avis, Budget and Hertz) are found in most main centres but because of the limited road network you won't get too far. Costs are also high. A good form of transport is boat. Passenger ships, freighters, charters, outboard dingies and canoes are cheap, though sometimes uncomfortable. Probably the best way to travel within PNG is to walk; your only real expense will be paying for guides and porters.
Visa:
Visas can be obtained on arrival at Jackson's International Airport for a maximum stay of 60 days in any 12 months. It is recommended however, that you obtain a visa prior to arrival.
Weather
PNG has one of the most variable climates on earth but the climate is typically monsoonal: hot, humid and wet. While April and November are truly anyone's guess, the defined wet (December to March) and dry (May to October) seasons are also subject to regional variation (especially in the islands). Rainfall, for example, varies tremendously. Temperatures on the coast are reasonably stable all year, usually hovering between 25 and 30 ° C (77-86 ° F) but humidity and winds are changeable. Temperatures drop at higher altitudes, and it can be very chilly in the Highlands.
Warning
Papua New Guinea is troubled by a high level of serious crime, particularly in the urban centres of Port Moresby, Lae and Mt Hagen. Travellers should use common sense to avoid any trouble - don't travel alone, especially at night and respect any local advice regarding safety. All travel to the Highlands region, except on essential business, should be reconsidered because of high levels of crime and inter-tribal violence. This includes the Southern Highlands, Enga, Western Highlands, Chimbu and Eastern Highlands provinces. Travellers should stay away from the no-go zone around the former Panguna mine in Bougainville. Check travel advisories and news services before travelling. See Safe Travel for updated government warnings.
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