Travel Essentials › Micronesia
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Type A and B, 120 V. Emergency: One number for everything 911. Tipping: Not expected; a small thank-you is welcome for guides and drivers. Tap water: Drink bottled or boiled water; tap water is not reliably safe.
Type A and B, 120 V
| One number for everything | 911 |
Not expected; a small thank-you is welcome for guides and drivers.
Greetings. A gentle, light handshake is usual, often with a smile. Customs differ between islands, so follow what locals do.
Dress modestly. Cover shoulders and knees away from the beach, especially in villages and on Yap, where women wear skirts or lavalavas.
Ask before you visit. On Yap and the outer islands, ask permission before entering villages or taking photos, and pay any small village fee that is asked.
Respect chiefs and church. Chiefs and traditional titles matter in Pohnpei and Yap, and Sunday is for church and rest. Keep noise and swimwear for the resort.
The islands are generally calm, but petty theft happens, alcohol-related fights occur in Chuuk, and medical care is limited.
Unlicensed boat and dive offers. Book dives and boat trips through established operators with safety gear, not roadside offers.
Overpriced rides. Agree the taxi fare before getting in, since taxis have no meters.
Women travelers. Women should dress modestly and avoid walking alone at night, especially in Chuuk.
Legal · Mostly Safe
Same-sex activity is legal and discrimination on sexual orientation is banned since 2018, but the society is conservative and religious, so keep a low profile in public.
| Coffee (café) | $2.50 | $2.50 |
| Local bus or metro ride | $1 | $1 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | $12 | $12 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | $45 | $45 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | $110 | $110 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | $100 | $100 |
2026-09
December to April is the drier, calmer season. It rains a lot all year on Pohnpei and Kosrae, and the typhoon season runs roughly July to November.