Travel Essentials › Papua New Guinea
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Type I, 240 V. Emergency: Police 112, Ambulance 111, Fire 110. Tipping: Not customary and can cause embarrassment; a small gift or thanks is enough. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Open The Papua New Guinea Trip Kit
Type I, 240 V
| Police | 112 |
| Ambulance | 111 |
| Fire | 110 |
Not customary and can cause embarrassment; a small gift or thanks is enough.
Greetings and photos. A handshake is common; always ask before photographing people, especially in traditional dress, and expect that a small payment may be requested at cultural shows.
Tribal and land sensitivities. Land is overwhelmingly customary (clan-owned); never wander off marked paths or onto village land without a local guide or permission.
Modesty and betel nut. Dress modestly, particularly for women; chewing betel nut (buai) is widespread and produces red spit stains on streets, which is normal, not alarming.
Papua New Guinea has high rates of violent crime, including armed robbery and assault, concentrated in Port Moresby's settlements and parts of the Highlands; most visitors travel safely with pre-arranged transport, guides, and accommodation, and independent wandering, especially after dark, is strongly discouraged.
ATM tampering/fraud. Use only ATMs inside bank branches or secure hotels, and cover the keypad; card skimming and cash-machine scams are the most common issue for tourists.
Unofficial guides and inflated fees. At markets and cultural shows, agree on any guiding or photo fee in advance to avoid disputes afterward.
Unlicensed PMVs (public motor vehicles). Informal minibuses can be targeted by opportunistic thieves; arrange transport through your hotel or a licensed operator instead.
Women travelers. PNG has some of the world's highest rates of gender-based violence; solo women travelers face a real risk of harassment and assault and should not walk unescorted, especially in Port Moresby and the Highlands — travel with a trusted guide or group and avoid being out after dark.
Criminalized
Male same-sex sexual activity is criminalized under the Penal Code (up to 14 years' imprisonment), though prosecutions are rare; there is no marriage recognition or legal gender recognition for trans people, and LGBTQ+ travelers should keep a low profile.
| Coffee (café) | K 12 | $2.70 |
| Local bus or metro ride (PMV) | K 2 | $0.45 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | K 60 | $14 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | K 150 | $34 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | K 500 | $113 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | K 380 | $86 |
2026-09
The dry season, roughly May/June through October, gives the most reliable weather for trekking the Kokoda Track, diving, and attending cultural festivals; it's a tropical country year-round, so rain is possible anytime.