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Travel Guide
Visiting Papua New Guinea
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Updated 2026-03-19
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Top Attractions in Papua New Guinea
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
Kokoda Track
The Kokoda Track stretches 96 kilometres across the Owen Stanley Range, linking the southern coast near Port Moresby to Kokoda Station in Oro Province through dense rainforest and steep mountain ridges. It is both a gruelling multi-day trek and a profoundly significant historical corridor, where Australian and Papua New Guinean forces held back the Japanese advance in 1942. Trekkers walk between traditional villages whose communities played a vital role in the campaign, and memorials along the route mark key battlefields.
Sepik River
The Sepik is one of the longest and least-altered river systems in the world, flowing roughly 1,100 kilometres through lowland rainforest and supporting a remarkably diverse collection of cultures, each with distinct languages and artistic traditions. Villages along the river are renowned for their elaborately carved wooden masks, totem poles, and ceremonial spirit houses known as haus tambaran. Boat journeys through the region offer close encounters with clan art forms that have remained largely unchanged for centuries.
Goroka Show
Held each September in the Eastern Highlands town of Goroka to coincide with Independence Day, the Goroka Show is Papua New Guinea's largest and longest-running annual cultural festival, bringing together over 100 tribes in a shared celebration of song, dance, and ceremonial costume. Participants arrive dressed in elaborate bilas of feathers, shells, and body paint, performing traditional sing-sings that carry the stories of their clans and ancestral lands. The event began in 1956 and has grown into one of the most distinctive tribal gatherings in the Pacific.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Papua New Guinea. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
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4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Papua New Guinea.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Where to Go
Top Cities to Visit in Papua New Guinea
Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Call 111 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for Papua New Guinea see where to get vaccines and whether you have to
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police000
Ambulance111
Fire110
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Papua New Guinea
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Papua New Guinea page at Yoogo.
Papua New Guinea uses the Kina (PGK), divided into 100 toea. Cash is the dominant payment method, particularly outside Port Moresby, so carrying sufficient local currency is advisable; ATMs are available at major banks and some hotels in larger towns, though fees of around 15–20 PGK per withdrawal are common. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at upscale hotels, some restaurants, and Air Niugini, but are rarely accepted in markets or rural areas.
Papua New Guinea has areas of elevated crime and social tension, particularly in Port Moresby and Lae, and visitors are advised to consult their government's official travel advisory before departure and on arrival. Travelling with a reputable guide or tour operator, staying in established accommodation, and avoiding isolated areas after dark reduces risk significantly. Many visitors explore PNG safely each year, particularly on organised trekking and diving trips.
Domestic air travel is the most practical way to move between regions, as the road network is limited and many areas are accessible only by light aircraft or boat. Within towns, shared Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs), which are privately operated minivans and small buses, provide affordable local transport; taxis and private hire vehicles are available in Port Moresby and Lae. Many outer islands and remote highland areas are reached by charter flights or small vessels.
The dry season from May to October is generally considered the most comfortable time to visit, with lower humidity, clearer skies, and reduced rainfall across most of the country. June to August are the coolest months and offer optimal conditions for trekking the Kokoda Track and for diving visibility. The wet season runs from November to April, bringing heavy rainfall particularly from December to March, though the highlands and offshore dive sites remain accessible throughout the year.
Papua New Guinea has three official languages: Tok Pisin (a widely spoken creole understood across the country), English (used in government and education), and Hiri Motu. The country is home to approximately 839 indigenous languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse nations on Earth. English signage and basic English communication are available in hotels and tourist areas, and Tok Pisin is useful for broader interaction.
Malaria is present throughout Papua New Guinea below 1,800 metres, and antimalarial medication, insect repellent containing DEET, and mosquito nets are strongly recommended. Health authorities commonly advise vaccinations including hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus as a baseline, with Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and hepatitis B considered for longer stays or rural travel. Consulting a travel health clinic at least six weeks before departure allows time for any required courses.