Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• Widespread cholera outbreaks continue to be reported in Papua New Guinea, particularly in the regions of East Sepik, Madang, Morobe and Eastern Highlands. For more information please see our Health section.
  
  
• Law and order remains poor or very poor in many parts of the country.  Armed carjackings, assaults, robbery, shootings and serious sexual offences, including rape, are common. There have been outbreaks of violence and looting against local Asian-owned businesses in Port Moresby, Mount Hagen and several other centres across Papua New Guinea. The situation is unpredictable. We advise you to be vigilant whilst travelling in all cities, particularly during the hours of darkness.  See the Crime section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• The tropical cyclone season in Papua New Guinea normally runs from November to May. See the Local Travel and Natural Disasters sections of this Travel Advice .
  
  
• Papua New Guinea sits along a volatile seismic strip called the “Ring of Fire” in the Pacific.  Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis are possible.  See the Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Around - 4,450 British nationals visit Papua New Guinea in 2008 (Source: Papua New Guinea Tourism Office).  Most visits are trouble free.  One British national required consular assistance in Papua New Guinea in the period 01 January– 31 December 2009. During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost and stolen passports (3 cases).
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice .

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  For further information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Serious crime is particularly high in the capital, Port Moresby, and in the cities of Lae and Mt Hagen. Travel along the road between Nadzab airport and Lae, between the one and ten mile settlement areas continues to be dangerous. Armed carjackings are common in all three cities as are robberies, including those that take place inside shops and restaurants. Firearms and bush knives (machetes) are the criminals’ weapons of choice.

More organised gangs have started to appear and a number of people have been abducted and forced to open office safes while others are held captive until the ransom has been paid.

Rape and gang rape are a problem across the country.  For more general information see Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad. It is particularly dangerous to walk after dark in most major towns.  The situation is generally safer away from large towns.

• You should avoid squatter (“settlement”) areas of towns
• You should avoid public protests and disputes as these may turn violent
• You should avoid carrying large amounts of cash or openly displaying expensive jewellery and electronic equipment
• You should be vigilant at all times

Sporadic outbreaks of tribal fighting are a normal occurrence, especially in the Highlands Provinces, particularly the Southern and Western Highlands and Enga Provinces. Port Moresby is also not immune to such disputes.

Tribal fighters and criminals are becoming increasingly well armed through the trade in drugs for guns.  Although outsiders passing through are not normally targeted, you should avoid travel in areas where there is tribal fighting.  The rugged terrain and poor infrastructure limit the assistance that can be given. For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Papua New Guinea Country Profile

Highland Provinces, in particular the Southern Highlands and Western and Enga Provinces are subject to inter-tribal disturbances without warning and you should exercise extreme caution, as law enforcement in these areas is weak.

Local Travel


The damage caused by heavy rain and cyclones makes travel in and around the Province difficult.

We recommend that you do not use public buses known locally as PMVs.  There have been incidents of armed hold-ups of PMVs and of passengers being attacked and robbed of their personal belongings.  There are occasional rape attacks on Port Moresby PMVs.  Many PMVs are considered to be unroadworthy.

Highland Provinces, in particular the Southern Highlands and Western and Enga Provinces, are subject to inter-tribal disturbances without warning and you should exercise extreme caution, as law enforcement in these areas is weak.

Taxis are available in some major centres, but these can be badly maintained, and you should check about their reliability with your hotel or guesthouse.  If you use a taxi, ensure that you agree a fare before getting into the taxi, irrespective of whether or not there is a meter.  We recommend that family, friends or hotel courtesy buses should meet you when arriving at international or domestic airports.

If you intend to walk a trail or track, including the Kokoda Trail, we recommend that you check with a reputable tour guide that the tracks are open and safe to and pay the relevant fees prior to walking the Trail. Details can be obtained through the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (Tel: +675 3200211) or the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) (Tel: +675 3255540). There have been serious attacks and robberies at both ends of the Kokoda Trail. Although community leaders have assured tourists of their safety and well-being while walking the Kokoda Trail, you are advised to exercise caution. WWII unexploded ordnance still exists in Papua New Guinea, particularly along the Kokoda Trail and at Milne Bay and Rabual.

Visitors to Bougainville Island should be aware that the Province has recently emerged from a period of separatist conflict.  You must provide notice of your intention to visit the island to the Bougainville Provincial Administration (Tel: +675 973 9798), and must contact the Administration again upon arrival.  The mountainous area in central Bougainville around the old Panguna mine is a ‘No Go Zone’.  We advise you not to enter the ‘No Go Zone’.  Foreigners who have entered the Zone without authorisation from the PNG Government have been questioned, some for many days, by PNG authorities and had their passports withheld on departure from the Zone.

Road Travel

When driving, you must keep your driving licence with you at all times.  You may use your United Kingdom or international driving licence for a period not exceeding one month. Road conditions are generally hazardous throughout Papua New Guinea, and driving is commonly erratic.  Drivers should take extra care, especially in the hours of darkness.  Drivers who are involved in, or are witnesses to road accidents may find themselves at personal risk and should seek police assistance as soon as possible.  Traffic drives on the left.

For further information see Driving Abroad.

Local laws and customs

As a general rule, you are prohibited from entering Papua New Guinea with fruit, vegetables and animal products due to local quarantine controls.

Marijuana and other narcotics are illegal in Papua New Guinea, and offences can carry substantial prison sentences.

Homosexual acts are unlawful the penalty if found guilty could be imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years. Murder may draw the death sentence although there is currently a moratorium on the death penalty.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your Trip.

Entry requirements

British nationals require visas to enter Papua New Guinea but tourists may obtain these on arrival for 100 Kina, (equivalent to approx £26), payable in local currency.  For further information contact the Representation for Papua New Guinea in London.

Health

Medical facilities in Papua New Guinea are very basic.  Hospitals often run out of basic drugs/supplies and suffer from power shortages.  Evacuation by air ambulance to Australia is available in more serious cases.  You should ensure you make provision for this in your insurance cover.

Cholera continues to spread in Papua New Guinea. More than 2000 cases have been confirmed nationwide, including 577 in Morabe Province, 885 in Madang and 602 East Sepik Province. As of 5th February 2010, 45 people have died as a result of contracting chloera. The disease is likely to spread further. The WHO website has more information.  We advise you to read our Eat and Drink Safely page for food/drink hygiene before you go.  For more general health information see the Travel Health.

Dengue and malaria occur in Papua New Guinea; these diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes. There are no vaccinations against these diseases but there are preventative measures that you can take, as advised on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website.  You should visit your GP to discuss malaria prevention tablets.

Typhoid and dysentery can occur in Papua New Guinea. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Papua New Guinea you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 53,000 adults aged 15 or over in Papua New Guinea were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.5% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Papua New Guinea and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) or NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.  For more general health information see Travel Health

Natural disasters

Papua New Guinea sits along a volatile seismic strip called the “Ring of Fire” in the Pacific.  Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis are possible.  Seismic and volcanic activity is more likely to occur near Rabaul in East New Britain Province, Kimbe in West New Britain Province, and on Manam Island in Madang Province.

The “Ring of Fire” is a horse-shoe-shaped zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that surrounds the basin of the Pacific Ocean.  It is 40,000kms long and is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, island arcs, and volcanic mountain ranges and/or plate movements.

It is understood that 90% of the world’s earthquakes and 81% of the world’s largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire, which is a direct consequence of plate tectonics and the movement of collisions of crustal plates.

Earthquakes

The danger from Earthquakes in and around the coast of PNG is real. The last such quake occurred on 24 March 2009 in the New Britain region and registered a magnitude of 6.2. On this occasion the earthquake was not followed by a tsunami or a rise in sea levels. See Tropical cyclones.

Volcanoes

Tavurvur Volcano in East New Britain erupted on 7 October 2006 and continues to release ash clouds, which can disrupt flights in the region. You should not attempt to climb any of Papua New Guinea’s active volcanoes.  Please contact the Volcanological Observatory for further information: tel:  982 1699; fax:  982 1004.

Floods  

The tropical cyclone season in Papua New Guinea normally runs from November to May and flooding and landslides can occur, especially in rural areas.  You should plan your trip with care and seek and follow local advice on what precautions to take before commencing your journey.

Papua New Guinea's coastal areas experience monthly King Tides. The King Tides may sometimes cause localised flooding. Local communities are fairly well adapted to cope.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before leaving UK.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake, including cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance particularly if you plan to engage in adventure sports.  See Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see When Things Go Wrong. 

Consular Assistance

We recommended that you register with and seek the latest local advice from the British High Commission in Port Moresby on arrival. You should leave travel plans with friends, relatives or reliable local contacts. An electronic copy of a consular registration form can be obtained from the High Commission’s website at: http://www.ukinpng.fco.gov.uk. 

Consular Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here. 

NB.  The British High Commission in Port Moresby does not issue passports. Applications for a new passport should be submitted to the High Commission for processing. Where possible, you are advised to apply at least four months before your passport is due to expire. You will be allowed to retain your old passport whilst waiting for the replacement to be processed and returned.

Applications are forwarded by commercial courier to the British High Commission in Wellington, and the courier cost will be added to the passport fee.  The High Commission will process your application as quickly as possible but, due to the distances involved, it is likely that there will be a delay in issuing you with a full replacement British Passport.  The average non-urgent waiting time for passport renewal is six weeks.

In genuine emergencies the High Commission in Port Moresby will issue an Emergency Passport or a Temporary Passport.  Emergency Passports  are valid for a single journey back to the UK using agreed transit points as necessary, or to Commonwealth countries provided a prior arrangement exists with the authorities of the Commonwealth country concerned (for example, no such arrangement exists with Australia). Temporary passports are valid for 12 months but can be restricted for the duration of a journey.

The High Commission will be able to advise you which of these options best suits your circumstances.