Asia and Oceania

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• Following an outbreak of cholera in the Morobe Province and the Eastern Highlands, a high number of deaths have been reported. See the Health section of this travel advice for more details.
  
  
• 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.  Since mid-May 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 highly unpredictable.  We advise you to be extra vigilant whilst travelling in all cities, particularly during the hours of darkness.  See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• The tropical cyclone season in Papua New Guinea normally runs from November to May. See the Local Travel and Natural Disasters sections of this advice and Tropical cyclones for more details.
  
  
• 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 advice for more details.
  
  
• 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 4,400 British nationals visit Papua New Guinea in 2008 (Source: Papua New Guinea Tourism Office).  Most visits are trouble free.  Six British nationals required consular assistance in Papua New Guinea in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (1 cases); hospitalisations (0 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (0 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (7 cases).
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.