Papua New Guinea

To say Papua New Guinea (PNG) is remote would understate its degree of isolation. The nation stretches across half of the mountainous island of New Guinea it shares with Indonesia, to the jungle lowlands and dozens of islands out to the Pacific. Papua New Guinea's diversity means two trips can never be the same, so travelers are welcome to explore their own piece of this wild land.

Hundreds of different cultures are evident in a relatively small amount of land. Communities have replicated the effect of isolated evolution and cultures have grown into wild forms. As evidence of the drastic isolation, some mountain communities have only just discovered neighbouring tribes, despite living in close proximity for thousands of years. Some communities may still have had no contact with the outside world. Even Port Moresby, PNG's capital and largest city, has no roads connecting it to other major towns. Such drastic separation has fostered more than 800 languages and a multitude of diverse customs and cultures. Yet the nation is unusually unified in religion as Christian missionaries have converted 96 percent of the country.

With almost no connecting paved roads, air travel is mandatory for getting around the country, even though there are only four paved runways. Airplanes flying over the jungle were worshiped in 'cargo cults' for years, especially in World War II. Locals would watch mesmerised at new airport runways as their spirits descended from the heavens. Airline safety has apparently not improved since and travellers wanting to avoid prematurely turning into spirits themselves should review recent airline safety information.

Intrepid travellers take to the jungle and mountains on foot. The most famous route in the country is the Kokoda Track, a 60-mile (96km) hike popular with Australian tourists. The region it covers saw intense fighting between Japanese and Australian forces in World War II. Highland trekking is also a tempting but dangerous. The mountain isolation is extreme and fighting between tribes can endanger tourists. Yet for the undeterred July through August is the best time to visit Papua New Guinea. Surfers can best hit the waves from November to April in northern areas like New Ireland, and June to September in the south.

Passport Visa

All visitors require a passport and/or passport replacing document valid for six months past date of arrival. Visitors must hold sufficient funds to cover their stay. Visas on arrival are issued at Daru Airport (DAU), Jackson's International Airport (POM), or Kagamuga Airport (HGU).

Entry Requirements

• Passport required with at least 6 months left until expiry. Visa required - issued on arrival for a tourist or business stay of max. 60 days. This facility is only available at: Jackson's International Airport, Port Moresby; Daru; Kagamuga Airport, Mt Hagen. Passenger must hold return or onward tickets. For other ports of entry, an "uplift letter" issued by the Office of the Director-General is also required. It is recommended to obtain visa prior to arrival. Passengers must hold sufficient funds for their stay in Papua New Guinea.
• Passport required with at least 6 months left until expiry. Visa required - issued on arrival for a tourist or business stay of max. 60 days. It is recommended to obtain visa prior to arrival. Passengers must hold sufficient funds for their stay in Papua New Guinea.
• Passport required with at least 6 months left until expiry. Visa required - issued on arrival for a tourist or business stay of max. 60 days. It is recommended to obtain visa prior to arrival. Passengers must hold sufficient funds for their stay in Papua New Guinea.
• A passport valid for six months after date of arrival is required. Visa required, except for Holders of an APEC Business Travel Card. Visa is issued on arrival for a tourist or business stay of max. 60 days. Passenger must hold return or onward tickets. It is recommended to obtain visa prior to arrival. Passengers must hold sufficient funds for their stay in Papua New Guinea.
• A passport valid for six months after date of arrival is required. Visa required. Passengers must hold sufficient funds for their stay in Papua New Guinea.
• Passport required with at least 6 months left until expiry. Visa required - issued on arrival for a tourist or business stay of max. 60 days. It is recommended to obtain visa prior to arrival. Passengers must hold sufficient funds for their stay in Papua New Guinea.
• A passport valid for six months after date of arrival is required. Visa required, except for Holders of an APEC Business Travel Card. Visa is issued on arrival for a tourist or business stay of max. 60 days. Passenger must hold return or onward tickets. It is recommended to obtain visa prior to arrival. Passengers must hold sufficient funds for their stay in Papua New Guinea.

Embassy Consulates

Foreign Embassies