Traveller information

Local laws and conventions: There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in some regions. Permission should be sought before taking photographs of individuals and cultural sites (for example, spirit houses).

The country has very strict laws relating to the possession and sale of pornographic material and penalties include imprisonment. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe, and can result in long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Dress is generally casual. Business meetings tend to be informal and are always conducted in English. Business cards are expected. Men should wear a lightweight suit and businesswomen are advised to dress conservatively. Office hours are Mon–Fri 0800–1630.

Immigration and customs: All travellers need a visa to enter the country, and passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended length of stay. A return or onward ticket is also required.

There are strict quarantines controls on entering Papua New Guinea with fruit, vegetables and animal products.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from an infected area.

Travel within the country: Traffic drives on the left and car hire is available in the main towns. A national driving licence may be used for up to one month. Visitors should keep their driving licence on them at all times.

Taxis are available in the major centres and fares should be agreed in advance. There are also public buses, known locally as PMVs. There are no public transport operators on the rivers, but it is possible to hire motorised canoes in order to use these routes.

Travellers to Bougainville should be registered with the Provincial Administration on the island.

Travel health: Comprehensive health insurance is essential and should include evacuation facilities.

Visitors will need protection against malaria, together with insect repellent and suitable clothing to prevent bites. Dengue fever is common in coastal areas and is spread by day-biting mosquitoes.

All water should be boiled or sterilised before use.

Money: Local currency is the kina and the toea (1 kina = 100 toea). American Express is the most widely accepted credit card. Travellers cheques are accepted in most shops and hotels, and to avoid additional exchange rates should be taken in pounds sterling, US dollars or Australian dollars. Banking hours are Mon–Thur 0845–1500, Fri 0845–1600.

There were 69,251 tourist arrivals in 2006.