Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Papua New Guinea depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for Papua New GuineaEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 000
- Ambulance
- 111
Currency
- Name
- Papua New Guinean Kina
- Code
- PGK
- Symbol
- K
ATMs in Port Moresby and Lae. Cash economy in the Highlands and remote areas. USD and AUD can be exchanged at banks. Carry sufficient cash before leaving main cities.
Power Outlets
- Outlet type
- Type I
- Voltage
- 240V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
PGT (UTC+10) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
May–September is the drier season in the Highlands — best for trekking the Kokoda Track (10 days, WWII trail through dense jungle), Mount Wilhelm, and the Highlands singsing festivals. The Goroka Show (September) and Mount Hagen Cultural Show (August) are extraordinary displays of traditional dress and ceremony.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guides (essential) | $10–15 USD per day | — |
| Restaurants | 10% | — |
| Guest house staff | $5 USD per day | — |
Dress Code
- Modest and practical throughout
- Long sleeves and trousers in the Highlands
- Trekking gear for Kokoda and mountain trails
Social Etiquette
- PNG has over 800 distinct languages and cultures — each region is genuinely different; engage with local customs as you encounter them
- Singsings (traditional cultural gatherings with singing, dancing, and elaborate costume) are sacred and extraordinary — photograph only with permission
- Wantoks (people sharing your language/tribe) are owed help and loyalty — the social network is everything in PNG
- Always travel through a reputable tour operator; independent travel is not recommended outside Port Moresby for security reasons
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Check current travel advisories carefully — Port Moresby and Lae have significant crime; the Highlands have occasional tribal conflict
- LGBTQ+ activity is illegal and carries imprisonment
- Drug trafficking carries severe penalties
- Photography of people and ceremonies: always ask; some groups believe photography can harm them
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Tok Pisin) | Gude! | GOO-deh — derived from 'good day' |
| How are you? (Tok Pisin) | Yu orait? | yoo oh-RITE |
| Good / fine (Tok Pisin) | Mi orait | mee oh-RITE |
| Thank you (Tok Pisin) | Tenkyu tru | TEN-kyoo TROO |
| What is this? (Tok Pisin) | Wanem samting ia? | WAH-nem SAM-ting ee-AH |
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