Papua New Guinea (PNG) is located on the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and is 160   kilometers north of Australia. PNG   comprises both the mainland and some 600 offshore   islands. It has a total land area of 470,000 square kilometers.

  PNG has a moderate tropical climate with high levels of seasonal rainfall. In the highlands,   temperatures can range from a low of   four degrees Celsius to a high of 32 degrees Celsius.   The lowland, coastal and island areas have an average daily temperature of 27   degrees   Celsius. There are two seasons in PNG. It’s either wet or dry all throughout the country at   different times of the year. PNG   does not experience devastating cyclones, typhoons and   hurricanes. The wet season is normally from November to March although   different areas will   see a variation.

  PNG's population is about four million people. Around 15 percent of the population live in the   ten major urban areas. The major city   and capital of the country is Port Moresby with a   population of just over 220,000. Other important towns and cities include Lae,   (population   around 90,000), Madang (30,000), Mt Hagen (45,000), Wewak (23,000) and Goroka (25,000)

  Entry Requirements

  A 60-day Tourist Visa is available on arrival in Port Moresby at a fee of K100.00. To obtain a   visa before you enter the country costs   K75.00. You will need travel documents, sufficient   funds for your stay in the country and airline ticket with confirmed outbound   flights before   expiry date of your Visa. As some restrictions apply to several Asian, Eastern European and   African countries, please   check with the nearest Papua New Guinea Mission or the nearest   Australian mission, which is allocated in each country for visa   requirements before traveling to   the country.

  Airport

  Jackson's International Airport is the gateway of Papua New Guinea, situated about 8km away   from the main town center of Port   Moresby. Mt Hagen Provincial Airport has been declared   International Port of entry because of the mining activities in Highlands   provinces.

  Customs & Quarantine

  Adults over 18 have a general allowance of new goods to the value of K250 and are allowed   duty free:

  200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco
  2 liters of alcohol.
  A reasonable amount of perfume.
  Drugs, pornographic literature or video tapes, firearms and weapons are prohibited. Food   items, seeds, spices, live or dry plants,   animals, animal products and biological specimens   such as cultures and blood need special import approval.

 Security

  PNG has its share of security issues. This is a third world country, and therefore crime is a   problem. The best advice to everyone   everywhere is to apply commonsense in everything that   you do and do not render yourself into a vulnerable situation that could   cause your distress.   Take precautions at all times and always ask your guide for advice. On the whole PNG can be a   safe place, but   only if you exercise general commonsense precaution. Don't wonder around   cities at night; don’t draw unnecessary attention to   yourself. And always know where you are   going. If you are unsure there are plenty of friendly people to assist. PNG has plenty of   exciting things to see and do. Don’t miss out on them by locking yourself in a room.   Experience them, but do it sensibly.

  Currency

  PNG Kina. The unit of currency is the Kina, pronounced "kee-nah", and sub-units of 100 are   called Toea, pronounced "toy-ya". Daily   exchange rates are listed in banks, newspapers and   hotels. Papua New Guinea's unit of currency is the Kina which is divided into 100   toea.   Exchange your money at Jackson's Airport or in banks, which are open from 9.00am to 3.00pm   Monday - Thursdays and 9.00  - 4.00pm on Fridays. Credit cards are accepted in leading hotels   and shops.

  There are K50, K20, K10, K5 and K2 notes and a K1 coin. Traveller’s cheques and most major   international credit cards are accepted   in major hotels and restaurants.

  Geography

  Papua New Guinea lies entirely within the tropics, just south of the Equator and 160km to the   north of Australia. With a total land   mass of about 473.189sq.km, the country encompasses   the eastern part of New Guinea Island - the second largest island in the   world, plus some 600   other islands, atolls and coral reefs. A central core of mountains, the Owen Stanley Range,   runs east to west   rising steeply from the coastal plains. From its highest peaks, 4500 meter   high Mt Wilhelm and from downs of other peaks, great   rivers like the Sepik and Fly River   begin their journey to the sea. Below the mountain chain, fertile coastal plains, flooded delta   regions and mangrove swamps exist alongside broad sandy beaches, colourful sheltered bays   and dense rainforest.

  Language

  There are more than 800 distinct languages. Melanesian Pidgin and Hiri Motu are the two most   widely used, but English is the   official language in education, businesses and government   circles. Most guides will speak English apart from Motu and one other   local language. Always   ask if you do no understand what’s being said.

  Airlines

  International - Air Niugini and Qantas.
  Domestic - Air Niugini, Airlink, Airlines of PNG, Islands Nationair, Trans Niugini Airways, MAF,   Regional Air.

  Business Hours

  Commercial Firms: Monday to Friday - 8.00am - 4:30 or 5.00pm. Saturday 8.00 am - 12.00   noon.

  Dress

  Informal and casual with shorts and open neck shirts worn throughout the year along with   traditional items and apparel: ramis.   Sulus, laplaps and kolos. Thongs, sneakers and   sandshoes are not allowed in some bars and restaurants. In the Highlands, sturdy   walking   shoes are recommended, as is a sweater or jacket for cool evenings. Female dress should   always be modest.

  Electrical Voltage

  Electrical current on the national grid is 240 volts. AG 50 hzs. Some hotels provide 110 volt   outlets in guest rooms for shavers and   hair dryers. Power supply is reasonably reliable. Most   major cities have backup power supplies in case of black-outs.

  Health Regulations

  Certification or vaccination against yellow fever or cholera is requiring for travelers over one   year of age coming from or through   infected areas. Malaria is the only serious health risk.   Visitors are strongly advised to consult your local doctor or tropical disease   clinic to commence   anti-malarial preparations before arrival. Water quality is within World Health Organization   standards in most   towns. Bottled water is available. In rural areas it is advisable to boil water   at all times. Malaria medications are strongly   recommended. Also, it is advisable to keep your   tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis, and polio inoculations current. Diarrhea and dysentery   are not   severe in PNG as is the case in Asian countries. Dental, doctors and hospital services are   available in all major centers.   Medical clinics and aid posts are found in remote areas and   several hospitals are privately owned.

  You are strongly advised to purchase travelers Insurance in your home country to cover for   unexpected trip cancellation and delays,   loss and damage to baggage, and for illness, accident   and medical evacuation. Government and church-run aid posts are not found   along the trek   and trekkers are recommended to pack their own basic first aid medical kit. In case of   emergencies, HF radio   telephones are situated along some villages along the trail for   emergencies.

  Food/Restaurants

  You won't go hungry in Papua New Guinea. Western cuisine is available in hotels, restaurants,   guesthouses, lodges and village   resorts. Port Moresby has many Asian and European   restaurants. For something different try a traditional 'mumu' of roast pork,   sweet potatoes,   rice and greens.

  Shopping

  From modern department complexes to quaint little stores there are plenty of places to spend   your money. In artifact shops you may   try your hand at bargaining but be gentle! Remember   that Saturday is a half-day for most shops and virtually every shop is closed on   Sunday.

  Public Holidays

  New Year's Day - 1st January, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Queens Birthday - 13th June,   Remembrance Day - 21st July,   Independence Day - 16th September, Christmas Day - 25th   December, Boxing Day - 26th December.

  Telecommunication

  Papua New Guinea has modern satellite communications, which have brought the world closer   at the touch of a few buttons. ISD and   STD dialing are available in most parts of the country.   Telex and Facsimile services are also readily available except in very remote   areas where high   frequency radios are in use. A digital mobile phone network is in operation, however is not   compatible with   Global Roaming network phones. Internet/email capability is available at most   major hotels.

  Time Zone

  PNG is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

  Tipping

  Visitors to the country are guest and hospitality is an honor in our Melanesian culture. Tips are   neither expected nor encouraged.

  Transportation

  Transportation is mostly by air across PNG. A good network of roads connects the Northern   zone and the Highlands region. Hire and   rental cars, local boats and ferries, taxis in larger   towns, plus local buses. There is no road link between the northern zone and the   capital, Port   Moresby because of the rugged nature of the terrain.

  Water Supply

  All towns have reticulated water, and all remote areas offer good drinking water. <top>