Papua New Guinea🇵🇬
Papua New Guinea is an Oceanian country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, sharing island of New Guinea with Indonesia. Known for its cultural and biological diversity, it's home to many traditional tribes and over 820 different spoken languages. It boasts an array of natural attractions such as the Kokoda Track, and the Tufi fjords, as well as stunning cultural experiences like the Goroka Show. The country has a complex relationship with its neighboring countries, specifically with Indonesia, due to cross-border tribal issues.
⚠️Things you should avoid⚠️
- Avoid travelling at night, particularly in the capital, Port Moresby, due to high crime rates.
- Avoid drinking tap water; always opt for bottled or treated water.
- Avoid taking photographs of people without their permission, out of respect for local customs.
- Avoid handling or consuming drugs, as there are severe penalties for drug offenses.
- Avoid engaging in political discussions or demonstrations, as they can quickly become violent.
- Avoid areas known for tribal disputes or high crime rates, including settlements on the outskirts of major cities.
- Avoid hiking alone or without a guide in isolated areas due to risks of crime and getting lost.
- Avoid homosexual behavior in public due to cultural sensitivities and potential legal repercussions.
- Avoid non-essential travel to the regions near the border with Indonesia due to occasional cross-border violence.
- Avoid making negative comments about 'cargo cults' as it could lead to unintended offense.
Overall
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Crime 🔫
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Crime rate is significantly high in Papua New Guinea particularly in urban areas of Lae and Port Moresby. Street crimes, including armed robberies, carjackings, and burglaries are of significant concern. Police response to these crimes is typically slow and ineffective due to lack of resources.
Terrorism 💣
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The occurrence of terrorism-related incidents in Papua New Guinea is relatively low. The country has not seen a major act of terrorism in its recent past. However, tribal violence in the Highlands region is a prevalent issue.
War ⚔️
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There's been no involvement of Papua New Guinea in any recent wars. Although there is a history of civil war in the late 90s with the Bougainville Conflict, which led to a Peace Agreement in 2001.
Natural Disasters 🌊
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Papua New Guinea is susceptible to several types of natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. The country is located in the Ring of Fire, a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. Major incidents include a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in 2018, causing landslides and significant loss of life.
Medical Care 🏥
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Medical facilities in Papua New Guinea are limited, particularly outside major cities. While hospitals in cities like Port Moresby and Lae offer healthcare services, they might not be up to the standard expected by travellers. Emergency and critical care services are particularly lacking.
Tap Water Quality 💧
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The tap water in Papua New Guinea is not generally safe to drink. Bacterial contamination of water sources is common, and there is a risk of waterborne diseases. Bottled water is highly recommended.
Disease Burden 🤒
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Disease burden is high in Papua New Guinea, with the prevalence of diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. In 2018, Papua New Guinea experienced a polio outbreak, its first in 18 years, putting a severe strain on the country's health system.
Corruption 💸
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Corruption is a severe problem in Papua New Guinea, impeding economic growth and government services. Fraud and misallocation of natural resource revenues are particularly significant forms of corruption.
Safety for Women ♀️
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Condition for women in Papua New Guinea is challenging as gender-based violence is a significant issue. Cultural norms and remote geography often facilitate a lack of law enforcement and thus crimes against women can go unpunished.
Safety for Queer People 👬
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Safety for queer people can be a concern as homosexuality is not widely accepted due to cultural and religious beliefs. Homosexual acts are technically illegal, although laws are rarely enforced. Public displays of affection may face backlash or condemnation.
Censorship 📺
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Papua New Guinea generally respects freedom of speech and media freedom. However, journalists can face threats, intimidation, and police violence. In 2020, the government proposed a bill to regulate social media, causing concerns about potential curbs on freedom of speech.
Public Transportation 🚌
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Public transportation, such as PMV (Public Motor Vehicles) like buses, is available but they might not be up to international safety standards. Increased vehicle accidents in the severely underdeveloped road network pose significant risks. Crime can also be an issue on public transport.
Other useful information
🔒 How safe is it?
Safety levels in Papua New Guinea vary widely. While there is low risk of terrorism, there is a high rate of street crime, and women travelers need to exercise caution due to the prevalence of gender-based violence. Natural disasters are a significant risk, and medical care is limited.
🏰 Embassies in this Country
Several countries have embassies in Papua New Guinea, including Australia, United States, New Zealand, and United Kingdom. Most embassies are located in the capital city, Port Moresby.
💉 Recommended Vaccinations
Travelers to Papua New Guinea should consider vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, and routine vaccines such as Measles and Influenza. Malaria prophylaxis is also recommended due to the prevalence of the disease in the country.
🐍 Dangerous Animals
Papua New Guinea hosts various dangerous animals including toxic spiders like the Bird Spider, and marine life such as the Stonefish and Blue-ringed octopus, which are venomous.
🛂 Visa Requirements
Visa rules vary depending on the nationality of the traveler. Some nationalities are eligible for visa on arrival, while others must arrange for a visa before arriving in the country.
💲 Currency
The currency of Papua New Guinea is the Papua New Guinean Kina. Money can be exchanged at banks, hotels, and at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby.
💳 Credit Card Acceptance
Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and restaurants, but cash is the most commonly used form of payment, especially in remote areas.
🧑🏭 Is it possible to work and travel in this country?
Work opportunities are limited for foreigners as the country has a high unemployment rate. For those interested in cultural and nature experiences, Papua New Guinea offers a distinct travel experience with its lush landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
💵 Cost of Travel and Living
The cost of living and traveling in Papua New Guinea tends to be higher than in many other South Pacific countries. This is due to factors such as high transportation costs, lack of tourism infrastructure and high import costs for goods and services.