Kiribati grants visa-free entry to most nationalities for up to 30 days upon arrival. Visitors must present a passport valid for six months beyond intended stay, proof of onward travel, and sufficient funds for the duration of visit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration in South Tarawa processes visa extensions beyond 30 days. Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom, European Union member states, and United States citizens receive automatic 30-day entry permits. Travelers from countries not on the visa-free list must obtain visas from Kiribati's diplomatic missions before departure. The official immigration requirements are posted at https://www.immigration.gov.ki.
Tungaru Central Hospital in Nawerewere on South Tarawa serves as the national referral facility with approximately 300 beds. Each outer island maintains a health center staffed by nurses, with doctors rotating from Tarawa on scheduled visits. Medical evacuation to Fiji or Australia becomes necessary for serious conditions including cardiac emergencies, severe trauma, complex surgeries, and advanced diagnostic procedures. No hyperbaric chambers exist in Kiribati. Malaria is not present in Kiribati. Dengue fever cases occur periodically. Travelers requiring regular prescription medications must bring sufficient quantities as pharmacies stock limited inventory. The hospital accepts cash payment only.
Kiribati uses the Australian dollar as official currency. Bank of Kiribati and ANZ Bank operate branches on Tarawa with ATMs dispensing cash. Outer islands have no ATM access. Credit cards see limited acceptance, primarily at the few hotels on Tarawa and Kiritimati. Most transactions occur in cash. Currency exchange services exist only at the airport and main bank branches in South Tarawa. Travelers should bring Australian dollars in cash. No bank branches operate on most outer islands. Mobile money services through the Kiribati Telecommunication Corporation provide some digital payment options on Tarawa.
Kiribati Telecommunication Corporation provides mobile phone service on Tarawa, Kiritimati, and some outer islands through a 3G network. Internet connectivity remains slow and expensive by regional standards. Most outer islands lack reliable internet access. The South Tarawa area has several internet cafes charging hourly rates. Hotels on Tarawa offer wifi though speeds typically reach only 1-2 Mbps. International phone calls cost approximately 2-3 Australian dollars per minute. SIM cards for visitors can be purchased at the airport and telecommunications office in Betio. Satellite internet serves remote government facilities on outer islands but remains unavailable to general visitors.
Tarawa offers approximately 10 small hotels and guesthouses concentrated in Betio and Bikenibeu. Mary's Motel in Bikenibeu provides basic rooms. Kiritimati has the Captain Cook Hotel near London village as the primary accommodation. Room rates on Tarawa range from 50 to 150 Australian dollars per night for basic facilities. Advance booking is essential as room inventory totals fewer than 100 beds across the entire country. Outer islands require arrangements with island councils for homestays in village settings. No international hotel chains operate in Kiribati. Electricity runs intermittently in most accommodations. Air conditioning exists in only a handful of rooms at higher-priced hotels.
Air Kiribati operates Harbin Y-12 turboprop aircraft connecting Tarawa to Kiritimati, Kanton, Tabiteuea North, Tabiteuea South, Abemama, Marakei, Makin, Butaritari, Maiana, Aranuka, Nonouti, Beru, Nikunau, Onotoa, Tamana, and Arorae. Flight schedules change frequently and cancellations occur due to weather or mechanical issues. The Tarawa-Kiritimati route operates approximately twice weekly with flight time of 3.5 hours. Inter-island flights cost between 100 and 400 Australian dollars depending on distance. Government ships provide cargo and passenger service to outer islands on irregular schedules spanning weeks between departures. The voyage from Tarawa to southern Gilbert Islands takes 3-5 days under favorable conditions. Private boats can be chartered through island councils though costs exceed 1000 Australian dollars for most routes.
South Tarawa has minibus service along the main road from Betio through Bairiki to Bonriki. Minibuses operate from approximately 0600 to 1900 with fares of 50 cents to 1 Australian dollar depending on distance. Taxis exist in small numbers with no meters. Fares are negotiated before departure. Bicycles can be rented informally through guesthouses or local contacts. The causeway connecting islets of Tarawa spans approximately 35 kilometers from Betio to Buota. Motorcycles operate as informal taxis. Most outer islands require walking as the primary means of moving between villages separated by 2-5 kilometers.
Tap water on South Tarawa comes from groundwater sources affected by saltwater intrusion. Bottled water is recommended for visitors. Outer islands rely on rainwater collection systems.