The United States dollar is the official currency of the Marshall Islands. No currency exchange occurs on arrival. ATMs exist in Majuro at the Bank of Guam, Bank of the Marshall Islands, and the Marshalls Energy Company office in Delap-Uliga-Djarrit. ATM availability outside Majuro is inconsistent. Ebeye on Kwajalein Atoll has limited banking infrastructure primarily serving the US military installation on the adjacent island. Credit cards see acceptance at Robert Reimers Enterprises stores in Majuro, the Marshall Islands Resort, and select government offices, but cash transactions dominate all commercial activity across the atolls. Traveler's checks are not widely accepted and exchanging them requires significant time even in Majuro.
Amata Kabua International Airport on Majuro handles all commercial international flights. United Airlines operates the only scheduled passenger service, flying twice weekly from Honolulu with continuing service to Kwajalein and Kosrae. The Honolulu to Majuro segment takes approximately five hours forty minutes. Air Marshall Islands operates domestic flights between Majuro, Kwajalein, Arno, Jaluit, Mili, Wotje, Ailuk, and several other atolls using small propeller aircraft. These inter-atoll flights book through the airline office in Majuro or through travel agents, with schedules changing according to weather and mechanical availability. No international ferry service exists. Cargo ships traveling between atolls occasionally accept passengers but operate on irregular schedules determined by shipping contracts rather than passenger demand.
Citizens of the United States enter visa-free for unlimited stays under the Compact of Free Association signed in 1986. This same agreement grants Marshallese citizens visa-free entry to the United States. Citizens of all other countries require visas obtained before arrival. The Marshall Islands has no embassy network, so visa applications process through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Majuro. Tourist visas typically grant thirty days and require proof of onward travel, accommodation confirmation, and sufficient funds. Extensions require application to the Immigration Division in Majuro before the initial visa expires. Official visa policy is available at rmigovernment.org.
The Marshall Islands use 120-volt electricity at 60 hertz frequency with American-style Type A and Type B plugs. These are the two-prong flat blade and two-prong flat blade with round ground pin configurations standard across the United States. Power supply in Majuro comes from diesel generators operated by the Marshalls Energy Company. Outages occur several times monthly, particularly during maintenance or equipment failure. Outer atolls have minimal or no electricity infrastructure beyond individual solar panels or small generators. Mobile phone service operates on the 2G and 4G LTE networks provided by the National Telecommunications Authority. Coverage exists in Majuro and parts of Ebeye, with no signal across most other atolls. International roaming agreements exist with some US carriers. Internet access in Majuro comes through satellite connection, producing speeds substantially slower than cable or fiber networks in developed countries. Costs for mobile data and home internet rank among the highest in the Pacific region.
Tap water in Majuro comes from a combination of groundwater wells and rainwater catchment managed by the Majuro Water and Sewer Company. The US Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization standards are not consistently met. Boiling water before consumption is standard practice. Outer atolls depend entirely on rainwater catchment systems, making water availability seasonal and limited. During dry periods communities face severe water shortages. Bottled water is available at Robert Reimers Enterprises and Payless Supermarket in Majuro. The cost per liter is approximately double the US mainland price due to shipping. Food supplies in Majuro arrive on cargo ships from the United States, Australia, and Asia. The Marshall Islands Import Company and Robert Reimers Enterprises operate the primary food retail outlets. Fresh produce is limited and expensive. Rice, canned goods, and frozen chicken dominate available options. Local fish, breadfruit, and pandanus supplement imported food but availability depends on season and fishing success.
Healthcare infrastructure consists of Majuro Hospital, operated by the Ministry of Health and Human Services, and several outer island health centers staffed by health assistants rather than physicians. Majuro Hospital has approximately one hundred beds and handles basic surgery, emergency care, and general medicine. Complex cases require medical evacuation to Honolulu, Guam, or Manila. Medical evacuation costs begin at fifteen thousand dollars and frequently exceed thirty thousand dollars depending on patient condition and required equipment. No hyperbaric chamber exists in the Marshall Islands despite substantial diving activity. Decompression sickness requires evacuation. Dengue fever outbreaks occur periodically. The most recent major outbreak in 2019 infected over two thousand people in a population of approximately fifty-eight thousand. Prescription medications available in Majuro are limited compared to developed countries. Bringing a sufficient supply of routine medications is standard practice for visitors with chronic conditions.