Papua New Guinea requires a visa for most nationalities. Citizens of certain Pacific nations receive visa-free entry periods. Tourist visas for most countries can be obtained on arrival at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby for stays up to 60 days, costing approximately 100 Papua New Guinean kina. Visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond intended departure and possess proof of onward travel. The official immigration website of Papua New Guinea provides current visa requirements and application procedures for specific nationalities.
The Papua New Guinea kina subdivides into 100 toea. Port Moresby, Lae, and Mount Hagen maintain ATMs that accept international cards, though network availability drops significantly outside these centers. Bank South Pacific operates the most extensive ATM network. Cash remains necessary for most transactions outside major cities. Australian dollars hold wide acceptance in tourist areas and can be exchanged at commercial banks. Credit cards function in larger hotels and a small number of restaurants in Port Moresby and Lae. Currency exchange occurs at banks and licensed exchange bureaus in provincial capitals, with Bank South Pacific and Westpac providing the most reliable services.
Mobile coverage through providers Digicel and bmobile reaches Port Moresby, provincial capitals, and the Highlands Highway corridor. Network quality diminishes rapidly outside urban centers and along the coastline. Many rural areas and islands maintain no mobile service. Internet access exists in Port Moresby hotels and a limited number of cafes, with speeds averaging below global standards. Tourist SIM cards can be purchased at the airport and in major towns, requiring passport presentation. Satellite phones provide the only reliable communication in remote regions including much of the Sepik River basin and outer islands.
Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby serves as the primary international gateway, with direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Cairns, Singapore, and several Pacific island nations. Air Niugini operates as the national carrier. Domestic air travel provides the primary method of intercity transportation due to limited road infrastructure. Air Niugini and PNG Air connect Port Moresby with provincial capitals including Lae, Mount Hagen, Madang, Wewak, and Goroka. Small aircraft services reach remote airstrips, many unpaved. The Highlands Highway links Lae to Mount Hagen, passing through Goroka, representing one of the few paved intercity roads. Road conditions throughout Papua New Guinea remain poor, with many routes impassable during the wet season from December through March.
Port Moresby operates public motor vehicles called PMVs, small buses following semi-fixed routes identified by colored stripes. Fares typically range from 1 to 5 kina depending on distance. PMVs in Port Moresby face documented security concerns. Taxis operate in Port Moresby and Lae without meters, requiring fare negotiation before departure. Hotels arrange private drivers at rates typically between 150 and 300 kina for half-day hire. Rental cars exist in Port Moresby through international companies, though self-driving is not recommended due to road conditions and navigation difficulties. Walking in urban areas occurs primarily within hotel compounds and secured business districts.
Papua New Guinea experiences a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity year-round. Port Moresby receives less rainfall than most coastal areas, averaging 1,000 millimeters annually with a pronounced dry season from May through October. Northern coastal areas and the Sepik River region receive over 4,000 millimeters annually. The wet season runs December through March, bringing afternoon thunderstorms and reduced air service to remote areas. Highlands temperatures at elevations above 1,500 meters drop significantly, with Mount Hagen and Goroka experiencing nighttime lows around 10 degrees Celsius. Coastal temperatures average 26 to 32 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The southeastern region including Milne Bay faces cyclone potential from January through April, though direct strikes occur infrequently.
Accommodation in Port Moresby concentrates in international hotel chains including Hilton, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza, with nightly rates from 400 to 800 kina. Outside the capital, provincial cities offer guesthouses and small hotels at 200 to 400 kina nightly, with variable amenities. Remote areas and trekking routes provide village guesthouses at 50 to 150 kina, typically without electricity or running water. Dive resorts operate in Milne Bay, Kimbe Bay, and the Trobriand Islands at approximately 600 to 1,200 kina per night including meals. Several Port Moresby hotels maintain security compounds with restricted entry. Budget accommodation in Port Moresby remains limited, with backpacker facilities largely absent.