The Solomon Islands uses the Solomon Islands dollar, divided into 100 cents. Currency exchange operates through ANZ, Bank South Pacific, and Pan Oceanic Bank in Honiara, with limited services in provincial capitals. Most transactions outside Honiara occur in cash. ATMs exist in Honiara and Gizo but operate inconsistently due to connectivity issues and frequent cash shortages. Credit cards see acceptance at mid-range and higher-end hotels in Honiara, with Visa carrying broader acceptance than Mastercard. Provincial towns and outer islands operate entirely on cash economies.
The electrical system delivers 220-240 volts at 50 hertz through Type I plugs, the Australian three-pin flat configuration also used in Papua New Guinea and Argentina. Power outages occur frequently across all islands, with Honiara experiencing better reliability than provincial centers. Diesel generators provide the primary power source nationwide. Many accommodations outside Honiara restrict electricity to evening hours only.
Solomon Airlines operates domestic flights connecting Honiara to Munda, Gizo, Seghe, Munda, Kirakira, Santa Cruz, and other destinations through a fleet that has included Twin Otters and Dash 8 aircraft. Flight schedules change without advance notice based on weather, passenger loads, and operational requirements. Baggage allowances on domestic routes typically restrict passengers to 16 kilograms. The airline canceled its international Airbus operations in 2020, leaving international connectivity dependent on codeshare arrangements and regional carriers. Virgin Australia, Qantas, Fiji Airways, and Solomon Airlines maintain international connections to Brisbane, with Fiji Airways connecting through Nadi.
Honiara International Airport sits approximately eight kilometers from the city center at Henderson Field, the former WWII American airbase. The airport operates limited facilities with no jet bridges and basic terminal amenities. Provincial airstrips often consist of grass or coral runways that become unusable during heavy rain. Several provincial airfields restrict operations to daylight hours due to lack of lighting infrastructure.
Marine transport moves the majority of domestic passengers and all heavy cargo. The National Fisheries Development operates passenger vessels on irregular schedules between major islands. Private operators run small boats between nearby islands on flexible timetables dependent on weather and passenger demand. Journey times vary drastically with sea conditions. The passage from Honiara to Gizo takes 10 to 16 hours by ship depending on vessel and weather. No published timetables exist for most provincial routes, with departure information gathered through word of mouth at local wharves.
Road infrastructure exists primarily on Guadalcanal, with approximately 1,360 kilometers of roads nationwide as of recent records, of which roughly 34 kilometers carry sealed surfaces. The sealed portion concentrates on Honiara's main streets. The road east from Honiara deteriorates rapidly beyond the airport. Four-wheel-drive vehicles prove necessary for most routes outside the capital. Provincial islands contain minimal road infrastructure, with coastal footpaths and small boat transport serving as primary movement options.
Mobile phone coverage operates through Our Telekom and bmobile-vodafone within Honiara and extending partially along Guadalcanal's northern coast. Coverage drops to non-existent across most other islands. Internet connectivity in Honiara functions through intermittent 3G and limited 4G, with speeds insufficient for video calls or streaming. Hotels and guesthouses offering wifi frequently experience multi-day outages. The Coral Sea Cable System landed in 2020, connecting Honiara to Sydney via a submarine fiber optic cable, but infrastructure distribution beyond the capital remains minimal.
Postal services operate through Solomon Islands Post with the main office in Honiara. Delivery times to and from international destinations extend to several weeks. Domestic post between islands operates irregularly, with timing dependent on available boat transport. Most businesses and residents rely on personal connections and travelers to move documents rather than formal postal systems.
Banking hours typically run from 0830 to 1500 Monday through Friday, with variations between institutions. Government offices generally operate 0730 to 1130 and 1300 to 1630 on weekdays. Shops in Honiara open around 0800 and close between 1700 and 1800 Monday through Friday, with Saturday half-days common. Sunday sees most businesses closed, though some small Chinese-owned shops maintain limited hours. Provincial schedules follow looser patterns tied to boat arrivals and local custom.
The National Referral Hospital in Honiara provides the only facility approximating international medical standards, though it lacks many specialized services and advanced equipment available in Australian or New Zealand hospitals. Provincial health centers offer basic treatment only. Serious medical situations require evacuation to Australia, typically Brisbane or Cairns. Medical evacuation costs exceed USD 20,000 and requires payment guarantees before transport. No hyperbaric chambers exist in-country for diving emergencies. Malaria remains endemic across all islands except small high-elevation areas. The dominant strain includes both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Dengue fever occurs in periodic outbreaks.
Pharmacy availability concentrates in Honiara with limited stock of common medications. Provincial areas may lack basic medical supplies. Visitors requiring specific medications should carry sufficient quantities for their entire stay plus reserves for delays. Refrigeration requirements complicate medication storage outside Honiara.