Travel tips Prepare your trip to Papua New Guinea with tips on language, currency, consular services and more.

Travel tips

Prepare your trip to Papua New Guinea with tips on language, currency, consular services and more.

• Diving here is world famous. See a wreck of coral reefs and marine life that rival the Australian Barrier Reef.

• After testing your endurance on the Kokoda Trail, plan an expedition to the top of Mount Wilhelm (4509m), the highest peak in PNG.

• One of the world's best surfing waves and reef breaks, as well as year-round activities in Cavienne on New Ireland and Vanimo in West Sepik.

• There are 38 species of swan that are the smallest parrots in the world, and the world's only poisonous bird, the black-tailed moth.

• Culture for days

"June to September, when the weather is cool and dry, is the best time to visit PNG. (However, Lae is an exception because it is the rainy season.) The highest rainfall is from December to March, and it is also during this period that there are the most insects."

What languages   are spoken in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea speaks more than 800 languages, but Tok Pisin (New Guinea Pidgin) is spoken throughout the country. Hili Motu, spoken in the southern regions of Papua, is now becoming more prevalent in English in large urban areas.

"We recommend hiring a local guide when exploring. The local guide speaks each local language (Tokpre) and knows you can visit safely. Always use common sense safety actions. Avoid places that are not popular, keep your belongings with you, and avoid walking alone at night.

For more information on our safety and security policies for tourists, please visit our Safety & Health page."

What is the currency of Papua New Guinea?

The currencies used throughout PNG are Kina and Toa. The currency name derives from the name of the valuable shell currency that was used as a currency before its influence from Europe. 100 Tor is equivalent to 1 kina. Credit cards can be used in larger hotels, but it's a good idea to check them before going to your destination, just in case. Currency exchange offices are located within Port Moresby's international airport and in many banks around the metropolitan area. For the latest information on exchange rates, please check BSP Online.

Does Papua New Guinea place chips conventionally?

Hotels and restaurants do not add service charges to the bill. It's not customary to leave a tip on the waiter here, but it's not something we shouldn't take for granted.

Is it okay to have a discount or bargain in Papua New Guinea?

We don't have the custom of negotiating prices in businesses, facilities or farmers markets, but we can negotiate prices in the crafts market. If you want to lower the price a little more, you usually hear "second price".

Where are the largest banks in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea's largest banks are the BSP (South Pacific Bank), ANZ (Australia and New Zealand Bank), Kina Bank, and Westpac PNG. There are also smaller banks such as MiBank and Women's Microbank. Hours of operation are typically Monday to Thursday 8:45am-4pm and Friday 5pm.

What is the time difference with Papua New Guinea?

PNG is in the same time zone as Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), which is 10 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (+10 UTC).

Does Papua New Guinea require outlets, conversion plugs and transformers?

You may need an adapter to use your home appliances. The adapter required for Papua New Guinea is type I for Australia. The plug has two flat metal pins in the shape of a V, sometimes with three pins in the center. The voltage is 200-240 volts and the frequency is 50Hz.

What is the tax exemption limit?

There is no customs duty on travelers over the age of 18 who bring in items that are within regulatory limits. Tourists are allowed to bring in 250 grams or 250 cigarettes, 2 liters of alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and valuable items up to 1000 kina (500 kina for children).

What is the emergency contact number for Papua New Guinea?

Dedicated to Port Mores by: Police 112, Fire 110 or 002, St John Ambulance 111

24-hour emergency phone number: +675 7683 5227 or +675 7683 1818

" The regional numbers for each region are as follows. Metropolitan area 3, Momase area 4, Mountain area 5, South area 6, Mobile phone (PNG whole area) 7, Island area 9."

"The international direct dialing number from within Papua New Guinea is 00."

"The mobile phone network covers the entire area of   Papua New Guinea, but some remote areas do not receive radio waves.

The property may also have internet and WiFi. If you need to keep your mobile signal at all times, we recommend that you purchase a SIM card locally and use a variety of data plans. In Papua New Guinea, the internet is relatively expensive."

(Post offices are normally open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, with some cities operating on Saturday mornings. Although the postal service within PNG is reliable, the infrastructure is weak and mail is mainly shipped by ship, which can be less efficient.)