Papua New Guinea
Travel tips for Papua New Guinea: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cash is essential. Recent 2025-2026 reports show PNG remains heavily cash-oriented, with cards mostly limited to upmarket hotels and large supermarkets in Port Moresby; cash is essential for markets, transport, and any travel outside major cities where ATMs are virtually nonexistent.
Try the food
- Mumu: A traditional feast of pork, sweet potatoes, rice, and greens slow-cooked in an underground earth oven.
- Kokoda: Fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juice and served in a rich, savory coconut cream with onions and chilies.
- Sago (Saksak): A dense, starchy paste extracted from palm stems, often cooked into a sticky pudding or pan-fried as a flatbread.
Essentials
- Plugs
- Type I
- Voltage
- 240V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Left side
- Tap water
- Avoid — buy bottled
- Emergency
- 112 (police), 111 (ambulance), 110 (fire)
- SIM tip
- Purchase a Digicel SIM card at Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport upon arrival, as they offer the most reliable nationwide coverage.
Etiquette
Tipping is not customary and is generally discouraged, as it goes against the traditional Melanesian culture of egalitarianism and reciprocal obligation.