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In Papua and France, we work with trusted partners
Papua New Guinea is a destination like no other. Traveling here requires a particular mindset, an openness to the world and an acceptance of the unexpected. Here are our tips, drawn from 25 years’ experience, to ensure your trip is a complete success.
Papua New Guinea is still a new country for organized tours. Whatever the form of travel, the number of visitors is still very small, and the country has yet to develop standardized structures. Every traveller here is a forerunner, inevitably far removed from the beaten track and international standards.
Papuans offer what they have with great generosity, simplicity and enthusiasm. Accommodation can be precarious, transport can be “lived in”, guides are often villagers who accompany you through their own territories, armed with their ancestral knowledge rather than grand academic speeches. But everything is offered with more sincerity and heart than anywhere else in the world.
Sometimes planes are late, roads are blocked, houses are filled with smoke, a ceremony is delayed… But you have to get past these little hassles to enjoy an authenticity and a human richness that are out of the ordinary. That’s the price of discovering an unspoilt world.
All international arrivals and departures take place in Port Moresby. The international terminal has everything you need for your arrival: currency exchange (best rate in the country), vending machines, Air Niugini and PNG Airlines counters, cafeteria, souvenir stores and local telephone operators.
Located 150 metres from the international terminal, it serves all domestic flights. Beware: it’s much more crowded, and security checks can take a long time. Once in the boarding lounge, pay close attention to the announcements and don’t hesitate to ask the staff regularly whether your flight is boarding. Don’t just rely on the screens!
Golden tip: always arrive 2 hours early, even if it seems excessive. Air Niugini and PNG Airlines are very reliable when it comes to safety, but sometimes fanciful in their organization. It’s better to be patient than to miss your flight!
The local currency is the Kina (PGK). The exchange rate is approximately 1€ = 4.5 Kinas. The best solution is to change your Euros directly at the airport, in the lobby of the international terminal. The rate is the same throughout the country, and it’s much safer and more convenient than the banks in town (which are a nightmare with endless waiting times).
Important: Money can only be obtained in cities! Foreign currency cannot be used directly. Think about this before moving to a village or rural area.
VISA and Mastercard are very practical! You can withdraw up to 5,000 kinas, depending on the ATM. Cards are also accepted at airport exchange counters and in most hotels and restaurants in major cities.
Distributors can be found in every town.
Here are some guidelines for estimating your personal expenses:
TNT shipment from Wewak: Possible but very costly (approx. €35/kg).
All our partners and teams are paid well within local standards. Tipping is not compulsory and is not common practice in PNG. Nevertheless, it’s welcome and a great pleasure. It can also take the form of a small gift or drinks during visits.
As a guideline, a 10 kina tip per customer per day for the entire team is a fair amount.
For information: the average wage in Papua is less than €2,470/year, but 85% of the population is self-sufficient. The declared minimum wage is 70€/month. A guide earns between €20 and €110/day, depending on his/her skills.
Malaria (zone 3) should be your main concern, wherever you travel. It is absolutely essential to consult a doctor specializing in tropical diseases before you leave, so that he or she can prescribe the appropriate prophylaxis to be taken throughout your trip.
Papua has a bad reputation when it comes to safety. This reputation is largely exaggerated, but a few precautions are necessary. Always follow the advice of your guides, who give it knowingly and in your best interests.
Good news: the atmosphere is much more relaxed and pleasant in the villages, where security is absolute! Tribal wars, still common in the mountains, are of no concern to travelers.
In case of emergency, the French Embassy is there to assist you:
Tel: +675 321 55 50
Emergency number: +675 694 08 38
Address: BSP Haus level 6, Harbour City – Port Moresby
If you want to be “connected” during your trip, then the best thing to do is get a local sim card, which for a small fee will allow you to get data and use the local 5g, often much better than hotel WiFi. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for the hotels or ask your guide for a short connection share.
To call France: Dial + 33. These days, the cheapest way is to get data with a local sim card and use an internet call (WhatsApp, for example).
Internet connections are often poor, and Internet cafés are rare outside Port Moresby. The WiFi connection offered by some hotels (particularly in Port Moresby) is better. It’s usually a card charged by quantity downloaded rather than by time.
Tip: Let your friends and family know that you won’t be available much during your trip. That’s what disconnection is all about!
Finding postcards is a challenge! Only a few hotels and post offices offer them, and the quality is often average. A postcard costs a little over €1, and shipping costs close to €2. Mail takes 2 to 3 weeks to arrive in Europe.
Post offices: Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
Maximum weight on domestic flights: 16 kg if you purchase your domestic flights independently of your international flights. Otherwise, it will depend on your authorization for international flights (generally 23 kg). Our advice: Travel light!
Light clothing is sufficient for the entire tour, except for trekking. You won’t be exposed to temperatures below 15°C. At night, a fleece will suffice. During the day, temperatures will reach 25-30°C in the mountains and over 30°C on the Sepik.
Sockets in Papua are identical to those in Australia. You’ll need a type I adapter (3 flat plugs).
On the Sepik, there’s no need to bring big shoes, jackets and fleeces. We recommend that you leave your papers, credit cards and currency at your hotel reception (safe) before setting off on the river. Bring an extra bag to store them in.
Here is some reading to enrich your trip and better understand Papua New Guinea:
Traveling in Papua means stepping out of your comfort zone for a deeply human experience. Small inconveniences are part of the adventure and often turn into the best memories. Keep an open mind, a smile on your face, and let yourself be carried away by Papuan generosity!
Philippe Gigliotti
In Papua and France, we work with trusted partners