| June 7, 2004 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Papua New Guinea is a developing country in the Southwest Pacific. The capital is Port Moresby. Tourist facilities outside major towns are limited. Crime is a serious concern throughout Papua New Guinea (please see the Crime section below). ENTRY AND EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Travelers must possess a valid passport, onward/return airline ticket, and proof of sufficient funds for the intended visit. Travelers may obtain temporary business or tourist visas (valid for stays of up to 60 days) on arrival at Jackson's International Airport in Port Moresby. All persons boarding international flights originating from Papua New Guinea usually pay a departure fee, which is separate from any tax included within airline fares. Travelers may obtain more information on entry and exit requirements from the Embassy of Papua New Guinea, 1615 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009, tel. (202) 745-3680, fax (202) 745-3679, e-mail kunduwash@aol.com, or via the Embassy's website at http://www.pngembassy.org. Travelers who plan to transit or visit Australia are advised to obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or visa for Australia before leaving the United States. The ETA is available to eligible U.S. citizens at time of ticket purchase through travel agents and airlines. More information about the ETA and Australian entry requirements may be obtained from the Australian Embassy at 1601 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, tel. (202) 797-3000, or via the Australian Embassy home page on the Internet at http://www.austemb.org. In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure. SAFETY AND SECURITY: For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of state’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found. Visitors intending to travel to Bougainville Island should contact the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby for updated security information. Though currently peaceful, law enforcement on Bougainville Island is weak, and tourist and transportation facilities there are limited. Tribal fighting sometimes occurs in the Highlands. Though outsiders are generally not targeted, travelers should consult with their tour operator, the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, or with Papua New Guinean authorities before visiting the region. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1(888) 407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1(317) 472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). CRIME: While most visits to Papua New Guinea are trouble-free, the country has a high crime rate. Some U.S.- citizen residents and visitors have been victims of violent crime in recent years, and they have sometimes suffered severe injuries. Carjackings, armed robberies, assaults, and stoning of vehicles are problems in Port Moresby, Lae and Mount Hagen. Travel by public taxis and buses, known as Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs), in Port Moresby and other urban areas is unsafe. American Embassy personnel and visiting officials are instructed not to use public transportation. Visitors should rely on their sponsor or hotel to arrange for secure transportation. Visitors unfamiliar with local road and security conditions are strongly advised against driving themselves in Port Moresby, especially after dark. Criminals have been known to place children or other obstructions in the roadway to cause vehicles to stop. Once stopped, armed men rob the occupants and steal the car. The risk of serious personal injury during such incidents is very high. Emergency services are generally not available and to run out of gas, become lost, or to suffer any type of vehicular breakdown could place occupants at extreme risk. Road travel outside of major towns can be hazardous because criminals set up roadblocks near bridges, curves in the road or other features that restrict vehicle speed and mobility. Visitors should consult with the U.S. Embassy or with local law enforcement officials concerning security conditions before driving between towns. Travel to isolated places in Papua New Guinea is possible primarily by small passenger aircraft; there are many small airstrips throughout the country. Security measures at these airports are rare. Organized tours booked through travel agencies remain the safest means to visit attractions in Papua New Guinea. Visitors are advised against walking alone anywhere in Port Moresby during daylight hours. Walking after dark is very dangerous and visitors are advised to avoid this. When walking is necessary, visitors should do so only in groups, during hours of daylight, and only within the central business district. Pickpockets and bag-snatchers frequent crowded public areas. Visitors are advised against carrying bags, purses, cameras or valuables of any kind. Avoid carrying irreplaceable documents or other items that you might not want to lose. Criminals operate in groups, are typically armed with knives or firearms, and are often intoxicated or on drugs. Residential break-ins are also an increasing problem. Hiking in rural areas and visiting isolated public sites such as parks, golf courses, beaches, or cemeteries can be dangerous. Individuals traveling alone are at greater risk of robbery or gang rape than those who are part of an organized tour or under escort. Road travel outside of major towns can be hazardous because roads are not heavily traveled and criminals set up roadblocks.
The Embassy recommends that prospective visitors consult A Primer on Personal Security for Visitors to Papua New Guinea, available from the Bureau of Consular Affairs homepage at http://travel.state.gov/. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Papua New Guinea vary from hospitals in Port Moresby and the larger towns to aid posts (including some missionary stations) in remote areas. Medical facilities vary in quality, but those in the larger towns are usually adequate for routine problems and some emergencies. Equipment failures and sudden shortages of common medications can mean, however, that even routine treatments and procedures (such as X-rays) may become unavailable. A hyperbaric recompression chamber for diving emergencies is available in Port Moresby. Pharmacies in Papua New Guinea are small and may be inadequately stocked. They are found only in urban centers and at missionary clinics. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for medical services. Medical conditions arising as a result of diving accidents will almost always require medical evacuation to Australia, where more sophisticated facilities are available. The most commonly used facilities are in Brisbane and Cairns, both in the Australian state of Queensland. Travelers who anticipate the need for ongoing medical treatment should obtain entry permission for Australia in advance. Permission to enter Australia can be granted by the Australian Embassy in Port Moresby, but it is easier to obtain it prior to leaving the United States. MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations. When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page. OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Papua New Guinea is provided for general reference only, and it may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance: Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor to Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Not Available Traffic in Papua New Guinea moves on the left. Vehicles approaching from the right at an intersection always have the right of way. Travel on highways outside of major towns can be hazardous. Motor vehicle accidents, especially where passengers are sitting in the open bed of a pickup truck, are one of the more common causes of serious injury in Papua New Guinea. Drivers and passengers are advised to wear seatbelts whenever possible. There is no countrywide road network, roads are generally in poor repair, and flat tires occur routinely as a result of potholes and debris on the roadways. Landslides can be a problem on some stretches of the Highlands Highway between Lae and Mount Hagen during the rainy season. Criminal roadblocks have occurred during the day on the Highlands Highway and more widely after dark. Visitors should consult with local authorities or the U.S. Embassy before traveling on the Highlands Highway. Crowds form quickly after an accident in Papua New Guinea and may attack those whom they hold responsible, stoning and/or burning their vehicles. Friends and relatives of an injured party may demand immediate compensation from the party they hold responsible for injuries, regardless of legal responsibility. Persons involved in accidents usually should proceed directly to the nearest police station rather than stopping at the scene of an accident. For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, please see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, home page at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html. For specific information concerning Papua New Guinea driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact Papua New Guinea's Tourist Promotion Authority via the Internet at http://www.paradiselive.org.pg. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service by local carriers at present, or economic authority to operate such service between the United States and Papua New Guinea, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Papua New Guinea's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the United States at telephone 1 (800) 322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the DOD at telephone (618) 229-4801. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Papua New Guinea customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Papua New Guinea of items such as firearms, certain prescription drugs and sexually explicit material. Other products may be subject to quarantine. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Papua New Guinea in Washington, D.C. for specific information regarding customs requirements. In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard can be found at http://www.ustr.gov/reports/2003/special301.htm. CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Papua New Guinean laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Papua New Guinea are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Under the PROTECT Act of April 2003, it is a crime, prosecutable in the United States, for U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens to exploit children sexually via pornography, the Internet or other means or to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a person under the age of 18 in a foreign country, regardless of whether there was intent. CONSULAR ACCESS: U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Papua New Guinea is prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and sudden tidal movements. There are two active volcanoes near the town of Rabaul on New Britain. General information about natural-disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov. CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone Overseas Citizens Services at 1 (888) 407-4747. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1 (317) 472-2328. REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: Americans living in or visiting Papua New Guinea are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby and obtain updated information on travel and security within Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Embassy is located on Douglas Street, adjacent to the Bank of Papua New Guinea, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. This address should be used for courier deliveries. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1492, Port Moresby, NCD 121, Papua New Guinea. The Embassy's telephone number is (675) 321-1455; fax (675) 321-1593. Americans may submit consular inquiries via e-mail to: ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov. * * * This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated March 2, 2004, to update sections on Crime, Customs Regulations, and Criminal Penalties. 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