Travel advisory · Papua New GuineaSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Papua New Guinea.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Manam Island · avoid all travel · Spain, France
- Panguna mine area (Central Bougainville) · avoid all travel · Spain, Italy, US
- Border with Indonesia (Irian Jaya) · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Enga Province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand, UK
- Hela Province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand, UK
- Southern Highlands Province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand, UK
- Western Highlands Province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France
Also named by one government: Highlands region (excluding Mt. Hagen and Goroka) (US), Bismarck and Solomon Seas (US), Bougainville Island (Germany), East Sepik (France), Eastern Highlands (France), Jiwaka (France), Porgera (Italy), Port Moresby (Germany), Simbu (France), Tabubil (Italy), West Sepik (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider travel | Apr 29, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 14, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Exercise high caution across the country; travel possible with precautions (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 3, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Port Moresby
Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea and the main entry point for most international visitors. Come for the harbor walk at Ela Beach, wartime sites and the road out to the Kokoda Track.
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Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea, on the southern coast of the island of New Guinea, on the Gulf of Papua. Most international flights land at Jacksons International Airport. The city sits on hills above the water, and Ela Beach and the lookout on Paga Hill are the easiest places to see the harbor. The region was a battleground in World War II, and Bomana War Cemetery holds graves of Allied soldiers who died in the campaigns.
Visit for a short stop before the highlands, the islands or the Kokoda Track, or for work with a few free hours. Arrange transport and accommodation in advance, since most sights are a drive apart and a booked driver is the simplest way to move between them. June to September are the driest months, with May and October also good. Two to three days covers the city. Add more time to trek or to visit other provinces.
Port Moresby in five
- Book a pre-arranged transfer from JacksonsJacksons International Airport (POM) is the main international airport. Arrange a hotel pickup or a driver before you land, and do not take an unbooked taxi after dark.Getting around
- Stay in a guarded hotel compoundChoose a hotel with a gate, guards and secure parking, and ask whether it arranges rides. Walking the streets after dark is not advised.Where to stay
- Carry kina cash for daily spendingThe currency is the kina (PGK). Markets, small shops and minibuses take cash, so bring kina notes and use cards mainly at hotels.Money and costs
- Buy a Digicel or Telikom SIMDigicel and Telikom PNG are the mobile networks to check for local data. Confirm your phone is unlocked and that coverage works where you plan to stay.Phones and eSIM
- Ask before you photograph peopleIn markets and on roadsides, ask first and keep the camera away from crowds. Avoid photographing police and the port.
Things to do in Port Moresby
See all attractions in Port Moresby
Need to know
- Currency
- Kina (PGK)
- Entry
- Visa needed by most passports; check PNG entry rules before you fly
- Emergency
- Ask your hotel for the local police and ambulance numbers
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+10, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Wet, humidJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 321 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
- FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Wet, humidFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 234 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
- MarchRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Wet, humidMarchRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 335 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
- AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°TransitionAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 255 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Transition
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry season startsMayRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season starts
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, coolerJuneRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Dry, breezyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Dry, breezyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dry seasonSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season
- OctoberRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, hotOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- NovemberRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Rains returnNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains return
- DecemberRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Wet, humidDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 207 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
Average daily high and low in Port Moresby, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Port Moresby
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 72%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Port Moresby
04:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°23°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed32°23°69%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Thu32°24°80%Thursday: Rain. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Fri33°24°78%Friday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Sat32°23°88%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Sun33°24°97%Sunday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Mon33°24°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 33°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 12:34 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.533 PGK
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Varirata National Parkabout 1 hour by roadForest walks and birdlife in the hills above the city.
- Sogeri Plateauabout 1 to 1.5 hours by roadCooler plantation country for a slow half day.
- Loloata Islandabout 1 hour by road, then a short boat rideA resort island for a beach break away from the city.
Before you go to Port Moresby
Rules for Port Moresby, checked
- Most visitors need a visa for Papua New Guinea. Check the requirements with PNG immigration before you book flights.
- Declare cash and goods above the customs limits on arrival. Check the current limits with PNG Customs before you travel.
- Drug offenses carry heavy penalties. Do not carry bags or parcels for anyone you do not know, at the airport or the port.
Plan around Port Moresby
Country overview and where Port Moresby fits in a wider trip
Read the guideGetting aroundAirport transfers, minibuses and when to hire a driver
Read the guideMoney and cardsCarrying kina cash and where cards work
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and how to apply before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayGuarded hotels and neighborhoods compared
Read the guidePhones and eSIMLocal SIM options and data for maps and calls
Read the guidePort Moresby FAQ
Is Port Moresby worth visiting?
For most travelers it is a stopover city. Go for Ela Beach at the harbor and the National Museum, and add a day trip to Varirata National Park.
How do you get from Jacksons Airport to the city?
Book a hotel pickup or a pre-arranged driver before you fly. Do not take an unbooked taxi, especially at night.
How many days do you need in Port Moresby?
Two or three days covers the city. Add a day trip to Varirata or the Sogeri Plateau for greener country and birdlife.
Where should I stay in Port Moresby?
Choose a guarded hotel in Waterfront for beach access, or Boroko for cafés and shops. Ask about secure parking and pickups before you book.
Is Port Moresby safe for tourists?
Crime is a real concern. Stay in guarded accommodation, use pre-booked drivers, and avoid walking after dark.
Can I use cards in Port Moresby?
Cards work at some hotels and larger shops. Carry kina cash for markets, small shops and minibuses.