Papua New Guinea

Travel advice levels

Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.

United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country

No numbered levels

Updated 17 August 2026

Latest change, in the source's words: Updated information about interruptions to the supply of water and electricity (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

Full advice on GOV.UK

United StatesU.S. Department of State

Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Level 3 of 4

Updated 29 April 2025

The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.

Full advice on travel.state.gov

CanadaGlobal Affairs Canada

Avoid non-essential travel

Level 3 of 4

Updated 24 September 2026

Latest change, in the source's words: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)

Full advice on travel.gc.ca

Emergency numbers

From the section “Emergency services in Papua New Guinea” of the UK government's travel advice for Papua New Guinea, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.

Ambulance: 111

Fire: 110

Police: 112

Local laws and customs

From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Papua New Guinea, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

It is a serious offence to use, possess or traffic illegal drugs, including marijuana. If convicted, you can get a long prison sentence.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal. People who are convicted face up to 14 years imprisonment. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Travelling with medicines

From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Papua New Guinea, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Papua New Guinea, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.

Papua New Guinea is in an active seismic region known as the ‘Ring of Fire’. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis are possible.

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are a serious risk in Papua New Guinea. Seismic and volcanic activity is more likely near Rabaul in East New Britain Province, Kimbe in West New Britain Province and on Manam Island in Madang Province.

There was a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea at 06:04:39 local time, 5 Apr 2025. The advice is to follow emergency instructions from local authorities.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

Tsunamis

Earthquakes can be followed by tsunamis. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after a tsunami.

Volcanic eruptions

Papua New Guinea has many active and dormant volcanoes. You should check with your travel provider or airline and seek advice from local authorities before travelling to affected areas.

In November 2023, Mount Ulawun volcano erupted on the island of New Britain and caused flight cancellations and the evacuation of over 5,000 people. It has shown further low-level activity since then, most recently in March 2025.

Increased volcanic activity at Mount Bagana in Bougainville in 2023 resulted in widespread displacement of local residents. Some low-level activity continues.

Manam Island volcano erupted in 2018, forcing thousands to flee to the mainland. It has shown further low-level activity since then, most recently in 2024.

Tropical cyclones

The tropical cyclone season normally runs from November to May. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Flooding

There is a risk of flooding and landslides, especially in rural areas and during monsoon season from November to May. Exceptionally high tides (‘king tides’) can cause flooding in coastal areas.

Damage caused by heavy rain can make travel difficult.

What to pack

Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.

Chargers and plugs

Plug typesI

Voltage240/415 V

Frequency50 Hz

Will my plug fit? Where are your devices from?

Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.

Clothes for the weather

Rainfall Average temperature

January

Average: 25 °C (77 °F)
Lows: 20 °C (68 °F)
Highs: 31 °C (87 °F)
Rain: 305 mm (12.0 in)

Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

February

Average: 25 °C (77 °F)
Lows: 20 °C (68 °F)
Highs: 30 °C (87 °F)
Rain: 315 mm (12.4 in)

Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

March

Average: 25 °C (77 °F)
Lows: 20 °C (68 °F)
Highs: 30 °C (87 °F)
Rain: 325 mm (12.8 in)

Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

April

Average: 25 °C (77 °F)
Lows: 20 °C (68 °F)
Highs: 30 °C (87 °F)
Rain: 298 mm (11.7 in)

Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

May

Average: 25 °C (77 °F)
Lows: 20 °C (68 °F)
Highs: 30 °C (85 °F)
Rain: 252 mm (9.9 in)

Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

June

Average: 24 °C (76 °F)
Lows: 19 °C (67 °F)
Highs: 29 °C (85 °F)
Rain: 206 mm (8.1 in)

Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

July

Average: 24 °C (75 °F)
Lows: 19 °C (66 °F)
Highs: 29 °C (84 °F)
Rain: 214 mm (8.4 in)

Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

August

Average: 24 °C (75 °F)
Lows: 19 °C (66 °F)
Highs: 29 °C (84 °F)
Rain: 210 mm (8.3 in)

Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

September

Average: 24 °C (76 °F)
Lows: 19 °C (66 °F)
Highs: 30 °C (85 °F)
Rain: 205 mm (8.1 in)

Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

October

Average: 25 °C (77 °F)
Lows: 19 °C (67 °F)
Highs: 30 °C (87 °F)
Rain: 238 mm (9.4 in)

Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

November

Average: 25 °C (77 °F)
Lows: 20 °C (67 °F)
Highs: 31 °C (87 °F)
Rain: 223 mm (8.8 in)

Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

December

Average: 25 °C (77 °F)
Lows: 20 °C (68 °F)
Highs: 31 °C (87 °F)
Rain: 288 mm (11.4 in)

Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.

National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).

What is acceptable to wear is a matter of local law and custom: read Local laws and customs. For seasonal hazards such as storms, floods or extreme heat, read the official section Extreme weather and natural disasters.

Entry requirements and visas

Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Papua New Guinea.

About this page

This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.