Travel Guide to Papua New Guinea 2026: Kokoda, Highlands & Coral Reefs
Planning to visit Papua New Guinea? This travel guide to Papua New Guinea covers everything you need for a first trip to one of the world's last great frontiers: where PNG is, the best time to go, visa rules, the 10 best places to visit, a 7-day itinerary, realistic costs, essential safety advice, and the best hotels and universities. With more than 800 languages, birds of paradise, the legendary Kokoda Track, spectacular Highland sing-sings and some of the richest coral reefs on Earth, Papua New Guinea is a destination for adventurous, well-prepared travellers.
Last updated: October 2026 · Entry rules and taxes in this travel guide to Papua New Guinea were checked against official sources
📊 Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to Papua New Guinea
- Capital: Port Moresby💡 The main gateway, on the south coast
- Currency: Kina (PGK)💡 Cash is essential outside main towns. Check today's rate
- Languages: Tok Pisin, English, Hiri Motu & PNG Sign Language💡 Over 800 local languages, the most of any country
- Population: Roughly 10–12 million💡 Estimates vary widely
- Area: 462,840 km²💡 Slightly larger than California
- Time zone: UTC+10 (Bougainville UTC+11)💡 No daylight saving time. Convert times
- Biodiversity: About 5% of the world's species💡 Including more than 30 kinds of birds of paradise
- Power: 240 V, plug type I💡 Same as Australia
ℹ️ Figures in this travel guide to Papua New Guinea are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
📍 Where Is Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea is in Oceania, just north of Australia across the Torres Strait. It covers the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, which it shares with Indonesia's Papua provinces, plus islands such as New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville. The Solomon Islands lie to the east.
Flights to Port Moresby take about 3 hours from Brisbane or Cairns, and there are connections from Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong and Nadi in Fiji. There is no road linking Port Moresby with most of the country, so domestic flights are essential. Check the distance from your city with our distance calculator, or see our Australia guide.
📅 Best Time to Visit Papua New Guinea
The best time to visit Papua New Guinea is the dry season, May to October, which is the main season for trekking the Kokoda Track, Highland festivals and diving. The wet season (December–March) brings heavy rain, slippery trails and occasional landslides, though coastal diving can still be good in some regions. The big cultural shows take place from July to September.
Best for the Kokoda Track, Highlands trips and diving.
National Mask Festival (July), Mount Hagen Show (August) and Goroka Show (September).
Independence Day (16 Sep)Celebrations of independence from Australia in 1975.
Heavy rain and difficult trails; some coastal diving remains good.
📅 Use the seasons in this travel guide to Papua New Guinea to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
🛂 Papua New Guinea Visa & Entry Requirements
Visa needed: most visitors need a tourist visa, which is usually single-entry for a stay of up to 60 days. Apply online through the official PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA) e-visa portal well before travelling.
🛬 Visa on arrival: in July 2026, PNG published a list of 28 nationalities that can get a visa on arrival, including the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, China and the UAE and several Pacific island nations. Citizens of the USA and some other countries are not on the list and should apply online in advance. Check the current list before you fly.
- Valid passportValid for at least 6 months from arrival.
- Onward ticketProof of return or onward travel and funds may be checked.
- Yellow feverA certificate is required if you arrive from a yellow fever country.
- Kokoda permitTrekkers need a Kokoda Track permit, usually arranged by licensed tour operators.
🔗 Official sources: PNG Immigration & Citizenship Authority · PNG Tourism Promotion Authority. Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking.
🛂 Entry rules in this travel guide to Papua New Guinea were last checked in October 2026.
🏔️ 10 Best Places to Visit in Papua New Guinea
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to Papua New Guinea, with the best months to see each one.
The National Museum and Art Gallery, Parliament House and Port Moresby Nature Park.
💡 Best time: May–OctRainforest trails and birds of paradise displays, an hour from Port Moresby.
💡 Best time: May–OctA 96 km, 8–10 day trek through the Owen Stanley Range, retracing a key WWII campaign.
💡 Best time: Apr–NovCool valleys, coffee plantations and the famous Mount Hagen Show sing-sing.
💡 Best time: AugOne of the world's great cultural festivals, with groups in full ceremonial dress.
💡 Best time: SepRemote river villages, haus tambaran spirit houses, carvings and crocodile initiation traditions.
💡 Best time: May–OctWorld-class reef diving off West New Britain, with huge coral diversity.
💡 Best time: May–OctA town beside active volcanoes, WWII relics and the National Mask Festival nearby.
💡 Best time: Jun–OctIsland-dotted bays, muck diving, WWII history and the canoe and kundu festival.
💡 Best time: May–NovTropical "fiords" with superb reef and wreck diving and village stays.
💡 Best time: May–Nov🗺️ 7-Day Papua New Guinea Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Distances are large and roads are limited, so this route uses domestic flights with Air Niugini or PNG Air. Book through reputable local operators who can handle transfers and guides.
Follow this route from our travel guide to Papua New Guinea day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Port Moresby: arrive with a pre-booked transfer; visit the National Museum and Parliament House.
- Varirata National Park: an early guided walk to see birds of paradise, then the Bomana War Cemetery.
- Mount Hagen (fly): transfer to a Highlands lodge and visit local villages and markets.
- Highlands: a guided cultural visit or sing-sing, and a coffee plantation tour.
- Kimbe Bay or Rabaul (fly): a coastal resort for diving, snorkelling or volcano views.
- Kimbe Bay or Rabaul: reef diving, or the Tavurvur volcano and WWII tunnels.
- Departure: fly back to Port Moresby for your international connection.
➕ With more time: trek the Kokoda Track (8–10 days with a licensed operator), take a Sepik River expedition or plan your trip around the Goroka or Mount Hagen show.
💵 How Much Does a Trip to Papua New Guinea Cost?
Papua New Guinea is an expensive destination because of domestic flights, security and limited hotels. These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding international flights. Use our currency converter to see them in your own currency.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | US$100–150 | Guesthouses and village stays, PMVs (local buses), local food |
| Mid-range | US$250–400 | Hotels and lodges, guides, domestic flights |
| Luxury | US$500 + | Dive resorts, organised festival tours and private transfers |
💡 All prices in this travel guide to Papua New Guinea are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
💡 Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to Papua New Guinea
Safety needs careful planning in Papua New Guinea. Crime, including armed robbery and carjacking, is a serious problem in Port Moresby, Lae and Mount Hagen, and tribal fighting sometimes affects parts of the Highlands. Arrange airport pick-ups in advance, avoid walking anywhere after dark, do not use public buses (PMVs) in cities and travel with reputable guides or operators. Malaria is widespread, and medical care outside Port Moresby is limited, so comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation cover is essential.
Book tours, guides and transfers through reputable companies.
There is no road network linking most regions.
Bring kina for markets and villages; ATMs are scarce outside towns.
Take advice on prevention and use repellent.
Always ask before photographing people, and expect a small fee at some events.
"Moning" (good morning) and "Tenkyu" (thank you) are warmly received.
🏨 Best Hotels & Lodges in Papua New Guinea: 8 Top Picks
Choices are limited outside Port Moresby, so book early, especially for festival season. These picks focus on secure, well-run properties.
Modern hotel next to Parliament and the government district.
Check prices on Booking.com →Large hotel connected to the Vision City mall.
Check prices on Booking.com →Secure hillside hotel next to the airport.
Check prices on Booking.com →Central hotel in the downtown business district.
Check prices on Booking.com →A mountain lodge with sweeping views of the Wahgi Valley.
Check prices on Booking.com →A renowned dive resort on the shores of Kimbe Bay.
Check prices on Booking.com →Seaside resort near Rabaul's volcanoes.
Check prices on Booking.com →A waterfront resort with diving and gardens.
Check prices on Booking.com →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Papua New Guinea: hotels are picked for security, location and reputation. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
🤝 Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
🎓 Top Universities in Papua New Guinea
Teaching at Papua New Guinea's universities is in English. The University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby and the University of Technology in Lae are the largest.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) | Port Moresby | Public |
| PNG University of Technology (Unitech) | Lae | Public |
| Divine Word University | Madang | Private, Catholic |
| University of Natural Resources and Environment | East New Britain | Public |
| Pacific Adventist University | Port Moresby | Private |
| University of Goroka | Goroka | Public |
The oldest and largest university, founded in 1965.
Visit website →The leading engineering and technology university.
Visit website →A respected private university with many programmes.
Visit website →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Papua New Guinea: major accredited institutions chosen for reputation. Order is not a strict ranking. Last checked: October 2026.
🌺 Papua New Guinean Culture & Food
Papua New Guinea has one of the most diverse cultures on Earth, with more than 800 languages and hundreds of distinct groups. Sing-sings, gatherings of song and dance in feathers, shells and body paint, are the highlight of the big shows in Goroka and Mount Hagen. The Sepik River is famous for spirit houses and carvings, and the Tolai people of East New Britain for their dramatic mask dances. The Kuk Early Agricultural Site, where people farmed up to 10,000 years ago, is Papua New Guinea's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The festive dish is the mumu: pork or chicken with sweet potato, taro and greens cooked in an earth oven of hot stones. Coastal people eat fish cooked in coconut cream, and sago is a staple along the rivers. Fresh tropical fruit, peanuts and Highlands coffee are everywhere. Say "Moning" (good morning) and "Tenkyu tru" (thank you very much).
❓ Travel Guide to Papua New Guinea: FAQ
Where is Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea is in Oceania, just north of Australia. It covers the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and around 600 smaller islands. Its capital is Port Moresby.
Do I need a visa for Papua New Guinea?
Most visitors need a tourist visa for up to 60 days, applied for online through the official ICA e-visa portal. Citizens of 28 countries, including the UK, Canada and Japan, can get a visa on arrival; US citizens should apply in advance.
What is the best time to visit Papua New Guinea?
May to October, the dry season, is best for trekking, festivals and diving. The big cultural shows are held from July to September.
Is Papua New Guinea safe for tourists?
Crime is a serious concern in Port Moresby, Lae and parts of the Highlands. Visitors who use reputable operators, pre-arranged transfers and local guides usually travel without problems. Check your government's advice before booking.
How long does the Kokoda Track take?
Most groups take 8 to 10 days to walk the 96 km Kokoda Track. You need a permit and should trek with a licensed operator.
When is the Goroka Show?
The Goroka Show is usually held in mid-September, around Independence Day on 16 September. The Mount Hagen Show is usually in August.
What currency is used in Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea uses the kina. Carry cash outside the main towns, as cards and ATMs are limited.
How many days do you need in Papua New Guinea?
A week covers Port Moresby, the Highlands and a coastal area such as Kimbe Bay or Rabaul. The Kokoda Track alone needs 8–10 days.
📚 Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to Papua New Guinea
- PNG Tourism Promotion AuthorityOfficial tourism portal
- Immigration & Citizenship AuthorityOfficial visa and e-visa information
- Kokoda Track AuthorityPermits and trekking information
- UNESCO: Kuk Early Agricultural SiteWorld Heritage listing
Finished this travel guide to Papua New Guinea? 🌍 More Pacific guides: Australia · Solomon Islands · Vanuatu · Fiji · Indonesia
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🏛️ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
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