Papua New Guinea Travel Tips

Make sure to choose comprehensive travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, accidents, medical, and loss of baggage prior to your departure.  Booking and cancellation conditions will be sent out at time of booking, and we recommend you have insurance in place from the moment to put down any deposits towards your booking.

If your trip involves scuba diving, it should be noted that the closest hyperbaric chamber is located in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.  Papua New Guinea does not have an emergency rescue organisation, and in the event that evacuation is required, any evacuation must be arranged with private air transport companies.  Since emergency transportation and treatment cost is the responsibility of each guest, we require that you have evacuation insurance suitable for divers visiting remote areas.  We highly recommend DAN insurance.

For more information go to: https://world.dan.org

Please remember to pack your certification card, insurance details and log book (if you have one).  Please bring originals of the signed guest information sheet and waiver with you and hand to reception at the resort or the dive manager.  The dive team will find you in the main resort area on arrival or around dinner time to give you information on how the dive days are organized and what to expect during your stay with us.

The currency of Papua New Guinea is the Kina.  This should be available for exchange at currency counters within most international airports before your trip.  If there is a problem obtaining Kina before your departure, there is an ATM as well as a currency exchange desk at the international airport upon arrival in Port Moresby.  If you were not planning to venture outside Walindi Resort, you will not need to carry much Kina – we accept cash AUD, USD, Euro and Kina as well as all major credit cards (MasterCard/ Visa/ Amex/ Diners/ JCB).  There is no surcharge for credit card payments made at the resort.

Most nationalities are required to obtain a tourist visa before visiting PNG.  Visa On Arrival is only available to a select few nationalities.  Please see the PNG Immigration website for the most up to date information: https://ica.gov.pg/visa-information/visa-on-arrival 

Most nationalities can apply for a tourist visa online for USD50.  Online applications can be made through the following website only: https://evisa.ica.gov.pg/evisa/account/Apply 

Step by step procedures for applying for the easy-visitor visa can be found here: https://walindiresort.com/png-online-visa-process 

Please do not apply for a online visa at the last minute, as there can be delays in processing.  We recommend you apply a few months prior to your travel date.  The easy-visitor 30 or 60 day e-visa is valid for 6 months from date of issue.

When travelling internationally always ensure you have 6 months validity on your passport from the last date of your travels.

Note that all tourism related services prepaid from outside Papua New Guinea are currently exempt from GST, and all published rates do not include for GST.  This is a PNG government incentive and subject to change without notice.  We reserve the right to apply any changes to this policy as they occur.  All purchases/services paid for within Papua New Guinea are subject to an additional 10% GST charge.

Clothing should be lightweight, comfortable sportswear and bathing suits are a must.  A light sweater or throw over is ideal for evening, especially during the months of June through to August.  Dress code at Walindi is casual, however it should be noted that Papua New Guineans in New Britain may be offended by ladies with uncovered upper thighs, and we ask that you respect local customs.

A daily laundry service is provided at the Resort at no extra cost.  Hair dryers can be provided on request.

Additional items you may want to bring are sunscreen, toothpaste, sunglasses, a hat or visor, bug spray or lotion and an international travel adaptor.

To respect the local traditions and customs, women are asked to wear a skirt or pants that cover the upper legs while outside the resort.

If you are flying into Papua New Guinea with Air Niugini (PX flight number, not QF codeshare) and connecting same day to an Air Niugini domestic flight, then you are entitled to an additional 15kg free checked-in baggage allowance for scuba diving equipment. 

This is an arrangement between PNG Divers Association and Air Niugini.  Some counter staff might not know of this, but it is always worth mentioning it if they are not aware.  Regular weight allowances for economy passengers on Air Niugini are 30kg for international and 16kg for domestic flights.  For more information please see: https://www.airniugini.com.pg/travel-information/baggage/baggage-allowance/

Port Moresby is the major international airport for Papua New Guinea, and most international air travellers will enter the country via this airport.  If you already have your visa, proceed straight to the "Visitors with Visas" line.  Even if you are entitled to visa on arrival, we do recommend organising a visa before your trip as the lines can be long and slow, and the flight connections can be quite tight.  If you are getting your visa on arrival, then you will need to go to the “Visitors without Visas” line to obtain a tourist visa in your passport.

If you are connecting through to an Air Niugini domestic flight on the same day, there is a domestic transfer check-in counter at the international terminal.  Once you collect your bags and clear customs, continue straight to the check in counters (do not exit the terminal).  It is recommended you re-lodge your luggage here for your onward domestic flight and collect your boarding pass before you head to the domestic terminal as the domestic terminal can be very busy and crowded.

Once you have your domestic boarding pass, you can proceed up to the domestic terminal, which is a short walk from the international terminal.  Exit the international terminal onto the street and turn sharp right.  Follow the covered walkway up to the domestic terminal departures door.  Once you have cleared security, there is another security point through a door on the back wall (marked domestic departure lounge).

In the event your flight to Hoskins (HKN) is delayed or cancelled, stay calm and do not panic!  Please ensure you contact Walindi either via email or phone to discuss options. 

You may not get much indication from airline staff as to what to do next in the event of a cancellation.  If you have already checked your bags, head back to the domestic luggage carousel to find them.  Once you have all your belongings, exit the domestic terminal and go to the international building.  Locate the customer service desk for your airline and explain your flight was cancelled and request assistance to re-schedule.  The airline staff member should then organise you overnight accommodation if necessary, shuttle transfers and issue you with a new departure time. Alternatively, you can go to the customer service desk in the domestic terminal but to avoid excessive lines and unnecessary wait times we recommend seeing staff at the international terminal first. 

We do make every attempt to track down guests who may not arrive due to cancelled or delayed flights, and wherever possible obtain revised travel plans directly from the airline or agents.  The airport pickup transfer from Hoskins will then be re-scheduled accordingly.  However, we ask that guests attempt to contact Walindi Resort if they can (see contact details below) to advise that you will not be arriving as planned.  If you do not have a phone with you, most hotels in Port Moresby will contact Walindi if requested, to advise of revised plans. 

Contact numbers for Walindi Plantation Resort: +675 723 48460 or +675 7373 4199

Hoskins is the domestic airport in West New Britain, approximately a 35 minute drive into Kimbe Town and a further 20 minute drive to Walindi Resort.

The Walindi driver will be awaiting your arrival at Hoskins airport and will assist you with your luggage.  If you cannot find him (he will have a Walindi shirt and a sign), the security guard at the luggage collection area will be able to point him out.  You will need your luggage tags to present to security prior to removing your luggage.

Your departure transfer from Walindi will also be organized for you.  Please check with reception the evening prior for confirmation of departure time.

All international visitors are required to pay a Green Fee of PGK 50.00 upon departure from Port Moresby International Airport.  The payment booth is located next to the check-in counters.  This initiative is part of the PNG Government commitment to climate action, with its focus on sustainable tourism, marine biodiversity conservation.

Wi-Fi access is available at the main resort building (reception/restaurant/bar/library/pool area) at no extra charge. Please note that the wi-fi does not reach down to the Bungalows and hotel rooms.

There is also phone network all throughout the resort, and if your network provider allows international roaming you can select Digicel PNG as the local provider.  If you prefer to purchase a local SIM card, you can do so on arrival at the Port Moresby international terminal.  Just after clearing customs, you will see a Digicel PNG stand opposite the main exit doors of the international terminal.  Phone credit and data can be topped up via their app.

Before your trip, make sure to consult your personal physician or a travel doctor with regards to a malaria preventative medication or any other vaccines you may need.  Malaria is prevalent in New Guinea but easily prevented.  Regardless of whether you are taking an anti-malarial or not, the best preventative measures are to ensure you cover up during the early morning and late afternoon/early evening hours with loose, lightweight cotton clothing, and use a personal mosquito repellent.  Please note that if you are diving with us, Larium is not recommended as an anti-malarial for divers.

The electrical current at Walindi Resort is 240 volts.  Plugs are Australian, three pin, and you may want to bring an adaptor with you (a limited amount of adaptors are available on request for guest use).

Power at Walindi Resort is supplied by generator between the hours of 6am and 11pm (the power will come on earlier if you have an early departure or early tours) and your room is also fitted with a 24 hour, 12v system which will run the ceiling fan, lighting and a charging socket overnight.