Solomon Islands - Consular Information Sheet
July 9, 1993

Country Description:  The Solomon Islands form an archipelago in the 
southwest Pacific about 1200 miles northeast of Australia. The capital is 
Honiara on the island of Guadalcanal.  The Solomon Islands is a 
parliamentary democracy within the British Commonwealth.  Tourism facilities 
are limited, and outside of Honiara may be of poor quality.

Passports, onward/return tickets and proof of sufficient funds are required. 
 Visitors' permits are issued on arrival for stays of up to two months in a 
one-year period.  For further information travelers may consult the British 
Embassy at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. 
(202) 462-1340 or British consulates in other cities.

Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are generally adequate.  Hospitals 
and pharmacies are limited to population centers and missions.  The 
incidence of malaria is extremely high.  Many visitors begin taking malarial 
suppressants before arrival.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate 
cash payments for health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always 
valid outside the United States.  Supplemental medical insurance with 
specific overseas coverage has proved to be useful.  Information on health 
matters is available from the Centers for Disease Control's international 
travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559.

Information on Crime:  Major crimes against travelers are not common, though 
petty crimes against property frequently occur in the capital city, Honiara. 
 The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately 
to the local police, and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  Useful 
information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while 
traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet "A Safe 
Trip Abroad."  It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of 
the country in which they are traveling.  Penalties for possession, use and 
trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect 
lengthy jail sentences and fines.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy may obtain updated 
information on travel and security within the area.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located on Mud Alley in Honiara.  The 
mailing address is P.O. Box 561 Honiara, the Solomon Islands.  The telephone 
number is (677) 23-890.  There is a consul/charge d'affaires resident in 
Honiara who performs consular services for U.S. citizens.  The U.S. 
Ambassador is resident in Port Moresby, New Guinea.

No. 93-191

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated November 23, 1992 to 
include information on reporting the loss or theft of a U.S. passport.