Climate and clothing: Papua New Guinea has a tropical monsoon climate, although temperature varies considerably with elevation. In most areas, lightweight clothing is appropriate year round, but warmer clothes may be necessary in the highlands.

Visas and customs: Tourist visas, valid for 60 days, may be obtained at Papua New Guinea Missions aboard for 5 kina. Tourist visas valid for 30 days only also are available for 5 kina upon arrival at the port Moresby Jackson International Airport; entry at any other point without a visa is prohibited. Applicants must have a passport valid for 6 months longer than their intended stay, evidence of return or onward passage, and a visa (if required) for the next country on their itinerary. Business persons or those who intend to work in Papua New Guinea must obtain a business visa or work permit prior to arrival. All visitors are required to pay a departure tax of 10 kina prior to their departure at Jackson Airport. Tourists' personal property generally is exempt from customs duty. Agriculture quarantine is strict, and domestic pets are refused entry. Blank video tapes are subject to customs duty and must be declared. Certain types of literature, such as some popular men's magazines, are defined as pornographic and are subject to confiscation and heavy fines.

Currency: No restrictions are placed on bringing U.S. dollars into or out of Papua New Guinea. Letters of credit, travelers' checks, U.S. currency, and personal checks drawn on U.S. banks are freely negotiable. Papua New Guinea uses a decimal currency systems; the units are kina and toea (100 toea = 1 kina).

Health: Health conditions in Papua New Guinea are generally adequate, and most serious endemic diseases are not a problem. Malaria, however, is endemic to the area and includes chloroquine resistant strains. Seek medical advice prior to arrival for recommended precautions. Hospitals and pharmacies are small and are limited to urban centers and missions.

Telecommunications: International telephone, telegraph, telex, and postal services are available.

Transportation: Port Moresby has 6 weekly flights to Australia and two flights to Solomon Islands and Singapore. Continental Airlines has two flights a week to Guam with connections to the United States. There are weekly flights to Manila, and Jayapura, Indonesia. Air Niugini and several smaller airlines provide internal air service, and charters are easily arranged. Taxis and rental cars are available in the major towns. Bus service exists in the few areas where there are connecting roads. The longest road is the Highlands highway from Lae to Wabag and beyond. There are no railroads.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, July 1989.