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Papua New Guinea✨ 10 best things to do in Papua New Guinea

Things to do in Papua New Guinea

1. Attend a highland showWatch hundreds of groups in feathers, shells and body paint perform at the Goroka or Mount Hagen show.
2. Cruise the Sepik RiverTravel by canoe to villages with towering spirit houses and intricate carvings.
3. Trek the Kokoda TrackFollow the historic wartime trail through rugged jungle mountains with local guides.
4. Dive Kimbe BayExplore some of the most biodiverse coral reefs on the planet off New Britain.
5. See Rabaul's volcanoesVisit a town rebuilt in the shadow of active volcanoes and explore wartime tunnels.
6. Watch birds of paradiseHead into highland forests at dawn to see spectacular courtship displays.
7. Relax in Tufi's fjordsSnorkel and kayak among rainforest-clad volcanic fjords on the north coast.
8. Join the Hiri MoaleWatch traditional lakatoi sailing canoes and celebrations in Port Moresby.
9. Visit the Trobriand IslandsExperience traditional island life and the famous yam harvest customs.
10. Taste a mumu feastShare pork, sweet potato and greens cooked in a traditional earth oven.

Papua New Guinea🗺️ Where to visit in Papua New Guinea

Where to go in Papua New Guinea

• 📍
  Port MoresbySouthern coast · capitalThe capital, with the National Museum, Parliament House and nearby Varirata National Park.
• 📍
  GorokaEastern Highlands · cultureA cool highland town famous for its cultural show and the Asaro mudmen.
• 
  Mount HagenWestern Highlands · cultureA highland hub with an annual show and gateway to forest lodges.
• 
  Sepik RiverNorth · river cultureOne of the world's great rivers, lined with villages known for art and spirit houses.
• 
  Kokoda TrackOwen Stanley Range · trekkingA demanding multi-day trek through mountains steeped in wartime history.
• 📍
  Rabaul & KokopoEast New Britain · volcanoesVolcanic landscapes, hot springs, WWII relics and mask festivals.
• 📍
  Kimbe BayWest New Britain · divingSpectacular coral reefs and marine life for divers and snorkellers.
• 📍
  Alotau & Milne BayEastern tip · islandsA gateway to beautiful islands, reefs and canoe festivals.

Papua New Guinea🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Papua New Guinea

Best time to visit Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is hot and humid on the coast and noticeably cooler in the Highlands. Rainfall varies greatly by region, with some areas wet all year and Port Moresby relatively dry.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Port Moresby (approximate averages).

Papua New Guinea🎉 Festivals & events in Papua New Guinea

• September
  Goroka ShowOne of the biggest cultural gatherings in the Pacific, timed around Independence Day.
• August
  Mount Hagen Cultural ShowHighland tribes gather in elaborate costume for performances and competitions.
• July
  National Mask FestivalHeld in East New Britain, featuring masked dancers and fire dances.
• September
  Hiri Moale FestivalCelebrates the traditional Hiri trading voyages with canoe races and a beauty pageant.
• November
  Kenu and Kundu FestivalWar canoes and drum performances in Alotau, Milne Bay.

Papua New Guinea🧭 Papua New Guinea itinerary ideas

How many days in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea🎒 Backpacking Papua New Guinea – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $70–110 a day

• PNG is expensive and logistically challenging; most travel is by domestic flight, as roads don't connect many regions.
• Use local guides and pre-arranged transport, especially in cities and the Highlands.
• PMVs (public motor vehicles) are cheap but not recommended for visitors in many areas.
• Village guesthouses and community lodges offer authentic stays at lower cost.
• Buy fresh produce at local markets, but be aware that many goods are imported and pricey.

Papua New Guinea🛡️ Safety & money in Papua New Guinea

Emergency: 112 police · 111 ambulance · 110 fire

Papua New Guinea🛬 Getting to Papua New Guinea

Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby is the main gateway, with flights from Australia, Asia and the Pacific. There are no tourist-friendly land borders, and onward travel within PNG is mainly by air.

✈️ Cheap flights to Papua New Guinea: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Papua New Guinea💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Papua New Guinea

• Papua New Guinea has more than 800 languages, more than any other country.
• Some of the earliest evidence of agriculture in the world has been found at Kuk Swamp.
• PNG's birds of paradise are famous for their elaborate plumage and dances.
• The national language Tok Pisin is a creole that combines English, German and local languages.
• Mount Wilhelm, the highest peak, can see frost even though PNG is near the equator.

Papua New Guinea❓ Papua New Guinea travel FAQ

Papua New Guinea travel questions