Papua New Guinea

There is a high rate of serious crime in Papua New Guinea and lack of law and order in some parts of the country, mainly due to tensions between various ethnic groups, which can lead to community-based violence. Violent crime does occur and some thieves use machetes or guns. You are at greater risk if travelling alone.

With respect to your personal safety, be cautious and aware of your surroundings at all times, especially at night. Keep valuables secured and out of sight. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport. Do not walk after dark. High crime areas include Port Moresby, Mount Hagen, Lae, Goroka, and other urban areas. Avoid any squatter or settlement areas in cities.

Exercise extreme caution at banks and cash machines.

Carjacking is a risk and does occur, particularly in Port Moresby and Lae. Always keep car doors locked and windows up. Avoid travel by road after dark. If you must travel after dark, travel in a convoy or with a security escort. Many roads are in poor condition.

The safest way to travel in Papua New Guinea is with a reputable tour operator.

Avoid using Public Motor Vehicles (PMV’s), which are local taxis or buses due to poor maintenance, and also criminal activity. Travel by taxi or by transportation arranged by the hotel is safer and preferable.

Rape and sexual assault are problems in this country, and there have been reports of foreigners being targeted. Women should be particularly cautious and not travel alone in this country.

Same-sex relationships are against the law, and anyone found violating this law could be imprisoned. Avoid open displays of affection between members of the same sex.

If you plan to hike trails in PNG, travel with a guide through a reputable tour company. Parts of the trail can be closed due to land disputes, and attacks against hikers have occurred on trails. A group of hikers were attacked on the Black Cat Track in Morobe Province in September 2013 with two people left dead and several injured. Hikers will need a valid trekking permit.

Unexploded ordnance from World War II still exists in PNG, particularly along the Kokoda Trail and at Milne Bay and Rabual.

Depending on your destination, you may want to consider using a security escort.

High-risk areas include:

The highway between Lae and Nadzab Airport, especially between Kainantu and Goroka, is an area where criminals have been known to set up roadblocks to attack and rob vehicles. The area around Parliament House in Port Moresby is particularly unsafe, especially after working hours.

The border area with Indonesia is dangerous due to armed conflict between the Free Papua Movement and Indonesian military. The Wutung border post can be closed without warning. Porgera Township in Enga Province in the northern highlands has seen violence related to illegal mining. A state of emergency has been in effect indefinitely since May 2014.

Violent incidents have been reported in central and southern Bougainville, Lae, The Highlands, and Oro Province. Safety and security in Bougainville has improved, but the old Panguna mine remains off limits. If you are there without proper authorization, your passport can be confiscated.

There are tensions between ethnic or clan groups throughout the country. Violence involving weapons can break out unexpectedly between groups and lead to general lawlessness. This violence has occurred in settlement areas and marketplaces in various urban areas.

To minimize risk, check with local enforcement officials and local media for new developments of civil unrest or conflict before travelling to a new area.

Always avoid large gatherings or demonstrations, as they have turned violent in the past.