Papua New Guinea Travel Risk

Reconsider travel to Papua New Guinea due to crime, civil unrest, and piracy. Exercise increased caution due to kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, inconsistent availability of healthcare services, and potential for natural disasters. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Violent crime, including sexual assault, carjackings, home invasions, and armed robberies, is common. There have been reports of criminals attacking resorts popular with foreign tourists to steal goods and money. Tensions between communal or tribal groups may lead to civil unrest involving violence and can occur without warning. Police presence is limited outside of the capital, Port Moresby, and police may be unable to assist due to limited resources.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port Moresby due to limited transportation infrastructure. U.S. government employees must obtain authorization before traveling to certain areas, including the central part of Bougainville and the provinces of Southern Highlands, Western Highlands (excluding Mt. Hagen), Eastern Highlands (excluding Goroka), Hela, Enga, Jiwaka, and other areas of Papua New Guinea where one is unable to fly directly.

Piracy is active in the waters surrounding Papua New Guinea. Travelers by boat should reconsider travel to the Bismarck and Solomon Seas along Papua New Guinea's north and eastern coasts. In 2021 and 2022, the Embassy was aware of at least three occasions in which sailboats operated by or carrying U.S. citizens were boarded by criminals. The criminals, who have been known to use physical violence, robbed the boats, and in one incident, severely injured the captain when he attempted to fight back.

Do not travel to:

• Central Bougainville, particularly areas near the Panguna mine, due to civil unrest.
• The Highlands region, other than the towns of Mt. Hagen and Goroka, due to civil unrest.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Hela and Southern Highlands Provinces due to the high risk of tribal fighting
• Enga Province in the Highlands, except Wabag District

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Interruptions to water and electricity supply

Papua New Guinea can experience interruptions in the supply of water and electricity to urban centres. The water supplier to Port Moresby, Water PNG, completed some planned maintenance works in mid-August.

Consider personal preparedness and regularly check media updates from Water PNG for the latest information.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator
• review your travel insurance policy for coverage
• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Papua New Guinea.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Papua New Guinea

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Papua New Guinea, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Tribal fighting

Outbreaks of tribal fighting are common across Papua New Guinea, including tourist areas. Ethnic disputes can quickly escalate and lead to widespread destruction of property, disruption of normal services and serious injury. Tribal fighters may be armed.

Although tribal fighters do not normally attack foreign nationals, you should stay away from areas where there is fighting.

Stay alert, monitor local media and consult local contacts such as your hotel before you travel to a new area. Be particularly cautious in the suburbs of Port Moresby and the Highlands Region. See Regional risks.

This section has safety advice for regions of Papua New Guinea. It only covers regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Enga, Hela and Southern Highlands Provinces

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Hela, Southern Highlands and Enga Provinces (except Wabag District) due to the high risk of tribal fighting.

If you plan to travel there, be cautious, stay away from large crowds and gatherings and consider getting private security advice. Pay attention to local advice on curfews and other restrictions which may be imposed at short notice.

Be particularly cautious and stay away from, the area around the Porgera gold mine, which has been subject to violent landowner disputes.

See Tribal fighting.

Papua New Guinea-Indonesia border

The land border between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia stretches for around 760km and is poorly defined. There are sometimes armed clashes along the border between the Indonesian military and the Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM, Free Papua Movement).

The Papua New Guinea government has defence units at its Wutung border post in Sandaun Province. Be extremely cautious and be prepared for possible sudden closure of the border crossing.

Bougainville Island

Bougainville Island has been calm since a 2001 peace agreement ended separatist fighting. You should still be cautious, particularly in central and southern Bougainville. There is a risk of lawlessness and violence. The autonomous Bougainville government has designated the mountainous area in central Bougainville around the old Panguna mine a ‘no go zone’. Do not travel to it without prior authorisation.

Risk level

PAPUA NEW GUINEA - AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL

Avoid non-essential travel to Papua New Guinea due to high levels of crime, inter-ethnic violence and civil unrest.

Escalating tensions in the Highlands Region

Since August 2024, inter-tribal armed violent clashes have intensified in the Porgera Valley of Enga Province. The conflict has led to casualties and the destruction of property. The clashes spread to the neighbouring provinces of Hela, Southern Highlands and Western Highlands, including the city of Mount Hagen, where tensions remain high.

Local authorities declared a state of emergency in the area. They have also issued:

• a ban on alcohol sales
• expanded powers for local law enforcement, including the use of lethal force against armed individuals
• a nightly curfew from 6 pm to 6 am
• roadblocks and ID checkpoints

• Avoid areas where protests or clashes are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including any evacuation, curfew or movement restriction orders
• Monitor local media for the latest information on the situation

Water supply disruptions in Port Moresby

Water and electricity supply is regularly interrupted in Papua New Guinea. Port Moresby's water utility company is urgently repairing its aging infrastructure and pipelines.

巴布亚新几内亚风险等级为橙色（高风险）。

外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往巴布亚新几内亚，已在当地的人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。