U.S. State Department: Papua New Guinea Remains Level 3 'Reconsider Travel'

Key points

• Papua New Guinea is at Level 3 'Reconsider Travel' due to crime, civil unrest and piracy.
• Increased caution is urged over kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, inconsistent healthcare services and potential natural disasters.
• Central Bougainville, particularly near the Panguna mine, is Level 4 'Do Not Travel' due to civil unrest, and Bougainville police lack resources to respond to emergency calls.
• The Highlands region other than Mt. Hagen and Goroka is Level 4 'Do Not Travel' due to civil unrest from tribal violence.
• Violent crime including sexual assault, carjackings, home invasions and armed robberies is common, and criminals have attacked resorts popular with foreign tourists.
• Police presence is limited outside Port Moresby, and the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services outside Port Moresby due to limited transportation infrastructure.
• U.S. government employees must obtain authorization before traveling to Central Bougainville and the provinces of Southern Highlands, Western Highlands (excluding Mt. Hagen), Eastern Highlands (excluding Goroka), Hela, Enga and Jiwaka.
• In 2021 and 2022, the Embassy was aware of at least three occasions when sailboats operated by or carrying U.S. citizens were boarded and robbed, and in one incident the captain was severely injured when he attempted to fight back.