Things to Do in Port Moresby

About Port Moresby

Port Moresby hits you with its contradictions. The first breath off the plane carries the salt-damp scent of the Coral Sea, quickly layered with the sweet smoke of a thousand cooking fires and the sharp, dusty smell of a city built on limestone. This is a capital that sprawls across a peninsula of hills, where the gated compounds of Waigani – home to parliament and diplomats – look down on the corrugated iron and breeze-block improvisation of settlements like ATS, and where the polished glass of the Vision City mall feels a world away from the raw, kinetic energy of the Koki Fish Market at dawn. Here, a plate of mud crab and a cold SP Lager at the Airways Hotel’s poolside bar can cost PGK 120 ($35), a genuine splurge, while a dozen skewers of charred, nutty-flavored chicken cooked over coconut husks at a roadside mumu pit will set you back PGK 15 ($4.50). The city’s public transport is a chaotic, privately-run fleet of PMVs (Public Motor Vehicles) that requires local guidance to navigate, and walking long distances isn’t advised – you’ll need to budget for taxis or a rental car. But that friction is part of the point. Port Moresby isn’t a curated experience; it’s Papua New Guinea’s raw, beating heart, and from the panoramic silence of the Varirata National Park lookout to the humbling beauty of the National Museum’s Sepik River spirit houses, it offers a gateway to a country that will redefine your sense of adventure.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Navigating Port Moresby requires a plan. Forget public buses in the conventional sense; the city runs on PMVs, privately-owned minibuses that follow set routes but have no formal stops or schedules. Your first move should be to arrange airport pickup through your hotel (PGK 80-120 / $25-35). For getting around, ride-hailing apps like Indrive are currently your safest, most reliable bet for taxis. A trip from downtown to the Nature Park might cost PGK 30-40 ($9-12). Renting a car with a driver for the day (PGK 400-600 / $115-175) isn't cheap, but it's the most efficient way to see scattered sights like the Bomana War Cemetery or Adventure Park PNG. The one pitfall to avoid? Hailing random taxis off the street; always use a booked service.

Money: Cash is king, but plastic works in a pinch. The kina (PGK) is the local currency, and you'll need plenty of small bills for markets, PMVs, and roadside stalls. ATMs are common in shopping centers like Vision City and Deloitte Haus, but dispense large PGK 100 notes – break them quickly at a supermarket. Major hotels and upscale restaurants in Waigani accept credit cards, but expect a 3-5% surcharge. A decent insider trick: carry a mix of PGK 5, PGK 10, and PGK 20 notes in separate pockets to avoid flashing a wad of cash. Tipping isn't expected, but rounding up a fare or leaving PGK 5-10 for exceptional service is appreciated. Keep receipts for any currency exchange; you'll need them to convert leftover kina back at the airport.

Cultural Respect: Papua New Guinea is a nation of over 800 languages and cultures, and respect starts with observation. In public, dress modestly – avoid short shorts and sleeveless tops for both men and women. When visiting villages (often arranged through tour operators), a small gift of store-bought rice or tobacco for the headman is a significant gesture of thanks. Photography is a sensitive issue. Never, ever point your camera at someone without explicit, verbal permission – a nod isn't enough. The best approach is to engage in conversation first, ask if you can take a photo, and be prepared to pay a small fee of PGK 5-20 ($1.50-6). This isn't a scam; it's recognition of their image as personal property. A simple "tenkyu" (thank you in Tok Pisin) goes a long way.

Food Safety: Eat hot, eat fresh, and follow the locals. The safest and most thrilling meals are cooked to order right in front of you. At the Koki Fish Market, point to the just-caught barramundi or tuna, watch it grilled over hot coals with lime and chili, and eat it on the spot for about PGK 25-40 ($7-12). Avoid pre-cut fruit salads from street vendors. Stick to fruit you can peel yourself, like bananas or papaya. Tap water isn't safe to drink; bottled water (PGK 3-5 / $0.90-1.50 for 1.5L) is essential. For a truly local experience, try a "mumu" – food slow-cooked in an earth oven with hot stones. If you're invited to one, it’s a privilege; the flavors of smoky pork and kaukau (sweet potato) are unforgettable. The one rule: if a cooked dish has been sitting out in the tropical heat for hours, give it a miss.

When to Visit

Port Moresby's weather dictates everything. The city has two distinct seasons, and your tolerance for humidity is the deciding factor. The dry season (May to October) is the clear winner for most visitors. Daytime temperatures hover between 28-32°C (82-90°F), nights are cooler, and rainfall is sparse. This is peak season: flights from Australia fill up, hotel prices in Waigani can be 30-40% higher, and rental cars get booked weeks in advance. It's the best time for hiking in Varirata National Park and for clear-water diving trips to nearby reefs. The wet season (November to April) brings daily, torrential downpours, soaring humidity, and temperatures that rarely dip below 30°C (86°F). This is the challenging period. Landslides can close roads, humidity is oppressive, and some coastal activities get canceled. However, this is when hotel prices tend to drop by as much as half, the hills turn a active green, and you'll have cultural sites like the National Museum largely to yourself. The shoulder months of May and October are likely your best bet – you'll catch the tail end or the beginning of the dry season's agreeable weather, with thinner crowds and slightly softer prices. Major events like the Hiri Moale Festival (September) celebrating Motu maritime trade, or the PNG Arts and Cultural Show (August, though the date shifts) are worth planning a trip around, but book everything far in advance if you do.