The magnificent sceneries from the high mountains that overlooked the skies and the tropical breeze from the sea makes Papua New Guinea an unspoiled paradise that lies in the vast Pacific Ocean. Its island provinces are filled with unblemished and diverse natural resources, and serve as the home to its people. Aside from the beautiful sceneries ranging from jungle-covered mountains and fine-sandy white beaches that can be found in the country, it is also home immaculate coral atolls on its coastal regions. The most fascinating attractions in the country are the magnificent beaches that are excellent for diving and surfing.
Most of the country is not fully developed and it is absolutely great for travelers who are looking for unspoiled places and adventures. There are various landscapes in the country and it looks like a well-crafted paradise created by nature.
Papua New Guinea has more than 600 islands and it is a part of a great arc of mountains starting from Asia that goes through Indonesia towards the South Pacific. It is consist of a National Capital District and four regions which are made up of 19 provinces. There are at least 800 native languages in the country that only proved its diversity both in natural resources and its people. The country is also the home of the largest intact rainforest outside of the Amazon and inhabits unique forms of flora and fauna.
The country is splendid with wonderful mountains and well-preserved cave systems which is excellent for people who are looking for amazing adventures. The delta system of Papua New Guinea’s rivers is excellent for kayaking, canoeing as well as fishing.
Most of the country is not fully developed and it is absolutely great for travelers who are looking for unspoiled places and adventures. There are various landscapes in the country and it looks like a well-crafted paradise created by nature.
Papua New Guinea has more than 600 islands and it is a part of a great arc of mountains starting from Asia that goes through Indonesia towards the South Pacific. It is consist of a National Capital District and four regions which are made up of 19 provinces. There are at least 800 native languages in the country that only proved its diversity both in natural resources and its people. The country is also the home of the largest intact rainforest outside of the Amazon and inhabits unique forms of flora and fauna.
The country is splendid with wonderful mountains and well-preserved cave systems which is excellent for people who are looking for amazing adventures. The delta system of Papua New Guinea’s rivers is excellent for kayaking, canoeing as well as fishing.
People, Culture & Language
The indigenous people of Papua New Guinea are commonly called “Papuans” or “Papuan people”. There are many cultural groups in the country and they speak the “Papuan languages”. However, some people in the country are Austronesians, speakers of a different language that is introduced three thousand years ago in New Guinea.
In general, there are four distinct groups of people in Papua New Guinea. These groups of people are: the New Guineans (from the north of the main island), Papuans (from the south), Highlanders, and Islanders. There are considerable differences among these groups that make the entire country of Papua New Guinea well-diverse in terms of culture, traditions and languages.
It is estimated that there are at least thousands of ethnic groups in the country and due to this, many styles and culture exist in different places. Each of these groups has their own cultural expression and created their own form of arts, dance, costumes, music, literature, weaponry and more.
Most of the people in Papua New Guinea lives in rural areas and typically rely on subsistence farming. Some groups depend on hunting and plants-gathering in order to live. In their own culture, those individuals that became skilled in farming, hunting and fishing gained great respect from other people. On the area near the Sepik River, a tradition of wood-carving is practiced in forms of plants or animals that represent ancient spirits.
The people of highlands has a colorful rituals they called “sing-sing” on which they paint themselves and dress up in feathers, animal skins or pearls in order to represent nature’s spirits. In some occasion, a legendary battle is enacted to accolade with the musical events.
Since Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, there are at least 800 different languages in the country. The official language is English and is used by the government and the education system but not widely spoken. The primary lingua franca of the country is Tok Pisin and is commonly spoken but it is not rampant in the southern region of Papua where people used the third primary language which is Hiri Motu. In the capital of the country, the Port Moresby has a diverse population that used Tok Pisin despite of its location being in the Papua region. Hiri Motu are spoken as the indigenous language at the outlying villages while English speakers are less.
The indigenous people of Papua New Guinea are commonly called “Papuans” or “Papuan people”. There are many cultural groups in the country and they speak the “Papuan languages”. However, some people in the country are Austronesians, speakers of a different language that is introduced three thousand years ago in New Guinea.
In general, there are four distinct groups of people in Papua New Guinea. These groups of people are: the New Guineans (from the north of the main island), Papuans (from the south), Highlanders, and Islanders. There are considerable differences among these groups that make the entire country of Papua New Guinea well-diverse in terms of culture, traditions and languages.
It is estimated that there are at least thousands of ethnic groups in the country and due to this, many styles and culture exist in different places. Each of these groups has their own cultural expression and created their own form of arts, dance, costumes, music, literature, weaponry and more.
Most of the people in Papua New Guinea lives in rural areas and typically rely on subsistence farming. Some groups depend on hunting and plants-gathering in order to live. In their own culture, those individuals that became skilled in farming, hunting and fishing gained great respect from other people. On the area near the Sepik River, a tradition of wood-carving is practiced in forms of plants or animals that represent ancient spirits.
The people of highlands has a colorful rituals they called “sing-sing” on which they paint themselves and dress up in feathers, animal skins or pearls in order to represent nature’s spirits. In some occasion, a legendary battle is enacted to accolade with the musical events.
Since Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, there are at least 800 different languages in the country. The official language is English and is used by the government and the education system but not widely spoken. The primary lingua franca of the country is Tok Pisin and is commonly spoken but it is not rampant in the southern region of Papua where people used the third primary language which is Hiri Motu. In the capital of the country, the Port Moresby has a diverse population that used Tok Pisin despite of its location being in the Papua region. Hiri Motu are spoken as the indigenous language at the outlying villages while English speakers are less.
Cultural Festivals
With various ethnic groups in the country, many cultural festivals are happening in different places. Some of these festivals are popular in the entire country while the others are beautifully celebrated in seclusion in some of the remote areas such as the island provinces and local villages.
Festivals like the annual Goroka and Mt. Hagen shows on which “sing sing” is performed are among the most popular activities for tourists. “Goroka Show” is probably the most colorful event in the country on which more than fifty ensembles turn up.
Other festivals of Papua New Guinea are:
Ambunti Crocodile Festival which taking place at the banks of Sepik River in the Middle Sepik area. A stay in Ambunti Lodge and a combined Sepik River expedition and village home stay on Yuo Island, near Wewak are the highlights of this event.
Mount Hagen Show is the host of ‘Sing-Sing” from the tribes of Western Highlands Province.
Rabaul National Mask Festival is the annual event held at Rabaul and was staged by the National Cultural Commission to promote the Mask Cultures of Papua New Guinea.
Kenu & Kundu Festival is the event to showcase the numerous cultural dances, ‘kundus’ and amazing canoes from the tribes at the Milne Bay Province.
Morobe Show is the annual event in Papua New Guinea’s second largest city and it is hosted by the Morobe Provincial Agricultural Society.
Enga Show is another festival from the Highlands region from the people of Enga.
Other notable festivals in the country are Hiri Moale festival, The Malagan show and the Yamut Festival at Kavieng, New Ireland and The Tufi Cultural show. The Trobriand Islands people are also celebrating their Yam Festival.
With various ethnic groups in the country, many cultural festivals are happening in different places. Some of these festivals are popular in the entire country while the others are beautifully celebrated in seclusion in some of the remote areas such as the island provinces and local villages.
Festivals like the annual Goroka and Mt. Hagen shows on which “sing sing” is performed are among the most popular activities for tourists. “Goroka Show” is probably the most colorful event in the country on which more than fifty ensembles turn up.
Other festivals of Papua New Guinea are:
Ambunti Crocodile Festival which taking place at the banks of Sepik River in the Middle Sepik area. A stay in Ambunti Lodge and a combined Sepik River expedition and village home stay on Yuo Island, near Wewak are the highlights of this event.
Mount Hagen Show is the host of ‘Sing-Sing” from the tribes of Western Highlands Province.
Rabaul National Mask Festival is the annual event held at Rabaul and was staged by the National Cultural Commission to promote the Mask Cultures of Papua New Guinea.
Kenu & Kundu Festival is the event to showcase the numerous cultural dances, ‘kundus’ and amazing canoes from the tribes at the Milne Bay Province.
Morobe Show is the annual event in Papua New Guinea’s second largest city and it is hosted by the Morobe Provincial Agricultural Society.
Enga Show is another festival from the Highlands region from the people of Enga.
Other notable festivals in the country are Hiri Moale festival, The Malagan show and the Yamut Festival at Kavieng, New Ireland and The Tufi Cultural show. The Trobriand Islands people are also celebrating their Yam Festival.
Things to do in Papua New Guinea
With various spots for different activities for tourists, Papua New Guinea can offer many things do ranging from breathtaking escapade on the mountains and forest into the exciting adventure on the explicit waters of the country.
Among the best things to do when visiting Papua New Guinea are the following:
Scuba Diving
Papua New Guinea has some of the most magnificent tropical reef diving spots in the world. There are dozens of local scuba diving operators in the country and innumerable good diving spots in the south.
Birdwatching
This is for tourist who wants to venture the highlands and interior of the country. Papua New Guinea has various species of birds with different sizes and colors; it’s just a great experience to see these creatures.
Trekking
This activity suited for walkers and the country have many mountains and coastal lowlands suited for trekking. The Kokoda Track is popular among walkers and amazing to venture because of picturesque scenery along the way.
Surfing
The beautiful beaches of the country with its mild tropical climate are perfectly suited for surfing.
Fishing
In some regions of the country, various fishing activities are offers to the tourists. It is becoming a popular activity among the travelers and it includes amazing species of fishes like Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Yellow Fin, Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish), Mackerel, Dogtooth Tuna, Sailfish, the Giant Trevally and Wahoo.
Flightseeing
Flying around in some of the remote airstrips of the country is an interesting adventure for a traveler who can afford. This is among the most amazing things to do when someone is in Papua New Guinea, watching the beauty of the unspoiled paradise from above is simply majestic. Fane, Ononge and Tapini strips are among the scary yet awesome strips in the vicinity.
Visa requirements
A tourist visa valid for 60 days is available upon the arrival in Port Moresby at the price of K100.00; it costs K75.00to obtained the visa before entering the country. A travel documents is necessary and a sufficient funds for staying in the country. An airline ticket with confirmed outbound flights is also needed before the expiration of the visa. There are some restrictions for applying a visa to several Asian, Eastern European and African countries. It is important to check the nearest Papua New Guinea or Australian mission that is allocated in each country for the visa requirements before going to the country.
Travel Tips
It is important to keep in mind some warnings and how to stay safe in Papua New Guinea. It’s better to avoid staying long in cities since there are not enough cultural and beautiful views to be seen. Best places and spots in the countries are found in the rural and coastal areas as well as in the local villages.
Avoid going out after the dark because criminal gangs are common especially in major cities. If taking a tour in the city, it is better to ask for a guide from the hotel or accommodation provider.
It is not advisable to swim in some bodies of water in the country because Saltwater Crocodiles are common in Papua New Guinea. There are many active volcanoes in the country and it is better to be precautious when having a trek since it involved climbing or getting close among one of these.
Note: All photo credit in this posts belong to its rightful owners.
With various spots for different activities for tourists, Papua New Guinea can offer many things do ranging from breathtaking escapade on the mountains and forest into the exciting adventure on the explicit waters of the country.
Among the best things to do when visiting Papua New Guinea are the following:
Scuba Diving
Papua New Guinea has some of the most magnificent tropical reef diving spots in the world. There are dozens of local scuba diving operators in the country and innumerable good diving spots in the south.
Birdwatching
This is for tourist who wants to venture the highlands and interior of the country. Papua New Guinea has various species of birds with different sizes and colors; it’s just a great experience to see these creatures.
Trekking
This activity suited for walkers and the country have many mountains and coastal lowlands suited for trekking. The Kokoda Track is popular among walkers and amazing to venture because of picturesque scenery along the way.
Surfing
The beautiful beaches of the country with its mild tropical climate are perfectly suited for surfing.
Fishing
In some regions of the country, various fishing activities are offers to the tourists. It is becoming a popular activity among the travelers and it includes amazing species of fishes like Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Yellow Fin, Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish), Mackerel, Dogtooth Tuna, Sailfish, the Giant Trevally and Wahoo.
Flightseeing
Flying around in some of the remote airstrips of the country is an interesting adventure for a traveler who can afford. This is among the most amazing things to do when someone is in Papua New Guinea, watching the beauty of the unspoiled paradise from above is simply majestic. Fane, Ononge and Tapini strips are among the scary yet awesome strips in the vicinity.
Visa requirements
A tourist visa valid for 60 days is available upon the arrival in Port Moresby at the price of K100.00; it costs K75.00to obtained the visa before entering the country. A travel documents is necessary and a sufficient funds for staying in the country. An airline ticket with confirmed outbound flights is also needed before the expiration of the visa. There are some restrictions for applying a visa to several Asian, Eastern European and African countries. It is important to check the nearest Papua New Guinea or Australian mission that is allocated in each country for the visa requirements before going to the country.
Travel Tips
It is important to keep in mind some warnings and how to stay safe in Papua New Guinea. It’s better to avoid staying long in cities since there are not enough cultural and beautiful views to be seen. Best places and spots in the countries are found in the rural and coastal areas as well as in the local villages.
Avoid going out after the dark because criminal gangs are common especially in major cities. If taking a tour in the city, it is better to ask for a guide from the hotel or accommodation provider.
It is not advisable to swim in some bodies of water in the country because Saltwater Crocodiles are common in Papua New Guinea. There are many active volcanoes in the country and it is better to be precautious when having a trek since it involved climbing or getting close among one of these.
Note: All photo credit in this posts belong to its rightful owners.