Social ConventionsThere are considerable variations of custom and belief. Approximately 95 per cent of Kosreans are Congregationalists with a deeply held respect for Sunday as a day of rest. Pre-European influences are stronger elsewhere and nowhere more so than in Yap where visitors are only allowed with prior permission. Use of islands, paths, beaches etc may also require permission in many areas; it is best to check beforehand.
Photography: Permission should always be sought. Though people are friendly, and usually accommodating, not to seek prior permission before taking pictures
is considered an insult, especially on some of the more remote islands.
International Travel:Getting There by AirPalau Micronesia Air (website:
www.palau-air.com).
Continental Micronesia (CS) flights link the major islands with Guam, Honolulu, Manila and Tokyo.
Air Nauru provides services linking Pohnpei to Australia, Fiji, Guam, Manila and Nauru.
Air PassesVisit the South Pacific Pass: valid for many airlines operating in the South Pacific, including most of the larger ones, such as
Air Caledonie,
Air Marshall Islands,
Air Nauru,
Air Niugingi,
Air Pacific,
Air Vanuatu,
Polynesian Airlines,
Qantas,
Royal Tongan Airlines and
Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 40% on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) and New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington). It is only available for people resident outside of the South Pacific. The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two sectors must be bought before departure (extra sectors can be purchased en route). There is a maximum of one pass per person, and passes must be used within six months of the first day of travel. Children under 12 years of age pay 75% of the adult fare. For details and conditions, contact the
South Pacific Tourist Organization (see
General Info).
Departure TaxUS$10 for Pohnpei; $15 for Chuuk; $10 Kosrae; no departure tax for Yap.
Main AirportsPohnpei (PNI) is 5km (3 miles) from Kolonia.
To/from the airport: Taxis are available.
Facilities: Car hire, light snacks and tourist information.
Guam (website:
www.guamairport.com) is 3km (2 miles) from Tumon Bay (travel time - 10 minutes).
To/from the airport:
Taxis are available, as is car hire.
Facilities: Fast food outlets, bars, shops for consumer goods, bureaux de change, ATMs, tourist information and car hire.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Chuuk, Pohnpei and
Yap. Inter-island trading
ships based in Pohnpei, Yap and Chuuk visit the outlying islands.
Getting There by RoadThere are good roads in and around major island centers, although most roads remain unpaved.
Bus: No scheduled service, although some buses may be available for hire or charter. On Yap, a school bus runs twice daily from Colonia to the villages.
Taxi: Available throughout Micronesia and inexpensive.
Car hire: Self-drive cars are available in major towns.
Documentation: National driving license or International Driving Permit required.
OverviewThe following goods may be taken into the Federated States of Micronesia without incurring customs duty by travelers aged over 18 years and above:
600 cigarettes or 454g of cigars or tobacco;
2l of alcoholic beverages;
a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.Alcohol for passengers over 21 years of age only.
Firearms and ammunition. Plants and animals must be declared and will be subject to restrictions.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirContinental Air Micronesia (website:
www.continental.com) flies between Pohnpei and the three other States and to neighboring countries (three-times weekly to Hawaii and four-times weekly to Guam). Travel to the outer islands of Pohnpei State are operated by
Caroline Islands Air. These services are known to be highly expensive.
Pohnpei's State ship, the
Micro Glory, is in poor condition so these runs are now being handled by the
FSM Voyager on a quarterly basis between
Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele and Moen.
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