Solo Female Travel in Port Moresby

Situated along the shores of the Gulf of Papua on the island of New Guinea, lies the vibrant city of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Known for its picturesque settings, rich history, and cultural diversity, Port Moresby offers its visitors a unique travel experience. It's particularly renowned for its Parliament Haus, which showcases traditional architecture, and the National Museum and Art Gallery, offering a deep dive into the country's cultural and colonial legacy. Nature lovers, too, will marvel at the wildlife and exotic botanic varieties housed within the Port Moresby Nature Park. The city's colorful local markets, such as the Koki Fish market, are a haven for those wishing to sample the local cuisine and crafts. Whether it's history, art, wildlife, or a mix of urban and seaside charm that you seek, Port Moresby gives you a glimpse into the heart of Papua New Guinea.

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Is Port Moresby good for solo travel?

Safety:

Safety:Unsafe

As a solo female traveler in Port Moresby, you may face certain safety concerns. While it's not impossible to travel safely, it requires caution, preparation, and vigilance. Street crime, pickpocketing, and carjacking are common, especially at night. Women particularly should be careful in isolated areas or when travelling alone. It's strongly encouraged to use hotel shuttles or prearranged transportation, avoid walking alone after dusk, and always be aware of your surroundings. Regular safety measures and precautions that you'd take in any other place should be amplified in this region.
Transport:

Transport:Difficult

In Port Moresby, navigating can pose some challenges due to the city's widespread layout and unpredictable traffic. Public transportation is not extensively available, and concerns over safety sometimes necessitate hiring private transportation. Certain areas of the city should also be avoided due to crime risks. However, key destinations like hotels and tourist locations generally offer safe and reliable transit. The language barrier may pose slight difficulties too, although English is the official language and widely spoken amongst public.
Things to do:

Things to do:Moderate

Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, offers a moderate amount of activities for solo female travelers. The city boasts unique cultural experiences such as the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery showcasing tribal artifacts, and the Port Moresby Nature Park which highlights local wildlife. A downside, however, is the lack of well-established entertainment or leisure establishments like cinemas, malls or nightlife spots. Safety is also a concern at nighttime, potentially limiting the ability to explore independently after dark.
Food:

Food:Average

The food scene in Port Moresby offers a variety of local and international cuisines. The city provides an opportunity to taste traditional dishes, mainly consisting of sago, yams, bananas, coconuts and seafood. However, it's worthwhile to note that it might not cater to the diverse palette as much as other global cities would. The availability of international cuisines is also limited.
Budget:

Budget:Moderate

Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, offers a moderate level of affordability for travelers. Accommodation, food, and transportation don't generally come cheap, however, you can sometimes find reasonably priced options if you do a bit of research. However, due to limited budget traveler infrastructure, the cost of traveling to and around the city may be higher than other popular backpacking destinations.

Is Port Moresby worth visiting?

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Jessica

Jessica

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Local tips

I'd recommend moving about during the day. Best to use taxis as Port Moresby is known for petty theft and mugging. Stay clear of crowded places. Downtown has a number of decent food joints serving Western, Asian and Indian cuisine- I'd recommend Harbourside as it's by the sea. Port Terrace overlooks the harbour and is about a 2 minute drive from Harbourside. Port Moresby accommodation options are quite limited thus pricey.

Posted: November 7, 2023
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