Micronesia

Micronesia, in northwest Oceania, is the home of tropical and subtropical islands in the Pacific Ocean. With the exceptions of Kiribati and Nauru, most of Micronesia is associated with the United States.

Countries and territories

Cities

• 1 Hagåtña – the capital of Guam
• 2 Kolonia – the former Federated States of Micronesian capital
• 3 Koror – Palau's largest city is an excellent location for snorkelling
• 4 Majuro – the capital of the Marshall Islands
• 5 Melekeok – Palau's minuscule capital resembles more like a hamlet, but its capitol building is impressive from an architectural standpoint
• 6 Tarawa, Kiribati

Other destinations

• 1 Nan Madol — a ruined city, sometimes called the Venice of the Pacific, in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
• 2 War in the Pacific National Historical Park — in Guam, some of the best preserved WWII sights in the Pacific can be found here
• 3 Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument – a marine United States national monument that includes many random islands and atolls lying in the middle of the Pacific

Understand

Micronesia is a vast area that mainly consists of water. Transport can be a major issue because of the lack of an organized highway or byway, found in larger countries. Due to the lack of space on the islands, most activities are nautical, scuba diving etc.

Talk

English is an official language of all countries and territories here. Indigenous languages such as Chamorro, Palauan and Marshallese are also official in their respective countries and territories.

Get in

Palau and Guam have the best connections from outside Micronesia. The US territories, insomuch that civilians are allowed to enter, are connected to the US. As the airports often aren't large enough to accommodate large airplanes, expect flights to be of the island-to-island type which often means several landings and takeoffs before you're at your destination.

Get around

See

There are three world heritage sites in Micronesia:

• The Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site, Ralik, Marshall Islands
• The Rock Islands outside Koror, Palau
• The site of Nan Madol outside Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia

Do

Buy

There are only two currencies used in Micronesia: the Australian dollar and the United States dollar. Nauru and Kiribati use the Australian dollar, while all other countries and territories use the US dollar.

Eat

Drink

Stay safe

Cope

Micronesia does not host many foreign embassies.

Go next

There are regular flights from some of the islands to East and Southeast Asia.

• Australia
• Fiji
• Hawaii

Exercise normal security precautions

The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The purpose of this Travel Advice is to provide up-to-date information to enable you to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Petty crime occurs, particularly house break-ins. Ensure that doors are locked while you are away, and that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times.

Women’s safety

Women should avoid walking or jogging alone at night or in the early morning. Consult our publication entitled Her Own Way: A Woman’s Safe-Travel Guide for travel safety information specifically aimed at Canadian women.

Transportation

Most roads are in poor condition. Roads outside towns are often unpaved. Street lights are rare. Many drivers do not follow safe driving practices.

There is a public bus system on the island of Yap and rental cars are available. Shared taxis are available; however, most cars are poorly maintained, and services on the weekend and in the evening can be sporadic and unreliable. Travel between islands is done by boat.

Consult our Transportation Safety page in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

General safety information

You are encouraged to register with the Embassy of Australia in Pohnpei in order to receive the latest information on situations and events that could affect your safety.

Tourist facilities and services are limited.

Exercise caution when swimming offshore due to dangerous currents.

Health

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You are subject to local laws. Consult our Arrest and Detention page for more information.

Laws

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict.

Homosexual activity is illegal.

An International Driving Permit is recommended.

Money

The currency is the U.S. dollar (USD). Major credit cards are accepted at most hotels and tourist facilities. There are few automated banking machines. U.S. dollar traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at branches of the Bank of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Climate

The rainy (or monsoon) and typhoon seasons in the South Pacific are from November to April. Severe rainstorms can cause flooding and landslides, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure, and hampering the provision of essential services. Disruptions to air services and to water and power supplies may also occur. Keep informed of regional weather forecasts, avoid disaster areas and follow the advice of local authorities.

During a typhoon or monsoon, hotel guests may be required to leave accommodations near the shore and move to safety centres inland. Travel to and from outer islands may be disrupted for some days.

Consult our Typhoons and monsoons page for more information.