Travel Guides

Papua New Guinea

Car rentals Papua New Guinea

The remoteness of Papua New Guinea is the main reason why visitors choose to explore this diverse country. Its incredible natural beauty, untouched coral reefs, rugged terrain and exotic tribes make this a very different holiday to what many Americans are used to, which is what makes it worth the journey via Japan, Hong Kong, Australia or Singapore.

Travelers’ favorites

Port Moresby is the capital and the country’s main gateway and home to the Motu-Koitabu people. Its Botanical Garden and Moitaka Wildlife Sanctuary make it worth visiting for a day or two. It is also the starting point of the amazing 60-mile Kokoda Track, a trekker’s haven. Madang is one of the most popular regions due to its wide range of attractions and is a great place for exploring the mountain regions as well as arranging a diving trip to witness the stunning coral reef.

The island of New England is the most popular of the smaller Papua New Guinea islands and is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and rainforest treks. Meanwhile, Bougainville Island sits off of the tourist trail and offers week-long treks through the Emporer Range to the active Mount Balbi and Mount Bagana.

Best time to visit

Trekking is one of the main draws here, which is best done from June to September. The wet season runs from December to March and is not the best time of year to visit, as May to September is much more ideal for American travelers. Generally it is hot and humid year round and Christmas and Easter tend to be the most popular time amongst tourists.

Driving in Papua New Guinea

A four-wheel drive is the best option for getting around Papua New Guinea’s main island; however, most of the smaller islands have little or no road access. There are a number of car rental companies located within the cities, making it easy to compare car hire options. Driving must be done with care as there are many roadblocks and sometimes the locals throw stones at passing cars.