Oceania
Micronesia
Four island states with distinct cultures: Chuuk Lagoon's WWII wrecks, Pohnpei's Nan Madol ruins and waterfalls, Yap's stone money and manta rays, quiet Kosrae. Remote, few visitors and simple facilities.
- US travel advisoryLevel 1Exercise normal precautionsDetails
- Visa198 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyUSDDollarDetails
- Price level96%of US prices (World Bank PPP)
- English3/5Common in tourist areas
- PlugsType A, B120 V, 60 HzDetails
- Emergency911Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink boiled, filtered or bottled water and avoid ice outside hotels.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalNo laws against LGBTQ+ people, but attitudes are conservative; avoid public affection.Details
- DrivingOn the rightDrive on your home licence for the first month. Speed limit is 40 km/h (25 mph); roads are rough.
When to visit Micronesia
January–April is drier and calmer, best for diving. Typhoons are most likely July–November, especially around Yap; Pohnpei and Kosrae are rainy year-round.
Good to know
Entry
- Short visits need no visa for many passports; show an onward or return ticket. Longer stays need an entry permit.
- Your passport needs 120 days' validity; you clear immigration even on flights between FSM states.
- A US$20 departure tax is paid when leaving.
- Connecting via Guam or Honolulu needs US entry approval (ESTA or visa).
Laws visitors break by accident
- Heavy fines and long prison terms for any drug offence
- Taking artefacts from WWII wrecks is illegal
Etiquette
- Women should cover knees; swim in shorts and a T-shirt near villages
- On Yap, ask permission before walking through villages; stone money is private
- Ask before photographing people
Tipping
Not traditional; tip dive guides and boat crews as you would in the US.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- FSM Visitors Board
- UK FCDO travel advice: Micronesia
- Smartraveller: Federated States of Micronesia
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.