Is Port Moresby safe?
High risk. Robbery, carjacking and violent crime are common; visitors usually stay in secured hotels and move by pre-arranged car. Not for casual solo exploring.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 2/5, high risk.
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2025-04-28.
- Homicide rate in Papua New Guinea: 9.3 per 100,000 people (2010, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Papua New Guinea: 12.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 110.
Safety in Port Moresby at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 2/5 · High risk |
| Crime | Armed robbery, carjacking, break-ins and sexual violence; opportunistic theft, especially after dark and on foot. |
| At night | Do not walk anywhere after dark; use hotel or pre-booked transport door to door. |
| Solo women | Higher risk for women, especially alone. Travel with trusted local contacts or guides, and avoid public transport and walking. |
| Other risks | Malaria and dengue; Road accidents and carjacking; Earthquakes and landslides |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Unofficial taxis and PMVs: risk of robbery; use hotel-booked drivers
Take care
- Walking in town or Boroko: robbery risk day and night
- Public minibuses (PMVs): theft and assault risk
- Settlements and the roads out of town: avoid without a local escort
- Unrest and election periods: protests can turn violent
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Removing WWII relics or war material is illegal
- Possessing pornography and adultery can bring fines or jail
- Damaging property or livestock can trigger customary 'payback' demands
Quick answers
Is Port Moresby safe for solo female travelers?
Higher risk for women, especially alone. Travel with trusted local contacts or guides, and avoid public transport and walking.
Is Port Moresby safe at night?
Do not walk anywhere after dark; use hotel or pre-booked transport door to door.
What is the crime rate in Port Moresby?
Armed robbery, carjacking, break-ins and sexual violence; opportunistic theft, especially after dark and on foot. Nationally, Papua New Guinea records 9.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2010).
What number do I call in an emergency in Port Moresby?
Police 112 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 110.
More about Port Moresby
Going to Port Moresby solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority
- Air Niugini
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.