Travel and Tourism

Travel and Tourism in Micronesia

Travel alerts, currency, climate, transit, health, and safety information for visitors to Micronesia.

Practical Information

Travel alert status, currency, climate, and transit details.

Travel Alert Status: Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Time Difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Micronesia has two time zones
Currency: US dollar (USD)
Climate: Pohnpei is one of the wettest spots on Earth, with an annual rainfall of about 200 inches a year in Kolonia and as much as 400 inches in the interior. Rain falls heavily throughout the year, though January through March are the least rainy months. Northeasterly trade winds blow most of the year, but damaging tropical storms generally bypass Pohnpei. The temperature averages 81°F year round. Evenings are mild, in the low 70s, and daytime temperatures seldom exceed the upper 80s. Humidity is high, averaging 89%, resulting in rapid growth of mildew and mold in non-air-conditioned environments. Air quality is excellent and free of pollutants.
Ethnic Groups: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
National Holiday: Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Geographic Coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 15 E
Location: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Airports: 6

Medical facilities, vaccinations, disease risk, and sanitation conditions.

Medical Facilities and Health Information: Health care facilities in the FSM consist of state-run hospitals on each of the four major islands and a few scattered clinics. These facilities often lack basic supplies and medicines, and the quality of health care is very low. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for health services. Medical evacuation for non-ambulatory patients may not be immediately available and can be mexpensive. Scuba divers should note that although there are decompression chambers in Yap, Chuuk, and Pohnpei, their availability and staff experience in treating diving injuries vary considerably.
Accessibility: While in the FSM, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation vastly different from what you find in the U.S. Neither laws nor regulations mandate accessibility to public facilities, services, or accomodations for persons with disabilities. There are no sidewalks available in the FSM. There is no public transportation. Taxis are run by independent operators that make no provision for people with disabilities. The national Department of Health and Social Services is responsible for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities; however, action is rarely, if ever, taken by the government.