Kiribati

Travel guide of Kiribati

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Useful information

Land, geography

• Kiribati is made up of 33 islands grouped into 3 archipelagos: the Gilbert Islands in the West, the Phoenix Islands Protected Area in the centre and the Line Islands in the East
• the distance between Gilbert Islands and Line Islands is more than 3.200 km / 2.000 miles
• the islands spread across an area in the heart of the Pacific, above and below equator and cross the International Date Line = the only country in the world situated on all 4 hemispheres of the Earth (northern, southern, eastern, western)
• the majority of the atolls reach only up to 6 meters / 19 feet above sea level and are surrounded by barrier reefs that create picturesque lagoons
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Climate & Weather

• Kiribati has a tropical hot climate with average temperatures 30-32°C / 86°F and two distinct seasons - dry and rainy
• dry season lasts from April to October
• wet season lasts from November to March
• cyclones do not occur in Kiribati, but occasional effects might be experienced during cyclone seasons affecting other Pacific countries

Travel season

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Government

• the capital of Kirimati is South Tarawa
• local island governments are called Island Councils
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• business hours in Kiribati are generally from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.15pm

Time zone

• Kiribati covers more time zones and it was changed to even +13 and +14 to avoid date change among the islands as they would geographically cross the International Date Line
• UTC/GMT +12 in Tarawa and Gilbert Islands
• UTC/GMT +13 in Phoenix Islands Protected Area
• UTC/GMT +14 in Kiritimati and Line Islands

Currency, payments

• Australian dollar (AUD) is the currency of Kiribati
• major currencies can be exchanged at ANZ Bank and at some hotels and shops
• MasterCard and Visa credit cards are mostly accepted in Kiribati
• Kiribati charges 12,5% VAT on goods and services

Fly to Kiribati, airlines

• 3 international airlines provide weekly air service to Kiribati: Fiji Airways, Nauru Airlines and Solomon Airlines (2019):
• Fiji Airways flies from Nadi (Fiji) to Tarawa and from Nadi to Kiritimati as a stopover on a way to Honolulu (Hawaii); flights are code shared with Quantas and Cathay Pacific - connections available from Australia, New Zealand, US and Europe through Hong Kong
• Nauru Airlines fly to Tarawa from Brisbane (Australia) with transit in Honiara (Solomons) continuing to Pohnpei (FSM) and Majuro (Marshalls); on way back through Nauru and Honiara to Brisbane
• Solomon Airlines fly out of Brisbane through Honiara to Tarawa
• Bonriki International Airport (TRW / NGTA) in Bonkiri, South Tarawa, Kiribati
• Cassidy International Airport (CXI / PLCH) in Banana, Kiritimati, Kiribati

Transport

• public buses operate in the South Tarawa and Kiritimati Island - most of them being just vans, some coaches
• to stop a bus it is enough to wave; if the bus sounds a horn or flashes lights it means it is full
• to get off the bus at specific place one should shout 'i-kai' or 'Taiaoka I-kai', which means 'stop here'
• the national airline of Kiribati is Air Kiribati Ltd (AKL), it operates scheduled domestic flights from Tarawa to Gilbert Group and from Kiritimati to Northern Line Islands
• air charters are available on request by Air Kiribati or another private air charter Coral Sun Aviation
• frequest ferry service runs between South Tarawa and North Tarawa, Abaoang and Maiana in the Gilbert Group
• the other islands including Kiritibati are serviced only by cargo boats on a non-regular basis
• the usual way to move around the outer islands is by hiring a motorbike or a truck with rear canopy
• it is also possible to hire a car or rent a car for self driving in South Tarawa and Kiritimati; international driving licences are accepted for 2 weeks; driving is on the left side of the road with speed limit between 40 and 60 km/h; alcohol and reckless driving is not tolerated

Entry requirements

• most visitors from countries like Australia, EU countries, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, USA or UK do not need visa travel to Kiribati
• we will inform you about updated entry requirements for visitors from your country together with our offer
• departure tax is not requested for outbound international flights but a departing tax of 20 AUD is charged for domestic flights at the outer islands
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Travelling since 2020

• Travel world changed in 2020 with the worldwide lockdown. Travel conditions are still being updated, airlines releasing new schedules, hotels and destinations applying new arrangements where necessary. As it is hardly possible to keep all relevant information on our websites up to date, we will inform you about current situation at the time of your request and of your journey.
• If the destination you choose is not yet accessible for travellers from your country, we will recommend a similar available option.

Duty Free

• visitors over 21 years of age may bring to Kiribati 2.25L of portable spirits, 4L or wine or beer, ale, stout or port wine and 200 cigaretter or 250g of tobacco
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Electricity

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Internet, signal coverage

• internet coverage is available across Tarawa, the outer islands have limited internet access and it might only be available from the Island Council offices
• 3G/4G mobile networks cover Tarawa and some outer islands
• local SIM cards can be purchased for about 3 AUD available from ATHKL and Ocean Link companies
• HF radio is still used for communication on the outer islands
• international dialing code of Kiribati is +686

Useful contacts

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Population

• friendly local people are living the simple lives and invite visitors to join them in this tranquility for a while
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Language

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• important is the pronounciation of Kiribati itself, it is pronounced Kiri-bass
• the greeting Mauri means Hello / Good Health to You

Religion

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Health

• there is a long list of vaccinations that WHO recommends for travellers to Kiribati, anyway they are not a condition to enter the country and it might be risky to take all of them at the same time anyway (while the shot is said to last just 2 years)
• visitors are encouraged to bring their own medicine with them as a first aid pack as pharmaceuticals and medical supplies are limited in Kiribati
• there are hospitals in South Tarawa and Kiritimati with a 24h ambulance service
• dental service is available in the central hospital of South Tarawa
• North Tarawa and the outer islands have smaller medical facilities or clinics
• unboiled tap water should not be drank

Tipping

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Dress, packing

• it is recommended to pack light clothing, polarized sun glasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, reef sandals, sunscreen, first aid kit, snorkeling gear, flash light and maybe a book to read
• when travelling to North Tarawa or the outer islands it is important to bring tobacco as an offering to shrines; Irish cake tobacco can be bought in Tarawa or shops on the outer islands
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Safety

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Nature

• most of Kiribati's islands are untouched by humans and have abundant marine life
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Ecology

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Culture & Traditions

• each of the 33 islands has its own culture,, customs, rituals, myths, legends and lifestyle
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History

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Excursions / must see

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Sports, activities

• the lagoons and surrounding ocean are great for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, snorkeling and other water sports
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Diving

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Shopping, souvenirs

• shopping hours in Kiribati are generally Monday to Saturday between 7am to 8/9pm, Sundays closed or open for half a day only
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Food, cuisine

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Special tourism

Accessible Tourism

• for visitors facing any challenges or disabilities we are ready to provide the best available options of transport, accommodation and services following their individual requirements
• let us know your special needs, we are happy to assist in creating a great holiday package fit for you
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Wedding and Honeymoon

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Interesting facts

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Events

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Top destinations

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Accommodation

• Kiribati is a destination with more simple and standard accommodations making the stay an authentic experience
• facilities for tourists range from hotels, island bungalows, sishing lodges to self-catered apartments, guest houses and homestays
• no high end luxury accommodations are available in Kiribati
• Kiribati Tourism came up with own classification of accommodation standards called the "Mauri Mark Standards"; accommodations are categorized as A, B, C (instead of stars) and the evaluated parameters are cleanliness, maintenance and services
• in South Tarawa there are 11 Mauri Mark-ed accommodations including hotels, apartments and guest houses
• North Tarawa and the outer islands offer island bungalows, guesthouses and homestays, mostly rustic, similar to live-like-a-local experience
• Kiritimati Island has mostly fishing lodges available for visitors