Port Moresby City Guide (Papua New Guinea, 2026)

Backpacking in Port Moresby
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 16, 2026

Port Moresby is the gateway to almost everything else in PNG, so a day or two here saves you money and sorts out your onward plans. It sits on the Coral Sea coast in Papua New Guinea’s capital district, a hilly, dry-savanna city of scattered suburbs and harbor views. Decide how you want to move. Taxis and hired drivers cost more than PMV minibuses, but they buy you safety and time, and for a first visit I’d pay for a trusted driver or your guesthouse’s transfer and keep the minibuses for daylight hops you’ve been briefed on. It suits travelers who like their adventures with a little planning, and it won’t please anyone hoping to wander freely at night or find a backpacker scene. The reward is raw, real PNG: craft markets, a superb national collection, WWII relics and a lively waterfront. Even the airport-side Jacksons Parade has stalls heaped with bilums, the looped string bags women carry everywhere.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Papua New Guinea Travel Guide.

Best time to go: April - November
Population: 364,000
Daily cost: US$85 to 135

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 city in Papua New GuineaThe unique appeal for travelers

Most people come to Port Moresby because they have to, and the smart ones turn that into an advantage. Nearly every international and domestic flight funnels through Jacksons International Airport, so this is where you book Air Niugini or PNG Air connections, arrange permits and lock in trekking or dive logistics. If you plan to see the Highlands, the Sepik or the islands, you will pass through here anyway, and a night or two lets you sort cash, SIM cards and guesthouse bookings before heading into places with far less infrastructure.

The city also holds a real concentration of culture and history in a small area: the country’s main museum, a parliament building with striking design, and wartime sites tied to the Kokoda Track, whose trailhead operators are mostly based here. Food is better … read more 👉

Most people come to Port Moresby because they have to, and the smart ones turn that into an advantage. Nearly every international and domestic flight funnels through Jacksons International Airport, so this is where you book Air Niugini or PNG Air connections, arrange permits and lock in trekking or dive logistics. If you plan to see the Highlands, the Sepik or the islands, you will pass through here anyway, and a night or two lets you sort cash, SIM cards and guesthouse bookings before heading into places with far less infrastructure.

The city also holds a real concentration of culture and history in a small area: the country’s main museum, a parliament building with striking design, and wartime sites tied to the Kokoda Track, whose trailhead operators are mostly based here. Food is better than the reputation suggests, with a mix of Asian, seafood and Pacific kitchens.

Be honest with yourself about style. Walkability is poor, hostels are few and the budget end is pricey by Southeast Asian standards. Treat it as a short, well-organized stop of two to three days, not a place to drift.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

National Museum and Art Gallery: The best single place to grasp PNG’s diversity, with Sepik masks, Highlands headdresses, Trobriand carvings and a bird-of-paradise display. Go in the morning when it’s cooler. Entry is roughly K10 to 20 for foreigners (about US$3 to 5). Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
Parliament House: Built in the style of a Sepik spirit house, with a soaring mosaic-fronted gable. Visits usually need advance arrangement and photo ID, and tours are often free or low cost. Plan about 1 hour, on weekday mornings.
Port Moresby Nature Park: The city zoo and botanical garden hold tree kangaroos, cassowaries, birds of paradise and orchids. Morning is best for active animals. Entry is about K20 to 40 (US$5 to 10). Allow 2 hours.
Ela Beach and Ela Beach Craft Market: A palm-lined waterfront where

… read more 👉

National Museum and Art Gallery: The best single place to grasp PNG’s diversity, with Sepik masks, Highlands headdresses, Trobriand carvings and a bird-of-paradise display. Go in the morning when it’s cooler. Entry is roughly K10 to 20 for foreigners (about US$3 to 5). Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
Parliament House: Built in the style of a Sepik spirit house, with a soaring mosaic-fronted gable. Visits usually need advance arrangement and photo ID, and tours are often free or low cost. Plan about 1 hour, on weekday mornings.
Port Moresby Nature Park: The city zoo and botanical garden hold tree kangaroos, cassowaries, birds of paradise and orchids. Morning is best for active animals. Entry is about K20 to 40 (US$5 to 10). Allow 2 hours.
Ela Beach and Ela Beach Craft Market: A palm-lined waterfront where the Saturday market sells bilums, carved bowls and shell jewelry, and where the Moresby crowd actually relaxes. Go on a weekend morning. Browsing is free. Allow 1 to 2 hours.
Bomana War Cemetery: A quiet, immaculately kept ground with more than 3,800 Commonwealth graves from the New Guinea campaign. Visit in the morning light. Entry is free. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Kokoda Track Memorial Park: A small, moving memorial at Owers’ Corner, the southern start of the track, with plaques about the 1942 campaign and the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. Free, and 30 to 45 minutes is enough. Daytime only.
Varirata National Park: About an hour from town and the nearest forest escape, with lookouts from the Sogeri Plateau toward the coast and birdwatching for birds of paradise at dawn. Entry is about K20 to 30 (US$5 to 8). Allow 3 to 4 hours with a driver.

For day trips, the Sogeri plateau, the Kokoda Track’s Owers’ Corner start, Loloata Island and the Hanuabada stilt village are all within reach of the city. Most visitors skip Bomana War Cemetery, which is worth the short drive for its stillness and scale.

Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsHow different areas shape the experience

Port Moresby sprawls across hills and bays, so pick your areas and hit them with purpose. Distances are short on the map but slow on the road, and the compact hubs beat the far-flung suburbs for a backpacker's time and money.

Town and Harbour Foreshore: The old commercial core sits on a peninsula between the harbor and Ela Beach. Walk the waterfront, and duck into the craft stalls. It's the most walkable patch in the city in daylight, and it gives you the most for the least effort, so start here.
Ela Beach and Paga Hill: A sandy city beach with a promenade and weekend food stalls. Paga Hill climbs behind it for a short sunset hike with views over the harbor and Fairfax Harbour. Evenings are livelier here, with waterfront bars and restaurants, but take a taxi home after dark.
Koki and Koki Market:

… read more 👉

Port Moresby sprawls across hills and bays, so pick your areas and hit them with purpose. Distances are short on the map but slow on the road, and the compact hubs beat the far-flung suburbs for a backpacker's time and money.

Town and Harbour Foreshore: The old commercial core sits on a peninsula between the harbor and Ela Beach. Walk the waterfront, and duck into the craft stalls. It's the most walkable patch in the city in daylight, and it gives you the most for the least effort, so start here.
Ela Beach and Paga Hill: A sandy city beach with a promenade and weekend food stalls. Paga Hill climbs behind it for a short sunset hike with views over the harbor and Fairfax Harbour. Evenings are livelier here, with waterfront bars and restaurants, but take a taxi home after dark.
Koki and Koki Market: Pile in at the fish market on the waterfront. Boats unload the catch, vendors sell mounds of betel nut and fresh produce, and stilt villages sit just offshore. Go in the morning with a local contact or driver, because it is a poor place to wander alone with a camera.
Waigani: The government and university district holds the National Museum and Art Gallery, the Parliament House, and the Botanic Gardens at the University of Papua New Guinea. It is spread out and not walkable, so book one taxi for the cluster. That beats juggling PMVs for a half-day.
Boroko: A busy suburban shopping and eating zone with supermarkets, banks and cheap lunch spots. It's a useful errand stop, worth an hour, not a day.
Gordons and Six Mile: Industrial and residential, with the airport nearby. Use these as transit points, not destinations.

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

8:30 AM, National Museum and Art Gallery: Start here, before the heat builds, and don’t skip it. The regional halls give you a visual primer for everything you’ll see elsewhere in PNG, from Sepik masks to shell money. Spend about two hours, then arrange a driver for the day.

11:00 AM, Parliament House: A short drive to Waigani brings you to the spirit-house-inspired façade. Arrange a visit beforehand and bring ID. Even from outside, the carved and mosaic gable is worth photographs.

12:30 PM, Lunch at Vision City or Waigani: Eat at a mall food court or a café, where security is easy and the air-conditioning is a relief. Seafood, rice dishes and strong PNG coffee are all easy to find.

2:00 PM, Bomana War Cemetery: Head out of town to this peaceful hillside memorial. Rows of bronze plaques … read more 👉

8:30 AM, National Museum and Art Gallery: Start here, before the heat builds, and don’t skip it. The regional halls give you a visual primer for everything you’ll see elsewhere in PNG, from Sepik masks to shell money. Spend about two hours, then arrange a driver for the day.

11:00 AM, Parliament House: A short drive to Waigani brings you to the spirit-house-inspired façade. Arrange a visit beforehand and bring ID. Even from outside, the carved and mosaic gable is worth photographs.

12:30 PM, Lunch at Vision City or Waigani: Eat at a mall food court or a café, where security is easy and the air-conditioning is a relief. Seafood, rice dishes and strong PNG coffee are all easy to find.

2:00 PM, Bomana War Cemetery: Head out of town to this peaceful hillside memorial. Rows of bronze plaques lie among frangipani and lawns. This is the stop most visitors never reach, and it gives the Kokoda story a human scale. Allow an hour.

4:00 PM, Port Moresby Nature Park: Return toward Waigani for late-afternoon animal feeding and quieter paths among orchids, tree kangaroos and cassowaries. About an hour and a half is enough.

6:00 PM, Ela Beach waterfront: Finish by the sea as the light turns gold, with a short stroll along the promenade by daylight only. Have your driver collect you here for dinner at a hotel restaurant, and head back before full dark.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

The dry season, roughly May to October, is the easiest window for Port Moresby, since the city sits in a rain shadow and is far drier than most of the country.

Dry Season (May to October): Days run about 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F), nights 22 to 24°C (72 to 75°F), with low humidity and sunny skies. Sunrise and sunset land near 6:00 and 18:00. Trails like Paga Hill are comfortable, and diving and boat trips run smoothly.
Wet Season (December to April): Expect 30 to 33°C (86 to 91°F), thick humidity and sharp afternoon downpours, mostly January to March. Roads flood in places and the hills turn green. Rooms are easier to book, but flight delays are more common.
Festival Periods: The Hiri Moale Festival around Independence Day in September brings dancing and canoe races, and the Remembrance Day events

… read more 👉

The dry season, roughly May to October, is the easiest window for Port Moresby, since the city sits in a rain shadow and is far drier than most of the country.

Dry Season (May to October): Days run about 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F), nights 22 to 24°C (72 to 75°F), with low humidity and sunny skies. Sunrise and sunset land near 6:00 and 18:00. Trails like Paga Hill are comfortable, and diving and boat trips run smoothly.
Wet Season (December to April): Expect 30 to 33°C (86 to 91°F), thick humidity and sharp afternoon downpours, mostly January to March. Roads flood in places and the hills turn green. Rooms are easier to book, but flight delays are more common.
Festival Periods: The Hiri Moale Festival around Independence Day in September brings dancing and canoe races, and the Remembrance Day events draw bigger crowds. Book rooms early, as prices climb for these weeks.
Shoulder Months (November and April): Mixed weather, fewer visitors, and the best chance of cheap beds.

Aim for late July to early September to see the festivals and enjoy the driest, least sticky days.

source: climatestotravel.comJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The best areas for a budget stay are Boroko and the Town and Waigani edges, because they keep you near shops, banks and a quick taxi to the airport.
Boroko has the widest choice of guesthouses and a handful of backpacker-friendly options, plus supermarkets and cheap lunch spots within a short walk. It gets noisy with traffic, but a secure compound makes up for it, and the taxi ride to the airport is about 15 to 20 minutes.
The Town area near the harbor offers a few budget rooms and puts you within reach of the waterfront in daylight. Evenings are quieter and emptier, so you will rely on taxis after … read more 👉

The best areas for a budget stay are Boroko and the Town and Waigani edges, because they keep you near shops, banks and a quick taxi to the airport.
Boroko has the widest choice of guesthouses and a handful of backpacker-friendly options, plus supermarkets and cheap lunch spots within a short walk. It gets noisy with traffic, but a secure compound makes up for it, and the taxi ride to the airport is about 15 to 20 minutes.
The Town area near the harbor offers a few budget rooms and puts you within reach of the waterfront in daylight. Evenings are quieter and emptier, so you will rely on taxis after dark, but its central position cuts transport costs for sightseeing.
Dorm beds are limited in Port Moresby, and many budget travelers end up in basic private rooms or guesthouses. Book ahead, since good rooms fill with aid workers and mining contractors. Look for a place with a fenced compound, 24-hour guards and reliable hot water.
Avoid choosing a bed based only on price. Staying in an informal settlement area or far from the center saves a few dollars but costs more in taxis and risk. Always confirm airport pickup in advance, particularly for late arrivals.

Best hostels in Port Moresby

Best quality hotels in Papua New Guinea

🚌 Getting aroundGetting around like a local

Hailing a random taxi off the street, or accepting a ride from a stranger at the airport, is the mistake that costs visitors the most money and sometimes more. Port Moresby has no reliable walkable network and no metro, so most backpackers rely on prearranged taxis and the public minibuses called PMVs. Traffic jams build at rush hour, so plan your day around that.

Walking: It works for the harbor foreshore, Ela Beach promenade and Paga Hill in daylight, and it costs nothing, so use it for short hops. Outside these pockets, the heat, hills and personal safety make it a poor choice, especially after dark.
PMV Minibuses: These white minibuses with route numbers cost roughly K2 to 3 (about US$0.50 to 0.80) a ride and run from early morning until late afternoon or early evening. They are by far the

… read more 👉

Hailing a random taxi off the street, or accepting a ride from a stranger at the airport, is the mistake that costs visitors the most money and sometimes more. Port Moresby has no reliable walkable network and no metro, so most backpackers rely on prearranged taxis and the public minibuses called PMVs. Traffic jams build at rush hour, so plan your day around that.

Walking: It works for the harbor foreshore, Ela Beach promenade and Paga Hill in daylight, and it costs nothing, so use it for short hops. Outside these pockets, the heat, hills and personal safety make it a poor choice, especially after dark.
PMV Minibuses: These white minibuses with route numbers cost roughly K2 to 3 (about US$0.50 to 0.80) a ride and run from early morning until late afternoon or early evening. They are by far the cheapest option and give you a real feel for the city. Use them in daylight on the busy routes between Boroko, Waigani and Town, and keep your bag on your lap. Avoid them at night.
Hotel or Hostel Taxis: Booked through your accommodation, these cost about K30 to 60 (US$8 to 16) for a typical cross-city trip, and K60 to 100 for the airport run. They are pricier than PMVs but the safest and the fastest, so they give you the most when you are carrying a pack or going out in the evening. Agree the fare first, as meters are rare.
Hired Car with Driver: For a full day covering Waigani, Koki and the outer sights, a driver typically costs K300 to 600 (US$80 to 160). Split it among three or four people and it becomes the best value, as it saves hours of waiting and worry.

Domestic flights from Jacksons International Airport link the city with Lae, Madang and Mount Hagen, and they are the real way to leave town.

👛 Costs (as of 16 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Port Moresby

Backpacking in Port Moresby costs about US$85 to 135 a day, and the city is pricier than almost anywhere else in Southeast Asia or the Pacific for what you get.

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm accommodation (high season, June to October)	US$25 to 40	Dorm beds are few. Many travelers end up in a basic guesthouse room, so book ahead.
Dorm accommodation (off-season)	US$20 to 32	Slightly softer rates from December to March, but discounts are small.
Meals	US$15 to 25	Bakery pies, fried chicken and rice boxes cost US$3 to 6. A sit-down dinner runs US$12 to 20.
Local transport	US$10 to 25	PMV minibuses cost under US$1 per hop, but many travelers use taxis at night, usually US$5 to 15 per ride.
City transport pass	Not available	No pass exists. Pay the conductor in kina as you ride.
Basic activities/entry fees	US$5

… read more 👉

Backpacking in Port Moresby costs about US$85 to 135 a day, and the city is pricier than almost anywhere else in Southeast Asia or the Pacific for what you get.

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm accommodation (high season, June to October)	US$25 to 40	Dorm beds are few. Many travelers end up in a basic guesthouse room, so book ahead.
Dorm accommodation (off-season)	US$20 to 32	Slightly softer rates from December to March, but discounts are small.
Meals	US$15 to 25	Bakery pies, fried chicken and rice boxes cost US$3 to 6. A sit-down dinner runs US$12 to 20.
Local transport	US$10 to 25	PMV minibuses cost under US$1 per hop, but many travelers use taxis at night, usually US$5 to 15 per ride.
City transport pass	Not available	No pass exists. Pay the conductor in kina as you ride.
Basic activities/entry fees	US$5 to 15	The National Museum and Nature Park are cheap, typically US$2 to 8 each. Tours to Varirata or the villages cost more.
Miscellaneous	US$5 to 10	SIM card, water, laundry and the odd coffee.
Total Daily Budget	US$85 to 135	Counting high-season dorm beds, roughly US$100 is a realistic average.

Buy food at supermarkets and bakeries rather than hotel restaurants, and share taxis with other guests to split the biggest daily expense.

⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsShort trips worth adding

Port Moresby is a workable base for short excursions, though most need a booked driver or tour, since public transport to the outskirts is thin.Varirata National Park and Sogeri Plateau: The cool, forested plateau sits about 1.5 hours inland, and the air is noticeably fresher. Expect waterfalls, birdwatching and views over the Laloki River. Go with a driver (K400 to 700 for the day, split among the group). Start early, because afternoon clouds close in on the hills.
Loloata Island: A small resort island reached by a 20 to 30 minute boat ride from Bootless Bay, about 40 minutes from town. Day visitors can snorkel over reefs and relax on the beach for roughly K250 to 450 including the boat. Go in the dry season, when the sea is calm. First-timers often forget to book the boat in advance.
👉 Explore … read more 👉

Port Moresby is a workable base for short excursions, though most need a booked driver or tour, since public transport to the outskirts is thin.Varirata National Park and Sogeri Plateau: The cool, forested plateau sits about 1.5 hours inland, and the air is noticeably fresher. Expect waterfalls, birdwatching and views over the Laloki River. Go with a driver (K400 to 700 for the day, split among the group). Start early, because afternoon clouds close in on the hills.
Loloata Island: A small resort island reached by a 20 to 30 minute boat ride from Bootless Bay, about 40 minutes from town. Day visitors can snorkel over reefs and relax on the beach for roughly K250 to 450 including the boat. Go in the dry season, when the sea is calm. First-timers often forget to book the boat in advance.
👉 Explore Loloata IslandKokoda Track Memorial and Owers' Corner: The southern trailhead of the Kokoda Track lies about 2 to 3 hours by road, along rough sections. Walking even a few kilometers of the first stretch gives a taste of the famous WWII route, and you can join the memorial and short walk in a day. Budget K500 to 800 for transport. Dry months from May to October are best, as rain makes the road slick.
Bomana War Cemetery: A neat Commonwealth cemetery about 25 minutes from Waigani, holding over 3,800 graves from WWII. Entry is free and it takes an hour or so. Combine it with Sogeri if you have a driver, and wear respectful clothing.
👉 Explore Bomana War Cemetery

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Port Moresby

Port Moresby's food leans on the sea and the Motuan coastal tradition, which sets it apart from the highland and sepik styles elsewhere in the country.
Try fresh reef fish grilled over charcoal, often served with boiled banana or kaukau (sweet potato). The local Motu dish bonu, a fish and coconut preparation, appears at festivals, and during Hiri Moale celebrations you may see sago and mud crab prepared in the old style. Coconut is everywhere, drunk fresh from the shell for about K2 to 5.
Backpackers eat cheaply at Koki Market, where vendors sell fresh fish, bananas, and cooked snacks, and at the Gordons Market for produce. In Boroko and Town, small takeaway counters sell rice with chicken or fish for K10 to 20 (US$3 to 5). Ela Beach has evening street stalls for grilled snacks and cold drinks. … read more 👉

Port Moresby's food leans on the sea and the Motuan coastal tradition, which sets it apart from the highland and sepik styles elsewhere in the country.
Try fresh reef fish grilled over charcoal, often served with boiled banana or kaukau (sweet potato). The local Motu dish bonu, a fish and coconut preparation, appears at festivals, and during Hiri Moale celebrations you may see sago and mud crab prepared in the old style. Coconut is everywhere, drunk fresh from the shell for about K2 to 5.
Backpackers eat cheaply at Koki Market, where vendors sell fresh fish, bananas, and cooked snacks, and at the Gordons Market for produce. In Boroko and Town, small takeaway counters sell rice with chicken or fish for K10 to 20 (US$3 to 5). Ela Beach has evening street stalls for grilled snacks and cold drinks. Wine bars and cafés in the Town and Harbour areas offer a safer sit-down option.
Drink SP Lager, the national beer, but bring water, because tap water is not reliable. Betel nut chewing is everywhere, and the red-stained pavements are a mark of the city.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Port Moresby has a poor reputation for crime and it deserves respect, but most visitors who plan carefully have trouble-free stays. The main risks are opportunistic theft and robbery, and they cluster around walking after dark, crowded markets and unfamiliar settlements.
Do not walk between sights, even short distances, once the light fades. Use taxis arranged through your accommodation, keep windows up and doors locked in traffic, and carry only the cash you need. Leave jewelry, flashy phones and cameras at your lodging unless you are heading straight somewhere safe.
Solo travelers should arrange airport pickup before landing, stay in a guarded compound and let someone know their daily plans. Women especially should avoid PMVs at night and walk alone only in daylight areas. Local contacts, … read more 👉

Port Moresby has a poor reputation for crime and it deserves respect, but most visitors who plan carefully have trouble-free stays. The main risks are opportunistic theft and robbery, and they cluster around walking after dark, crowded markets and unfamiliar settlements.
Do not walk between sights, even short distances, once the light fades. Use taxis arranged through your accommodation, keep windows up and doors locked in traffic, and carry only the cash you need. Leave jewelry, flashy phones and cameras at your lodging unless you are heading straight somewhere safe.
Solo travelers should arrange airport pickup before landing, stay in a guarded compound and let someone know their daily plans. Women especially should avoid PMVs at night and walk alone only in daylight areas. Local contacts, tour operators and guesthouse staff offer the best advice on current conditions, so ask each morning where to avoid. Tribal or political tensions occasionally close roads, so check before long drives.

Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan for two to three days. That is enough for the foreshore, the National Museum in Waigani, Koki Market and a half-day to Bomana War Cemetery or Sogeri Plateau, which take about 1 to 2 hours each way. Add a fourth day for Loloata Island or a Kokoda trailhead visit.

Port Moresby can be done solo, but it needs more caution than most capitals. Pre-book airport pickup, stay in a guarded compound, and use taxis arranged by your accommodation (about K30 to 60 per trip) after dark. Walking alone at night and riding PMVs in the evening are the situations to avoid.

The city is known as the gateway to Papua New Guinea and the departure point for the Kokoda Track, about 2 to 3 hours by road to the trailhead. It also hosts the Hiri Moale Festival each September, the National Museum and Art Gallery in Waigani, and the stilt villages near Koki Market. Dry weather and reef diving near Bootless Bay are further draws.

⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other destinations worth considering

Port Moresby isn’t the only highlight in Papua New Guinea. Explore all what Papua New Guinea has to offer.

Explore Papua New Guinea

We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Port Moresby

The classic mistake is treating Port Moresby like any other backpacker stop and strolling around on foot or hopping on random minibuses after dark. Don’t. Book a driver through your guesthouse for the whole day, finish everything by late afternoon, and you’ll see the museum, the markets and the war sites without drama. Bring cash in small kina notes for craft stalls.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Papua New Guinea. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.

🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpack

Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story

Papua New Guinea🇵🇬 | citiesPort MoresbyNational collection, Ela Beach crafts, Coral Sea capital, Kokoda history | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Port Moresby
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 16, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 city in Papua New GuineaThe unique appeal for travelers

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

Things to do in Port Moresby

ADVENTURE KOKODA 8 Day History Trek Australian Led

ADVENTURE KOKODA 10-Day Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek Australian Led

11 Day Kokoda Trek From Port Moresby

Private Port Moresby City Tour

ADVENTURE KOKODA 8 Day Kokoda Trail Trek

11 Day Kokoda Trek Australian and Local Guides

🏘️ NeighborhoodsHow different areas shape the experience

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutPapua New Guinea Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundGetting around like a local

👛 Costs (as of 16 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Port Moresby

🚌 Day tripsShort trips worth adding

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Port Moresby

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

FAQTraveler FAQ

Other destinations worth considering

We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Port Moresby

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Papua New Guinea🇵🇬 | citiesPort MoresbyNational collection, Ela Beach crafts, Coral Sea capital, Kokoda history | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Port Moresby🏆 Top pickcity ranked #1By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 16, 2026addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924b975c')

✨ Why go?Ranked #1 city in Papua New GuineaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924baa81')The unique appeal for travelersaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924baa8c')

💡 HighlightsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bbd31')Don't-miss highlights and experiencesaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bbd3a')

Things to do in Port Moresby

ADVENTURE KOKODA 8 Day History Trek Australian Led

ADVENTURE KOKODA 10-Day Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek Australian Led

11 Day Kokoda Trek From Port Moresby

Private Port Moresby City Tour

ADVENTURE KOKODA 8 Day Kokoda Trail Trek

11 Day Kokoda Trek Australian and Local Guides

🏘️ NeighborhoodsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bc689')How different areas shape the experienceaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bc68f')

⌛️ 1 dayaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bd1ad')Seeing the highlights in 24 hoursaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bd1b7')

🌤️ When to go?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bdb48')Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bdb4f')

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutPapua New Guinea Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924beb18')How to pick the right areaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924beb1c')

🚌 Getting aroundaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bf3a9')Getting around like a localaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bf3af')

👛 Costs (as of 16 October 2026)addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bfef1')Travel costs and budget guide for Port MoresbyaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924bfef5')

🚌 Day tripsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924ccedf')Short trips worth addingaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924ccee9')

🍲 FoodaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924cd5dd')Eating & Drinking in Port MoresbyaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924cd5e1')

🛡️ SafetyaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924cdd53')Staying Safe: What Travelers Should KnowaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924cdd58')

FAQaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924cde1f')Traveler FAQaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924cde27')

Other destinations worth consideringaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924ce451')

We 💚 feedbackaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924ce62c')Final thoughts on visiting Port MoresbyaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924ce630')

👋 Meet the founderaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924ce67e')Who’s Behind Take Your Backpack?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ad78924ce681')

Backpacking in Port Moresby
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 16, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 city in Papua New GuineaThe unique appeal for travelers

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

🏘️ NeighborhoodsHow different areas shape the experience

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundGetting around like a local

👛 Costs (as of 16 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Port Moresby

🚌 Day tripsShort trips worth adding

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Port Moresby

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

FAQTraveler FAQ

Other destinations worth considering

We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Port Moresby

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?