Guam
Safety Tips
Guam has always been known as a safe destination for families and friends traveling as a group. Little crime takes place on the island, although we always like to ensure our visitors’ safety by asking you follow these tips.
Plan you trips wisely
- Ask for directions at your hotel on how to get to any attractions you want to visit.
- Stick to well-lighted public areas.
- Only carry cash when you need it. Most restaurants and shops on Guam take credit cards.
- Don’t leave maps or obvious travel materials in plain view in your car.
- If you get lost, find an open business and ask for directions.
- When in doubt, always look to your hotel or call the Guam Visitors Bureau at 646-5278/9.
Sun Safety
- Use sunscreen on all areas of exposed skin, with a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Doctors recommend people with fair skin use at least an SPF 35. Reapply regularly.
- Wear sunglasses, along with protective clothing and a hat. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun’s ultraviolet rays are the strongest.
Water Safety
Always familiarize yourself with safety signs posted at swimming areas. During certain seasons, Guam’s beaches have been known to harbor jellyfish, which cases painful stings to the skin. If you see clear jelly-like creatures, do not enter the water. If you have questions, ask a lifeguard on duty.
- Don’t swim in areas that don’t have a lifeguard on duty and never swim alone.
- Never rely on an inflatable object to stay afloat if you can’t swim.
- Supervise children in the water closely.
- Don’t swim while intoxicated.
- Discourage rough play in the water.
- Stay close to shore. Under no circumstances should you wander close to the reef at any time as unseen water currents can be life threatening.
- Stay out of the water during thunderstorms and bad weather.
Northern Mariana Islands
What to Wear: The warm tropical climate dictates loose, comfortable clothing. A casual dress atmosphere prevails at most locations. Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended when enjoying the sun.
Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz
Emergency: Call 911 for emergencies and for police assistance.
Electricity and voltage: 110 volts
Helpful numbers: Emergency 911, Phone directory information 411
Business hours: Government offices and organizations, weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on weekends and national holidays
Plan you trips wisely.
- Ask for directions at your hotel on how to get to any attractions you want to visit.
- Stick to well-lighted public areas.
- Only carry cash when you need it. Most restaurants and shops on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota take credit cards.
- Don’t leave maps or obvious travel materials in plain view in your car.
- If you get lost, find an open business and ask for directions.
- When in doubt, always look to your hotel or call the Marianas Visitors Authority at (670)-664-3200/3201.
Sun Safety
- Use sunscreen on all areas of exposed skin, with a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Doctors recommend people with fair skin use at least an SPF 35. Reapply regularly.
- Wear sunglasses, along with protective clothing and a hat. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun’s ultraviolet rays are the strongest.
Water Safety
Always familiarize yourself with safety signs posted at swimming areas. If you have questions, ask a lifeguard on duty.
- Don’t swim in areas that don’t have a lifeguard on duty and never swim alone.
- Never rely on an inflatable object to stay afloat if you can’t swim.
- Supervise children in the water closely.
- Don’t swim while intoxicated.
- Discourage rough play in the water.
- Stay close to shore. Under no circumstances should you wander close to the reef at any time as unseen water currents can be life threatening.
- Stay out of the water during thunderstorms and bad weather.
Palau
Palau Environmental Tips - Reef Tips for Divers and Snorkelers: The coral reefs in Palau are among the most diverse and beautiful in the world. Please follow these guidelines to help keep Palau's underwater world the divers' and non-divers' paradise it is.
1) Maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid knocking or brushing against marine life.
2) Coral is alive and easily damaged. Avoid touching, grabbing or standing on corals. It is also illegal to collect corals, shells, or other sea creatures.
3) Be careful with your fins, as sand from fin movement can injure or smother small sea creatures and corals.
4) The undersides of rocks are homes to small sea creatures that cannot live anywhere else. Leave rocks, shells, and corals in place for the reef dwellers who need them.
5) Killing, damaging, riding or chasing marine life are examples of poor diver behaviors.
6) Trash may kill marine life. Collect any trash you see on the beaches or in the water.
7) Feeding fish can make them pests, and some may even become aggressive towards divers. Feeding fish can also harm the delicate coral reefs.
8) Use permanent mooring buoy to secure your boat instead of dropping anchor.
Palau Historic Preservation Tips, includes but not limited to the followings:
1) Remember to take everything you bring to the site with you when you leave.
2) Do not remove anything from the site. Although you may not think something is significant to the sites, all pieces make up the whole.
3) Ask permission before taking photos of someone, their home or any scared or religious related objects or sites.
Other Tips include but not limited to the followings:
1) Items manufactured from turtle shell are banned from entering the United States and many other countries.
2) Tipping is optional, but appreciated.
3) Prostitution is illegal in Palau.
4) It is illegal to purchase or sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 years old.
Yap
Loose cotton clothing, shorts, t-shirts, sarongs, and sandals for the day, and light slacks/polo shirts for the evening. There is no formal dress in Yap, so dress casual and be comfortable. Sunscreens are available at hotels and dive shops, but if you have a particular brand you like, bring your own supply. Hats are worn by just about everybody to keep out the sun, and good sunglasses are essential for boating.
Women should cover their thighs when in public places. Long shorts (down to the knee) or sarongs are fine, as are jeans or slacks. Men should also not wear shorts that are "too short". Bathing suits should be used for swimming or on the boat or poolside.
Chuuk
Electricity
Standard 110 volt and US type outlets are used.
Currency, Banking and Credit Cards
The U.S. dollar is the official currency. There are several U.S. FDIC insured banks operating in the FSM. Most major credit cards are welcome at most visitor-oriented businesses.
Tipping
Visitors to the country are guests and hospitality is an honor in our culture. Tips are neither expected nor encouraged.
What to Wear
Travel light. It never gets cold in FSM, so only lightweight clothing should be brought. Attire is very casual and formal wear is considered unnecessary and impractical. Hats, sunglasses and sun screen are recommended when enjoying the sun.
Media
Several newspapers, government and private are available. There are several AM and FM radio stations as well as cable stations on Pohnpei and Chuuk where one can watch live satellite broadcasts of CNN and ESPN.
Telecommunications
The FSM enjoys modern, reliable telecommunication links worldwide. TV, FAX and Internet services are readily available throughout the FSM through the services of the FSM Telecommunications Corporation.
Medical Facilities
Chuuk State Hospital
P.O.Box 400, Weno, Chuuk FSM 96942
Tel: (691) 330-2444
Sefin Clinic
P.O.Box 85, Weno, Chuuk FSM 96942
Tel: (691) 330-6167
The FSM is a healthy place to visit. There are no tropical diseases and health care is readily available. Each of the FSM states has a modern major hospital.
Postal Services
U.S. Postal rates apply, and there are post offices on all the four states of the FSM.
Post offices are open daily during regular business hours and are closed on week-ends.
Chuuk Post Office
Towndown, Nepukos, Chuuk FSM 96942
Tel: (691) 330-2737
Sources provided by the following websites:
www.visit-micronesia.fm
Pohnpei
What to Wear
Travel light. It never gets cold in the FSM, so lightweight clothing is recommended. Attire is very casual and formal wear is considered unnecessary and impractical. Hats, sunglasses and sun screen are recommended when enjoying the sun.
Crossing private land
Most of the hiking trails cross privately owned land and several houses and farm. Even though the Tourism office have acquired permission from the landowners for tourist activities, it is always polite to ask permission to pass through.
Agro-forestry
Pohnpeian farms are plant under the canopy of the forest, an ecosystem knows as agro-forestry. It may be difficult for inexperienced visitors to indentify these agricultural areas. Read the suggested references and learn the major food plants so that you don’t mistakenly trample these gardens. This is especially likely with kava and yam vines which grow among other forest vegetation.
The Marine Environment
The outer barrier reef and volcanic reef islets offer unique and spectacular diving, snorkeling, and fishing opportunities. However, there are few guide lines visitors can avoid damaging the fragile ecosystem of the coral reef. Remember that coral is a living organism, and should not be stepped, handled, or taken as a souvenir. Similar, most of the beautiful shells are homes to living animals which is serve a vital function in this eco system.
Belongings
Secure your belongings. Do not provide temptation for people to walk away with them.
Tour Guide
It is strongly recommend that a local guide accompany any foreign visitors, due to difficult of trails, hikes, and the traversing of the private owned land. Tour operators should escort visitors during dive excursion. Local guide can be arranged from either at the local Municipal Governments Offices where the hikes are located or at the State Tourism office.
Kosrae
What to wear
Casual and summer clothing is worn throughout the year. Swimsuits and shorts are not acceptable in the villages. Attire that goes to your knees and covers your shoulders is preferred. Hats and sunglasses highly recommended and sunscreen is recommended.
Language
Kosraean and English speaking community. You will find many Kosraeans speak English well as their second language.
Drinking Alcohol
There are alcohol beverages for sale in some of the island markets. Drinking is illegal on Sundays 12AM to 12PM.
Currency
US currency is used. We recommend bringing traveler’s check or hard cash (more accepted). Few places accept credit cards. There is an ATM machine. There are two banks. Bank of the FSM (691) 370-3225. Bank of Guam (691) 370-7718.
Electricity
Standard US 110 volts and 60 Hz
Health Certificates
No certification of vaccination required for visitors.
Postal Services
There is one main post office on Kosrae. Postal rates are the same as US domestic rates. They are open M-F at 8AM – 3:30PM, closed on weekends and holidays.
Telecommunication
Kosrae is linked to the rest of the world by satellite and fiber optic. A full range of service is available including cell phone, Internet cards, telephone, cable TV, fax machines are open until midnight everyday. For further information (691) 370-3213/3164.
Media
Coconut Wireless is the best form of media. Kaselelia Press is sometimes passed around from travelers. There is a TV station that offers sports ESPN, CNN, and one-week delay of recorded major network TV shows from US, and the island have one AM radio station, V6AJ, which broadcast over 1500 AM.
Emergency Contacts
Dial 911 for general emergencies.
Fire station: (691) 370-3333
Kosrae Hospital: (691) 370-3012
Kosrae Police: (691) 370-333
Public Library
Rose Mackwelung Library located at the Kosrae High School. (691) 370-3074.
Churches and Places of Worship
The majority of people on Kosrae are Congregationalists, but there are other denominations represented, as well including Seventh Day Adventists, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Catholics, Baptists, Jehova Witnesses, Bahai, Assembly of God. All have regular church services. Visitors are welcome to attend the church of their choice. Information can be obtained from your local hotel.
Websites information obtained from:
Kosrae Visitors Bureau (Administrator: Grant Ismael) with the permission to use images/information/gallery photos from the following websites
www.kosrae.com
www.visit-micronesia.fm
www.magnificentmicronesia.com
Marshall Islands
What to do
- Wear "appropriate" clothing when in public because the Marshallese community is still strongly tied to tradition and therefore, very short shorts or anything above the knee is not appropriate.
- Wear sunscreen protection every time due to the sunny climate.
- Due to the limited access to medication on parts of the island, always have with you your medication/first aid-kit when traveling.
- Bring mosquito repellent when going to the outer islands.
- Beware of unleashed dogs when walking by the road.
Note to Keep in Mind: The Marshall Islands is a very safe place, because the crime rate is very low. The Marshallese people are some of the friendliest people and well known for their peaceful nature.