Kiribati Traveler Essentials
- Capital
- Tarawa (South Tarawa)
- Currency
- Australian Dollar (AUD $)
- Best time to visit
- The drier months from April to October bring calmer, more pleasant conditions. The wetter season runs November to March.
Visa requirements
Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or visa-free entry for short stays; check current rules before travel. A passport valid for six months and proof of onward travel are required.
Getting around
Air Kiribati links the atolls on small planes, and on South Tarawa shared minibuses and taxis run along the single causeway road.
Safety
Kiribati has low violent crime, though crowded South Tarawa sees occasional petty theft. Medical facilities are very limited, water quality is poor, and the low-lying atolls are highly exposed to storm surges, so come prepared and insured.
Tipping customs
Tipping is not expected and is not part of local custom. A sincere thank-you suffices.
Travel tips
Bring Australian dollars in cash since card facilities are almost nonexistent outside a couple of hotels. Flights to outer islands are infrequent, so build in buffer days. Connectivity is slow and limited even with a local SIM.