A Papua New Guinea Packing List For Your Next Trip

This post may contain affiliate links. This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for helping them promote their product or service. I don’t endorse any services I don’t personally use or recommend.

Papua New Guinea is not a country you can afford to pack poorly for. There are no convenience stores or 7/11s to top up on products or gear you might have forgotten. All you’ll have is what you bring with you. In such a high-risk destination, preparedness matters. I thought that we packed fairly well for our 3+ weeks in the country. Yet, there were still some crucial items that were forgotten.

This blog post will guide you through all the packing essentials, no matter where you’re traveling in Papua New Guinea, and then some add-ons that are a little more PNG destination-specific.

Since you’re here, I’m assuming you’ve already browsed some of my Papua New Guinea blog posts and understand what it’s like to travel in PNG. If you haven’t, maybe start there.

Your Full Papua New Guinea Packing List (With Links)

You’ll also probably want to bring extra clothing, meds, kids’ stuff, candy, etc., for when you visit remote villages and meet some families. It’s really challenging for remote communities to access this stuff, and any donations are much appreciated. I promise you, you’ll regret not bringing more.

Cash. Obviously, you don’t need to bring this from home (although I like to bring any extra $250 as emergency funds always). But you should pull out cash in major cities and/or at the Port Moresby airport to have on hand. Cash is King in PNG.

Papua New Guinea Islands Packing List 

You should add these items if you plan to visit New Ireland, New Britain, Manus, or one of the other islands around PNG.

• Swimsuit.
• Your own snorkel gear. The stuff provided can sometimes be a bit moldy.
• Waterproof bags. 
• A few outfits more geared toward beachtime.
• Sarong.

Random Extras I Liked Having

I did not regret having books, my journal, extra pens (kids kept wanting mine), my drone, my camera with a zoom lens for wildlife photography, and all the little gear that comes along with that. While you should probably plan to pack as light as possible in PNG (I know that’s probably a challenge considering everything I’ve just thrown at you), especially if you want to take PMVs, aka public transport, you will have some downtime, and you’ll want things to do in said time.

Clothing Inspiration for Papua New Guinea

Here is a fun mock-up of things to pack for my visual peeps.

Your Medical Kit Packing List

I’ve always traveled with a basic medical kit for unforeseen emergencies and basic tummy-related issues that can arise from eating street food. But Papua New Guinea requires a more extensive medical kit than almost anywhere else in the world in case shit hits the fan. 

This is because outside of Port Moresby, medical facilities are GRIM. I know because we had the poor luck of needing to use them. Specifically in Kavieng, New Ireland. The island’s only medical center. They had exactly one working blood pressure cuff and no staff available at the time of our arrival who could handle an emergency. In fact, they plainly stated to us that they didn’t have any medication to even dispense. Like I said, GRIM. 

So, considering this and what you’ll come up against, this is what I will always have in my medical kit for Papua New Guinea travel. 

• Malarone. Or your choice of malaria prevention. 
• 50 Deet bug spray. Twice as much as you think you’ll need. This one is a roll-on stick and natural.
• Hand sanitizer. Lots of it. 
• Suncream 50+. Lizard is my favorite brand.
• Afterbite for insect stings or bed bug bites. 
• Hydrocortisone ointment for other rashes and itches. 
• Epi-Pen. Not just if you have an allergy. Hospitals did not have EPI, and Scombroid Poisoning is something that happens with frequency in PNG. 
• Oral antihistamines. Preferably, Loratadine and Benadryl as they work differently.
• Painkillers. Both Tylenol and Ibuprofen, because Ibuprofen cannot be taken for Dengue symptoms. 
• Pepto-Bismol for tummy upset and mild food poisoning. This is my lifesaver.
• Antacids. Can be used for various ailments. 
• Vitamin C packets or tablets. 
• Neosporin or equivalent for wound care. 
• Antifungal cream. Great for the tropics. 
• Azithromycin and Amoxicillin. Both can be used for various bacterial infections, foodborne and otherwise. You’ll probably need to get these by prescription depending on where you live.
• Waterproof band-aids, gauze, and other wound care. 
• Malaria test kit. If you can get your hands on one. 
• Oral rehydration packets. 
• Zofran. Again, if you can get your hands on it, you’ll be able to immediately stop vomiting. 
• High sugar candies for blood sugar monitoring. 
• Thermometer. 
• Blood pressure cuff, O2 sat monitor, and blood sugar test kit, if you have the room for them. Obviously, this is a little overkill, but if you want a very thorough med kit.

Obviously, most people do not have all these items on hand. But do your best and be as prepared as possible — especially if you have a medical condition. 

If I Forgot Something…Where Can I Go?

99% of the time, it’s easy to find gear and essentials that you forgot when hastily packing for your trip after you land. Papua New Guinea falls into that 1%. If you need to grab a few things in PNG, you can go to the Vision City Mall in Port Moresby or hit the chain drugstores like City Pharmacy. But I wouldn’t venture out expecting anything besides the basics.

While this might be one of the most extensive packing lists I’ve ever written (I don’t write many), it truly is 99% necessary to have all these items with you in Papua New Guinea. In fact, this trip entirely changed the way that I pack my medical kit for travel. Obviously, everyone’s personal packing list will vary, but these items handle the challenging medical, mosquito, dehydration, and weather-related issues you might come across while traveling in Papua New Guinea.

Save This Papua New Guinea Packing List For Later!