Place · Kolonia main street
Sakau (kava) market and barsSakau
Sakau is Pohnpei's traditional drink: watch it pounded and served in town, try a small cup only when a host offers, and skip it if you take medication, are pregnant or will drive.
Key facts
- Time on site
- 45–75 min
- p95 120 min
- Price
- US$1–3
- adult, 2026 estimate
- Hours
- unknown
- see note below
- Best time
- late afternoon, with a host
- quietest window
- 28″ bags
- Painful
- Kolonia main street: painful
- Getting there
- Walk or taxi to the sakau bar your hotel names
- Traditional drink
- With a host
- Evening
- Go late afternoon, with a host
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 9Cards are accepted at few places
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Micronesia ↗Micronesia runs on a handful of weekly flights, so one cancellation can cost several days: build slack into every connection between islands.
- Federated States of Micronesia ↗Entry rules are set by the FSM government, and each state also checks arrivals: confirm the rules for your passport with FSM immigration or an FSM embassy before booking.
- Federated States of Micronesia ↗The Chuuk Lagoon wrecks are protected war graves and historic sites: removing anything is prohibited, and a dive permit is required.
- Federated States of Micronesia ↗Land and reefs are owned by families and clans: ask permission and pay fees to visit sites, beaches or villages, especially in Yap.
- Pohnpei ↗Sites and reefs belong to families and clans: ask permission and pay any fee before you go in.
- Kolonia ↗Cards are accepted at few places: carry US dollars in small notes for taxis, guides, site fees and meals.
- Kolonia ↗Rain falls most days and can flood tracks and low roads: keep a covered plan for every outdoor stop.
Map & directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes
Go now?
hours and prices: check on the day- Open
- Hours unknown
- Crowds
Go late afternoon, with a host
MonTueWedThuFriSatSunQuietest Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun · busiest Fri, Sat · desk estimate
- Tickets
- Adult: US$1–3 (2026 estimate)
- Time to spend
- 45–75 min · up to 120 min if you linger
Know before you go
- Sakau is made from the pounded root of a pepper plant and tastes earthy and numbs the mouth; it is not alcohol but it is mildly sedating.
- Kava can interact with medicines and affect the liver: do not drink it if you take medication, have liver disease or are pregnant.
- A small cup is enough for a first try; wait to see how you feel.
- Take a taxi home, and book it before you go.
Weather here, next 7 days
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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Time on site
Minimum
30min
Worthwhile
45min
Typical
75min
p95
120min
Sakau bars run informal hours, mostly from late afternoon; ask your hotel where to go and which bars welcome visitors.
Tickets & entry
- Where to buy
- Buy at the entrance on the day.
- Buy from the official site or the ticket desk; resellers add a fee for the same ticket.
- Dress code
- Modest: cover thighs and shoulders.
- Bags & lockers
- Keep valuables at the hotel.
- Photos
- Ask each person; some do not want to be photographed.
- What's closed
- SundayscheckSome bars close or keep short hours.
“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.
| Ticket | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A cup of sakau | US$1–3 (2026 estimate) | Ask the price first; prices vary by bar and strength. |
On the ground
Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work
Getting in
- Stop
- Walk or taxi to the sakau bar your hotel names
- Exit
- —
- Ticket
- on site · official site
- Stairs
- unknown
- Shoes
- Shoes or sandals.
Crowds and switching
- Crowd clock
- Fuller from late afternoon into the evening.
- Sensory load
- 3/5
- Exposure
- medium
Bailouts
rain
The bar is under cover; or the nearest cafe
Nearest rescue anchor: A — Market shade and seats (field-verify)
Step-free check
- Step-free entrance: check · check
- Lifts: no · no
- Accessible toilet: check · check
- Wheelchair: check · check
- Stroller: no · nopoor
Simple open-sided huts, some with steps.
Combine with
- 6 minKolonia town market
Walk the Kolonia main street area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes
Best photo time today
Sun times for today load in your browser.
Red lines
- Drink only when a host invites you and follow their lead: sakau has customs, including who drinks first.
- Do not photograph people drinking without asking.
- Do not drive or take a boat after drinking.
More on the groundWho it suits · Skip it if · With kids
With kids
- with kids
- A drinking place for adults; children should not take part.
- child price
- check
Who it suits
| Traveler | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Culture and history travellers | good | A living custom central to Pohnpei life. |
| Travellers on medication or driving | poor | Not advised. |
Skip it if
- You take medication or have liver problems.
- You are pregnant or will drive.
- You feel uncomfortable watching a drinking custom.
Deep dive
Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources
Questions and answers
Is it safe?
A small amount is generally tolerated, but it can affect the liver and interact with drugs: check with a doctor at home.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Is it alcohol?
No, but it is sedating.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Can I take photos?
Ask everyone first.
Nearby
Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.