Territory capital · Papua New Guinea
Kerema
Skip Kerema unless you have a specific reason (work, family, birding in Kikori): it's a small coastal town with basic facilities and one hotel, reachable by a 229 km (142 mi) road or a flight from Port Moresby.Skip Kerema unless you have a specific reason (work, family, birding in Kikori): it's a small coastal town with basic facilities and one hotel, reachable by a 142 mi (229 km) road or a flight from Port Moresby.
Kerema is the capital of Gulf Province, a quiet coastal town of about 6,500 people. Fishing, logging and oil are the main industries. The only accommodation is Hotel Kerema (also called Lavai Hotel) with basic rooms at K200 a night. Most travellers pass through on the way to Kikori for birdwatching or use it as a stop on the road between Port Moresby and the Highlands. One night is enough.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PGK
- Best months
- May–Nov (dry season)
- avoid Dec–Apr (wet season; road conditions worsen)
- Airport
- KMA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- 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.
- Melanesia ↗Malaria is present in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and parts of Vanuatu (not Fiji or New Caledonia): ask a travel clinic about tablets before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Every visitor needs a visa (an online e-visa, or a visa on arrival for a short list of passports) and must file the free Digital Arrival Card before landing: check the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority for your passport before booking.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Some governments advise against travel to parts of the Highlands provinces because of tribal fighting; check your own government's current advice before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Almost all land is customary: ask permission before walking, swimming or photographing, and expect to pay fees to landowners.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kerema112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kerema, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the kina (PGK, K).Papua New Guinea-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigicel has the widest coverage; Vodafone PNG and bmobile cover towns.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Papua New Guinea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and hotels: Not expected.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Papua New Guinea-wide
- SafetyKerema is generally quiet but petty crime can occur.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop pit toilets in villages and on treks.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 111 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysOffices close on public holidays and for several days around Independence Day; many shops close Sunday afternoon; lodges may close in the wet season.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckKMA Kerema Airport (Airlines PNG has almost daily flights from Port Moresby; check).
- Getting aroundWalk or arrange a ride with your accommodation.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KMA Kerema Airport (Airlines PNG has almost daily flights from Port Moresby; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: May–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jun (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Mar (19 rain days), driest Aug (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kerema: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
19 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or arrange a ride with your accommodation. The town is small and walkable. For Kikori or other villages, ask at the hotel or guest house.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kikori
goDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Boat or vehicle from Kerema; ask at Hotel Kerema for transport
Small fishing centre on the Kikori River delta; good for birdwatching. Accommodation at Delta Lodge.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Hotel Kerema (Lavai Hotel) is the main option; basic rooms at K200. Catholic Guest House also available but details unknown.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- K200–300 excl. bed
- Mid
- K300–500 excl. bed
- High
- K500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Kerema (Lavai Hotel), basic room1 × 1 night × PGK 200 | PGK 200 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × PGK 200 | PGK 200 |
| Flight Port Moresby–Kerema, one way1 × PGK 400 · check | PGK 400 |
| Road transfer Port Moresby–Kerema, one way1 × PGK 150 · check | PGK 150 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PGK 95 |
| Trip total≈ PGK 1,045 per person per day, bed included | PGK 1,045 |
2026 estimate in Kina (PGK); flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Hotel Kerema room (basic) | K200 |
| Flight Port Moresby–Kerema, one way | K400 (check) |
| Road transfer Port Moresby–Kerema, one way | K150 (check) |
| Meal at hotel or local market | K10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road from Port Moresby is 229 km (142 mi) and can be rough in the wet season; check conditions before driving.Road from Port Moresby is 142 mi (229 km) and can be rough in the wet season; check conditions before driving.
- Hotel Kerema is basic; bring your own toiletries and snacks.
- No ATMs or banks confirmed; carry cash in Kina from Port Moresby.
- Mobile coverage is limited; check with your provider.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 111
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
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KeremaKerema
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Long dispela adres, plisTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance111
- Fire110
Embassy
The US embassy is in Port Moresby; most other countries also have embassies there.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Hotel Kerema room: K200
- Flight Port Moresby–Kerema: about K400 (check)
Say or show
- Halo — Hello (hah-loh)
- Tenkyu — Thank you (ten-kyoo)
- Hamas? — How much? (hah-mas)
- Hotel i stap we? — Where is the hotel? (ho-tel ee stap weh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kerema. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Nov (dry season) · avoid Dec–Apr (wet season; road conditions worsen) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialAirlines PNG
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kerema, revision 4808458 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Kerema
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