Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Need to ask for permission before visiting Bougainville? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Papua New Guinea
adrdilauro 12:29 UTC 02 Jun 2018 | I am going to visit Bougainville in the end of August, to cross the border to the Solomons. I found this note in UK travel advice: << You must provide notice of your intention to visit the island to the Bougainville Provincial Administration (telephone: +675 973 9798), and contact the Administration again upon arrival. >> Has anybody heard about this? Is there anybody who has done the crossing recently and can provide a feedback? Thanks! |
majordom 17:38 UTC 02 Jun 2018 | i havnet visited bougainville but have friends who have recently and this is not a requirement of the central government- try calling and asking - my understanding is that entry is restricted for journalists etc. but the tourist visa is not there is a recent post here saying the solomons had arrested and deported illegal entrants search here(and on the tripadvisor forum)for latest news | 1
adrdilauro 09:36 UTC 03 Jun 2018 | Just saw the post on Solomon Islands forum. Thanks | 2
adrdilauro 08:16 UTC 04 Jun 2018 | I got this reply from Sylvester Vakore, the responsible from immigration in Bougainville << The PNG Tourist Visa you intend to get from our office in Jayapura will be the one you can travel into PNG and Bougainville. However, it must be within 60 days before you leave the country to Solomon Islands. Meaning the visa is only for 60 days. >> So, the information in UK travel advice is wrong, tourists can visit Bougainville without troubles (except probably the forbidden mine; if somebody wants to visit that place it's better to ask around once you are there). Be aware that, when Sylvester Vakore mentions Solomon Islands, it's because he has already told me that it's officially illegal to cross by boat, and I have already replied him that I'll fly through Port Moresby. You can look at the following post for the whole thread: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/australasia-pacific-pacific-islands-papua-new-guinea/solomon-islands/how-to-travel-legally-from-bougainville-to-solomon-islands | 3
Thorn Tree 01:00 UTC 05 Jun 2019 | This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you. | 4