Getting into Kiribati

Accounts and posts I've read say: it's maybe not that unusual for people to turn up in Kiribati, and immigration to say 'hmm, don't like you', and for them to be sent back. Might this happen to me? How do I stop it happening?

I will have an onward plane ticket. The requirement to prove funds to support myself during my stay — how does that work? Do I produce cash? What if they aren't into my backpacker budget and decide it isn't sufficient?

I've visited Kiribati twice recently as crew on a yacht. We've not had any problem, in fact found the people at Immigration particularly helpful. Have not heard of a land-travellers being sent away. Your onward ticket should be enough of a safeguard. Only problem I know is one yacht which stopped at an outer island before actually checking into the country, a big no-no and the Authorities (quite rightly) came down hard on them. To make life easier, just in case, I'd take a print-up of a recent bank statement to prove you have funds. I'd have a confirmed booking for first couple of night's accommodation. Mary's Motel & Restaurant is the usual place people stay. At the market one day I met a very pleasant lady (name I think was Naa) who has accommodation at the north end of the island, out past the airport, sorry no contact details. You can get a bus from town, and walk over bridge when bus reaches the end of its run. Do you intend to get away from Tarawa? Inter-island 'ferries' are unreliable, more so with rising food prices. Go armed with as much information as you can gather so they can see you are a serious traveller rather than someone who will flounder around. I particularly like Butaritari but there is no tourist infra-structure. BTW when we were there in June, there was a dengue scare with deaths reported. That said, dengue is always lurking in most of the Pacific Islands. We'll be back there in November! Yeah! Hope you have a great trip.

Whoops - should read 'rising FUEL prices.

I know lots of people who have travelled to Kiribati and have never heard of this happeneing to anyone of them! Have an onward ticket, a confirmed place to stay while you are in Kiribati and some funds (though shouldn't matter too much with an onward ticket) to cover you during your stay. A bank statement or credit card (proves you have access to cash although not that many places over there can process them) I guess should be enough - as I say with most of the people I have known visiting on a tourist basis this hasn't been an issue. The requirements stated are the same for most other countries worldwide so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

{quote:title=wave2angela wrote:}{quote}
I'd have a confirmed booking for first couple of night's accommodation.

You see, I was planning to camp. Would it be a bad idea to admit this?

I'll definitely take the bank statement and credit card though.

Maybe I'm spoilt, living on a boat and all but I just don't see that camping out in the islands is safe, practical, comfortable or - most importantly - allowed by..... whoever. I don't think you can just go to an island and set up camp. I'm betting that you will be 'inspected' by the local Police who will probably never have met anyone doing this.

Arriving on one island we were visited by three large police officer, all perfectly charming but they were definately giving us the 'once over' to see we would fit in to their way of life.

In many ways, island life is very controlled; we visited a place where the weekly dances had been stopped because some young local guys yelled out too loudly! It is very easy to upset people without realising you are doing so

There is usually no accomodation like Western travellers are used to, the local church often acts as a 'guest house' but that is for local people visiting, they wouldn't be used to Westerners just arriving and expecting to stay.

All islands are connected by radio and the news will spread from one to another and I think you could well be be discouraged (or even not allowed) from visiting other islands.

I really think you are better to stick with the usual way of doing things - try and make friends with people and hope they will offer you somewhere to stay, and this could take some time. If you are on a budget or on a short visit you might not 'crack the code'. Then again, everyone knows everyone up there so if you make some contacts, you could have a really great time.

My guidebook says camping's okay as long as I ask permission and am nice about it. I have a tiny tent I can dismantle each day.

I'm used to living on boats too. Camping's my 'oh no, I got here by plane and I don't know anyone' alternative.

Showing credit card was enough to 'prove' funds in my case, however that was done when applying for the visa. At immigrations going into Kiribati nobody asked anything.

Going to the smaller islands we looked for island chief and asked if we could stay for so-and-so many days. Brought some string tabacco and rolled cigars and offered smoke.
We always presented a 'reason' for our stay as well, stiching up the sails of the boat being one, studying architecture styles of local houses another one. Local island policeman was usually present as well.
Friendly folks on the islands, but they don't really know the concept of 'tourism'.
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Images: http://www.tools4fools.info/KiribatiGAL.html
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Edited by: tools4fools

Haven't been to Kiribati, but if you state you will be camping in the Cooks, Fiji, etc., you will have a tough time getting in as all land is private, etc etc. Lots of posts about this. I'd just not mention camping, show the onward ticket, and list a basic place you intend to stay. Then stay there a night or two and check out campng options once there. Land is usually owned by someone, or a clan or tribe, so make sure you get permission in advance if you decide to try camping.