Things to Do in Port Moresby

Port Moresby has over 800 languages within PNG's borders—that should tell you something about the complexity you're walking into. The capital sits along Fairfax Harbour with rolling hills behind it, mixing modern urban sprawl with traditional Melanesian culture in ways you won't find elsewhere in the Pacific. Most people use it as a gateway to the highlands and diving. That misses the point entirely. The city feels rough around the edges, and security demands attention, but there's genuine warmth here and some impressive cultural sites. You'll find busy markets where betel nut vendors sit alongside people selling bilums (traditional string bags), modern shopping centers, and neighborhoods where tok pisin mixes with English and local languages. Total chaos. Worth experiencing.

Port Moresby's food scene reflects PNG's most cosmopolitan city status, with everything from traditional Melanesian dishes to Chinese, Indian, and Australian influences. You'll find decent restaurants in main hotels and shopping centers. Lamana Hotel and Grand Papua Hotel have reliable dining options, while local specialties like mumu (traditional earth oven cooking) or saksak (sago) dishes work better through cultural tours than restaurants. The city has several good Chinese restaurants. Australian-style cafes and pubs are scattered around, though street food requires local knowledge to navigate safely.

Port Moresby has a tropical savanna climate that's drier than much of PNG. The dry season runs May to October. You'll get less rain, lower humidity, and clearer skies during these months, though temperatures stay consistent year-round in the mid-80s to low 90s Fahrenheit. The wet season brings afternoon thunderstorms and higher humidity from November to April. Trade winds help keep things bearable, and the city doesn't get as much rain as the highlands or coastal areas.