Need cash when I land, best place in Papua New Guinea? Airport or places in the city?
On my first trip to PNG, I exchanged $100 at the airport counter and felt ripped off. Next time, I tried the BSP ATM right near baggage claim, and it worked perfectly with my Visa card. I withdrew 400 kina, which covered my hotel transfer and meals. Later, when I went out to smaller towns, no ATMs were working, so having cash saved me. Lesson learned: don’t rely on the counters, and don’t assume you’ll find ATMs outside Port Moresby.
Papua New Guinea’s economy is cash-heavy, so you’ll need kina for most daily expenses. Airport exchange counters at Jacksons are legal but expensive. The safer choice is ATMs - BSP, Westpac, and ANZ are the main banks. They’re located at the airport and across Port Moresby. Just be aware: machines sometimes run out of cash. Plan to withdraw enough for your trip before heading to smaller towns. My strategy: get a small amount at the airport ATM, then make a larger withdrawal in the city.
When I landed in Port Moresby, I skipped the exchange desk and went straight to a BSP ATM in arrivals. It worked with my Mastercard and gave me kina at the official rate. In town, ANZ also had ATMs that worked fine. PNG is very cash-based outside major hotels, so I’d suggest withdrawing a good amount before you leave Port Moresby. I carried 500-600 kina, which lasted me a few days of taxis, meals, and market shopping. Airport counters are overpriced and should only be a backup.
Jacksons Airport in Port Moresby has exchange counters, but their rates are poor. I normally change just enough there for a taxi, maybe 50-100 kina. After that, I go to BSP or ANZ ATMs in the city - they’re the most reliable. Fees can be high, so I try to take out bigger amounts at once. Smaller towns often don’t have working ATMs, so it’s better to carry cash before you leave Port Moresby. Definitely avoid relying on counters in the airport if you want to stretch your budget.