Tonga is the only kingdom in the Pacific since Taufa’ahau (King George) in 1875 declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy, he also gave Tonga its first constitution. The archipelago is unique as it is one that retained most of its original culture. The people of Tonga never experienced the influx of foreign settlers.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to Tonga are required to have a valid passport. Entry requirements vary on visitors nationality. Citizens of several nations enjoy visa-free travel whilst others must obtain a visa. Visas also vary depending on nationality as some enjoy the luxury of obtaining such document upon arrival whilst others must obtain such document and have it approved. The driving license requirements in Tonga state that you must have a full driving license that is valid in your country of residence. Upon arrival in Tonga, you will need to purchase a local driver’s license from the nearest police station.

Traveling hazards

No roadside assistance is available. Traffic moves on the left in Tonga. While roads in Nuku’alofa are paved, most other roads are not. Animals and unwary pedestrians walking in the road make night driving on unlit secondary roads hazardous. There are no stop lights in the country, drivers are required to stop at all roundabouts.

Environmental hazards

Like most Pacific islands, Tonga has barely any land stalking animals. The only land mammals are bats. There have been numerous reports of shark attacks in Tonga. Most recent took place in 2012 however such incidents can happen at any time. Divers are most vulnerable. Despite the lack of dangerous creatures on land, Pacific waters supply plenty of these. Stonefish, sea snakes and various venomous jellyfish are numerous around the coast of Tonga. It is best to stick to designated and guarded beaches where it is less likely to encounter any of these creatures and lifeguards lookout for any possible threats.
The three most devastating natural hazards in Tonga are seasonal cyclones, earthquakes, and tsunamis which are preceded by an earthquake. Cyclones are responsible for most economic damage however all three carry an equal death toll.

Health hazards

There are no outbreaks of diseases nor are there any required vaccines. There are however recommended vaccines. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B and typhoid vaccines. There is a risk of contracting Zika virus in Tonga. Unfortunately, there is no approved vaccination against it. Visitors, however, may use alternative ways such as mosquito repellents and installing mosquito nets in the windows of your accommodation if there aren’t such already. In Tonga, all citizens are guaranteed access to health services free of charge, and physical access to these facilities remains quite good. Easy access to these facilities is of course except if you happen to live or travel to an outlying isolated island. This luxury of free medical costs, however, is not passed onto foreigners who do not hold Tongan citizenship. Overall Tonga has a well rounded and easily accessible healthcare service unless of course, you find yourself on one of the outer islands. As is true with any country in the world, there are some problems inherent in the system, however, most people are able to receive the care that they need when they need it.
In case of an emergency dial 999.

Crime

Although Tonga has a low crime rate, both petty and violent crime exists and concern both locals and visitors. Visitors are not targeted out proportionally to the locals by violent crime however petty crime is mostly directed at tourists in hope of economic gain. There has been a recent rise in house break-ins and property theft. Though rare, sexual assaults against foreigners have occurred, including on public beaches. Females, in particular, should avoid going out alone at night or alone to isolated locations. You should not be complacent regarding your personal safety or the protection of your valuables. There is no risk of terrorism in Tonga. Narcotics in Tonga are illegal. Possession, distribution or cultivation is a criminal offense.

Summary

Tonga is one of the most developed countries of Oceania. Locals enjoy the highest standard of living in the region ranking above Fiji and Samoa. The island provides a variety of attractions and incredible resorts. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://www.tongaholiday.com/visa-requirements/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tonga