The Marshall Islands is an island country in Oceania. The islands are perhaps most famous for the series of nuclear tests carried out by the US in the 40s and 50s of last century.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to the Marshall islands are required to have a valid passport. Entry requirements vary depending on visitors nationality. Citizens of Schengen zone countries, including the USA, Taiwan, Palau, and Micronesia have the luxury of visa-free access. Citizens of all remaining nations must obtain a visa in order to visit the country however citizens of some nations have the luxury of obtaining such a document on arrival. Visitors who wish to drive in the Marshall island must have both their national driving permit and an international driving permit. IDP holders must beware that it cannot be used alone and must always be complemented by the original driving permit.

Traveling hazards

Majuro atoll has only one main road. The road is paved, but there are few traffic signs and no traffic lights. While driving, you should be alert for dogs, chickens, and pigs roaming the streets and children darting into the road. Children frequently play dangerous games with vehicles, running in front of or behind vehicles. Drinking and driving are common, especially on the weekends, so use caution. Walking beside the street can be dangerous due to poor lighting, absence of sidewalks, and drivers who may have been drinking.

Environmental hazards

There are very few animals to inhabit land on the Marshall Islands. In fact, there are no land mammals, only avian life. There are numerous reports of shark attacks around the Marshall Islands. Although most are over two decades old, such incidents are still a possibility.
Marshall islands are predominantly endangered by cyclones. Cyclones are the sole natural hazard responsible for claiming lives as well as dealing considerable damage to the economy of the Marshall Islands.

Health hazards

There are no vaccination requirements nor are there any disease outbreaks in the marshall islands. There are several recommended vaccines. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid vaccines. Some of the atolls which had nuclear weapons tested on them in the 50s are still experiencing levels of radiation which make them uninhabitable. The 2 hospitals of the Marshall Islands are the Armer Yashoda Hospital in Majuro, with 81-bed capacity, and the Ebeye Hospital. These facilities are able to provide generally sufficient treatment for routine medical procedures. The other 61 health centers are spread across the islands and are able to provide for basic medical care and are mostly staffed with nurses. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is in an isolated location, just west of the international dateline and barely north of the equator. Its remote location means that any country with high-quality medical facilities is at least 3,000 kilometers away. For an expatriate or tourist, it is important to consider the options for evacuation from the Marshall Islands, in case you find yourself in need of treatment that local hospitals cannot provide.
In case of an emergency dial 911.

Crime

The Marshall Islands are generally a very safe place. Crime is very rare however visitors should take some precautions. The most common type of crime committed on the islands is various forms of theft such as pickpockets, bag snatching, theft of unattended goods, burglaries, stealing goods from cars aka car break-ins. There are also occasional acts of vandalism however this is quite rare. Visitors should keep cautious especially in crowded areas however the island is generally safe allowing most to relax and enjoy their surroundings. There is no risk of terrorism in the Marshall Islands.

Summary

Despite a few visitors, Marshall islands offer a variety of attractions for tourists. There are incredible diving sites, as well as famous nuclear testing sites which can be visited by those not afraid of radiation. 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)
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/oceania/pacific-islands-of-micronesia/marshall-islands/passport-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/marshall-islands