The Federated States of Micronesia is comprised of over 600 islands. The islands receive few tourists by international standard however they are among most visited in Oceania. Micronesia like most countries in the area has some excellent diving sites as well as incredible beaches.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to Micronesia are required to have a valid passport. Visa is not required by any visitor however permitted the length of stay depends on visitors nationality. Visa-free stay varies from 30 to 90 days or a full year. To drive in Micronesia, a foreign visitor must have valid national driver licenses and International driving permits. IDP holders must beware that it cannot be used alone and must always be complemented by the original driving permit.

Traveling hazards

Most roads are narrow and without sidewalks, creating hazards for both drivers and the FSM’s numerous pedestrians. Most roads are in very poor condition, with potholes and little or no shoulder to pull to the side. Roads outside towns are mostly unpaved. All roads are used simultaneously by pedestrians, playing children, animals, and vehicles. Road conditions can worsen significantly after heavy rains, which occur frequently. There is no formal training in road safety or driving, so many drivers are unaware of road safety rules. Drivers often make sudden turns or stop without warning to chat with or pick up pedestrians. Taxis are available in state capitals, but you should always be careful since many taxi drivers are reckless. Drunk drivers can create serious hazards, particularly on weekend evenings and holidays. Motorcyclists are required by law to wear helmets, though this is rarely enforced. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. However, the majority of vehicles in FSM are right-hand drive vehicles imported from Japan; they are not designed to operate on the FSM road network. Drivers in these vehicles do not have an optimum field of vision, which can interfere with driving maneuvers and the driver’s ability to establish visual contact with other road users.

Environmental hazards

There are very few animals inhabiting the land in Micronesia. In fact, the only mammals inhabiting Micronesian islands are bats. Shark attacks have taken place in Micronesia. Despite only 4 reports and no attack taking place in the past 15 years, such incidents cannot be ruled out. Divers and those swimming far out in the sea are the most vulnerable to such attacks.
Storms and floods are a great danger in Micronesian islands however cyclones are responsible for most damage and carry the biggest death toll.

Health hazards

There are currently no outbreaks of any diseases in Micronesia nor are there any required vaccinations. There are however several recommended vaccines. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B and typhoid vaccines. In every State of Micronesia, there is a hospital located in the urban central area, which provides primary and secondary levels of medical services to its residents and citizens. The medical services include both medical and preventive services. All citizens are entitled to receive healthcare services at the hospitals, however, a small fee may apply. In general, only residents living in the urban areas have direct access to the main hospital in each State, the reason being that transportation is often an issue, resulting in residents who live on the outer islands having limited access to these hospitals.
In case of an emergency dial 3446.

Crime

Non-confrontational property crimes such as home break-ins are the type of crimes most likely to affect visitors traveling to the Federated States of Micronesia. Traveling on foot after dark in the FSM can be dangerous due to the lack of sidewalks, poor lighting on roads, and inebriated drivers. Women traveling alone on roads have been targeted. The island of Chuuk experiences more crime than the FSM’s other three main islands. There is no terrorist threat in Micronesia. The use or possession of narcotics is illegal.

Summary

Micronesia is rather unpopular however this is mostly contributed to its distance from major traveling routes. Most flights are not direct with minor airlines visiting the islands. The islands are generally safe and offer incredible diving sites. 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.visit-micronesia.fm/guide/regulation.html
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/micronesia