'''Madang''' is a town in Madang Province on the north coast of Papua, New Guinea. In 2005 it had a population of almost 30,000.. The town is said to be one of the prettiest towns in the South Pacific.

Get in

National airlines fly in and out of Madang on a regular schedule, including jet aircraft.

Get around

Many "buses" (typically minivans or trucks where you sit in the back on a bench) connect to nearby towns. You can catch them at the central bus station near the market. Each vehicle has a number to indicate its destination. You can also flag down any passing vehicle with the right number. Vehicles are typically crowded. Passengers will be intrigued and interested if you join them this way if you're obviously visiting.

There are many boats visiting its port, so there are likely options for water travel also.

See

Many visitors come to Madang for the fine Scuba diving available in nearby waters. Others to see a pretty, small, relatively safe PNG, town that is a wonderful place to walk around and explore. The shoreline around the town has many small sandy swimming spots with grass, large trees and shade.

It is a great town to relax and recuperate. Large stores have most amenities the traveler will need, as well as a lot of local items that are interesting to see and try. Local residents are curious but reserved around travelers, but are usually friendly and helpful when approached.

Do

In the center of Madang is a busy local market. People come daily from the highlands with produce to sell and load up with goods to take back with them at the end of the day. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables are available.

Outside of Madang are many small villages. Many of these offer tours and will show you local customs and their way of life. The people are extremely friendly and a tour is highly recommended. Any of the hotels in town can organise this for you for approx US$25/person for an afternoon including all transport. There are over 200 bats that take flight in the evening.

Buy

There isn't a lot to buy that you can take home with you. At least not typical tourist trinkets. In the villages they will offer you pottery to buy or local crafts which may be interesting to you.

Eat

There are not many restaurants outside of the few hotels who serve both guests and people passing by. The golf club serves meals and drinks though its weekday daytime hours can be limited. Some stores sell a limited selection of local 'fast' food. You may be able to find someone to sign you in as a guest to the members-only boat club that is a favorite of local business people and ex-pats.

The usual cautions apply for visitors eating in developing countries. Places catering to tourists are clean, the food is fresh and the water safe to drink. Seafood and produce are plentiful. Fresh coconuts are easy to buy and provide a refreshing drink. Ask someone for help, and they'll quickly brandish a large knife seemingly from nowhere and expertly cut it open.

Drink

Sleep

  • ''' Madang Resort Hotel''', [http://www.madangresort.com/]. Caters to scuba divers (who seemingly don't leave the resort, except by boat) with an on site dive shop . A little further out on the main road are several hotels, many catering to both tourists and local business travelers.
  • '''The Madang Lodge''', [http://www.madanglodge.com/]. A short walk from the centre of town and is clean and comfortable. To save money, ask for the non-air-conditioned rooms which have two single beds each with a simple thin mattress on the wooden bunk and share showers and toilets.
  • '''Jais Aben Resort''', a half hour bus ride out of town, [http://www.jaisaben.com.pg/]. Take a local bus and walk a mile or so to the resort through rural PNG (at least in contrast to Madang!) to find a large low-key resort primarily catering to scuba enthusiasts and family groups. It has pleasant green and blue surroundings and plentiful waterfront views as well as a pool and several dining areas.
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