Micronesia

See the Department of State's Fact Sheet on Micronesia for additional information on U.S. – FSM relations. 

Transportation

ROAD CONDITIONS AND SAFETY: While in the FSM, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Most roads in the FSM are in very poor condition. When traffic accidents happen, they often result in fatalities or serious injuries. The information below concerning the FSM is provided for general reference only, and may not be accurate in all locations and circumstances.

Traffic Laws: Speed limits throughout the FSM are very low: 20-25 miles per hour (mph) in most places; 15 mph in school zones when children are present. The actual driving speed may be even lower; it is not uncommon for drivers to drive at 5 to 10 mph, even when there is no traffic. Drivers may stop in the roadway without warning to talk to someone on the side of the road.

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, as in the United States. However, the majority of vehicles in FSM are right-hand drive vehicles imported from Japan. Drivers in these vehicles do not have an optimum field of vision, which can interfere with driving maneuvers and drivers’ ability to establish visual contact with other road users.

If you intend to reside in the FSM, you should acquire a local driver’s license with the State Police. In most cases, the police will issue a local license to anyone who presents a U.S. driver’s license. If you will be in the FSM temporarily, a U.S. driver’s license itself is sufficient to rent a car and drive for the duration of your visit.

Road Conditions and Safety: Most roads are narrow and without sidewalks, creating hazards for both drivers and the FSM’s numerous pedestrians. There are very few street lights, so road visibility is difficult for night driving, and pedestrians may dress in dark clothing, making them especially hard to see at night. 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, children playing, animals, and vehicles. Road conditions can worsen significantly after heavy rains, which occur frequently. Travel by bicycle is hampered by the lack of shoulders on the roads and the presence of many dogs on the island.

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. Motorcyclists are required by law to wear helmets, though this is rarely enforced.

Public Transportation: Taxis are available in state capitals, but you should always be careful since many taxi drivers are reckless.

United Airlines is the primary commercial carrier connecting the FSM to the United States. Flight schedules and routes are limited and subject to change. There is only one alternative carrier, Air Nauru, limited to Pohnpei and Kosrae if flights are canceled or missed. Flights are often fully booked and aircraft weight is an issue due to short runways and the type of aircraft used. Because of these limitations and the numerous transit stops (typical routing to Kolonia, for instance, is via Honolulu with stops in Majuro, Kwajalein, and Kosrae; or via Guam with a stop in Chuuk), with passengers disembarking and embarking at each stop, baggage sometimes may not be loaded or may be off-loaded by mistake and left behind at an intermediate stop. You should keep these logistical challenges in mind when traveling in the region. Missing baggage should be reported immediately to United Airlines ground personnel before onward flight departure.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Micronesia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of the FSM’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page. 

Safety and Security

Always maintain a high level of caution, be alert to any unusual activity around your home or business, and report any suspicious incidents to local police.

CRIME: Most crime in the FSM is petty theft motivated by opportunity and impulse. Sexual assaults do occur, but your risk can be reduced if you take basic security precautions. Do not attempt to intervene in disputes between local citizens. Some U.S. citizens report that local police appear to be less responsive to victim concerns compared to norms in the United States, particularly in cases involving burglaries.

Crime rates are significantly higher in Chuuk than in the other states; you should exercise extreme caution at all times, stay off the streets after dark. Drive with the car windows closed and doors locked. Ensure that the hotel where you stay is prepared to assist you in an emergency.

Dress conservatively. Modern swimwear may be considered immodest by local standards. Additionally, we suggest women travel in groups and walk in well-lit areas.

Unexploded ordnance from World War II remains in some areas. Exercise caution when diving in Yap harbor or Chuuk lagoon. It is illegal, as well as dangerous, to remove “souvenirs” from sunken WWII vessels and aircraft.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: Report crimes to the local police at 320-2221 for Pohnpei and 911 on all other islands. The numbers for fire assistance are 330-2222 (Chuuk), 370-3333 (Kosrae), 320-2223 (Pohnpei), and 350-3333 (Yap). Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Keep in mind that the capacity of local police and fire departments throughout the FSM is extremely limited. There is often a significant delay for police and firefighters to respond to calls, and they may not be able to respond at all. Often, no one picks up when dialing emergency numbers, especially after normal business hours.

The capacity to investigate crimes is extremely limited and victims may wait months for an arrest, if ever. The justice system of the FSM is extremely slow and customary legal standards may not be applied. Court-appointed attorneys, as well as judges presiding over cases, may not have legal training comparable to that found in the U.S.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical
• support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 
• See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.