Kiribati

🇰🇮

Código Telefónico

+686

Capital

Tarawa

Población

131.000

Nombre Nativo

Kiribati

Región

Oceanía

Micronesia

Zonas Horarias

Phoenix Island Time

UTC+13:00

+2 more

Kiribati (pronounced KEER-ee-bas) scatters across 3.5 million square kilometers of Pacific Ocean as 33 coral atolls and reef islands divided into three groups—Gilbert Islands, Phoenix Islands, and Line Islands—creating nation that spans three time zones and straddles both equator and International Date Line, making it the only country in all four hemispheres (north, south, east, west). This remote Pacific nation hosts 131,000 people concentrated mainly on South Tarawa atoll (capital area) where narrow strips of land barely 450 meters wide between ocean and lagoon hold overcrowded urban settlement, while outer islands preserve traditional I-Kiribati culture based on fishing, coconuts, and subsistence living. The geography delivers both blessing and curse: thousands of kilometers of pristine ocean, coral reefs teeming with marine life, and isolation preserving traditional ways—but also extreme vulnerability to climate change (rising seas threaten to submerge entire nation within decades), economic challenges from remoteness, and limited resources on tiny low-lying atolls where highest natural point is mere 81 meters. Kiribati entered global consciousness as WWII battlefield where bloody 1943 Battle of Tarawa saw US Marines storm Japanese-held atoll in one of Pacific War's most intense battles, leaving rusting tanks, bunkers, and guns across reef and lagoon as underwater monuments. Modern visitors discover nation of contrasts: South Tarawa's crowded causeway linking islets, traditional thatched maneaba (meeting houses) in villages, spectacular lagoons perfect for fishing and diving, Phoenix Islands Protected Area (one of world's largest marine reserves), Christmas Island's massive bone fishing, and I-Kiribati culture maintaining traditional navigation, dancing, and community structures despite modernization pressures. Climate change casts shadow over everything—this beautiful nation faces existential threat as rising oceans erode shores, saltwater contaminates fresh water, and storm surges inundate low-lying lands, making Kiribati unwilling symbol of climate crisis affecting all low-lying island nations.

Kiribati Visa & Entry Requirements

Kiribati offers visa-free entry to most nationalities for tourism purposes with length varying by origin: citizens of most countries including United States, UK, EU nations, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and many others receive 30 days visa-free on arrival, while some Commonwealth nations get 90 days. Entry requirements include passport valid 6 months beyond stay, return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds (minimum $200 per week recommended). Visa extensions up to 4 months total can be requested at Immigration Office in Tarawa for $20 per month extension. Few countries require advance visas—most travelers receive visa-free entry stamp at airport. Entry typically occurs through Bonriki International Airport on South Tarawa atoll with flights from Fiji (Fiji Airways, 3x weekly), Nauru (weekly), and occasional charter services—Fiji serves as main hub for international connections. Some travelers arrive via yacht, entering through designated ports. Health requirements include yellow fever certificate if arriving from endemic countries; no other vaccinations legally required though hepatitis A/B, typhoid, and routine vaccines recommended. Airport arrival formalities are relaxed with friendly immigration officers processing arrivals quickly. Currency declaration required if carrying over AUD$10,000. Kiribati uses Australian dollar (AUD) alongside local Kiribati dollar (pegged 1:1 to AUD), with Australian currency accepted everywhere. Cash is king—credit cards rarely accepted outside major hotels, ATMs limited to South Tarawa (and frequently broken), so bring sufficient Australian or US dollars for entire stay. Travel insurance strongly recommended given limited medical facilities and expensive medical evacuation (nearest adequate hospitals in Fiji or Hawaii thousands of kilometers away).

Tipos de Visa Comunes

Visa-Free Entry (Most Nationalities)

30 days (extendable to 4 months)

Tourism and business

Visa Extension

Up to 4 months total stay

Extending initial 30-day stay

Essential Kiribati Information

Cash essential—bring sufficient Australian or US dollars for entire stay. ATMs limited to South Tarawa and frequently broken. Credit cards rarely accepted except major hotels.

Flights via Fiji Airways (3x weekly from Nadi) or Nauru Airlines (weekly from Nauru)—book well in advance. Delays and cancellations common; build flexibility into itinerary.

Accommodation very limited—South Tarawa has few small hotels (Mary's Motel, Utirerei, Captain Cook). Book ahead. Outer islands require arranged village stays.

Resumen de Viaje

Kiribati delivers ultimate remote Pacific island experience where visitors discover pristine atolls, traditional culture, WWII history, and some of world's best fishing—though infrastructure limitations, high costs, and challenging logistics make this destination for adventurous travelers rather than comfort-seeking tourists. South Tarawa—the capital atoll—concentrates most population, government, services, and limited tourist facilities across narrow causeway connecting series of islets (Betio, Bairiki, Bikenibeu) between vast lagoon (450 square kilometers) and open ocean. Betio island preserves WWII Battle of Tarawa sites with rusting Japanese bunkers, shore defense guns, Sherman tanks half-submerged in lagoon, and memorials honoring thousands who died in 76-hour battle. The lagoon offers excellent swimming, snorkeling over WWII wrecks, and views across turquoise water. Traditional villages on South Tarawa and outer islands maintain maneaba (community meeting houses with distinctive high-peaked thatched roofs), demonstrate traditional dancing (often performed for visiting dignitaries but rarely for tourists), and preserve Gilbertese language and customs. Outer islands—reached by infrequent domestic flights or cargo ships requiring days at sea—provide even more remote experiences with pristine beaches, traditional fishing culture, and complete absence of tourism infrastructure (visitors must arrange village stays and be completely self-sufficient). Christmas Island (Kiritimati)—world's largest coral atoll—attracts bone fishing enthusiasts pursuing giant trevally, bonefish, and other species in vast lagoons and flats (fishing lodges charge $5,000+ per week). Phoenix Islands Protected Area—one of largest marine reserves (408,250 square kilometers)—protects pristine coral reefs, seabird colonies, and marine life but sees almost no visitors due to extreme remoteness and lack of facilities. Travel in Kiribati requires acceptance of basic conditions, limited services, high costs (everything imported), occasional supply shortages, slow pace, and flexibility when flights delay or cancel—rewards include genuine cultural immersion, pristine natural beauty, and bragging rights for visiting one of world's least-touristed nations.

Descubra Kiribati

South Tarawa atoll serves as Kiribati's capital, government center, and commercial hub where 63,000 people (half national population) crowd onto narrow islets averaging 450 meters wide between lagoon and ocean connected by causeways creating 50-kilometer road traversing multiple islands. The geography creates unique urban form—everywhere you look reveals water on both sides with Pacific Ocean crashing onto ocean-side beaches while calm turquoise lagoon stretches for kilometers on the other. Betio island concentrates historical sites as location of fierce 1943 Battle of Tarawa where US Marines assaulted Japanese-fortified atoll, suffering 6,000 casualties (1,000 dead) in 76-hour battle capturing strategic airfield. WWII relics scatter across island: massive 8-inch shore defense guns still pointing seaward, concrete bunkers with walls meters thick, rusting tanks partially submerged in lagoon, Japanese command posts, and memorials to both American and Japanese dead. Bairiki island houses government offices including distinctive Parliament building. Bikenibeu concentrates hotels (Mary's Motel, Utirerei Hotel—basic but clean), restaurants, and airport. The causeway drive reveals daily life—children swimming in lagoon, fishermen launching traditional outrigger canoes, women weaving pandanus mats, pigs roaming freely (island domestic animals), and constant sense of water hemming in narrow land. Overcrowding creates challenges—sanitation, waste management, freshwater scarcity—while climate change brings existential threat as sea levels rise threatening to submerge already-minimal land.

Formas de Experimentar Este Destino

WWII History & Battle Sites

Explore Battle of Tarawa sites on Betio—Japanese bunkers and guns, underwater tanks, memorials honoring fallen, battlefield tours with local guides explaining intense 1943 combat.

Bone Fishing & Sport Fishing

Fish Christmas Island's world-class flats for giant trevally and bonefish, or fish South Tarawa lagoon for smaller species—pristine waters with trophy-sized fish.

Cultural Immersion & Island Life

Experience I-Kiribati culture through village stays, witness traditional dancing, visit maneaba meeting houses, participate in fishing and copra harvesting, learn about climate change impacts on traditional life.

Remote Island Adventure

Visit outer Gilbert Islands or Christmas Island for pristine atolls, traditional communities, excellent snorkeling, and complete isolation from modern tourism—requires flexibility, self-sufficiency, and adventurous spirit.

Ciudades con misiones

Dónde mantiene embajadas o consulados

Misiones acreditadas

Embajadas en Kiribati

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Kiribati offers ultimate remote Pacific adventure—pristine atolls spanning three time zones, WWII battle sites, traditional culture, world-class fishing, and climate change frontline experiences. Most nationalities receive 30-day visa-free entry, though challenging logistics and limited infrastructure make this destination for truly adventurous travelers.

Check Kiribati Visa Requirements