Marshall Islands Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Marshall Islands.
Healthcare System
The Marshall Islands has a basic healthcare system with limited facilities. Majuro Hospital is the main medical facility, offering basic emergency care and general medical services. Outer islands have small health centers with minimal capabilities. Serious medical conditions require evacuation to Guam, Hawaii, or the Philippines.
Hospitals
Majuro Hospital is the primary facility for tourists. Ebeye has a smaller hospital. Both have limited hours for non-emergency care. Facilities are basic with occasional shortages of supplies and medications. Wait times can be long. Private clinics offer marginally better service but still have significant limitations.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies in Majuro stock basic medications but selection is limited. Many common medications available in Western countries may not be available. Bring all prescription medications in original containers with sufficient supply for your entire trip plus extra. Over-the-counter medications are limited and expensive.
Insurance
Travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation is essential. Medical evacuation can cost $50,000-$100,000 or more. Ensure your policy covers remote Pacific locations and air ambulance services to Guam or Hawaii.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a complete first-aid kit including antibiotics, anti-diarrheal medication, pain relievers, and any prescription medications
- Carry copies of prescriptions and a letter from your doctor explaining medical conditions and necessary medications
- Bring extra prescription medications as pharmacies have limited stock and refills may be impossible
- Consider postponing travel if you have serious medical conditions that might require specialist care
- Drink only bottled or boiled water to avoid waterborne illnesses
- Use insect repellent to prevent mosquito-borne diseases
- Protect yourself from the intense sun with high-SPF sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Opportunistic theft of unattended belongings, particularly in public areas, beaches, and accommodations. Theft from vehicles and hotel rooms occurs occasionally.
Strong currents, rip tides, and unpredictable waves pose serious drowning risks. Coral cuts can become infected. Jellyfish and other marine life can cause injuries.
Intense tropical sun causes severe sunburn, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, especially for visitors not acclimated to the climate. Dehydration is common.
Poor road conditions, limited street lighting, dogs and pedestrians on roads, and variable driving standards create accident risks, particularly on Majuro's main road.
Travelers' diarrhea, food poisoning, and waterborne diseases can occur due to variable food handling standards and water quality issues.
Mosquito-borne dengue fever occurs periodically in the Marshall Islands, with occasional outbreaks. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, and joint pain.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Some taxi drivers, tour operators, or vendors may quote inflated prices to tourists who are unfamiliar with local rates, particularly at the airport or hotels.
Some guesthouses or informal accommodations may claim damage to rooms or refuse to return deposits for spurious reasons.
Unlicensed operators may offer cheap fishing or diving trips but have inadequate safety equipment, unreliable boats, or may cancel without refunds.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
General Safety
- Register with your embassy upon arrival if staying for an extended period
- Keep photocopies of passport and important documents separate from originals
- Share your itinerary with family or friends, especially when visiting outer islands
- Respect local customs and ask permission before photographing people or cultural sites
- Learn a few basic Marshallese phrases to show respect and facilitate communication
- Be aware that alcohol-related incidents increase on weekends, particularly Friday and Saturday nights
Transportation
- Arrange airport transfers through your hotel rather than using unmarked taxis
- If renting a car, inspect it thoroughly and photograph any existing damage
- Drive cautiously as roads can be narrow with poor lighting and unexpected obstacles
- Confirm boat schedules multiple times as inter-island transportation can be unreliable
- Bring motion sickness medication for boat trips as seas can be rough
- Allow extra time for all travel as delays are common
Money and Valuables
- US dollars are the official currency; bring sufficient cash as ATMs are limited and often out of service
- Credit cards are accepted at major hotels but many businesses are cash-only
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuables
- Carry small bills as change can be difficult to obtain
- Notify your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks
- Keep emergency cash hidden separately from your main wallet
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card for mobile coverage, though service is limited on outer islands
- Download offline maps before traveling as internet can be slow and unreliable
- WiFi is available at major hotels but may be slow and intermittent
- Inform family that communication may be difficult, especially on outer islands
- Bring a battery bank as power outages occur periodically
- Write down important phone numbers as you may not always have digital access
Food and Water
- Drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled for at least one minute
- Avoid ice unless you're certain it's made from purified water
- Eat at established restaurants where food handling standards are higher
- Be cautious with raw seafood and ensure fish is fresh and properly stored
- Wash hands frequently, especially before eating
- Bring water purification tablets as backup in case bottled water is unavailable
Outdoor Activities
- Never swim alone and always inform someone of your plans
- Hire local guides for diving, fishing, or visiting remote areas
- Check weather and ocean conditions before water activities
- Wear appropriate footwear to protect against coral, sharp rocks, and hot sand
- Bring and use reef-safe sunscreen to protect both yourself and the marine environment
- Stay hydrated and take breaks in shade to prevent heat-related illness
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers generally report feeling safe in the Marshall Islands. The local culture is respectful, and harassment is uncommon. However, as with anywhere, women should exercise standard precautions, particularly when traveling alone. The conservative culture means modest dress is appreciated, though swimwear is acceptable at beaches and pools. Solo women travelers may receive curious attention but this is typically friendly rather than threatening.
- Dress modestly when not at the beach; cover shoulders and knees in villages and public areas
- Avoid walking alone at night in isolated areas; use taxis arranged through your hotel
- Be aware that alcohol consumption increases on weekends, which may lead to more forward behavior
- Trust your instincts and remove yourself from uncomfortable situations
- Consider staying at established hotels rather than guesthouses for added security
- Connect with other travelers or join group tours for activities and excursions
- Be respectful in interactions and maintain professional boundaries
- Carry a mobile phone with local contacts and emergency numbers programmed
- If staying with local families, clarify expectations and boundaries early
- Be aware that Marshallese culture is matrilineal and women hold significant social status
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Same-sex relationships are not criminalized in the Marshall Islands, and there are no specific laws against LGBTQ+ individuals. However, same-sex marriage is not recognized, and there are no comprehensive anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Exercise discretion with public displays of affection, as this applies even to heterosexual couples in traditional settings
- Be aware that discussing LGBTQ+ topics openly may make some locals uncomfortable due to cultural and religious conservatism
- Choose accommodations at international hotels which tend to be more cosmopolitan and welcoming
- Avoid assumptions about local acceptance; gauge situations individually
- Connect with other travelers rather than expecting to find a visible local LGBTQ+ community
- Be respectful of local cultural norms while maintaining your personal safety and comfort
- Understand that gender expression norms may be more rigid in traditional settings
- Consider that smaller outer islands may be more conservative than Majuro
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is absolutely essential for visiting the Marshall Islands. The remote location, limited medical facilities, and high cost of medical evacuation make insurance critical. A medical emergency requiring evacuation to Guam or Hawaii can easily cost $50,000-$100,000 or more. Additionally, travel disruptions due to weather, limited flight schedules, and infrastructure challenges are common, making trip interruption coverage valuable.
Planning your trip? Make sure you have the right travel insurance for Marshall Islands Safety Guide before you go.