 | ||
| Tarawa | ||
| Country | Kiribati | |
|---|---|---|
| The search for a province ends with the state | ||
| Residents | 70.480 (2020) | |
| height | 2 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Tarawa is an atoll in the Pacific and belongs to the republic Kiribati. Because of global warming, it will be uninhabitable in 30 years, or by 2100 at the latest, according to various estimates.
background
The southern angle apex, 29 km between the islets Betio to the point at the airport and Buota, is now the so-called Kiribatian capital South Tarawa. It is the only city in the country. With almost 60,000 people, half of the Kiribats live here. Since 1969 the population has quintupled. The "government district" is on Bairiki. Since 2017, the districts have been connected to one another via a completely tarred main road and bridges. The entire usable land is built up. There is a massive rubbish problem in the lagoon.
North Tamara is still traditional. It's quiet with a South Sea feeling. When the tide is low, you can usually wade between the islets.
getting there
By plane
Airlines in the Pacific regularly go bankrupt. The last few years have been most reliable Air Fiji, which offers transfer connections to the USA and Australia from there.There are irregular connections between the islands through the Air Kiribati ([email protected]). Baggage is limited to 15 kg. There is also a booking agency in Baikiri. The return flight from a small island must always be confirmed.
By boat
If you want to go to other islands of Kiribati by ship, you have to organize a ride on the supply freighters in the port. Information is also available from the tourist office near the port.
mobility
There is left-hand traffic. Maximum speed on the tarred road 40 km / h. The Betio causeway is a toll road.
Car rental companies require the international driving license, which is only valid in the first few weeks after arrival. A local rag must then be applied for.
Tourist Attractions
Relics from the Pacific War can mainly be found on Betio.
activities
There is no infrastructure for divers (boat or bottle rental).
The lagoon is full of plastic garbage. You should swim on the lake side in North Tamara.
shop
12.5% VAT will be charged.
South Tamara
The only banks are the branches of the Australian ANZ. They also operate the country's few ATMs. One is at the airport exit, another at the hospital entrance.
North Tamara
In North Tamara, cash is true.
kitchen
Going out is expensive. A simple meal costs from A $ 12 in 2019, and a good meal costs from A $ 30.
Beer starts at A $ 3. A bottle of wine, usually Australian, seldom goes for less than A $ 20.
In Kava-Bars only have this intoxicant imported from Fiji, usually in the evenings.
nightlife
In bars and clubs serving alcohol, the minimum age is 21.
accommodation
There is no such thing as luxury, the best hotels have international 3 * standards. There is no such thing as cheap. You won't find any quality below A $ 100 in 2019.
South Tarawa
From west to east:
- Betio
- 1 George Hotel, PowerHouse Road, (Between SDA & KPC Church Compound). Tel.: 68626340. Own restaurant; Royal Saloon Bar opposite.
- 3 Betio Lodge. WiFi, washing machine. Pick-up from the airport incl.Price: room 55-150 A $, additional persons 20 A $ each. Apartment $ 250 (3 pers.).
- Bairiki
- Nanikai
- Katauea's House. Tel.: 68673002279. Private room.
- Banraeba Ambo Village
- 7 Utirei Motel. Tel.: 68621168.
- Bikenibeu
- 9 Otintaai Hotel
- 10 Eniita Motel / Airport Lodge. Tel.: 68621056.
- Buota
- 11 Kelani Lodge
North Tarawa
Away from the city, traditional Polynesian huts are also rented out. These have no walls, just braided shutters that are instead lowered at night. In the upscale Tabon te keekee (North Tarawa, Abatao) you are there for something like 100-120 A $.
From the airport to the north:
- 12 Santa Faustina Homestay (Tabiteuea). Price: A $ 60 p.p.
- 13 Ocean View Hotel (Abaokoro).
health
- Tungaru Central Hospital in Nawerewere
- Betio Hospital, Tel. 68675126254
Practical advice
There are post offices at Bikenibeu, Bairiki, Betio. Smaller islands have agencies. Parcels abroad are forwarded via EMS.
Internet and international telephone connections are satellite-based and are therefore very slow and expensive. (An Australia-Nauru-Tawara submarine cable has been planned since 2018.) Connections in private homes are still rarely common. In North Tawara you can only log into the relevant Island Council.
Cellular coverage is only extensive in South Tawara. With 4G since 2017. Even here, only around three quarters of households have an electricity connection.
Local SIM cards are available from Vodafone (formerly ATHKL) and the Chinese company Ocean Link.
trips
There are ferries to the islands from Tarawa 1 Abaiang (2 hours, direction north) and 2 Maiana, to the south. The airfield is in the north of the island. Both are pure South Seas.
Abaiang
Can also be reached by plane.
- 15 KiriSwiss Residence, Tebero Abaiang.
- 16 Terau Beach Bungalow, Taburao Abaiang. Tel.: 68673005959. Simple wooden huts. Toilet block. Solar power.Price: 1p .: A $ 55, pairs: $ 70; Meals A $ 5.
- Ocean Breeze Bungalows, Tebero Abaiang. Tel.: 68675125641. Simple huts. Snorkel and boat rental.Price: from A $ 20 p.p., A $ 5 meals.
Butatritair
One of the northern Gilbert Islands, 120 km from Tarawa. Accessible by plane.
