First time · Kolonia
First time in KoloniaKolonia
Kolonia is a small, wet, cash-only town: do the market and the walls in the morning before the rain, keep US dollars in small notes, and treat every trip beyond the town, above all Nan Madol, as a separate half day with a guide and a car.
The honest verdict
Kolonia is the main town of Pohnpei state, a few blocks of shops, offices and eateries along the harbour road, with the airport and the capital Palikir a short drive away. It rains on most days, taxis are shared and informal, and cards are not accepted everywhere. The trips that go wrong assume an ordinary resort town: no cash for a guide, no plan for the tide at Nan Madol, or a landing after dark with no hotel desk open. Four short walking clusters cover the town; the ruins and waterfalls are trips from one kept bed.
You will like
- Quiet town streets
- Ruins and rainforest nearby
- Short distances
What wears you down
- Daily rain
- Few taxis after dark
- Limited card use and ATMs
Five things not to miss
- 1Nan Madol with a guideA city of basalt-walled islets on the reef, and a World Heritage site.Best Morning, on a suitable tide · US$60–150 per group
- 2Kolonia town marketFresh fish, breadfruit and coconuts; the best introduction to Pohnpeian food.Best Early morning · Free to browse
- 3Spanish wallA physical trace of the Spanish colonial garrison.Best Morning · Free
- 4Tuna sashimiFresh tuna, a Japanese legacy, at a harbour eatery.Best Lunch or early evening · US$9–16
- 5Sokehs Rock hikeA steep trail to a harbour view and a chapter of history.Best Early morning · Guide fee
Where to stay on a first visit
- Kolonia centreFor: First visit, 2–3 nightsWalk to the market and the wall in the mornings.
From the airport
Pohnpei International Airport (PNI)
- Fastest and cheapest
- Pre-booked hotel car or taxi to the door · about 12 min · about US$10
Typical ride times and fares, 2026 desk estimates (check). Last services and night options are on the gateway page.
How long to stay
- 1 day
- A stopover between flights
- 3 days
- The standard Kolonia stay
- 5 days
- A relaxed stay with Nan Madol and a hike
Show 5 more blocksHideThree mistakes to avoid, Money and SIM, Etiquette, The best time to go, A first day
Three mistakes to avoid
- Unagreed taxi fares: agree the price before you ride.(Scams)
- Ask permission and pay any fee before entering a site or private land; the sites are owned by clans.(Survive · red lines)
- Rain and mud: wear shoes with grip on trails and at Nan Madol; tracks can flood.(Survive · safety)
Money and SIM
- Budget day
- US$40–70 excl. bed
- Paying
- Cash for taxis, guides, site fees and most food; cards at a few hotels, often with a surcharge. US dollars are the currency.
- Cash
- Bring enough US dollars for the whole stay: ATMs are few and can run out; keep US$50 in small notes for taxis and fees.
- SIM
- The national telecom shop in Kolonia (check): Bring your passport and an unlocked phone; plans and coverage vary, so ask at the counter.
Etiquette: the top three
- Greetings
- Greet people with 'Kaselehlie' and a smile; a friendly greeting matters more than fast business.
- Dress
- Cover thighs and shoulders in town and villages; swimwear only on the beach or boat.
- Land and sites
- Sites are owned by clans: ask permission and pay any fee before entering, and never take stones or objects.
The best time to go
Jan: Slightly drier; still showers.
Drier season (Jan–Mar): More sun, calmer seas and the best time for Nan Madol and boats.
A first day
Day 1 — Town market, a 12:30 lunch table
Start about 07:30
Fixed point: Lunch table 12:30 (Kolonia)
Cafe or hotel 13:00–16:00 in the rain; the harbour at late afternoon.Cafe or hotel 1:00 PM–4:00 PM in the rain; the harbour at late afternoon.
Timed version: Kolonia in 3 daysYour Kolonia checklist
The money points and the first-timer mistakes from this page in one list. Tick each one when you have handled it.
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