Malo e lelei

The Kingdom of Tonga is known as the Friendly Islands. With 176 islands to explore, you will be spoiled for choice in the Kingdom of Tonga. Only 40 Islands are inhabited so it is easy to imagine yourself on one of the deserted islands and become friends with local sea life.

History:

Tonga was first inhabited about 3,000 years ago by Austronesian-speaking people of the Lapita culture, best known from their elaborately decorated pottery. From at least the 10th century Tonga was ruled by a line of sacred kings and queens, the Tu’i Tonga. Tonga is the only monarchy in the Pacific and the only pacific nation never to fully lose its indigenous governance.

Climate:

Tonga’s climate is tropical and is defined by a wet season from November to April with moderate and variable rainfall, and a dry season from May to October. The wettest months are January, February and March with precipitation exceeding 250mm of rainfall per month.

Language:

Tongan is the first language of Tongans and along with English is one of the two languages of Tonga.

Time Zone:

Time zone in Tonga (GMT+13)

Departure Tax:

NIL

Doctors and Health:

Tongans receive free medical and dental treatment but must pay for dentures. Non-Tongans are charged on a fixed scale. There is one government medical department hospital each in Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, and Eau Island, with several dispensaries.

Duty Free Allowance:

Your duty- and tax-free allowance as a Traveller arriving in Tonga is as follows: 250 sticks of cigarettes /cigars or 250 grams of tobacco product per adult (18 years and over) 25 litres of portable spirits or 4.5 litres of wine or 4.5 litres of beer per adult (18 years and over).

Airlines and Airports:

Tonga has six airports, two of which are international airports, which also serve domestic flights. Fuaʻamotu International Airport is an international airport in Tonga. It is on the south side of the main island, Tongatapu, 20 km from the capital of Tonga, Nukuʻalofa. Airlines that service Tonga are Fiji Airways, Air New Zealand and Qantas.

Bars & Nightclubs:

Arguably the best place to experience the Tonga nightlife is in the city centre or waterfront bars of Nuku’alofa. Known as the “abode of love”, Nuku’alofa is the nation’s capital and most developed area of Tonga. With that in mind, it is where you’ll find your party vibe until around 1 am Monday-Friday and until 12 am on Saturday (due to Sunday sabbath liquor laws). As for the rest of Tongatapu, you’ll only really find bars and floor shows at the resorts.

Currency and Credit Cards:

The pa’anga is the currency of Tonga. It is controlled by the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (Pangikē Pule Fakafonua ʻo Tonga) in Nukuʻalofa. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and restaurants. ATMs are found on the main island however banks are only found in the capital.

Dress/Attire:

Tongans wear a conservative dress with cultural clothing wrapped around their waists, such as pandanus mats (ta’ovala) or women may also wear girdles (kiekie). Although this is not expected of tourists, ta’ovala and kiekie are considered formal attire for going to church, government work or just about any formal event.

Internet:

For those of us who constantly use the internet for work or are addicted to social media, it’s hard to imagine not having access to Wi-Fi. Travellers in Tonga might be surprised to find that the only Wi-Fi connections they’re likely to find are in the occasional accommodation. While we definitely recommend making more of a connection with nature or with the locals in Tonga than with the online world, if you absolutely have to access the internet, this guide on where to get Wi-Fi in Tonga should certainly help!

Post Office:

Our main services here at Tonga Post are divided into three main categories: Postal Services, Printing Services, and Money Gram Money Transfer Services. The company telephone number is 21-700 or 23-465 for the Printing services department, with opening hours, Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm. The Nukualofa location sales counter service hours are from 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday and 9:00am – 12:00pm on Saturdays.

Visa & Entry:

To enter Tonga, you need: A passport with at least six months’ validity, and. an onward/return ticket. Visas are required for stays over 31 days. For more information visit http://www.tongaembassycn.gov.to/en/going-to-tonga-en/visas-en

Religion:

The main religion in Tonga is Christianity, with around 99% identifying with a Christian denomination. The top five religions in Tonga, according to the 2021 Census, are Free Wesleyan Church (34.2%), Latter-Day Saints (19.7%), Roman Catholic (13.7%), Free Church of Tonga (11.3%) and Church of Tonga (6.8%).

For further information:

Please email reena@ppa.org.fj or visit https://tongatourism.travel/ .