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TravelTips24 : Oceania : Micronesia : Kiribati : Tarawa

Tarawa

For other places with the same name, see Tarawa (disambiguation).

Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, and the location of the capital of Kiribati.

Culture and History

Tarawa was the site of the Battle of Tarawa, one of the most brutal battles in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. It was previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

For a full understanding of this atoll you should pick up a book called "The Sex Lives of Cannibals" by J Maarten Troost. This is a very informative insight to the everyday life on Tarawa. (The title is only catchy as there was nothing naughty inside the book.)

Travel to Tarawa & Visa Requirements

By air

Tarawa airport, Bonriki International Airport, is on South Tarawa.

By boat

Supply boats leave Fiji every now and then. No use giving schedules or details here, because there are none. Just ask around in Suva, Nadi or Lautoka harbours. Captains usually accept hitchhikers for a small fee. Prepare for the worst: no comfort, bad food. And for the best: great company, Polynesian and Micronesian hospitality, adventure. Private Yachts cruising the Pacific sometimes also take passengers. Ask around in yacht clubs, marinas, slipways. Good luck! There's just one way to travel (and it's not by plane...)

Tours & Getting around Tarawa

Tarawa attractions and sightseeing

Tarawa city tours

Tarawa souvenirs & shopping

South Tarawa has a few international ATM's through the Bank of Kiribati.

Tarawa Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Tarawa nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Tarawa cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

  • Otintaai Hotel, ☎ (696) 28084. This government run hotel is the best and most pricey in Kiribati. However, it is at most a three-star hotel, and some people only give it two stars.  edit

Get out

This page was last edited at 20:44, on 1 October 2008 by David. Based on work by Jani Patokallio, Wikitravel user(s) Hot Coffee, MMKK, Episteme, Dawnview and Pashley and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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