Currency: The Australian dollar (AUD) is the currency of Kiribati. Bring sufficient cash before you arrive. ANZ Bank has ATMs in South Tarawa, and Kiritimati has one ATM, but machines are sometimes out of service or refuse foreign cards. There are no ATMs on the outer islands. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at some hotels and larger businesses in Tarawa; cash is king everywhere else.
Visas: Citizens of around 64 countries — including the US, Australia, New Zealand, and most European nations — can enter Kiribati visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry, and you'll need a return or onward ticket. Everyone else needs a visa arranged in advance.
Health: Kiribati has limited medical facilities. South Tarawa has the main hospital; outer islands have little beyond a basic clinic. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential. Freshwater quality is unreliable — drink bottled or treated water. Mosquito-borne illnesses are present; bring repellent and consider malaria precautions depending on which islands you visit.
Phone and internet: Mobile coverage (2G–4G) exists on South Tarawa and Kiritimati. SIM cards are cheap (around AUD 3) and available from ATHKL and Ocean Link. On outer islands, connectivity drops to almost nothing — some government stations have HF radio only. Internet is available in Tarawa and Kiritimati; elsewhere, don't count on it.
Safety: Crime rates are low, but petty theft can occur in South Tarawa. Exercise normal precautions. Cyclone season runs November to April — storm surges can affect low-lying atolls with little warning.
Electricity: 240V, Australian-style flat three-pin plugs. Power supply is intermittent on outer islands.