Briefing de orientación en Kiribati

Kiribati está formado por tres grupos de islas diferenciados: las islas Gilbert, las islas de la Línea y las islas Fénix. Los primeros navegantes austronesios llegaron a las islas Gilbert ya en el 3000 a. C., pero estas islas no fueron pobladas de forma generalizada hasta alrededor del 200 d. C., por micronesios. Hacia el 1300, samoanos y tonganos invadieron las islas Gilbert del sur, entonces conocidas como Tungaru, y trajeron consigo elementos culturales polinesios. Posteriormente, la llegada de fiyianos aportó elementos melanesios a las islas Gilbert, y los extensos matrimonios mixtos entre los pueblos micronesio, polinesio y melanesio dieron lugar a lo que serían las tradiciones culturales gilbertesas para cuando los europeos avistaron las islas en el siglo XVII. Las islas Fénix y las islas de la Línea fueron visitadas por diversos pueblos melanesios y polinesios, pero su aislamiento y la falta de recursos naturales impidieron el establecimiento de asentamientos permanentes. Ambos grupos de islas estaban deshabitados en el momento del contacto con los europeos.

Kiribati mantuvo un contacto europeo sostenido desde la década de 1760; los tres grupos de islas habían sido nombrados y cartografiados en 1826. Los balleneros estadounidenses atravesaban con frecuencia las islas, y el Reino Unido declaró un protectorado sobre las islas Gilbert y las cercanas islas Ellice en 1892, en un intento por frenar la creciente influencia de EE. UU. La isla de Banaba, rica en fosfatos, fue anexionada al protectorado en 1900. En 1916, el protectorado se convirtió en colonia; algunas islas de la Línea se añadieron en 1916 y 1919, y las últimas, en 1972. Las islas Fénix se incorporaron a la colonia en 1937, y el Reino Unido acordó compartir la jurisdicción de algunas de ellas con EE. UU. debido a su ubicación estratégica para la aviación. Durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, las islas fueron ocupadas por fuerzas japonesas, pero estas fueron expulsadas por asaltos anfibios estadounidenses. Las islas Ellice se convirtieron en colonia independiente en 1974 y fueron rebautizadas como Tuvalu, en referencia a “ocho que permanecen juntos”, en 1975. Las islas Gilbert alcanzaron el autogobierno pleno en 1977 e independencia en 1979 con el nuevo nombre de Kiribati, la forma gilbertesa de escribir Gilbert. EE. UU. renunció a todas sus reclamaciones sobre las islas Fénix y de la Línea, escasamente pobladas, mediante un tratado de amistad de 1979.

En 2012, Kiribati adquirió una parcela de 22 km² (8,5 mi²) en Fiyi para una eventual reubicación de su población debido al cambio climático, y en 2014 el primer ministro de Fiyi, Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, declaró que los habitantes de Kiribati serían bienvenidos a trasladarse a Fiyi si su país quedara anegado por la subida del nivel del mar.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. 

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator
• review your travel insurance policy for coverage
• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.   

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Kiribati

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Kiribati, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

You must always be able to show an official form of ID such as your passport. The police will usually accept a printed copy.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Possession or trafficking of drugs is a serious offence in Kiribati, and prison sentences may be heavy.

Public nudity

You should respect local customs about dress, including swimming costumes. Local laws ban public nudity and revealing swimming costumes.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual acts are illegal. If found guilty, the penalty could be up to 14 years imprisonment.   

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Internet and phone services

Internet and mobile phone services are available in some parts of Kiribati. Not all of the outer islands are connected. Services can be unreliable and expensive because of the country’s remote location.

Stray dogs

Stray dogs have bitten visitors. Be cautious, particularly on the beach. If a dog approaches you, do not run. Reaching down as if to pick up something off the ground can be enough to scare dogs away. If a dog bites you, seek medical attention immediately.

Money

Very few places accept credit cards in Kiribati. There are ATMs at branches of the Bank of Kiribati and ANZ in Betio, Bairiki and Bikenibeu on Tarawa atoll.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Swimming and boating safety

Do not swim in the lagoon in south Tarawa, as it is highly polluted.

Take great care when swimming in the sea around Kiribati. There are very strong rip tides along coast and reef areas.

Always wear safety equipment during boating trips. Squalls can happen at very short notice.

See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Kiribati, see information on driving abroad.

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Kiribati. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.  

Road conditions are poor on Tarawa, but driving standards are reasonable. Minibuses can be dangerously overloaded.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Flooding

During the wet season, which normally runs from November to April, there can be strong winds and sea swells. Flooding and coastal inundation can cause disruption to essential services and infrastructure.

Monitor regional and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization, the Fiji Meteorological Service and local newspapers.

Droughts

There can be severe droughts in Kiribati. The authorities may put water restrictions in place.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 994 and ask for an ambulance.   

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Kiribati
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Kiribati, including Dengue.

Drink and use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Do not eat local shellfish or lagoon fish on Tarawa.  

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare in Kiribati

Medical facilities at the general hospital in Tarawa are modest. Elsewhere, nurse practitioners generally staff clinics.

Pharmaceuticals – both prescription and non-prescription medicines – are generally not available. Bring any medicines you need with you.

If you need any non-basic medical treatment, you will usually need medical evacuation from Kiribati. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover evacuation by air ambulance plus the cost of medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.