Travel & safety — Nauru

Nauru, a small single-island nation in the South Pacific, is located about 25 miles south of the equator.

It is a constitutional republic with a parliamentary system of government.

Tourist facilities are available on a limited basis.

Yaren, the capital, has an international airport.

Nauru has a low crime rate, but petty theft can occur almost anywhere.

You should always exercise caution for your personal safety or the protection of your valuables when traveling abroad.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency phone numbers in Nauru are as follows: Service Short code numbers Police Emergency Service 110 Fire Emergency Service 112 Ambulance Emergency Service 111 Customer Care 123 Directory Inquiries 192

While you are traveling in Nauru, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

Foreigners should carry photo identification with them at all times.

Respect any sites that for cultural or security reasons have warnings posted against photography.

The country enforces driving under the influence of alcohol laws, and offenders may be taken to jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Nauru, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

There are few health care facilities available in the Republic of Nauru.

Medical care for routine problems is adequate, but not up to the standards of industrialized countries.

On occasion, basic medications can be difficult to obtain.

Emergency response capability is extremely limited.

Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

While in Nauru, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Nauru is provided for general reference only, and may not be accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Traffic moves on the left in Nauru.

The main road circling the island is paved, but the remaining roads are unpaved.

There is no organized roadside assistance, although there are a number of mechanics and car repair facilities on the island.

Animals and pedestrians walking in the road make night driving hazardous.

For specific information concerning Nauru driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Nauru Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia at telephone (613) 9653-5709, or fax (613) 9654-4738.