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Territory of United States

Micronesia

Northern Mariana IslandsTravel guide

Explore Northern Mariana Islands visa rules

The Northern Mariana Islands are a United States territory in Micronesia. Visitors come for coral reefs, scuba diving, snorkeling and World War II wrecks.

Why go

  1. Coral reefs for scuba diving and snorkeling.

  2. World War II shipwrecks and rusting tanks on the seabed.

  3. World War II bunkers and memorials on Saipan.

Best time to go: The dry season runs from December to June. Typhoon season starts in late August or early September and lasts until January.

Getting there

By air

  • Saipan airport, code SPN, is the main international gateway. There are frequent flights from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
  • Visitors from the United States need to connect through Guam, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan.

By sea

  • There are no scheduled ferry services to the islands. Yachts and cruise ships occasionally stop for brief visits.

Customs

  • The islands have a separate customs system from the rest of the United States. All arriving travelers pass through local customs, including United States citizens arriving from elsewhere in the country.
  • Travel between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands involves a full immigration check.

Getting around

  • Plane

    Cape Air/United Express operates scheduled flights from Saipan to Guam and Rota. Freedom Airlines serves Guam through Rota and also flies to Tinian. Three other islands have airstrips for charter flights. These flights are expensive.

What to see and do

  • World War II bunkers

    The islands have many bunkers linked to the fighting during World War II.

  • Northern Saipan memorials

    These remember Japanese soldiers and civilians who jumped from the cliffs because they feared capture by United States forces.

  • Underwater war remains

    The waters contain many shipwrecks and rusting tanks from World War II.

  • Scuba diving

    Explore coral reefs and World War II wrecks.

  • Snorkeling

    Enjoy the coral reefs around the islands.

  • Karaoke

    Karaoke bars are among the attractions that draw visitors to the islands.

Food and drink

  • Chamorro food

    Specialty restaurants offer local Chamorro food, sometimes adapted for tourists.

  • International food

    American, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Thai, Korean, Italian and Mexican dishes are widely available.

  • Hotel restaurants

    Hyatt Regency in Garapan, Aqua Resort in Tanapag and Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio have good but expensive restaurants.

  • The Coffee Room N-106

    A good-quality restaurant in Garapan outside the hotels.

  • Fast food

    McDonald's, Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell and Winchell's Donuts are available.

  • Beer

    Budweiser and Miller products are common on Saipan, usually in bottles. San Miguel, Tsingtao, Sapporo and Corona are also widely sold.

Money

United States dollar (USD), divided into 100 cents.

  • Major credit cards are accepted at most shops and restaurants.
  • On Saipan, cash machines are available at major banks and some restaurants and shops.
  • Bank of Guam has branches with cash machines on Tinian and Rota.

Tipping: Tips of 10–15% are expected.

Typical costs

  • Allow at least $100 a day to travel in reasonable comfort.
  • Hotel restaurants are generally expensive.
  • Private clinics are expensive.

Language

  • English is universally spoken and is an official language.
  • Chamorro and Carolinian are native languages and are also official.
  • Many tourism workers speak basic Japanese.
  • Tagalog, Chinese and Korean are widely used.

Staying safe

  • Typhoons are a natural hazard, especially from August to November.
  • Pagan and Agrihan have active volcanoes.
  • Car break-ins have been reported in Saipan's tourist areas. Apartments and hotel rooms have also been burgled.
  • Do not leave valuables lying around. Take care when walking in tourist areas, especially at night.

Local customs

Do

  • Show respect to older people in the room. Respect for elders, ancestors and deceased family members is an important part of Chamorro culture.

Staying healthy

  • Commonwealth Health Center is Saipan's public hospital. It is overburdened and understaffed.
  • Saipan has many excellent but expensive private clinics.
  • The Seventh-Day Adventist clinic is known for dental care and its vision centre.
  • Health care is scarce on the other islands.

Phone and internet

  • Internet access is widely available.

Where to stay

  • Saipan's accommodation is mainly large hotels serving package tourists.
  • Standard hotel rates can be very high, but large discounts are available, especially outside Japanese holiday seasons.
  • Cheap motels are scarce, and there are no hostels.
  • Camping is not recommended because of security concerns.

Outdoor adventures in Northern Mariana Islands

Scuba diving and snorkelling are the main outdoor draws in the Northern Mariana Islands. The surrounding waters have coral reefs and World War II remains, including shipwrecks and tanks on the seabed. The dry season runs from December to June.

  • Scuba diving around the Northern Mariana Islands

    Scuba diving

    December to June is the dry season.

    Dive in the waters around the islands to explore coral reefs and World War II remains. Specific departure points and booking arrangements are not provided.

    • Typhoon season starts in late August or early September and lasts until January.

  • Snorkelling around the Northern Mariana Islands

    Snorkelling

    December to June is the dry season.

    Explore the coral reefs in the waters around the islands. Specific entry points, tours and booking arrangements are not provided.

    • Typhoon season starts in late August or early September and lasts until January.

Airports, metros and trains in Northern Mariana Islands

Airports with scheduled flights

  • ROPRota International AirportRota IslandMain international airport

People and safety in Northern Mariana Islands

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian81%
  • Buddhist11%
  • Folk religions5%
  • Other1%
  • No religion1%
  • Muslim<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 8 of 99 countries can visit Northern Mariana Islands easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required7
  • eTA required1
  • Visa required91

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Oceania7 of 14 countries
  • Europe1 of 3 countries
  • Africa0 of 54 countries
  • Americas0 of 19 countries
  • Asia0 of 9 countries

Questions

Is Northern Mariana Islands part of United States?

Northern Mariana Islands is a territory linked to United States, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit United States.

Does a United States visa let me visit Northern Mariana Islands?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for United States may not cover Northern Mariana Islands. Check the Northern Mariana Islands visa page for your passport.

When is the dry season?

The dry season runs from December to June. Temperatures change little through the year.

How do I get to the islands?

Saipan is the main international gateway, with frequent flights from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. There are no scheduled ferry services.

Can I fly between the islands?

Scheduled flights serve Saipan, Rota and Tinian. Three other islands have airstrips for expensive charter flights.

How much should I budget each day?

Allow at least $100 a day to travel in reasonable comfort. The islands are fairly expensive.

Will I be able to speak English?

Yes. English is universally spoken and is one of the territory's official languages.

What food is available?

Local Chamorro food is available in specialty restaurants. International dishes and familiar fast-food chains are also widely available.

Are there hostels or cheap places to stay?

There are no hostels, and cheap motels are scarce. Saipan mainly has large package hotels, which may offer heavy discounts outside Japanese holiday seasons.

Can I drink the tap water?

Authorities say it is drinkable. It tastes bad, and most people do not drink it.

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