Is Yap Travel Friendly?

Yap, a unique destination in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), is now open for tourism business, offering an amazing travel experience with its unspoiled scenery, rich cultural heritage, and underwater treasures. The Yap Visitors Bureau has introduced its new destination website, www.visityap.com, to improve its promotional efforts and attract more visitors. Yap is home to one of the few Manta Ray Sanctuaries in the world and is known for its tropical forest trails, 13-foot coin currency, and turquoise waters.

The website reflects the new branding of the destination and showcases the main tourism product offerings that make Yap one of the top destinations in the FSM. Pre-travel requirements for Yap include a completed vaccination card showing two vaccination shots and at least one booster shot. The Yap Visitors Bureau is dedicated to promoting marine, nature-based, and cultural heritage tourism in the Land of Stone Money.

As of October 10th, 2022, all of the FSM’s states—Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae—are fully open for interstate and international travel. The island was opened for tourism in 1989 and has seen a good amount of growth since then. All visitors to Yap must have an onward or return ticket.

In summary, Yap, a remote island in the Federated States of Micronesia, offers a unique travel experience with its untouched nature, rich cultural heritage, and underwater wonders. The Yap Visitors Bureau’s website and other promotional efforts aim to attract more visitors to Yap.

Can you visit Yap Island?

Manta Ray Bay Resort and Spa offers cultural tours of Yap, a half-day island tour with a tour guide, driver, air-conditioned transportation, and soft drinks. The tour takes visitors through the wonders of Yap, including stone money, cultural dances, Yapese “highways”, traditional fishing, and mariners. Yap was settled by seafaring people around 1500 B. C. and is best known as the Land of Stone Money, with massive stone discs up to 12 feet in diameter being the largest coins in the world.

Is Yap worth visiting?

Visiting Yap, a remote island in Micronesia, is a must-do activity due to its WWII history, diving, and the Yap stone money, a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Federated States of Micronesia consists of four states, with Yap state being one of them. To reach Yap, one can use one of the four Micronesia airports, which are a runway and small building, and everything, including luggage inspection, is done by hand.

At the time of writing, there are only two weekly flights to Yap from Guam, with a flight from Palau suspended. Guam offers numerous options to worldwide destinations, making it an ideal destination for those looking to explore the region. To reach Yap, one can either plan a trip or check Google Maps.

What is the money on Yap Island?

Rai, large stone disks with a hole in the middle, were once used as a trading currency in India, and they are still in use today.

Is Micronesia expensive for tourists?

Traveling to Micronesia, a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, can cost between $100 to $150 per day, including airfare. However, this budget can vary depending on personal preferences. To plan your trip, consider the following tips:

1. Pack light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a rain jacket or umbrella during rainy seasons.
2. Research your destination to understand its culture, landscapes, and activities.
3. Arrange transportation, as some islands are well-connected by ground transportation, while others require air travel or boat rides.
4. Purchase a local SIM card or get a global roaming plan to stay connected with the outside world.
5. Respect local customs and traditions, including dress, language, and other cultural practices.
6. Be prepared for off-grid areas, as some islands may not have the same infrastructure and resources as more developed areas.
7. Learn about marine conservation, as many islands are known for their marine biodiversity and coral reefs.
8. Learn local languages, as most islanders speak English, to connect with locals and make your trip more enjoyable. By following these tips, you can create a memorable and unforgettable trip to Micronesia.

What is Yap famous for?

Yap is renowned for its stone money, Rai or Fei, which are large, doughnut-shaped, carved disks of calcite, up to 4 meters in diameter. These disks, often brought from other islands, such as New Guinea, but mostly from Palau, were valued due to their resemblance to quartz and their shininess. The stones became legal tender and even mandatory in some payments.

The value of the stones was maintained due to the difficulty and hazards involved in obtaining them. Yapese adventurers had to sail to distant islands and deal with hostile locals, and then transport the disks back to Yap on rafts towed behind sail-driven canoes. The scarcity of the disks and the effort required to obtain them made them valuable to the Yapese.

In 1874, Irish American sea captain David O’Keefe introduced the idea of employing the Yapese to import more “money” in the form of shiploads of large stones from Palau. He then traded these stones with the Yapese for other commodities like sea cucumbers and copra. Although some O’Keefe stones are larger than canoe-transported stones, they are less valuable due to the ease with which they were obtained.

Do I need a visa for Micronesia?

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) does not require visas for entry, but visitors should have valid passports and a round-trip ticket. U. S. citizens can stay in the FSM indefinitely, while non-U. S. citizens can stay for 30 days and extend up to 90 days. If they wish to stay longer, they must apply for a visitor or work permit with a local sponsor. The Pohnpei State Supreme Court, Kosrae State Supreme Court, Chuuk State Supreme Court, and Yap State Supreme Court are the main contact points for visas.

Who owns the island of Yap?

In 1919, the Japanese took control of Yap, which was later occupied by American forces at the end of WWII. Today, Yap is part of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), which is a sovereign nation with a seat in the UN and is closely allied with the US through a Compact of Free Association adopted in 1986. The FSM receives financial aid and benefits from the US Postal Service, and its official currency is US Dollars.

English is widely spoken in Yap, with four major traditional languages: Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, and Satawalese. The Yapese have managed to maintain their unique culture while selectively adopting western improvements, such as modern schools and good healthcare.

Is Micronesia a safe place to visit?

Crime rates are low, but risk increases at night, especially with alcohol, and in Chuuk state. Sexual assault has been reported, especially in isolated locations. Staying aware, especially when alone, is crucial. Laws and cultural differences also pose risks, with heavy penalties for drug offenses, including fines and long prison sentences.

Does Yap still exist?

The State of Yap is one of the four federal states of the Federated States of Micronesia, located in the westernmost part of the country. It borders Palau to the southwest, Guam to the north, and Chuuk State to the east. The state has a population of 11, 577, residing across an area of 119. 54 sq km (46. 15 sq mi), with Colonia as the state capital. The state was once part of the historical Yapese Empire, which controlled 1, 300 km of the western Pacific.

The rulers of the chiefdom of Gagil in Yap maintained sovereignty over these islands and extracted resources and tribute. After losing its influence and becoming incorporated territories of Spain, the German Empire, the Japanese Empire, and the United States through the UN-mandated Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), Yap and the islands and atolls between Yap and Chuuk formed Yap State upon the founding of the FSM. The state has a total land area of 102 km 2 (39 sq mi).

What is the money on Yap island?

Rai, large stone disks with a hole in the middle, were once used as a trading currency in India, and they are still in use today.

Is Micronesia open to tourists?

A visitor visa is available upon arrival for 30 days of tourism, work, or study in the Federated States of Micronesia, requiring an onward or return ticket and an entry permit for longer stays.