Majuro
Majuro is the largest city and capital of the Marshall Islands. The downtown area is north of the airport on the eastern side of the main island. It consists of the smaller towns Delap, Uliga and Darrit which are reside on islands linked by small stretches of land.
Understand
Founded as a trading post by the Germans in 1884, when the Marshall Islands became an independent country about a century later, Majuro became the national capital. The Majuro atoll is sometimes referred to as D-U-D, after the villages of Delap, Uliga, and Djarrit that are the major population centers.
With its port and airport, it is an important entrance point to the Marshall Islands. Don't expect a too many attractions in Majuro city itself; buildings are generally residential, industrial or commercial, though there are beaches and other islands nearby.
Get in
By boat
A 1 boat dock is on the lagoon side of Uliga.
By plane
- 2 Amata Kabua International Airport (MAJ IATA) (on the south side of the Majuro atoll). United Airlines has thrice-weekly service from Honolulu as the first stop on its "island hopper" route which also serves the Federated States of Micronesia and Guam. Flights from Guam via FSM and Kwajalein are available on the remaining weekdays. The island hopper flight stops at various atolls on the way to/from Guam makes for a scenic way to the destination.
Hotel transfers are usually available for free upon reservation. Taxis from the airport to town are cheap as well (around US$5) and it is customary to pick up additional passengers on the way.
Get around
There is only one road in Majuro. If you are on a walk far away from the city center, police and other people will often give you a ride if they are going in the same direction.
By foot
The island can be explored by foot. The only exception to this is Laura Beach. Packs of feral dogs roaming inhabited parts of Majuro remain an occasional danger. If you are walking or running, be alert as these dogs attack without provocation. Walkers and runners should always carry a stout rod or similar and several rocks for use in thwarting marauding dogs.
By taxi
Taxis are cheap ($0.75) as long you stay east of the airport. To further reduce costs cab sharing is common.
By bus
Getting to Laura Beach by taxi is expensive, but buses make the round trip to Laura 6 days a week (not on Sundays) for $2, departing from the RRE parking lot.
By thumb
Hitchhiking is widely practiced and quite safe.
By car
Rental cars cost $60 per day. None of the large commercial rental agencies operate on the island. Hotel Robert Reimers has about a dozen cars available. The island has four gas stations. Ace's One Stop and Riwut Corner in town, another is just before the bridge dividing Delap from Long Island, and the fourth is just past the airport heading toward Laura.
See
The Majuro atoll has few things to offer but is a good base for exploration of the surrounding islands.
- 1 Laura Beach. The main tourist attraction is Laura Beach on the western tip of the main island about 40 km away from town. As taxis to Laura Beach are quite expensive the added value of a rental car should not be neglected.
- 2 Alele Museum and Public Library. Photos of local life and landscapes mostly from the turn of the century and objects including traditional handicraft on display. M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa 9AM-noon.
- 3 Eneko Island. A small atoll about 45 minutes away from Uliga by boat. Day trips and overnight stays at their small cottages need to be arranged through the Hotel Robert Reimers. Camping is also possible.
- 4 Arno. Overnight trips are also available to the next atoll, Arno. Arno is less developed than Majuro and very beautiful. Arrangements can be made at the Happy Hands Handicraft store which shares a parking lot with RRE hotel. The boat trip to Arno takes about 90 minutes.
Do
Scuba diving may be organized through Raycrew located in the first floor of Marshall Islands Resort. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable of local dive sites. Gear may also be rented here.
Buy
- 1 Formosa Supermarket. The small Formosa Supermarket has groceries and basic supplies but closes early.
- 2 Payless. A bigger Payless supermarket in Uliga is usually well stocked.
- 3 K&K Island Pride Supermarket (in Delap next to the Bank of Guam). Has a large fresh produce section.
Several handicraft stores dot the main part of town. A visit to any of these will provide reasonably priced souvenirs. On many days you can also find women at these stores making these handicrafts.
Eat
Restaurants tend to go through phases in Majuro. No place is consistent for more than a few months. If a restaurant is really good one week, it may be completely awful the next. An always changing workforce contributes greatly to this phenomenon as does the availability of ingredients. Asking around about which places are good to eat can help greatly.
- 1 Tidetable Restaurant (RRE Hotel and Restaurant) (attached to the Hotel Robert Reimers). A meeting place for locals and expats looking for cheap quality food and Internet access. The restaurant overlooks a busy town square as well as the lagoon. Try the MEC Blackout - seasoned slices of tuna which just touched a hot pan for a few seconds.
- 2 DAR. A small cafe on the backroad of Uliga. They have reasonably priced diner fare and some of the best coffee on island. It's a great place to catch up on local gossip as well.
- 3 Won Hai Shien. Has excellent Chinese food and is located off the main road right next to Uliga Dock.
- 4 Aliang Restaurant. Near Won Hai Shien and also has excellent Chinese food, but of a different variety.
- 5 Flame Tree (in Delap). A good place to go for pizza before sunset.
- 6 Riwut Corner. A diner that has a selection of American and local foods.
- 7 Marshall Islands Resort. Has a Sunday brunch with great views of the lagoon.
Drink
For nice places full of foreigners, check out the bars at RRE/Tide Table or at Marshall Islands Resort.
- 1 Marshall Islands Club. A local favorite. Spacious, with an open air deck on the lagoon.
- The Flame Tree (see Eat) is a very popular bar/club combination with a lively atmosphere.
Sleep
- 1 Hotel Robert Reimers, ☏ +692 625-5131, fax: +692 625-3783, hotelrr@rreinc.com.
- 2 Marshall Islands Resort, Amata Kabua Blvd, ☏ +692 625-2525, fax: +692 625-2500, reservations@marshallislandsresort.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: Noon.
Connect
Metered wireless Internet access in Majuro is widely available, although occasionally unreliable. People may purchase Internet time at the National Telecommunications Administration building or online by following the instructions given when trying to connect. Payless Supermarket also has a free wireless connection for customers in its dining area.
Go next
Unless sailing your own boat (or flying your own plane), options are the destinations there are flights to from the airport:
- Other atolls in the Marshall Islands.
- Chuuk (Federated States of Micronesia)
- Guam
- Honolulu (Hawaii)
- Kosrae (Federated States of Micronesia)
- Nauru
- Tarawa (Kiribati)