Getting there 

Solomon Airlines currently operates an international service to Honiara from Brisbane (Australia), Nadi (Fiji), and Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu). Most travel agents are able to book connecting flights through these airports. Currently flights leave Brisbane on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and leave Nadi and Espiritu Santo on Wednesday and Sunday. This may change at any time however, and it is best to check regularly for the current schedule. You can read up to date schedules online here. The current schedule is valid until March 2007. So please do check your flights again before departure.

Accommodation 

You can read about some of the hotel options here. Most of the hotels in Honiara are clean and have all the usual requirements, including credit card facilities, lockups, restaurants and bars. The Kitano Mendana and King Solomon Hotels are about the best and most convenient in terms of location. They are also the most expensive - the rates are comparable to hotels in most cities around the world. Island Lodge and the Quality Motel are much cheaper but perfectly adequate if you just want a tidy room and somewhere to sleep while attending the conference.

Money 

The currency is Solomon Islands Dollars (SBD) and you can check the exchange rate here or here. You can get money changed at the major banks (Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Westpac, ANZ and the National Bank of Solomon Islands), the airport, or your hotel. You should at least try to change some money at the airport, or before you arrive, since you will need it for the taxi ride into town (usually about SBD $50). The ANZ bank also has an ATM machine on the wall outside. Credit cards are accepted in some of the shops and at hotels. 

Health 

Chloroquine resistant malaria is common in Honiara. It is advisable to take anti-malarial medication during your stay and for four weeks after departure. Most doctors will recommend either Lariam, Malarone, or Doxycycline. Personally we have found Doxycycline to be very effective, and have never caught malaria while taking it. It does have to be taken every day however, with food, and may make some people light sensitive. Lariam has a reputation for causing some people to experience psychotic episodes, and Malarone is expensive. In any case you should consult your doctor at least a month before departure to sort out your various health and immunisation needs. 

Further Information 

The Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau offers more information on travel and accommodation.