General
Majuro
Ebeye
Arno
Boat Tour Overcharging
Mid-Tour Price Hikes
In the Marshall Islands, tourists booking boat tours from harbors in Majuro or other atolls are often quoted an initial price of around $50 USD per person for trips to sites like the WWII shipwrecks in Bikini Atoll, but operators may later claim extra costs for fuel or equipment, demanding an additional $100-200 USD midway, exploiting remote locations with limited alternatives.
How to Avoid This Scam
- Always get a written contract from operators registered with the Marshall Islands Visitors Authority, specifying total costs in USD.
- Book through hotels in Majuro that partner with verified guides, and verify credentials using local tourism apps.
- Pay only half upfront and the rest upon completion, using credit cards for traceable transactions in areas like the Majuro lagoon.
Souvenir Vendor Deception
Fake Shell Jewelry Sales
Vendors in open-air markets across the Marshall Islands, such as those on Majuro's main street, sell items like shell necklaces claimed to be authentic local handicrafts, charging $20-50 USD each, but these are often imported fakes from Asia worth only $5 USD, with sellers using stories of cultural significance to pressure buyers.
How to Avoid This Scam
- Purchase only from certified artisan cooperatives in Majuro, identifiable by official Marshall Islands government stamps.
- Ask for a certificate of origin and compare prices at multiple stalls, noting that genuine items rarely exceed $15 USD in local markets.
- Use phrases like 'Ejej ilo ilo?' (Is this local?) in Marshallese to verify authenticity and gauge seller responses.