Cheap Flights to Northern Mariana Islands

Discover Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands, or officially known as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is one of the six inhabited U.S. territories, along with Guam; Puerto Rico; the U.S. Virgin Islands; Washington, DC; and American Samoa. Together with Puerto Rico, it is one of the two territories with the Commonwealth status. Most if not all of the Northern Mariana Islands have a tropical marine climate that is moderated by seasonal northeast trade winds, with some seasonal temperature variation. The typical average year-round temperatures are around 28.9 degrees Celsius or 84 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average humidity of 79%. Total land area of all the islands has been reported at 183.5 square miles or 475.26 square kilometres, with an approximate population of 53,883, 90 percent of which live in Saipan.

What to see & do in the Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands consist of 15, composed of the Northern Islands, Saipan, Rota, Tinian, and Pagan, with only Saipan, Tinian, and Rota having permanent inhabitants. Saipan features the Banzai Cliff and Suicide Cliff with scuba diving, trekking, and visiting the Saipan Hash House Harriers, the Forbidden Island, and its various beaches as popular island activities. Tinian also has various tourist destinations to offer. Visit the Little Boy Atom Bomb pit, North Field, Enola Gay Monument, Shinto Shrine, Chief Taga’s House, Limestone Pillar and Capstones, and the Blow Hole within the area; or get to Rota to experience most of its ancient quarries, where the original latte stones have been dug out.

How to get around Northern Mariana Islands

The inhabited islands of the Northern Mariana Islands are Saipan, Rota, and Tinian. Saipan does not have public transportation, there are shuttle busses but these only run between hotels and the Duty Free shopping centre. When trying to get around, it is best to note landmarks since the streets are named but most of the buildings and street areas around the locale do not have numbers which can be used as identification. Most of the locals within Saipan navigate by landmarks. There are taxis within Saipan; most are expensive but always available. These taxicabs are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers by the airport and/or the hotel. Saipan visitors can also explore the area via mopeds. Since the island is relatively small, it is generally easy to get around the area with the moped rentals. It is recommended to take mopeds out during daytime and should not be used during night-time or during the rainy season. Getting around Tinian can also be done by car or scooter and moped like in Saipan. There are various outlets throughout the islands that offer the rides for rent. Rota, as a small island, is not served by public transportation. With car rentals available it is easy to drive around the area; it is also polite or customary to wave at passing cars while driving.

How to get to the Northern Mariana Islands

The airports that currently serve the Northern Mariana Islands include Rota International Airport, Tinian International Airport, and Saipan International Airport. Tinian International Airport operates flights to and from Saipan via Freedom Air, while Rota International Airport has flights to and from Guam and Saipan via Freedom Air, and United Express operated by Cape Air. Saipan International Airport operates flights to and from Busan, Seoul, Beijing, Tokyo, Guam, and Rota, via Aeroflot operated by Aurora, Asiana Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Dynamic Airways, Jeju Air, Sichuan Airlines, United Express operated by Cape Air, and Yakutia Airlines, along with charter and seasonal flights to and from Vladivostok, Osaka, Shanghai, Nagoya, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Wuhan, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Khabarovsk.