Northern Mariana Islands

Recommended Vaccinations For Northern Mariana Islands

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in the country for more than 3 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Recommended Medications For Northern Mariana Islands

There are no recommendations for Northern Mariana Islands at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Northern Mariana Islands

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever may occur in this country.

Hepatitis B

There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in this country.

Hepatitis A

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus in this country through contaminated food or water.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.

Chikungunya Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Chikungunya in this country.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in this country, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies may be present in bats, but has not been reported in domestic or wild animals in this country.

Safety & Security in Northern Mariana Islands

Personal Safety

The Northern Mariana Islands report a broadly declining crime trend. According to the Commonwealth’s Department of Public Safety, major crime statistics fell significantly in fiscal year 2024: theft cases dropped from 931 in 2023 to 347, and disturbing-the-peace incidents fell from 2,640 to 1,049. Petty crimes - such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, and theft from cars or hotel rooms - do occur, though official travel guidance suggests they are relatively less frequent than in many high‑tourism destinations. Residential burglaries have been reported on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, so travelers should take standard theft‑prevention precautions. The Department of Public Safety maintains a visible law enforcement presence across the islands, including a dedicated traffic section. Visitors should be aware that demonstrations occasionally take place - these are usually peaceful but can affect traffic. While isolated areas and unmonitored beaches may feel more vulnerable after dark, there is currently no indication that tourist zones face elevated violence risk, and safety perception among visitors is generally high.

Extreme Violence

The Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) generally experience very low levels of extreme violence. According to crime statistics, there are virtually no reported intentional homicides in recent years. Violent crimes against visitors appear rare, and day-to-day crime remains manageable under the oversight of the CNMI Department of Public Safety. While organized crime exists - especially in the context of drug trafficking - it does not manifest as widespread gang violence. A U.S. intelligence assessment has reported involvement of foreign criminal groups (including the Yakuza) in methamphetamine distribution in past decades. Despite this, there is no credible evidence of major terrorist activity or armed conflict in the territory.

Political Unrest

The Northern Mariana Islands maintain stable governance as a U.S. Commonwealth territory. Though demonstrations occur, they are generally peaceful and infrequent: in early 2025, residents staged a roadside rally in Saipan protesting U.S. federal policies. The CNMI’s political ties to the United States date to the Covenant of 1975, which came into full effect in 1986, and the islands accepted a commonwealth status in political union with the U.S. The territory’s government is democratic, with an elected governor, a bicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary, in line with its locally ratified constitution. Although there is ongoing public debate about the scope of self-governance and the U.S. military presence - especially with proposed upgrades to military infrastructure on Tinian - such contention has not escalated into civil unrest. A U.S. intelligence and media‑reported plan to upgrade a runway on Tinian has prompted community discussions, but no violent political factions or separatist movements are evident. Overall, the political environment remains stable and is unlikely to pose a safety risk for travelers.

Areas To Avoid

The Northern Mariana Islands are primarily composed of three inhabited islands: Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. There are no official “dangerous” neighborhoods earmarked for tourists, and visitor authorities do not highlight specific areas to avoid. That said, unpopulated or unpatrolled beaches at night are flagged in travel guidance for increased caution. Some rural roads on the smaller islands may be more poorly maintained, but these conditions are mainly a navigation concern rather than a direct security threat. On Pagan Island and other northern islets, visitor infrastructure is minimal; Pagan itself was evacuated after a volcanic eruption in 1981, and remains largely uninhabited. Although there were past proposals by the U.S. military for live‑fire training on Tinian and Pagan, recent planning documents indicate substantial scaling back: the 2022 revised plan removes high‑hazard zones on Pagan and reduces the scope of training on Tinian. Beach safety is more a natural risk than a crime risk: strong ocean currents and rip tides are cited as potential hazards by local visitor authorities. Healthcare on the islands is limited: Saipan hosts the main hospital, while Tinian and Rota have smaller clinics. Additionally, in 2024, the 168th Wing Medical Group provided supplementary medical, dental, and optometry services to all three islands, highlighting resource constraints.