Majuro is the largest city in and capital of the Marshall Islands. The downtown area is located 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.
The government offices are based in Delap, and located at the eastern point of Majuro Atoll is the capitol building for the Marshall Islands. Delap also has several large stores. Djarrit is mostly residential and has the largest public primary and a secondary schools in the country. At the western end of the atoll, about 30 miles from D–U–D by road, is the island community of Laura, a growing residential area with a popular beach. Laura has the highest elevation point on the atoll, estimated at less than 10 feet above sea level. Laura has the best soil for planting and is the home of several farms. Marshall Islands High School is near the north end of Majuro, in Djarrit.
The atoll itself has a land area of only 3.75 sq mi (9.7 km²), but encloses a lagoon of 113.92 sq mi (295 km²). Copra (coconut oil) is one of the main exports in the Marshall Islands, and receives copra shipments from most of the smaller populated atolls surrounding the area. Sport fishing is popular, and underwater divers are attracted to the area. Majuro and Kwajalein serve as the transportation hubs for the Marshall Islands, both for air service and shipping, though Majuro is more used because of Kwajalein's restricted military status.
Majuro, like many atolls, consists of extremely narrow land masses which allows a person to walk from the lagoon side to the ocean side within minutes. At some points the island is narrow enough to throw a rock from one side to the other. Most of the roadway from Delap to Laura is a single two lane paved road with houses on either side.
During World War II, on January 30, 1944 United States troops invaded Japanese-held Majuro and occupied the island.
PLACE TO VISIT
The Majuro atoll itself has few things to offer but is a good base for exploration of the surrounding islands.
The main tourist attraction is Laura Beach on the western tip of the main island about 40km away from town. As taxis to Laura Beach are quite expensive the added value of a rental car should not be neglected.
Enoko Island is 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.
WHAT TO DO
Internet access in Majuro is among the most expensive in the world. The only affordable place to access the internet is at the National Telecommunication building. It is in the city center with the large satellite dishes in the front of the building. They have a small internet cafe in the building.
HOW TO REACH
By air - Marshall Islands International Airport (IATA: MAJ) (ICAO: PKMJ) is located on the south side of the Majuro atoll. Continental Airlines (operated by Continental Micronesia) has thrice-weekly service from Honolulu as part of its "island hopper" route which also serves the Federated States of Micronesia and Guam. Non-stop flights from Guam are available on the remaining weekdays. If time permits the island hopper flight stopping 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 are cheap as well (around US$ 5) and it is a customary process to pick up more passengers on the way.
There is only one road in Majuro. If you are 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.
