Marshall Islands

My Marshall Islands travel summary:

Visited: February 2026

Duration of visit: 2 days

Capital city: Majuro

Population: 36,000 (2026)

Marshall Islands travel blog reading time: 6 minutes

• Walking around Majuro and observing daily life.
• Relaxing on Eneko Island, where I joined forces with UN representatives.
• Funny bar hopping with a new friend in Majuro.

With 1,156 islands and around 60,000 people, mostly living in Majuro and Ebeye, Marshall Islands attracts very few tourists. Most land is only up to 2 meters above sea level and extremely vulnerable to climate change and rising oceans.

Before visiting the Marshall Islands, I had no expectations. I wanted to stay in Majuro, which is both an atoll and the country’s main urban center. Majority of passengers on my flight from Fiji were locals, expat workers, or transit travelers.

After a 30-minute drive from the airport to Majuro, I realized there was little of interest along the narrow strip of land. Although I had planned to rent a car for the rest of the day and drive around, I decided not to do it. I didn’t consider there to be any exciting places to visit or interesting things to do outside the capital.

I spent most of my time exploring Majuro, walking from one end of the town to the other. Because of aggressive dogs, I carried a stick, although I never actually had a bad encounter.

Majuro feels like a place where time has stood still. The strong influence of the United States is visible everywhere.

Large cars, food selection, and the use of English as an official language are just some of the similarities.

The interconnection between both countries is much deeper. The Marshall Islands only became an independent nation in 1986, after 42 years under the American control. The Marshallese can legally live and work in the U.S. without a visa, which has contributed to the country’s declining population.

I stayed at Hotel Robert Reimers, a family-run hotel located near government offices, small markets, and Uliga pier. The legendary hotel is part of Robert Reimers Enterprises, named after its founder, a notable local businessman who became a successful trader. Due to the lack of other budget options on the island, I had to pay a high price for this worn-out, yet still pleasant hotel.

The only truly noteworthy attraction on my Marshall Islands adventure was the Alele Museum. What struck me most among the displays of artifacts and images depicting local history and culture, were the exhibits on U.S. nuclear testing in the atolls. Between 1946 and 1958, during American administration, 67 nuclear detonations were conducted.

The nuclear tests caused lasting damage to the islands and their people, many of whom were effectively used as human test subjects.

Entire communities from Bikini and Enewetak islands were relocated.

Perhaps in part due to lingering U.S. responsibility, local citizens now enjoy a relatively comfortable life, with financial support and migration opportunities to America.

Along the main road, Amata Kabua Boulevard, a row of supermarkets follows a similar system, selling everything from food to souvenirs. Many were in poor condition, with goods piled up and many unsold items scattered around. I was astonished by poor display of disorganization and inefficiency.

Extremely high prices of fruits and vegetables discourage people from eating healthy.

The main Catholic church, the Cathedral of the Assumption, was closed when I passed by. I wouldn’t call it the main landmark of the city. Nevertheless, it is one of the most outstanding building besides government offices, the resort and Hotel Robert Reimers.

My next stop was Anne’s Bakery, famous for pastries, shakes, and coffee. I enjoyed a chocolate doughnut and bought some breadfruit chips from the stalls outside.

Before returning to the hotel, I had a drink at the bar of the Marshall Islands Resort, the country’s largest hotel with over 150 rooms. I savored a cold Coke with plenty of ice while enjoying the view of the lagoon from the bar terrace.

The unconventional sightseeing tour, without any exciting places to visit or notable attractions, was coming to an end. On the way back, I took a taxi, which picks up and drops off passengers along the main street for just two dollars.

The next day, I joined a group for a day trip to Eneko Island. A peaceful 20-minute boat ride brought us to the sandy islet, still within the Majuro Atoll lagoon. Despite its proximity to the capital, it felt like a remote paradise.

Infrastructure was minimal: restrooms, an island keeper’s house, lounge chairs and picnic tables shaded by large trees. On the other side I spotted a beach house, renting out for 150 USD per night. In the middle stood a large sign “NO lifeguards.” I’m not sure who expected lifeguards in such a remote location.

A full day of lounging on the beach and swimming in the warm water was made even more enjoyable by the lively group of UNICEF staff. They brought along a huge cooler filled with cold drinks and a variety of food. Our pleasant gathering ended late in the afternoon when we returned to Majuro.

After an afternoon siesta, I wasn’t tired and decided to check out a nearby bar as part of my Marshall Islands travel adventure. The receptionist assured me it was just a short walk away.

I don’t mind walking, and Majuro felt safe, but I was uneasy about dogs roaming the streets. As I walked along the main road, a girl suddenly screamed as a dog jumped at her. She managed to scare it off and ran. I picked up a stone, hoping it might offer some protection. It probably wouldn’t have worked, but I felt safer.

When I reached the place, everything was dark and quiet. As I was going to leave, a large Ford pickup pulled in, and a young man stepped out.

“Good evening, I’m looking for a bar nearby. Do you know where it is?” I asked.

“Of course. Toek Bar is on the fifth floor of this building. Come, I’ll take you,” he replied.

Edlen quickly became my drinking buddy.

“Rok, I’ll take you to every bar in Majuro. You’ll learn to appreciate life here!”

We had a beer at Toek Bar, where everyone seemed to know him.

The sleepy atmosphere soon sent us on to Marshall Resorts bar. It was near midnight and the bar was closing. We were the only guests. After another drink, we drove to Jitak En Likatu Bar, where the karaoke scene was livelier, with locals singing country and rock songs. I met teachers from neighboring island nations, with whom I had engaging conversations.

The final stop was a nightclub simply called the Marshall Islands Club, where a 4 USD entrance fee was charged for the live band. I paid for the entry and drinks, as Edlen was already so drunk he could barely stand.

“I am OK. Are you having fun exploring nightlife in Majuro?” he kept repeating.

I didn’t expect a ride back to the hotel, but I wasn’t worried. I was close enough to walk.

The loud music drew everyone to the dance floor, moving slowly to local rhythms. The sound system was awful, but the vibe made up for it. A trippy but memorable experience.

When Edlen disappeared, I joined a group of teachers I had met earlier. Around 3:00am, two police officers arrived, the music stopped, and the bar shut down. We finished our last drinks, and my new friends walked me back to the hotel, luckily without encountering any dogs.

The nightlife tour was by far the highlight and most thrilling part of my Marshall Islands travel adventure.

One of the least interesting countries on Earth didn’t offer me much excitement, though I only visited it for two days.

The few pristine coral reefs are so remote that only the most dedicated divers visit them. Expensive logistics and the lack of real attractions limit exploration of the outer islands.

Life moves slowly, the streets are quiet, and tourist infrastructure is minimal. I would have problems to describe the culture and rhythm of the Marshall Island. What surprised me, were many craft shops filled with souvenirs, where local women patiently created and wove items such as baskets, bags, fans, hats, and jewelry. So, there must be more foreign visitors on Marshall Islands during the high season.