tourist attractions of vanuatu

THE 10 BEST Vanuatu Sights & Landmarks

Vanuatu landmarks.

• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Historic Sites
• Sacred & Religious Sites
• Churches & Cathedrals
• Scenic Walking Areas
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
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• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Ekasup Village

2. SS President Coolidge

Recommended Sightseeing Experiences (47)

3. Million Dollar Point

4. Rarru Cascades

5. Underwater Post Office

6. Freshwater Plantation Tour

7. Magical Water Music Experience

8. Yakel Village

9. Giant Banyan Tree

10. Chief Roi Mata's Domain

11. Cathedral of Port Vila

12. Tafutuna Cultural Experience

13. Dogs Head Walk with Malampa Travel

14. Quoin Hill Airfield

15. Luganville Baptist Church

16. top rock.

17. Naiwe Beach

What travellers are saying

• The Best Things To See...

The Best Things To See and Do in Vanuatu

Living up to its nickname as ‘the isles of smiles’, Vanuatu is sure to put a grin on any visitor’s face. From exploring untouched jungle and pristine tropical beaches to standing on the edge of a lava-spurting volcano, these are the top things to do in this South Pacific paradise.

With its blue lagoons, shipwrecks and spectacular beaches, it is a surprise more people haven’t visited Vanuatu. Each year, the South Pacific nation is named as one of the least visited countries in the world by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. But the Republic of Vanuatu, a Y-shaped archipelago of 83 islands, should be at the top of every bucket list. The country is home to incredible active volcanoes, thriving coral reefs, ancient tribes and lush, tropical jungles. The people of Vanuatu, known as Ni-Van, are also some of the happiest, friendliest people in the world. It is no mistake that the country is nicknamed ‘the isles of smiles’. Do not miss these gems when planning a trip to Vanuatu.

Stand on the edge of an active volcano

Mount Yasur on Tanna Island is said to be the most accessible active volcano in the world. It is possible to reach the 361m (1,184ft) summit on foot, but many people choose to save their legs and drive up in a 4WD vehicle. But all are left weak in the knees when they stand on the edge of the crater rim and listen to the ground rumbling beneath them while watching the lava fireworks below. The glowing crater is a particularly spectacular sight at night, when the burning embers are bright against the dark sky. The journey to the volcano is a sight in itself. Visitors are driven across a plain of black, steaming ash, formed over years from eruptions raining down from the volcano.

An image of the South Pacific is incomplete without picturing the azure blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, and with more than 2,500km (1,553mi) of coastline, it is no surprise that Vanuatu is home to some stunning beaches. The palm-tree fringed Champagne Beach on Espiritu Santo has soft white sand that feels like flour beneath your toes. In the south, Tanna Island has spectacular black sand beaches at the foot of active volcano Mount Yasur. Just be aware that most beaches are owned and maintained by locals and charge a small entry fee that goes toward supporting their village, so remember to have cash handy.

Rope swing into crystal-clear blue holes

Beautiful beaches are not the only idyllic swimming spots in Vanuatu. The country has several deep, turquoise blue holes hidden in the jungle. Matevulu blue hole on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island, is surrounded by lush greenery and impressive trees dotted with rope swings. The water comes from underground limestone caves, which naturally filters the water clean of all impurities. Because of its purity, the water is a breathtaking shade of blue, and so clear it is possible to see every leaf and stick on the sandy bottom. Malo Island to the south of Espiritu Santo also has a blue hole filled with tropical fish – a perfect place for a dip.

Learn to speak pidgin

Vanuatu is the most linguistically diverse country on the planet, with more than 100 recognised languages . But one of the most commonly spoken languages is Bislama – a form of pidgin English. Bislama is a Creole language that evolved from Ni-Van’s interactions with European traders. It began as a simplified form of phonetic English. For English-speakers, the language is often easier to understand when said out loud. Or if you missed it the first time, say: “ Mi no savee ”, meaning “I don’t understand”.

Watch a kastom dance

Kastom is the lifeblood of Vanuatu and once governed every aspect of traditional Melanesian life. It is a Bislama word used to refer to traditional culture and covers everything from religion and economics to art and even magic. In cultures where language is unwritten, traditions of the kastom way of life are passed on orally, either through stories or, often, in the form of dance. Kastom trails and traditional villages can be found across Vanuatu and offer visitors a glimpse into the past and Vanuatu’s rich cultural heritage. Over the decades it has been faithfully passed down from generation to generation and is still an integral part of modern Ni-Van life. “Vanuatu has a mysterious and mystical heart,” says Lea Faccarello, of the Vanuatu Tourism office. “Spiritualism and kastom are still alive and well here, with sculpted tam-tams adorning almost every village.”

See the original bungee jumpers at Pentecost island

Kiwi AJ Hackett is often credited with being the father of bungee jumping , but long before he popularised the sport, the Ni-Van on Pentecost island were hurling themselves off giant structures with only a vine tied around their ankle. The original adrenaline junkies made the terrifying leaps of faith as part of a unique kastom ritual at the time of the annual yam harvest. Men and boys as young as seven jump would from a 20-30m (66-98ft)-high tower, which would take weeks to build using wood and vines from the jungle. The tradition remains strong, and the Pentecost Island ‘land divers’ still perform the ritual – known as Nagol or N’gol – every Saturday between April and June.

Visit the island where people worship Prince Philip

Yes, strange as it sounds, there is a village on Tanna Island where Prince Philip is worshipped as a god. Yaohnanen is one of several ‘cargo cults’ in Vanuatu, the name given to unusual religions that started in tribal and isolated societies after they had had an encounter with a more technologically advanced society. Prince Philip’s run as deity started in 1974 when the Queen and Duke made a visit to Vanuatu, and a warrior named Chief Jack Naiva became convinced that Prince Philip was the descendant of a Tanna spiritual ancestor. Although the chief died in 2009, the village still worships the Duke and hopes that he will one day return to their island.

Drinking kava is a centuries-old tradition in South Pacific cultures. In Vanuatu it is an integral part of kastom rituals, exchanged as a gift at important gatherings like births, deaths and marriages. Kava is a tropical evergreen plant that is a distant relative of the pepper plant. The drink is made from either drying out the plant’s roots and grinding them into a powder or paste, or chewing the root into a pulp and spitting it out. This is then mixed with water to make a drink. “With 80 of the 118 species of kava growing in Vanuatu, kava use is a way of life in both historical and contemporary ceremonies,” Lea says. “The roots of the plant are used to produce a drink with sedative, anesthetic and euphoria properties, and is drunk daily by a shell at kava bars, or Nakamals as they are called in Vanuatu.”

Scuba dive among WWII shipwrecks

Vanuatu is a scuba diver ’s dream because of the huge numbers of accessible shipwrecks in the country’s waters. During World War II, Vanuatu was the site of the biggest US base in the South Pacific. The ships sunk during the war are now home to thriving coral and diverse marine life. The most famous shipwreck in Vanuatu is the USS President Coolidge scuttled off the coast of Espiritu Santo. The enormous ship is over 180m (591ft) long, and divers have been exploring the 30-60m (98-196ft)-depth wreck since the 1980s. Lea says: “Considered by many divers to be the best wreck dive in the world, the SS Coolidge is still very much intact with reminders of her glorious days as a cruise liner and the remnants of her days as a troop ship.” Efate Island is also home to two accessible wrecks – the Bonzer and Semele Federesen.

Search for dugongs

Vanuatu is home to a whole host of interesting creatures, including a rare species of bird that incubates their eggs by burying them in hot volcanic sand. But none are more interesting than dugongs , or sea cows. These giant mammals are endangered in many parts of the world, but their population numbers are high in Vanuatu. Called kowfis (cow fish) in Bislama, they are so named because they are the only marine mammal that is herbivorous – they graze on seagrass. Lea says: “Vanuatu is one of the few places where you can swim with dugongs in their natural seagrass habitat. Traditionally hunted for their meat, conservation efforts have stepped up in recent years.” Although some travellers report sightings near Port Vila, these are rare. “The best places to spot them are the outer islands, especially the seagrass meadows off Malakula, and Lamen Bay on Epi.”

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Vanuatu is a Pacific island adventure far beyond any notions of cruise-ship ports and flashy resorts. Deserted beaches, ancient culture, remote and rugged islands and world-class diving are just a small part of the magnetism of this scattered 80-plus island archipelago.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Mele Cascades

This popular and photogenic swimming spot is 10km from Port Vila. A series of clear aquamarine pools terrace up the hillside, culminating in an impressive…

Millennium Cave

Trek and trudge through the jungle, across creeks, along bamboo bridges and through cascades to this massive cave, 20m wide and 50m high, about 15km from…

National Museum of Vanuatu

This excellent museum, in a soaring traditional building opposite the parliament, has a well-displayed collection of traditional artefacts such as tamtam …

Espiritu Santo

At the end of the sealed road you come to Port Olry, a small francophone fishing village with a stunning curve of white-sand beach and eye-watering…

Peering down into the rumbling, exploding lava storm of Mt Yasur is a sight you won't soon forget. The active volcano is so accessible that 4WD vehicles…

Mt Benbow & Mt Marum

The guided climb up these twin volcanoes is reasonably demanding and the view is often obscured by low cloud and volcanic smoke and ash. But on a clear…

Million Dollar Point

Million Dollar Point, where hundreds of tonnes of US military equipment was dumped, now shows its coral-encrusted machinery to snorkellers and divers. At…

Iririki Island

Iririki is the green, bungalow-laden island right across from Port Vila’s waterfront; it was closed following Cyclone Pam in 2015 but is expected to…

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Oct 24, 2019 • 4 min read

As home to the world's most accessible live volcano, the tiny island of Tanna in Vanuatu's south is the ideal place to plan an adventure.

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Every weekend is an adventure

The best things to do in vanuatu: itinerary for your first visit.

• Post published: 13 June 2018
• Post category: Oceania/South Pacific / Vanuatu

There are 83 islands in the archipelago of Vanuatu. Unless you plan to spend months travelling in Vanuatu, you won’t be able to experience all the best things to do in Vanuatu in one trip.

The first step of making your Vanuatu itinerary will be to select a few islands to visit. This Vanuatu travel guide will make it easier for you to pick the best islands and the best places to visit in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu holidays can please anyone, from the adventurer to the resort lover.

The tourism offer is varied with outstanding natural landscapes. From pristine beaches to lush forests, transparent rivers and blue holes, Vanuatu is full of beautiful gems. It also provides fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities.

Last, but not least, a visit to Vanuatu is also a chance to experience with locals a fascinating culture. We felt very safe in Vanuatu at any time. It’s always a good idea to read your government information about the country before going (like the  Australian Government’s Smart Traveller website , for example).

For our first visit, we kept it simple and went to the most visited islands in Vanuatu:

• Efate (where the capital Port Vila is located)
• Espiritu Santo

If we had the budget and the time, we would have added Pentecost, Malekula, Epi or Ambrym to our Vanuatu itinerary. But as you plan your trip, you will realise Vanuatu is not a cheap destination. Many islands are quite easy to access by plane or by boat. However, the costs quickly add up, and the time quickly flies away with the transfers. We decided to keep the less-visited islands for another trip. It will indeed be easier to organise now that we had a first taste of the country.

I have listed below the best things to do in each of the Vanuatu islands we visited. 

I will write articles about each island later on the blog to provide more detailed information on what to do in Vanuatu. This list is an overview of the best activities and points of interest to start creating your Vanuatu itinerary.

Are you covered for adventurous activities by your  travel insurance ? I recommend double-checking to avoid bad surprises if an incident happens. Adventurous activities are often extra. Some travel insurance like  WorldNomads * and Covermore * make it easy to include adventurous activities.

The best things to do in Vanuatu: Efate Island

You are likely to visit Efate during your Vanuatu trip as it is the island of the capital Port Vila. Most flights arrive or leave from there.

We weren’t very impressed by Port Vila itself. But  a couple of days on Efate Island are a great way to start a trip to Vanuatu . It is a great transition to get introduced to the ni-Van culture without a strong culture shock.

Port Vila is a popular stop on cruises around the South Pacific from Australia. Hence, they are used to receiving foreign tourists, and it is easy to get around the island. Still, there are important things to know before visiting Efate or when you plan a day trip from Port Vila. These activities in Efate made it to my list of the best things to do in Vanuatu:

Port Vila markets

I love going to the local markets in Vanuatu. Wandering around Port Vila market was a great way to discover new fruits and veggies. People were lovely and even often offered us to try before buying when we didn’t know a product. I also ate the best bananas ever. They serve local dishes, such as lap-lap or tuluk if you are there at the right time and ask for it.

Not far from the primary market, the handicraft market is a great place to shop for local souvenirs. It guarantees that your purchase will benefit local communities. You can have a lovely experience with the stallholders who are happy to chat about their country, their culture, and their products.

Mele Cascades

The fee to enter Mele Cascades is excessive (2,000 VT per person!), and, regrettably, the profit does not seem to benefit the local communities. Still, the cascades and the waterfalls look fantastic. We chose Mele Cascades over Rarru Cascades (1,000 VT) as they looked more impressive.

Eton Blue Lagoon

If you don’t plan to visit the island of Espiritu Santo , you should make the trip to Eton Blue lagoon while you are on Efate. I recommend renting a car from Port Vila to go there. It will cost you almost the same as hiring a taxi or bus driver to go there and back from Port Vila (10,000 VT) and you will then be able to explore other parts of the island. If you are travelling by yourself, you may opt to join a tour *.

Hideaway Island

The marine reserve park is a short trip away from Port Vila. It is a great destination for snorkelling with good facilities nearby as it belongs to a resort. You will need to pay a fee of 1,250 VT per person to access the island.

Lelepa Island

Located in the north of Efate, Lelepa Island is a bit further away from Port Vila than Hideaway Island and a bit more expensive. It is locally owned and gives the opportunity to visit a local village while enjoying great snorkelling and even caves. We decided to skip it as the weather wasn’t good when we were in Efate.

Tanna Coffee Factory

The factory is a short drive away from Port Vila, on the way to Hideaway Island and Mele Cascades ( read more information here ). It is an interesting short visit to learn more about how they locally make coffee, try the local products and buy souvenirs. They also have an art gallery and essential oil products on site. The factory is a short drive away from Port Vila, on the way to Hideaway Island and Mele Cascades.

Aelan Chocolate Factory

Chocolate tastes better when it is produced by a non-profit organisation in a beautiful natural environment. The Aelan Chocolate Factory is located 15-minutes away from Port Vila in the Activ Association Centre. You will find there many local handicraft products and discover Vanuatu’s chocolate makers.

L’Houstalet Restaurant

Dinner at the L’Houstalet restaurant is not for the budget traveller but is a great opportunity to try some interesting local ingredients cooked with a French touch. The Chef Specialities – a flying fox, marinated in red wine or an imperial goliath pigeon with a creamy sauce – will cost you 2,700 VT.

Drive around the island

You can rent a car to drive around the island. This road trip will lead you to beautiful places and stunning views. We did not have time to do it this time, but we met fellow travellers who recommended doing it as an overnight trip.

Nguna Island

It is one of the few islands in the north of Efate that you can access via a short boat trip. We did not spend enough time in Efate to add it to our Vanuatu itinerary. With two extinct volcano craters to hike and great diving spots in a protected marine area, it is on my must-see list for the next time we go there. I believe a minimum of three days is needed to get there and enjoy the activities.

Responsible travel tip : If you choose to eat a bat – or flying fox – during your trip to Vanuatu, ask for the Pacific flying fox . This species is widespread in the Pacific. Unfortunately, most other species of flying foxes are endangered. Flying foxes are very important for the ecosystem as they pollinate many plants and disperse seeds.

If you have heard of Turtle Bay or Naiwe Beach or the Turtle Sanctuary or Crystal Blue Lagoon and want to go there, please reconsider your choice. If you like animals, you want to avoid this place.

When looking for the best things to do in Vanuatu, we were told at the tourist office there was a beach where we could snorkel with turtles. We love marine life, so we were excited. On arrival, we had to pay a “conservation fee” to enter a sanctuary. I don’t mind helping protect marine life, so it didn’t bother me until I entered the place. I felt sick when I   realised it was a prison and not at all a sanctuary . They keep sharks and turtles in tiny enclosures for tourists to touch, take photos and feed them food they would not find in the wild. A dark place that should not exist.

Most visitors seemed to have a great time, probably not realising how bad it is for the animals to be kept in such terrible conditions.

Responsible travel tip : This lousy experience at the fake turtle sanctuary near Port Vila was an excellent reminder of how important it is to research the activities we join to be responsible travellers . This is especially true when animals are involved as they may be treated poorly just to attract and please visitors. I wish tourism actors (P&O Cruise and tourism offices, if you read me…) would all participate in educating tourists about why these places are wrong. They would not exist if no one wanted to visit them.

Vanuatu itinerary tip | How long to stay on Efate?

We spent three days on Efate. If you can add a few more days on Efate in your Vanuatu itinerary, I recommend it. It will give you the opportunity to leave Port Vila behind you to explore the north of the island and even some of the other islands in this area.

Unfortunately, it rained most of the time when we were in Efate, so we decided not to visit some of the must-see places. We hope to go again with better luck weather-wise.

The best things to do in Vanuatu: Tanna Island

Many people spend a short time on Tanna just to see the volcano. Some even travel to Vanuatu just for it. But if you have time to stay longer, there are many other things to do on this beautiful Ni-van island:

Yasur volcano

A trip to the Yasur volcano can be made during an overnight stay on Tanna. However, spending a few days in the east of the island will give you more opportunities to experience the majestic volcano. We loved our walk along the river in the ash plain. You can even try ash-boarding on one side of the volcano. Read more about Tanna volcano here.

There are two blue holes on the east side of the island, only five minutes away from the airport. These blue holes are in the sea and make fantastic spots for snorkelling and scuba diving. Diving is expensive in Vanuatu, and we could not check out all the exciting sites. When the conditions are right, the Blue Cave sounds like a great experience too.

Kastom villages

The kastom culture is dominant on Tanna and spending time in traditional communities was fascinating. We learnt a lot about the culture, the way of life and the surrounding environment.

Port Resolution

The road to the volcano end a few kilometres further down, on the coast, at Port Resolution. The lovely village offers an ocean beach on one side, and a magnificent bay on the other side. There, you can watch local fishermen and small hot springs.

Black Magic Show

Although it is staged, the Black Magic Show on Tanna was described as a fun experience by fellow travellers. We could not attend it as prices for transfers from the east coast were out of our budget. If you travel to this area, you may want to push all the way to Louniel Beach with its beautiful black sand.

Sulphur Bay

Freshwater thermally heated by the volcano flows into the sea in Sulphur Bay. Because of transfer costs and time, we did not manage to check it out.

Have you heard of the John Frum Movement or the Cargo Cult? Check this out . If you are in the east of Tanna on a Friday night, you can go to Lamakara village to listen to songs and local music.

Vanuatu itinerary tip | How long to stay on Tanna?

Tanna is worth visiting even for just one day. But I recommend planning a more extended stay. If you go there for only a short visit, you will need to allow a big budget for transfers. We spent five days there (two in the west and three in the east). And we would have needed about two or three extra days to do everything we wanted – especially as we walked a lot to avoid the expensive transport costs.

We stayed at Rocky Ridge Bungalows *, Tanna Tree Top Lodge * and Island of Fire Bungalows *.

The best things to do in Vanuatu: Espiritu Santo

Espiritu Santo is an excellent mix of a ni-Van city and more traditional villages. It is a popular destination with direct international flights from Australia. Whether you are looking for a thrilling adventure or a relaxing holiday, you will find things to do on Vanuatu’s biggest island.

SS Coolidge wreck

Some people travel to Vanuatu just to scuba dive this famous wreck from WWII. If you can include a night dive in your program, it is worth it. Read more on the SS Coolidge dive here .

Million Dollar Point

Beautiful corals and many fish now live on the rest of what the Americans dumped in the ocean after WWII.

Millenium Cave

Although they improved a lot the trek to make it accessible to most tourists, it remains a challenging day hike. The adventure took us to cross a fantastic cave and swim along a stunning canyon. It is another expensive activity in Vanuatu (7,500 VT per person). But the profit made from the tour is used to provide education to more than 125 children. If you have time, you can spend the night in the village for an authentic experience (3,500 VT per person). Read more on all the things to know about Millenium cave hike here .

Champagne Beach

Access to Champagne Beach is expensive (2,000 VT per vehicle), but it indeed is one of the most beautiful beaches in the South Pacific. And there’s a trick to avoid paying the entrance fee !

There are at least four freshwater blue holes in Espiritu Santo. We visited Riri, Matevulu, and Nanda blue holes (budget around 500 VT per person for each blue hole). They all looked different and had their own charms.

Vanuatu’s second-biggest village is in one of the most beautiful locations you can dream of.

Vanuatu itinerary tip | How long to stay on Espiritu Santo?

As much as you can! I could live there without being bored. We spent nine days on Espiritu Santo and it was great. You could fit all we did in a week. But it felt good not to rush and embrace the “island time” spirit.

Find out more about our accommodation in Santo here . We stayed at Aore Eco-Retreat * on Aore Island,  Serenity Beach Bungalows * in Port Olry, and Towoc Beach Bungalows * at Champagne Beach but visited many other places.

Other top things to do in Vanuatu

Try the local food.

Food is a big part of a culture. So when travelling, I find it essential to try the local dishes. Most meals you will be served at the restaurant are made with local ingredients. But it does not mean they are local meals. Unfortunately, very few restaurants serve local meals. They believe visitors don’t like them. We managed to try local dishes at the markets and by asking our hosts if they could prepare it. We found most of them delicious, so I highly recommend the experience!

Trying these foods is one of the best things to do in Vanuatu:

• Tuluk : Our favourite ni-van dish – and it is even better when it is hot! They wrap a mix of beef and onions in a manioc roll. It reminds of a kind of meat pie. We found tuluks by asking around in the market or stopping on the side of the road.
• Lap-lap: A visit to Vanuatu is not complete without trying their national dish. The name of the dish comes from the lap-lap leaves that are used for cooking. Although they all look quite similar, there are many different kinds of lap-laps. I was not fond of the banana lap-lap and also found the manioc lap-lap quite average. But the yam lap-lap served with coconut milk was delicious.
• Simboro: Like lap-lap, simboros can be very different from one to another. They all look like a nem with local roots or bananas wrapped inside cabbage leaves. The manioc simboro we found on the market was delicious. But the banana simboro that our host cooked for us in Port Olry was the best one ever.
• Fruits : Fresh fruits in Vanuatu are delicious and sweet. We had the opportunity to try many fruits for the first time. And the bananas and grapefruits were so much better than anywhere else in the world!
• Coconuts : Make sure you try the three different stages of coconut during your trip. It was my favourite snack. The fresh coconut is close to jelly, whereas the dry one is hard like a biscuit and the germinated one like a cake. If you get a chance to try the fried coconut and the coconut jam, don’t miss it!
• Fish : You may have heard of the ciguatera – a food intoxication due to harmful algae that fish eat. Do not let this stop you from eating fish in Vanuatu. Only reef fish are at risk of making you sick. I loved trying their favourite local deep-sea fish: the poulet fish and the wahoo.
• Coconut crabs : These crabs live in the forest and eat coconuts. It sometimes made them taste a bit like coconut. We tried it before during our trip to New Caledonia , and it is delicious!
• Flying fox : We heard about it a lot in New Caledonia, but they do not serve it to tourists there. Locals always say it is the best meat. So we were thrilled to find it in a restaurant in Efate!

Talk to locals

When you travel to a country like Vanuatu, it feels important to take time to learn about people’s way of life and culture. Their stories are fascinating, and their knowledge of surrounding nature is breathtaking. Try to visit at least once a garden. A bit outside the village, the garden provides all the necessary food, including many fruits and vegetables you may not know.

Ni-vans are great people to exchange with. We were touched by their kindness and felt welcome everywhere we went. We mainly chose Vanuatu as a holiday destination for its beautiful natural resources. It was a pleasant surprise to be able to take the time to connect easily with the locals. Despite a low GDP, short life expectancy and recurrent natural disasters, Vanuatu people are among the happiest in the world. They always rank high on the Happy People Index , and you can also feel it when you spend time with the locals during your holidays. I hope to stay in touch with a few of the locals we spent time with and see how their projects evolve.

You may have heard of kava in other Pacific Islands like Fiji. But Vanuatu is the home of kava.  It is the place with the most potent kava in the world and the highest number of species.

Kava is an integral part of the Ni-van culture. It is a drink made from roots used during rituals that have now become part of everyday life. Local men often gather at the end of the day to enjoy its relaxing effects. Although sharing kava with a local is among the best things to do in Vanuatu, you may not get this opportunity and simply choose to stop at a kava bar. Kava is mostly a drink for men in the Ni-van culture as someone (women!) must take care of the kids. But foreign women were welcome to drink kava at the kava bars on the islands we visited (Efate, Tanna, and Espiritu Santo).

If you have been there, what do you think are the best things to do in Vanuatu? Share your experience in the comments below!

The best time to visit vanuatu.

I recommend avoiding the Australian school holidays when planning your Vanuatu itinerary. Unless you are a solo traveller hoping to meet fellow tourists, you will have a better experience during the off-peak season. It removes December and January from the best time to visit Vanuatu. I heard February is a very slow month and some resorts even close. Plus, the cyclone risk is higher from January to April. And if you are not used to the tropical climate, you may struggle with the heat and humidity during the summer months.

It appears the best time to visit Vanuatu is from May to November.

The tropical climate does not mean you should absolutely avoid the wet season (November to March) as showers are generally brief. We travelled during the wet season to the neighbouring country New Caledonia and had perfect weather. And we ended up having rain almost every day in June in Vanuatu… You never know!

Temperatures average at 23°C during winter, and you can swim all year round. In June, the ocean was still around 26-28°C. Tanna is 500 kilometres south of Espiritu Santo, and we felt a significant difference in the temperatures at night. Make sure you pack a jumper!

Map of our Vanuatu itinerary

The places in green indicate the must-see places we visited in our Vanuatu itinerary. The blue icons are the best places of interest in Vanuatu we didn’t have time to check out. This is for Efate, Tanna, and Espiritu Santo only.

Vanuatu is located in the South Pacific, very close to New Caledonia and not far away from Australia’s East Coast  and the north of New Zealand . There are direct flights from Australia’s major city to Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu on Efate Island. There are also direct flights from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo island.

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This Post Has 4 Comments

Hi Eloise! Lovely post. I am planning a trip to Vanuatu in feb but unfortunately for very less days. 4 to be precise. Do you think I can pull off the below itinerary – just put together few places I do want to visit: 1. Day 1 – reach Port Vila and see the local markets/drink/eat 2. Day 2 – rent a car and go around the island – go to Mele Cascade, Hideaway island, blue lagoon, Coffee & Choc Factory etc 3. Day 3 – Either go to tanna or do one of the island cruises 4. Day 4 – Come back from tanna. 5. Fly back to Sydney What do you think? I am happy to hear your feedback/suggestions!

Hi Sonam, Thanks for your nice words. Day 2 looks like a big day as you may need half a day just for the Blue Lagoon itself. You may have to choose between Mele Cascade and Hideaway Island that day. According to the time when you’ll be back from Tanna, you might be able to move it to day 4. If you have the budget, I highly recommend a trip to Tanna even for a short stay; it’s a very unique experience. A lot more unique than what you’ll get on Efate in my opinion. Enjoy your trip! 🙂

We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teenagers). We wanted to go to Tanna but its closed due to covid for now. We’re going over early October to Efate for a week. Would you recommend we stay on this island the whole time or we can go to the other island Espirito Santo which will be open too? And best things to do with teens? Thanks. Found your information really useful thanks.

Hi Christine, It’s so exciting that you’re going to Vanuatu! I preferred Espiritu Santo to Efate when we visited. There’s a lot to do in Santo for visitors (incl. teenagers) who like outdoor activities: swimming and jumping in blue holes , kayaking, snorkelling and even a bit of hiking/canyoning to Millenium Cave … We stayed in Port Olry and it looked stunning. Enjoy your trip to Vanuatu 🙂

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Vanuatu Travel Guide (2024) – Everything You Need To Know

Vanuatu – a pacific island paradise! The archipelago of Vanuatu is made up of 83 islands. Travellers come here seeking gorgeous landscapes, fantastic diving & snorkelling, rainforests, volcanoes, lagoons, stunning beaches and warm hospitality.

Our Vanuatu travel guide will cover everything you need to know about this lush island nation.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

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Table of Contents

How to get around in Vanuatu

Vanuatu has many islands on which you can stay, and our Vanuatu travel guide includes all options for transport.

The main island, Efate, has small local minivans that pick up and drop off around the island. Look for a ‘B’ fixed on the number plate and flag the driver down on the side of the road.

Tell him where you’re going and ask if he’s going that way. One of the quirks of this transport system is that there is no set bus route. The drop-off points are usually in the order of the people who got on, going directly to each person’s destination.

These trips cost 150vt (USD 1.30) per person. It’s best to have a small change to pay the driver.

Transport options from Port Vila airport to your accommodation

This Vanuatu Travel Guide will also help you with getting from the airport:

Once you arrive at the airport in Port Vila, there are two ways to do this:

Take a private taxi – Exit the arrivals hall and find a taxi driver just outside. The standard rate quoted from the airport to your accommodation on the main island is 3500vt (USD 30). You may be able to talk your way into a better price, but that all depends on how good your negotiating skills are.

You can book a private transfer here if you’d like to arrange a transfer before your arrival.

Take local transport – This is precisely what we did and it’s very easy and much more affordable. Exit the arrivals hall at the airport and wait just outside for one of the small local minivans with a ‘B’ on its number plate.

Flag the driver down when he comes past and tell him the address/road you’re going to. It’s worth just double-checking the price with him. Depending on your accommodation’s distance, he may charge you more than the standard 150vt. 

Our accommodation at the beautiful Nasama Resort  was about 4km past the centre of Port Vila, located on Pango Road. We paid our driver 200vt each from the airport to our accommodation; he was happy. We were dropped off directly before our resort; it was super easy.

The local minivans are very frequent on the main island of Efate, so it doesn’t take much effort to get around using public transport.

Car hire Options – Vanuatu Travel Guide

Yes, you can also hire a car on the main island. Discover Cars offers the cheapest prices. As a rough guide, prices start from around USD 70 per day.

The island is relatively easy to drive around – but mind the potholes!

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road in Vanuatu. Renting a car can save you time exploring different beaches and reaching the islands’ highlights.

Vanuatu Travel Guide: Where to stay in Vanuatu?

Efate (main island) – There are many options for accommodation in Efate. Most travellers will book a resort with access to the beach and facilities such as a pool and restaurants and base themselves there.

We booked a beach-view studio apartment at Nasama Resort for our stay in Vanuatu, and it was perfect.

A great feature of the apartment is that it was entirely self-contained, so we had our kitchen to cook meals. It was nice to cook breakfast and enjoy it with a coffee on our patio overlooking the beach each morning.

Alternatively, there is an on-site restaurant at the resort for those who don’t wish to cater for themselves.

Cafe Vila offers a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu in a very comfortable setting.

Our studio also included a flatscreen TV with A/C and a ceiling fan.

The location of our apartment was literally on the doorstep of a beautiful little beach with turquoise blue waters and an infinity pool, too. 

We want to return to Nasama Resort on our next visit to Vanuatu – we didn’t want to leave! 

CLICK HERE to check prices and availability for Nasama Resort . Let’s get back to our Vanuatu Travel Guide.

Booking.com is an easy-to-use search engine. It offers the best selection of accommodation available all over the world. We find they offer the lowest prices and no fees. Our Tip: Search by price, and filter by best reviews.

Budget accommodation in Port Vila

If you’re looking for budget yet decent accommodation in the centre of Port Vila, I’d recommend Room with a View . Check out the  Moorings Hotel  if you’ve got a little more in the budget; rooms from USD 80 per night.

RELATED POST:  How to Visit Every Country in the Pacific – The Ultimate Guide

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Where to Eat in our Vanuatu Travel Guide?

Aside from the delicious and affordable market food, there are a few great places to eat in Port Vila – I’ve mentioned them below:

L’Houstelet – a French restaurant that has been open for over 45 years. If you’re looking for some well-cooked French-style cuisine, don’t look further than this restaurant, located directly across from the main supermarket in the centre of Port Vila. We enjoyed a delicious beef fillet with pepper sauce here, which is highly recommended.

Cafe Vila – This restaurant is part of the Nasama Resort ; however, everybody is welcome to dine here and enjoy their fresh menu. The fresh fish here is delicious. It’s less than a 10-minute drive from town; take a local minivan for 150 vt per person.

Chill Restaurant and Bar –  Great views and fantastic food at this restaurant in the centre of Port Vila. It’s a little pricey but a memorable dining experience.

Central Markets

Don’t miss out on eating some of the best food on the island. Our Vanuatu Travel Guide would be incomplete if we didn’t talk about the cuisine. Located at the rear of the fresh central markets, you can find ‘mamas’ cooking home-cooked dishes.

Several different stalls are set up here, and you can choose who to dine with. Just sit at the comfortable tables – there are menus and prices. 

I ate a coconut fish curry, served with rice and tropical salad – the price was 500vt ($4.25).

It was delicious and a very generous portion. I’d highly recommend eating here for lunch during your stay. 

You’ll also see ladies selling ‘ready meals’ in the markets for takeaway. The food is home-cooked and wholesome.

Different options were chicken with vegetables (sweet potatoes, yams and green water spinach), dried fish, and the national dish in Vanuatu, laplap. 

Try the local food! – The Best Recommendation in our Vanuatu Travel Guide

Laplap is prepared by grating breadfruit, bananas and taro and making a vegetable paste. Coconut cream is added, and meat such as chicken, beef or pork is added.

It is wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an underground oven. We purchased some chicken laplap from the markets to eat for lunch, later on, the price was 200vt.

The dish tastes like mashed vegetables and bananas with coconut cream added. It was tasty, yet a little bland. The serving size was huge, and we struggled to eat the entire meal.

RELATED POST – 7 Tips – How to find the best food when travelling

We love self-catering when we travel

Eating out for every meal can be costly, so if you choose to book an apartment as we did, having access to a full kitchen is priceless. We cooked quite a few meals during our stay here.

Our portable coffee machine was our saviour! It’s hard to find a good coffee on the island, and if you do, you’ll be paying at least $5 for one. We always travel with our espresso machine and a bag of freshly ground coffee.

Things to do in Vanuatu

Vanuatu has some of the world’s best beaches and diving/snorkelling. Most guesthouses and hotels can organise daily excursions. However, I’d recommend saving yourself a lot of money and booking activities online.

Viator is one of our favourite sites for booking food tours, day tours, and attraction tickets. It’s so easy to just browse the tours on Viator , pay online, and immediately receive your tour voucher.

Vanuatu Travel Guide – The cost

How much does stuff cost from the supermarket?

**Index of prices** Price shown in VUV/USD

• 1.5L bottle of water 150vt / $1.30
• Small NZ butter 220vt / $1.85
• Canned tomatoes 160vt / $1.35
• Baguette 60vt / $0.50
• eggs (each) 40vt / 0.33c
• 1 x small bottle Tusker beer 225vt / $1.90
• Tinned tuna 100vt / $0.85c
• 2min noodles 50vt / $0.42c
• UHT milk 1L 150vt / $1.30
• Bag spaghetti 500g from 150vt /   $1.30
• Bottle of wine 870vt / $7.40

Cost of fresh produce from the fresh markets

• Bunch of 12 small bananas 200vt / $1.70
• Small punnet of baby tomatoes 200vt / $1.70
• Pineapple 100-250vt / $0.84c – $2.10
• Eggplant (x3) 200vt / $1.70
• Avocado from 60-200vt / $1.70
• Potatoes/sweet potatoes (sml bag) 200vt / $1.70

We picked up a few groceries at Au Bon Marche, a larger supermarket that is located next to the fresh central markets in Port Vila. It’s convenient to visit both at the same time.

After shopping for food, we caught a local bus to our resort from the front of the markets for 150vt per person. 

Popular Activities & Day Trips in Vanuatu

Vanuatu travel guide for the best beaches.

What would our Vanuatu travel guide be without telling you about the best beaches to visit while you’re here?

Eton Beach – This is arguably the nicest beach on the main island of Efate. Expect white sand, palm trees and turquoise blue waters – just like you’ve seen in those travel magazines. The nearby reef cradles a natural pool where you can relax and watch small tropical fish swim around you.

Paradise Cove Beach – This beach is conveniently located near Port Vila. Bring your snorkel and enjoy fantastic swimming and snorkelling while you’re here. This is a beautiful beach in a lush setting.

Hideaway Beach – A popular place to come and enjoy a lazy day of swimming, snorkelling and relaxing. Unfortunately, we noticed that the coral reef has suffered heavily due to the number of visitors trampling over it. Yet, it was still teeming with beautiful tropical fish and underwater life. There is a beach restaurant where you can enjoy lunch or a cold beer. You can also hire snorkelling gear at reception for a fee.

Hideaway Island is also home to the world’s only underwater post office, so kids (and adults) can get a kick out of swimming underwater to send that postcard from paradise!

Note: You must pay an entrance fee of 1250vt or AUD 17 for adults.

Champagne Beach – A famous beach located on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. The beach is renowned for its shimmering crystal-clear waters and powdery white sands. See the bubbly water rising in the lagoon, caused by volcanic gas forcing the water to fizz through the rocks at low tide. This island receives many visitors on cruise boats from Australia.

Bokissa beach – Powder white sands, turquoise water and swaying palm trees. To the south of Espiritu Santo, Bokissa Island is an ideal place to escape and relax in paradise. Perfect for swimming, snorkelling and enjoying the warm tropical breezes of Vanuatu.

Other islands in Vanuatu worth visiting

Tanna Island is one of the most popular islands to visit in Vanuatu.

The biggest drawcard for visitors is to visit Mt Yasur Volcano. You can reserve simple accommodation in bungalows or a treehouse for incredible views of the volcano.

Accommodation options in Tanna:

• Castle Tree House & Bungalows –  Set in White Sands, Castle Tree House And Bungalow provides a garden. Featuring a shared kitchen, this property also welcomes guests with a restaurant, a water park and a terrace.
• Friendly Beach – Friendly Beach offers luxurious beachfront accommodation in a remote location. Each beachfront has a large terrace with a hammock and lounge seat, providing views across the Pacific Ocean.
• Rocky Ridge Bungalows – Set in Tanna Island, Rocky Ridge Bungalows offers accommodation with a balcony. This is an affordable accommodation for those travellers on a budget.

There are daily flights to Tanna with Air Vanuatu. Check availability, and the cheapest flights can be found on Skyscanner .

Espiritu Santo Island is famous for its fantastic beaches, range of basic or luxury accommodations, hiking, relaxing and scuba diving and snorkelling.

Accommodation options in Espiritu Santo:

Santo Seaside Villas – A great option with breakfast included in the rate. Clean and comfortable rooms and the staff are super friendly.

Beachfront Resort – A great mid-range option. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar on this property. Free Wi-Fi and continental breakfast.

Turtle Bay Lodge – This is a beautiful property with excellent reviews, including breakfast and a waterfront location. If you’ve got the budget to stay here, with prices starting at around $100 per night, then book it!

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Things to remember about travel in Vanuatu

• To visit many island beaches, hot springs, blue holes and caves, you’ll have to pay the landowners (in the form of entrance fees), so ensure you have some local currency or AUD.
• Bring your snorkelling gear to save on hire fees.
• Tap water is OK to drink
• English and French are widely spoken here.
• Use local (shared) transport and boats to get around to keep costs down.

Make sure you get Travel Insurance before hitting the road. We recommend Heymondo & SafetyWing Travel Insurance.

Click here and get 5% off Heymondo from us!

And that’s our Vanuatu Travel Guide. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments. 

Love to eat when you travel? After reading our Vanuatu travel guide, check out our post about   5 Foods you cannot miss in Vanuatu .

For more stories from our crazy adventure to visit every country in the world , read more about the time we got  stranded in the Pacific – cancelled flights, lost luggage, and coronavirus.

Travelling this way, too? Have you decided on the question regarding Suitcase vs Backpack – Which should you choose?  

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Vanuatu Travel Guide

Last Updated: January 30, 2023

The archipelago of Vanuatu is made up of 83 islands that offer fantastic tropical views, vivid landscapes, lush rainforests, world-class diving, lots of fish, and unforgettable Pacific hospitality.

A lot of people visit Vanuatu when they are in New Zealand since the flight time is short and there are the most connections.

Prices in Vanuatu are lower than other Pacific islands as it’s not yet a “hotspot” to visit. But just because tons of people don’t come here doesn’t mean it isn’t paradise. In fact, it’s probably even more of a paradise because of the fewer people!

Come here for friendly locals, lush jungles, unspoiled beaches, and great seafood. It’s a beautiful place to disconnect and relax.

This travel guide to Vanuatu helps you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this tropical paradise!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Vanuatu

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Vanuatu

1. Go diving

There is amazing diving in Vanuatu, with underwater tunnels, caves, and grottoes to explore. There are tons of turtles, sharks, and rays in the waters here, there are pristine soft and hard corals, the water is warm, and the visibility is out of this world. If you’re lucky you might also see dolphins on the way to or from your dive. Don’t miss the SS “President Coolidge” wreck, which sank after running into mines during World War II. Single-tank dives cost around 8,500 VUV but many places only do two-tank trips.

2. See Mount Yasur

This is the world’s most accessible active volcano (and, indeed, one of the world’s most active volcanoes), where visitors can get up close to the caldera and watch it erupt (they’re small eruptions, nothing to worry about). Access is via a short rutted road that can be either driven in a 4WD or hiked (most people go by car). You can even camp around the volcano if you’re feeling extra daring. The hike to the top takes under an hour. Ask your accommodation to help you book a tour if you want to go by car.

3. Take a village tour

The tours of the tribal villages are educational and shed light on the people who call Vanuatu home. Ekasup Cultural Village is the best-known tour but there are options on all of the three main islands and on some of the other islands too. Some take you via minivan while others are done by bike. Prices vary but expect to spend at least 4,000 VUV for a day tour.

4. Explore Port Vila

Here, you can see evidence of the shared colonial influence of France and Britain. The food seems to be French-influenced while the language is a Pidgin English called Bislama. Along the main street, you can find duty-free stores and local shops selling artisanal crafts and there are some decent restaurants and bars here too. If you’re in town for a while, pay a visit to the National Museum, head to the outdoor market, head to the Summit to explore the Secret (botanic) Gardens, and go snorkeling just off the coast at Hideaway Island (1,250 VUV entry).

5. Visit Mystery Island

This tiny island is just 1 kilometer long (0.6 miles) and 200 meters (656 feet) wide. It’s largely uninhabited, save for travelers who fly or cruise here to explore its golden beaches, hike its remote jungles, and snorkel in its crystalline waters. As well as snorkeling it’s great for other water sports like kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. You can take a few boat tours that operate here but they’re mostly limited to glass-bottomed boats and deep-sea fishing. If you’d rather stay on dry land, check out the beach markets or go get a massage. Flights from Port Vila take around 3 hours as you have to go via Tanna.

Other Things to See and Do in Vanuatu

1. hike to the mele cascades.

These waterfalls are some of the most famous in the whole country. They are easy to get to and the surrounding area has lots of hiking opportunities. They’re just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Port Vila and the hike to them takes 2-3 hours. Admission is 2,000 VUV so pack a lunch and make an afternoon of it to get your money’s worth.

2. Visit Chief Roi Mata’s Domain

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is half an hour’s drive north of Port Vila. Mata was a 12th-century ruler who was poisoned by his brother. The area of northwest Efate and the islands of Lelepa and Artok represent the Chief’s historic area of influence. The region has several archeological sites you can visit. You can see where the chief lived, where he is buried, and where he was killed. Don’t miss the National Museum and Cultural Center to learn about the region’s history and culture before heading off to the Northwest of Efate to check out the domain.

3. Explore the islands

Rent a kayak or sailboat, or head out on an organized boat tour around the islands. Kayaking tours take you to a small coral island, which is stunningly beautiful. A full-day kayak or SUP rental is around 3,000 VUV while a guided tour costs 6,000 VUV. Boat tours start at 7,500 VUV.

4. Enjoy some water sports

Whether it’s kitesurfing, surfing, or parasailing, you can find something on the beach to keep you active or get your heart pounding. Prices vary depending on the activity so ask your accommodation to help you book lessons or gear or tours. Erakor Point, Port Resolution, and Pango Point are some popular spots for surfing.

5. Soak in the hot springs

In the northeast of Efate about an hour’s drive from Port Vila are the Nasinu Hot Springs. A local family runs the thermal springs and they are relatively basic and undeveloped (don’t expect any modern or fancy facilities). There are thermal pools and a mud bath, both of which claim to offer healing properties. There’s a restaurant nearby too.

6. Go fishing

Fishing is a popular pastime (and job) in Vanuatu and there are many competitions held throughout the year. A lot of companies offer deep-sea fishing trips for swordfish, marlin, Dorado, and Wahoo. Prices vary depending on how long you go for but expect to pay at least 100,000 VUV for a charter (they’re best shared between a group to split the cost).

7. Visit the underwater post office

Just 49 meters (160 feet) off the coast of Mele is a fully-functional underwater post office. What started as a funny idea over drinks by the local Postmaster eventually became a reality in 2003. You can only access the post office by diving to the ocean floor — and the post box is only open at certain hours. On land, you can purchase an embossed waterproof postcard that you can drop off in the underwater post box. To this day, it’s one of the only places in the world you can send mail underwater!

8. Watch naghol

Vanuatu travel costs.

Accommodation – Hostels with dorms are in short supply so budget-conscious travelers should look for affordable guesthouses. Expect prices to start artounf 3,000 VUV per night. Most include free Wi-Fi and free breakfast. Those that don’t offer breakfast usually have kitchens.

Airbnb is available around the islands with private rooms starting at 2,100 VUV per night, however, most prices average triple that. For an entire home or apartment, prices start at 3,000 VUV per night.

For those traveling with a tent, wild camping is prohibited and there are no campgrounds here. To pitch your tent, you need permission from the landowner. For that reason, camping isn’t recommended here.

Food – Vanuatuan cuisine is based heavily on fish, root vegetables like yam and taro, coconuts, and fresh fruit. Mangoes, plantain, pineapples, and papayas are all readily available. Be sure to try lap lap , (baked yam pudding) and simboro (a steamed roll wrapped in banana leaf). Tuna, Red Emperor, Parrotfish, Cod, and lobster are all common seafood staples.

Be sure to try kava , a traditional psychoactive non-alcoholic drink that’s extremely popular. It used to be consumed only at ceremonies and festivals but is now a common drink for all social situations. It has a mild narcotic effect and is quite relaxing, so it’s usually consumed at dusk.

For a meal of traditional cuisine, expect to pay 1,500 VUV. For a pizza, prices start at 1,300 VUV while Thai or Vietnamese food (which can only be found around Port Vila) costs around 1,700-2,000 VUV.

A three-course meal of traditional cuisine costs 3,250 VUV. A cappuccino costs 385 VUV, a beer costs 450 VUV, and a bottle of water costs 100 VUV.

For a week’s worth of basic groceries including staples like fish, seasonal produce, and rice, expect to pay at least 10,000 VUV. Eliminating expensive imported products such as cheese, chicken and beef can help you to keep these costs down.

Backpacking Vanuatu Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 11,000 VUV per day, you can stay in a budget guesthouse or a private room on Airbnb, cook most of your meals and have the occasional meal out, limit your drinking, do cheap activities like hiking and snorkeling, and use local transportation to get around.

On a mid-range budget of 26,000 VUV per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb apartment, eat out for all your meals, go diving, take some taxis to get around, enjoy a few drinks, and do some water sports like kayaking.

On a “luxury” budget of 48,000 VUV per day, you can stay in a hotel, rent a car to get around, visit other islands, take guided tours, eat out at any restaurant you want, and enjoy all the water sports and excursions that you want! This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in XX.

Vanuatu Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Vanuatu may not be as expensive as other nearby islands but it’s not super cheap either. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to save money in Vanuatu:

• Bring your own snorkeling gear – If you’re going to snorkel more than once or twice, bring your own gear. Rental prices can add up and the budget rental gear here is usually in poor condition.
• Avoid the resorts – The resorts here overcharge for everything. Avoid them!
• Cook your own meals – Stay somewhere with a kitchen to save money on food costs. It won’t be as glamorous as eating out, but it cuts your food costs significantly.
• Stay somewhere with free breakfast – Many budget hotels include free breakfast. Stay at one of them to lower your daily food expenses.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and lower your single-use plastic consumption. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a filter so you can ensure your water is clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Vanuatu

There are virtually no hostels in Vanuatu so budget travelers need to rely on affordable guesthouses and hotels as their main accommodation choice. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started and save money:

• Bluepango (Port Vila)
• Travellers Budget Motel (Port Vila)
• Retreat Seaside (Port Vila)
• Volcano Island Paradise Bungalows (Tanna)

How to Get Around Vanuatu

Ferry – Ferries are available between the main islands, though they don’t operate often (some only go once per week) and they can take several hours. Expect to pay between 5,000-10,000 VUV for a one-way ferry ride. There are also some smaller boats that operate called banana boats. Head to the port to find out the most recent timetable and fares.

For destinations further afield, such as Luganville, the 25-hour ferry costs around 10,000 VUV.

Bus – The bus system here has no fixed routes but you can usually catch one along one of the main roads. There aren’t always bus stops, particularly outside of the towns, so simply wave down a bus, hop on, and tell them when to stop. There are buses around Efate and along the east coast of Espiritu Santo. Expect to pay around 150 VUV for short journeys and 200-500 VUV for longer ones.

Taxi – Taxis in Vanuatu charge around 100 VUV per kilometer, although it can be more if the road conditions are bad! If you’re traveling from the airport to downtown Port Vila, it’s a flat fee of 1,400 VUV.

Flying – Efate, Santo, and Tanna can be reached via relatively affordable flights. Expect to pay around 16,000 VUV for the one-hour flight from Efate to Santo. The one-hour flight from Efate to Tanna costs about the same.

For the smaller islands, most of the airports have grass landing strips and are little more than fields. Some don’t even have electricity and most have no other facilities there. Expect smaller planes and more expensive flights.

Car rental – If you want to explore the main island by car, rentals start at 6,500 VUV per day. An International Driving Permit (IDP) isn’t required to rent a car here. Drivers typically need to be 23 years old and have had their license for at least one year.

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Vanuatu is hard. There isn’t a lot of traffic here so expect long waits. However, the locals are friendly and usually don’t mind picking people up. Hitchwiki is your best resource for additional information.

When to Go to Vanuatu

April to October is the most popular time to visit Vanuatu. This is when temperatures are a comfortable 18-28°C (65-82°F).

November to March is the wet season, however, showers are usually brief and there is still plenty of sunshine. There are fewer crowds and slightly cheaper prices during this period as well.

May-June and September-October are the shoulder season and offer the best balance of price and weather.

The water in Vanuatu is a mild 22-28°C (72-82°F) all year round so you can really enjoy this island paradise any time.

How to Stay Safe in Vanuatu

Vanuatu is very safe and violent crime against visitors is rare. Petty theft is the most common issue, so keep your valuables secured and out of sight to avoid trouble. Always lock your accommodation and keep any valuables stored in a safe if possible. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity so as long as you take precautions you should be fine.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

Scams here are rare, but if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here

November-April is cyclone season. Be prepared for potential flooding and landslides. Earthquakes are also common in this region of the world, so always make sure you’re familiar with your accommodation’s emergency exits. While unlikely, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Since the country has more conservative social values, avoid wearing clothing that is too revealing.

Tropical diseases like Dengue fever and malaria are possible (especially in the rainy season). Make sure you have a vaccination for Dengue and seek medical advice about your options for malaria before arriving.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Vanuatu Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Vanuatu Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on South Pacific travel and continue planning your trip:

Learning How to Scuba Dive in Fiji

How to Backpack the Yasawa Islands

Trapped in Paradise: A Trip to Fiji

The 20 Best Tropical Islands in the World

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Bhutan's Economy Maintains Robust Growth Despite Challenges

THIMPHU, May 3, 2024 —Bhutan’s economy continues its strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to two new World Bank reports launched today.

The  April 2024 Bhutan Development Update  indicates that economy is showing signs of a strong recovery with an expected 4.6 percent real GDP growth in FY22/23, driven by higher growth in tourism activity, following economic contraction over two consecutive years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Growth is expected to accelerate to 4.9 percent in FY23/24.

  “ To maintain a strong and inclusive growth, Bhutan can do more to enable the business environment to attract Foreign Direct Investments and promote the private sector to create more jobs that appeal to the aspirations of its citizens”,  said  Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan . “ Further, it will equally be important for the government to timely address the increasing stress on services delivery because of human resources challenges.”

Despite the relatively robust growth in recent years, downside risks to the economy persist. The fiscal deficit is expected to widen in FY23/24 to 5 percent of GDP as expenditure outpaces revenue, due to significant salary increases for public sector employees.  Over the last year, there has been a significant decline in international reserves, but they have begun to stabilize as the current account deficit showed signs of narrowing in the first quarter of FY23/24, following a significant expansion in FY22/23.  Risks include delayed fiscal consolidation, vulnerabilities in the financial sector, volatile international commodity prices and delays in hydropower projects.

The report includes a special section on labor market and jobs. Bhutan’s labor remains predominantly employed in the low productivity sectors. Workers face many challenges, including limited inclusion of women in meaningful employment and persistence of low-productivity agricultural employment. Employment quality outside of the public sector remains weak, leading to public sector queuing, rising unemployment among urban workers, and a record number of Bhutanese migrating abroad.

The 2023 Public Expenditure Review for Bhutan emphasizes the critical importance of efficient public spending and enhanced domestic resource mobilization to help achieve Bhutan’s long-term development goals.

Bhutan’s revenue collection remains largely driven by the hydropower sector, which contributes significantly to both tax and non-tax revenue collection. However, the contribution from the direct taxes without the hydropower sector remained stagnant. Bhutan’s capital expenditure as a share of GDP is among the highest globally, and expenditures on salary and allowances consume a significant portion of the current expenditure. While Bhutan's commitment to education and healthcare remains robust, there are opportunities to improve spending efficiency. 

“ Greater contribution from direct taxes beyond the hydropower sector, coupled with a more effective tax administration system, could bolster Bhutan's ability to generate increased revenues essential for its development ,” said  Hoon Sahib Soh, World Bank Practice Manager for Macroeconomics, Trade & Investment for South Asia Region.

State enterprises in Bhutan contribute significantly to budget revenues and create jobs but suffer from profitability and performance challenges. Although Bhutan has enhanced its legal and regulatory framework for state enterprise management, key policy gaps persist, including ownership and dividend policies.

“Further improvements in managing investments, corporate governance and financial reporting, can help improve performance of state enterprises and reduce fiscal risks”, said  Adama Coulibaly, World Bank Resident Representative for Bhutan .

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Our Borders Are Now Open! Click here  for travel information to Vanuatu. Visit Nabanga Pledge to stay Covid-safe during your holiday.

Everything you need to know - Travelling to Vanuatu

TRAVELLING TO VANUATU

We are so excited to welcome our international travelers back to our shores since the 1st of July, 2022. Our beautiful smiles await you, and we invite you to Answer the Call of Vanuatu once again!

Here’s what you need to know about visiting Vanuatu as a tourist.

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL:

There is no requirement for travellers to Vanuatu to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 although this will be strongly encouraged for all those who are eligible.

All travellers are encouraged to be:

Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 but not required

Testing for COVID-19 before travelling to Vanuatu has been removed. However, those who are sick with COVID-19 or other symptoms are encouraged to postpone their travel.

No countries are exempt from these requirements.

IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Travellers on tourist visa must: 

    a. have a confirmed returned ticket to country of origin

    b. a confirmed accomodation at an accredited tourist facility: hotel, motel, bungalow, resort,... OR

    c. a letter of invitation from sponsor in Vanuatu

For more information, please check here.

An accredited tourism property or facility means it was certified by the Vanuatu Government Department of Tourism, with a valid tourism permit. See attached the list of the accredited tourism businesses -  2022_Tourism_Accommodation.pdf

For more information on the list of the Exempt and non-Exempt countries to the Vanuatu Tourism Visa, please  click on the link, Countries_requiring_visa_or_No_Visa_for_Vanuatu_2022.pdf

Only citizens from NON-EXEMPT countries will be required to apply for a Tourism Visa, by completing the attached form and returning it to the Vanuatu Department of Immigrations and Passport Services prior to travel, for approval.

Tourism Visa will be granted upon arrival by the Vanuatu Department of Immigrations and Passport Services to all traveling citizens of EXEMPT countries.

To download the Tourism Visa form, please click on the link,  Tourism_Visa.pdf .

Failure to provide a confirmed booking, with an accredited tourism property may results to denied boarding or refusal by the Vanuatu Government Department Immigration.

2. Travellers and/or Vanuatu residents on residence visa, student visa, business visa or special category visa MUST have a valid existing visa before boarding any flight to Vanuatu.

For any further information on these additional border measures and conditions, please contact, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

DURING TRAVEL TO VANUATU:

A well-fitted mask is no longer required to be worn on flights to Vanuatu and at the airport upon arrival to Vanuatu. 

However, the Ministry of Health continue to recommend their use, especially for those who are vulnerable to severe COVID-19. Airlines and vessels may request masks be worn under specific conditions. 

WHEN YOU ARRIVE:

You won’t need to quarantine or do any testing upon arrival.

Testing upon or after arrival is not required if there are no symptoms and there has been no exposure to COVID-19. Travellers who experience COVID-19 sign or symptoms are encouraged to isolate, OR can undertake a COVID test*. 

*Testing is available at health facilities and pharmacies for those with symptoms. 

Arrival by Sea: The above requirements also apply to those entering Vanuatu by sea, if there are no symptoms and there has been no exposure to COVID-19. 

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 WHILE IN VANUATU:

Travellers to Vanuatu including tourists who test positive to COVID-19 while in Vanuatu will be requested to isolate until there has been no fever and no worsening or new symptoms for a least 48 hours.  Medical care should be sought if symptoms have not improved within 5 days or if you experience any danger sign 

For tourists, this can be done at a hotel or resort. Visitors are encouraged to have travel insurance. 

Further information is available on the COVID-19 website at www.covid19.gov.vu , through the 119 Health Information Hotline, or at the Health Promotions Vanuatu Facebook page. 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Provinces and islands are open to international visitors. We encourage travellers to visit  covid.19.gov.vu  to view the most up to date information on specific provinces/islands and their statuses.

• The safety of both locals and visitors remains paramount, and these entry requirements are subject to change.         o We advise you to click here for the most up to date information.         o We will also publish relevant updates on the Vanuatu Tourism Office Facebook page ( linked here ).

GETTING TO VANUATU

Air Vanuatu will be operating 17 flights a week to and from Port Vila, out of Auckland(4) , Sydney(5), Brisbane,(3) Melbourne(1), Noumea(3), Nadi(1).

In addition to Air Vanuatu: 

Aircalin is operating only one flight per week on Saturdays between Noumea and Port Vila. From the 19th December 2022, Air Calin will be operating on Mondays as well.

Fiji Airways operates 6 flights per week between Nadi and Port Vila.

Solomon Airlines operates one flight per week on Tuesdays between Honiara and Port Vila, including a Port- Vila to Nadi flight.

Virgin Australia operates 5 flights per week, directly from Brisbane.

Please  click here  to find out more about Air Vanuatu,  here  for Aircalin, here for Fiji Airways, and  here for Solomon Airlines. Other regional airlines have also confirmed their interest to return to Vanuatu, currently under Government regulatory review and approval.

TRAVELLING SAFELY IN VANUATU  

The Vanuatu Government and the Vanuatu Tourism Office have been working with the tourism industry throughout the country to ensure the safety of the People of Vanuatu and travelers once borders can safely reopen. 

We have introduced the Safe Business Operations (SBO ) initiative. 

SAFE BUSINESS OPERATIONS INITIATIVE

The Vanuatu tourism industry is working hard to welcome international travellers back to Vanuatu in a Covid safe way, and the Vanuatu Government's Safe Business Operations guidelines are in place to address any business health protocols. This is currently being rolled out across the country. WHAT IS IT? The Safe Business Operations program trains Vanuatu's tourism and hospitality businesses to ensure enhanced cleaning, personal hygiene, and protection measures are in place to combat the spread of Covid-19 and ensure the safety of visitors and locals once borders open. Similar to the programs in place in Australia and New Zealand, all accredited Safe Business Operations tourism businesses will: • Have a dedicated Covid-19 safety officer that is up to date on the Ministry of Health guidelines and the Vanuatu Alert Outbreak system, who will act as a point of contact and authority for visitors and employees on any questions to do with travel and tourism in Vanuatu and Covid-19. • Be "Triple C Certified". Triple C stands for clean, caring and checked, and it's a signifier for travellers that the business has undertaken the Safe Business Operations training program and offers enhanced safety measures for guests and employees. Certified businesses will be allowed to use a "Triple C Certified" logo on their websites and social media and to display it at the entry of their businesses. It will also be shown on business listings on our website as guidance for travellers. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR TRAVELLERS? Vanuatu is committed to the protection of guests and locals alike as borders open, and we know safety will be a key consideration for travellers when choosing where they venture, stay, eat and play. Completion of the Safe Business Operations program includes a compliance audit ensuring full implementation of the program. This means that you can travel with peace of mind, knowing you have an informed and trained point of contact that can provide Covid-19 advice while you're in Vanuatu. Look out for the logo to easily identify which accommodation providers and tour operators offer this enhanced level of safety and protection. The Safe Business Operations program commenced earlier this year and will continue to run until each of Vanuatu's more than 300 tourism and hospitality businesses are certified. Stay tuned to our website and social media pages ( Facebook and Instagram ) for updates on protection and safety measures in Vanuatu as borders open.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – GO HERE .

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