Here’s everything I wish I had known before I landed in Port Vila Vanuatu! This tiny island nation isn’t exactly a very accessible or overly popular backpacker destination. But it’s absolutely incredible and well worth the visit.
I found getting settled in Port Vila and deciding on which islands to explore challenging. Finding useful information online? Almost impossible. I’ve prepared this ultimate guide so you can make the most of your trip. Let’s go!
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Where is Port Vila Vanuatu, exactly?
Port Vila is the capital of Vanuatu. It’s on the island of Efate in the mid-southern area of the archipelago. About 50,000 people call the city home, and it houses the country’s primary international airport, so you will almost definitely pass through here on your adventure. It’s the perfect jumping off point to get to other islands like Tanna, Espiritu Santo, and Pentecost.
Vanuatu is an excellent place to visit from Australia as you can find direct flights that take just 3-4 hours, and cost about $550 AUD ($350 USD). More on domestic flights below.
April to October is the high season, but it’s a Pacific Island, so it’s stunning year-round. However, there are a few unique things that only happen at specific times of the year.
For example, I went in June, which just so happens to be during the N’gol ritual on Pentecost island. That’s the “land diving” that inspired AJ Hackett to create bungee jumping when he got back to New Zealand. So if you’re looking to experience something incredible, make sure you visit at the right time of year. We can’t really expect men to be jumping from great heights with vines tied to their ankles all year round, can we?
Leaving the airport
Your best budget option is to hop on a “bus,” (a 12-seater van). It’ll cost 150 VT to get to town, or up to 500 VT if you booked accom in the outskirts. Don’t worry about negotiating the price, it’s a flat fee.
If you take a taxi, it’ll cost at least 1,400 VT to town, so I’d only opt for this if you’re with friends or have a lot of luggage.
Look for red “B” or “T” license plates anywhere outside the airport to find buses and taxis. If there aren’t any there, one will roll up soon.
Someone may have told you that bartering isn’t a thing in Vanuatu, which is mostly true. But that doesn’t apply to taxis. So double check the price before you get on the road.
Accomodation in Port Vila Vanuatu
There are a few affordable options in the city, it’s not all fancy hotels and resorts. The place where I stayed has since closed, but there are lots of options listed on the official Travel Vanuatu site. I thought these two looked the most backpacker-friendly:
5,000 VT ($40) one-bedroom apartment, 7,000 VT ($60) two-bedroom apartment
Spacious apartments close to bars and restaurants in the central part of town. You can book with them directly here.
3,000 VT ($25) dorm bed, 9,000 VT ($75) air-conditioned double room
This one is centrally located, has a pool, a rooftop terrace, andsome great reviews. These include comments about free breakfast smoothies made with fruit from the garden. Yum! You can book with them directly here.
Activities near Port Vila Vanuatu
Blue Lagoon
The entrance fee is 500 VT for adults, 300 for kids.
As one of Vanuatu’s most stunning and iconic sites, the Blue Lagoon is a must-visit. Just in case this isn’t clear… it’s nothing like the Blue Lagoon in Iceland! The water is cool and refreshing on a hot day. You can even take your turn on the rope swing. Try to avoid going on a day when a cruise ship is in town, and you may have the place all to yourself like we did! It was also a little rainy which may have affected how busy it was, but it was still lovely.
Side story
I wanted to take the most affordable option and catch the bus from Port Vila to the Blue Lagoon. I asked my hostel lady but she had no information about where to find the bus or how much it would cost. I thought, “How hard can it be?” and went for it anyway. A girl at my hostel came along for the adventure.
We asked people on the street who pointed us to a little bus “station” outside an auto shop where some buses and taxis were waiting. None of the bus drivers were going in that direction and told us there wouldn’t be any until 4 PM when people started getting off work. This was around 10 AM, so we didn’t want to wait.
Enter: the taxi driver
We were both only in Port Vila for a day so agreed it was worth sharing the cost of a taxi. We bartered with different drivers, who quoted us vastly different numbers from 4,000 to 10,000 VT ($30-80 USD). We went with the lowest price.
When we got to our destination, he claimed we shorted him 1,000 VT and demanded more money. Both completely confident that we’d given him the correct amount, we just left the vehicle. He yelled out the window but didn’t chase us down for the money. I’d been told there’s no bargaining and very few scams in Vanuatu, but taxis always seem to be the exception no matter where you go in the world.
Mele Cascades (Evergreen Waterfall)
Surrounded by lush tropical foliage, you can find several waterfalls cascading down rocky tiers. You can cool off in the pristine water when you need a break from the hot tropical climate. It’s just a short 15ish-minute hike from the road.
The market
This market in the centre of town is where you definitely want to pick up lunch. Here, you can take your pick of affordable and authentic Ni-Vanuatu food. It’s also a nice spot to peruse some stalls selling handmade crafts and carvings to bring home if you’re looking for souvenirs.
This is another exception to the general culture of no bargaining in Vanuatu. The mamas of the market start high and quickly offer “discounts” if you seem unsure. You can definitely barter here.
Other activities in Port Vila Vanuatu
I only spent 1 full day in Port Vila Vanuatu, so I didn’t get around to everything, but some other things to do include:
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- Snorkelling/diving (Though there are better spots in the country for this)
- Underwater post office
- Hideaway Island (Go for the fire show on Friday nights)
- Irikiki island
- Lololima Falls
- Zipline
Most importantly though, leave Port Vila. Vanuatu’s best cultural experiences and adventures can’t be found in the big towns. You want to check out the smaller islands and more rural areas!
Book these activities in Port Vila Vanuatu
Booking a tour to the Blue Lagoon is probably a way better option than trying to get there with a bus or taxi yourself. It was hectic trying to figure out a way there and even more challenging on the way back. It could cost about $60 to DIY, so if you can find a tour at a better price, do that!
Getting around Efate
(The home island of Port Vila Vanuatu)
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- Local tour companies can be helpful. I’m not usually a tour person, but if you only have a short time in Port Vila Vanuatu and want to hit all the highlights on Efate, this makes it easier. You can book these at one of the tourism offices in town, and they usually offer either a half or full-day tour.
- Taking the bus is complicated because they’re not frequent during the day. The buses usually align more with the locals’ commute schedule, so they aren’t necessarily available to pick you up from one tourist spot and take you to another. However, your host may have more info than mine did, so it’s worth asking.
- A private taxi is not a good option unless you only plan to hit just one sight. For example, it’s 4,000 VT ($33) or more for a return trip to the Blue Lagoon (30 minute drive each way).
- Renting a car is an amazing option for the sake of your own freedom, but pretty pricey at 10,000 VT ($80) per day plus fuel. They drive on the right side of the road. I usually use DiscoverCars to find the best rentals, but you can also take a chance by visiting a local rental company.
- You can rent a bicycle to get to some spots like the Mele Cascades or Blue Lagoon if you’re not worried about melting in the heat. There are no bike lanes, but the roads are quiet.
- You could try to hitchhike. Vanuatu is very safe, but you should always exercise a reasonable level of caution. I found people were happy to pick me up, but I only did this in Espiritu Santo (in the north). But of course, it’s never a guarantee, and the roads just aren’t as busy outside of the city.
Leaving Port Vila Vanuatu for other parts of the country
You can visit the Air Vanuatu office to book your domestic tickets in person or call if you have an eSIM package that includes minutes. Check the current domestic schedule and fares here.
Air Vanuatu recently went bankrupt and had to liquidate. They’re no longer offering international flights, but they’re still operating domestic routes. As of Aug 2024, the best way to get to Vanuatu is from Brisbane with Qantas. Some other airlines, including Jet Star, Virgin Australia, and Fiji Airways, are also offering direct flights in the wake of the bankruptcy. (Details here.)
Be sure to grab some cash in Port Vila before you leave! Rural islands don’t have ATMs and almost all transactions are done in cash. Unless you’re staying at a resort — which you’re not, or you wouldn’t be reading this — cash will be king.
Read more: Is an Airalo eSIM Worth It? My Honest Review
N’gol Ritual, Pentecost
Port Olry, Espiritu Santo
Million Dollar Point, Luganville
Fun facts about Vanuatu
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- People from Vanuatu are called “Ni-Vanuatu” or “Ni-Van” people. Rather than… Vanuatian or Vanuatuese or something? I don’t know what I was expecting, but I thought it was pretty unique!
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- The currency is called Vatu.
1,000 VT = $14 NZD, $12 AUD, or $8 USD (August 2024)
- The currency is called Vatu.
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- People speak English, French & Bislama
Bislama is the local language, which was basically made up in the 1900s when the country was colonized; it’s known as a “pidgin” language. Reading it is actually relatively easy because a lot of English words are used, though are often spelled phonetically.For example: “Plis, yu wanem danis witim mi?” translates to, would you like to dance with me?
- People speak English, French & Bislama
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- It’s a predominantly Christian country.
Many people asked about my religion and were surprised when I said I didn’t have one. Sundays are quiet because everyone goes to church and close most shops, restaurants, and offices. Though there’s also a high population of Seventh Day Adventists who observe on Saturdays.
- It’s a predominantly Christian country.
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- Vanuatu uses the same electricity plugs as New Zealand & Australia.
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- Kava is a common drink. It’s made from a dried and crushed root plant and mixed with water to make an awful-tasting beverage that you chug back to make you feel more… relaxed. You may also experience some numbing of your tongue. I drank it a few times and never found it that influential, but would say it’s definitely worth a try. (Try everything once!) It’s not considered a drug and is very socially acceptable, though more so for men.