Frequently asked questions
When visiting Vanuatu, it's important to dress modestly and appropriately both during the day and in the evening.
During the day, opt for light, breathable clothing such as t-shirts, shorts, and sundresses.
In the evening, casual yet respectful attire like blouses, skirts, or lightweight pants is recommended.
Be mindful to wear cover-ups over bikinis as Vanuatu is a relatively modest country.
Comfortable sneakers are essential for any activities that involve horse riding, quads, walking, hiking and visits to volcanos.
During the day, opt for light, breathable clothing such as t-shirts, shorts, and sundresses.
In the evening, casual yet respectful attire like blouses, skirts, or lightweight pants is recommended.
Be mindful to wear cover-ups over bikinis as Vanuatu is a relatively modest country.
Comfortable sneakers are essential for any activities that involve horse riding, quads, walking, hiking and visits to volcanos.
Finding gluten-free or vegan products in Vanuatu can be challenging due to the limited availability of specialised food items.
While shops in Port Vila and Luganville as well as some resorts might offer a few options, it is advisable to bring your own supplies if you have specific dietary needs. Planning ahead ensures you have access to the necessary products, allowing you to enjoy your trip without any dietary concerns.
Local markets can provide fresh fruits and vegetables. Au bon marché is the biggest supermarket in Port Vila where you could find some canned foods and other products that may fit your dietary needs. Dynamic supplies, Influence Bioconcept and CelloVila in Port Vila can also provide you with some gluten options.
Choice on other islands will be extremely limited.
While shops in Port Vila and Luganville as well as some resorts might offer a few options, it is advisable to bring your own supplies if you have specific dietary needs. Planning ahead ensures you have access to the necessary products, allowing you to enjoy your trip without any dietary concerns.
Local markets can provide fresh fruits and vegetables. Au bon marché is the biggest supermarket in Port Vila where you could find some canned foods and other products that may fit your dietary needs. Dynamic supplies, Influence Bioconcept and CelloVila in Port Vila can also provide you with some gluten options.
Choice on other islands will be extremely limited.
You can certainly help schools by providing them with school supplies. To ensure that your donation benefits the entire community, we recommend purchasing these supplies directly from a store in Vanuatu rather than bringing them from your home country.
To learn more about what the schools need, you can get in touch with the associations listed below or with the tour operators listed for smaller donations.
Vanuatu Red Cross Society
Tel: (+678) 27418
E: sg@redcrossvanuatu.com
ADRA Vanuatu
Tel: (+678) 22500
E: info@adra.org.vu
Save the Children Vanuatu
Tel: (+678) 22794
E: N/A
Tour operators:
FAS Tours & Transfers: (+678) 7382169 / E: fastours03@gmail.com
Vila Hope Tours & Transfers: Tel: (+678) 5444455 / E: vilahopetours@gmail.com
Yumi Tours & Transfers: Tel: (+678) 7744382 / E: yumitoursvanuatu@gmail.com
To learn more about what the schools need, you can get in touch with the associations listed below or with the tour operators listed for smaller donations.
Vanuatu Red Cross Society
Tel: (+678) 27418
E: sg@redcrossvanuatu.com
ADRA Vanuatu
Tel: (+678) 22500
E: info@adra.org.vu
Save the Children Vanuatu
Tel: (+678) 22794
E: N/A
Tour operators:
FAS Tours & Transfers: (+678) 7382169 / E: fastours03@gmail.com
Vila Hope Tours & Transfers: Tel: (+678) 5444455 / E: vilahopetours@gmail.com
Yumi Tours & Transfers: Tel: (+678) 7744382 / E: yumitoursvanuatu@gmail.com
When walking near a village while on vacation in Vanuatu, it is essential to respect the villagers' privacy and remain respectful.
Always seek permission before taking any photos or videos, especially of children, to avoid any misunderstandings or offence. Failure to do so may result in being asked for money in return.
Respecting these customs helps ensure a positive experience for both visitors and locals.
Always seek permission before taking any photos or videos, especially of children, to avoid any misunderstandings or offence. Failure to do so may result in being asked for money in return.
Respecting these customs helps ensure a positive experience for both visitors and locals.
In Vanuatu, many tourist sites require an entrance fee. To avoid any surprises, it's a good idea to ask about the cost beforehand or as soon as you arrive on the site. Paying in cash is recommended, as most places do not accept credit cards. This way, you can enjoy your visit without any hassle.
The currency in Vanuatu is the vatu, and payments are made in this currency. In Vanuatu, you will find the following banks: Westpac, ANZ, National Bank of Vanuatu, and Bred Bank. Each has ATMs in the downtown areas of Port Vila and Luganville. Currently, there are more than 250 EFTPOS points of sale around Port Vila and Luganville (mostly restaurants, supermarkets, hotels and few activity providers) that accept the following cards: Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, Amex, JCB & Plus, and Access International Debit Card.
Traveler's checks are widely accepted by major banks and most large resorts and hotels in Port Vila. International and domestic cash transfers are available at Western Union, Vanuatu Post, and Goodies agencies in Port Vila (Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 5:30-6:00 PM Monday to Friday, and 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on weekends and public holidays).
ATMs are available only on the islands of Efate & Santo. The outer islands do not have ATMs. Major hotels accept credit card payments, but to be safe, carry enough cash if you are travelling to Tanna and the other islands of Vanuatu and preferably smaller notes as not everyone will carry enough cash to give you change.
It is also possible to exchange money in Port Vila and Luganville:
If you go to the markets or need to pay entrance fees for an activity, please make sure you have enough cash because credit cards won’t be accepted.
No tipping or bargaining is practised in Vanuatu.
Traveler's checks are widely accepted by major banks and most large resorts and hotels in Port Vila. International and domestic cash transfers are available at Western Union, Vanuatu Post, and Goodies agencies in Port Vila (Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 5:30-6:00 PM Monday to Friday, and 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on weekends and public holidays).
ATMs are available only on the islands of Efate & Santo. The outer islands do not have ATMs. Major hotels accept credit card payments, but to be safe, carry enough cash if you are travelling to Tanna and the other islands of Vanuatu and preferably smaller notes as not everyone will carry enough cash to give you change.
It is also possible to exchange money in Port Vila and Luganville:
- Goodies money exchange in Port Vila city centre. Opening hours: 8:00AM to 4:30PM Monday to Friday, and 8:30AM to 1:00PM on Saturdays and 8:30AM to 12:00PM on Sundays.
- NO1 currency in Port Vila international airport. Opened daily from 4:00AM to 11:00PM
- NO1 currency in Port Vila city centre. Opened daily from 8:00AM to 7:00PM
- NO1 currency in Luganville city centre. Opened Monday to Saturday 7:30AM to 6:00PM
If you go to the markets or need to pay entrance fees for an activity, please make sure you have enough cash because credit cards won’t be accepted.
No tipping or bargaining is practised in Vanuatu.
In Vanuatu, baby supplies can typically be found in larger towns and cities, such as Port Vila and Luganville. Supermarkets and pharmacies in these areas often carry essentials like diapers, baby formula, baby food, and toiletries. For a wider selection, visit larger stores like Au Bon Marché in Port Vila (different stores throughout town, open daily from 6:00AM to 9:00PM). It's a good idea to bring any specialty items you might need, as the variety of products may be limited compared to what you are used to.
Here is a list of pharmacies where you can get baby supplies :
Here is a list of pharmacies where you can get baby supplies :
- Tana Plaza Pharmacy (Port Vila): open daily from 8:00AM to 9:00PM
- Healthwise Pharmacy (Port Vila town): open on weekdays from 8:00AM to 5:00PM
- Pharmacie du Vanuatu (Port Vila town): open on weekdays from 8:00AM to 5:00PM
- The Pharmacy (Port Vila - rue Dartois): open on weekdays from 8:00AM to 6:00PM
- Drug store (Port Vila - rue de Paris): open on weekdays from 8:00AM to 5:00PM
- The drug store (Luganville): Open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays
- Luganville drugstore (Luganville): Open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays
If you wish to make duty-free purchases, you have three options:
The following items may be imported into Vanuatu by passengers aged 18 and over without incurring customs duty:
Prohibited and restricted goods include firearms, ammunition, indecent publications, illicit drugs and endangered species.
- Make your purchases at the airport on the day of your entry into Vanuatu. You then decide to import tax-free products into Vanuatu, within a certain limit.
- With your passport and departure ticket, make your purchases in the city center at a tax-free shop (Fung Kuei, Paris Shopping, etc.) at least 24 hours before the departure time of your return flight. You will collect your purchases at the airport on the day of your departure from Vanuatu.
- Make your purchases at the airport on the day of your departure from Vanuatu, in the duty-free zone (allowances vary depending on the country you are flying to, please check the legislation of your country of origin before making your purchases)
The following items may be imported into Vanuatu by passengers aged 18 and over without incurring customs duty:
- 250 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 25 cigars or 250g tobacco
- 2.25L of spirits or 2.25L of wine or 9L of beer
- 250ml of eau de toilette or 100ml of perfume
- Other articles up to a value of VT50,000
Prohibited and restricted goods include firearms, ammunition, indecent publications, illicit drugs and endangered species.
In Vanuatu, you will find two main telecommunications companies: Vodaphone and Digicel. Both operators have a booth at the international airport arrivals as well as stores in the city centres of Port Vila and Luganville. They are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and on Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Vodaphone and Digicel each offer tourist packages. Recharging is easy - most stores sell recharge cards, and you will also find street vendors, set up under umbrellas in the service provider's colours, selling recharges.
There are, of course, roaming agreements with some international mobile phone companies. You will also find public phones in airports and post offices, and phone cards can be purchased at the post office.
Almost all of Vanuatu is covered, but in the most remote areas, reception can be spotty, with one network potentially having better coverage in one area than the other. Ideally, consider getting both a Digicel and a Vodafone sim cards for best coverage in remote areas.
There are, of course, roaming agreements with some international mobile phone companies. You will also find public phones in airports and post offices, and phone cards can be purchased at the post office.
Almost all of Vanuatu is covered, but in the most remote areas, reception can be spotty, with one network potentially having better coverage in one area than the other. Ideally, consider getting both a Digicel and a Vodafone sim cards for best coverage in remote areas.
Unfortunately there are no special rooms for mothers and babies at airports in Vanuatu.
In Vanuatu, there are several places where you can see sea turtles. Here are some of the best sites:
It is recommended to check with local guides and dive centres for the best times and specific locations to observe turtles.
The Vanuatu Tourism Office supports sustainable interactions with turtles and a code of conduct for tourism operators.
- Tanna: Tanna is famous for its pristine beaches and coral reefs. Port Resolution Beach is an excellent spot to observe turtles.
- Efate: The reefs around Efate, particularly at Hideaway Island and Moso Island, are popular spots for snorkelling and diving, where turtles can often be seen.
- Santo: Champagne Beach and Lonnoc Beach, along with the surrounding reefs, are great places to spot turtles.
- Malekula: The waters around Malekula offer good opportunities to see turtles during diving or snorkelling sessions.
- Marine reserves: Some protected areas, such as the Nguna-Pele Marine Reserve, are prime habitats for sea turtles.
It is recommended to check with local guides and dive centres for the best times and specific locations to observe turtles.
The Vanuatu Tourism Office supports sustainable interactions with turtles and a code of conduct for tourism operators.
As soon as you arrive at the Bauerfield international airport in Port Vila, you can find cafes, souvenir shops, foreign exchange outlets, mobile telecom booths such as Digicel and Vodafone where you can get local Sim cards and Roaming services. Airport taxi services are on standby if you have not booked a hotel transfer, and when you depart there is also a VIP Private Lounge called the 'Harry Bauer Club Lounge' which you can pay for just 3,000vt to be able to access it.
The lounge offers comfortable seating, internet access (including Wi-Fi), complimentary refreshments (including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks), snacks, TV, and newspapers.
The lounge offers comfortable seating, internet access (including Wi-Fi), complimentary refreshments (including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks), snacks, TV, and newspapers.