Vanuatu Travel Guide

Vanuatu is a long way from everywhere except the east coast of Australia, with Brisbane a 2½ hour flight away. In an average year less than 300,000 visitors make their way to the archipelago, the vast majority of them Australians, and two-thirds of that figure are day-tripping cruisers. The rest mostly stay in resorts around Port Vila, with only a tiny fraction exploring the other islands.

The local currency is the Vanuatu vatu (ISO code: VUV), abbreviated VT. There are notes for 200 VT, 500 VT, 1000 VT, 2000 VT, 5000 VT, and 10,000 VT while coins are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 VT. The current series of vatu banknotes is printed entirely on polymer. Two series of vatu coins are in circulation, the post-independence (1982) issues and the new 2015 issues.

Getting around Vanuatu is always an adventure. Leave plenty of room in your plans.

By plane

The only scheduled domestic flights are operated by Air Vanuatu. However, the carrier's 2024 bankruptcy means schedules, always sparse, are now more skeletal than ever with only the "trunk routes" between Port Vila, Luganville and Tanna having regular flights. Online bookings are no longer available, you have to call, email or visit an Air Vanuatu office in person. As of 2025, fares are fixed at 19,320 VT for Port Vila to Santo (Luganville) and 17,600 VT to Tanna (Whitegrass).

There are three official languages in Vanuatu: English, French and Bislama. French is spoken by 35% of the population, but proficiency is declining while English is in the ascendant, particularly in tourist hub Port Vila.

Vanuatu is, on the whole, a safe and friendly environment. You are unlikely to encounter any trouble unless you do something extremely provocative, though crime rates are said to be increasing, particularly in Port Vila at night. Take the same precautions you would anywhere else.

It is advisable to be immunised against Hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever before visiting Vanuatu. Malaria is endemic within some areas of Vanuatu, but not Port-Vila. If you are venturing outside the resort areas, check with your doctor before you travel. Malaria may not be endemic but you may come in contact with mosquito carriers and visitors from outer islands who have malaria - particularly in the wet season and at the hospital.

Telephone

The international country code for Vanuatu is +678. To dial overseas from within Vanuatu dial 00 followed by the relevant country code and phone number. Emergency phone numbers: Ambulance (22-100); Fire (22-333); and Police (22-222).

Throughout Vanuatu, and especially outside of Port-Vila in the villages, life is strongly influenced by "kastom", a set of traditional customs and taboos that apply to all kinds of matters. Be aware of this, and respect locals' requests with regard to "kastom".