Vanuatu Fact Sheet
Airlines
International: Air Vanuatu from Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Noumea, Honiara and Nadi. Air Caledonie from Noumea with connections from Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Japan and France. and Air Pacific from Nadi with connections from USA, Europe, Japan and New Zealand. Pacific Blue from Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne with connections to Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Townsville, Christchurch, Wellington and Nadi.
Domestic: Vanair operates domestic services to all major islands in the country. At the airports in Port Vila and Luganville in Santo, a sales desk is open from 6am to 6pm, 7 days a week. The main office opens from 7.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 11.30am Saturday.
Airport
The current port of entry is Bauerfield, only 10 minutes from the capital of Port Vila. The other two airports soon to receive international flights are White Grass on Tanna Island and Pekoa on Espiritu Santo.
Entry Requirements
For stays not exceeding 30 days, bona fide visitors who are nationals of Commonwealth Countries, EU Countries, Fiji, Japan, Norway, Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, USA do not require a visa. Visas for other nationalities are only obtainable from
The Immigration Department, PMB 014, Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Email The Immigration Department
Departure Tax
The departure tax is 2800VT (about US$22) per person (except children under 2) and 250VT for outer islands except Port Vila, Santo and Tanna, which charge 400VT for domestic flights. This tax is payable when purchasing your tickets at the agency’s office, usually inclusive in ticket.
Banking
Branches of the following banks can be found in Port Vila and Luganville on Santo: ANZ, Bank of Hawaii, NBV, Westpac. All are open Monday to Friday, 8am-3pm. The ANZ has two ATMs in Port Vila.
Climate
Vanuatu’s climate varies from subtropical in the south to tropical in the north. During the dry season from May to October, visitors can expect fine warm days and cooler nights. The green season is November to April, when higher temperatures and heavier rain can be expected.
Communication
Worldwide satellite communications, 24hr telephone services, telex, fax plus email and Internet services. The country code for Vanuatu is 678. The Post Office and Telecom Vanuatu are open Monday to Friday, 7.30am-11.30am and 1.30pm-4.30pm for all postage, collector stamps, fax and phone calls. They remain open during lunchtime on cruise ship days. There are Internet cafés in Port Vila and on Santo. The newspapers are the Port Vila Presse (Saturdays) and the Vanuatu Daily Post (English, Daily except Sunday). Radio Vanuatu provides trilingual broadcasts throughout the country from 6am to 10pm. Local TV is available from 4.30pm to 11.3pm daily.
Consulate Offices/Embassies
- Australian High Commission, PO Box 111, Port Vila.
- British High Commission, PO Box 567, Port Vila.
- French Embassy, PO Box 60, Port Vila.
- NZ High Commission, PO Box 161, Port Vila.
- Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, PMB 071, Port Vila.
Currency
The Vanuatu decimal currency is based on the Vatu (VT). All major foreign currencies are exchangeable in Vanuatu for Vatu (local currency).
Culture
Predominantly Melanesian with a huge diversity in tribes. More than 105 distinctly different cultures and languages still thrive in Vanuatu, so kastom (custom) may differ from island to island, and even from district to district.
Dress
Light, cool and comfortable. Brief clothing should not be worn in public places. A sweater or lightweight jacket is a good idea for the evenings during June/July.
Driving/Roads
Driving is on the right hand side of the road. There is a speed limit of 50km/h in Port Vila (Efate) and Luganville (Santo) - watch out for people or animals on the road in rural areas. Scooters, cars and four-wheel drive vehicles are available for hire, but 4WDs are recommended for outside the main towns as the roads are rough. International permits and most national licenses are acceptable.
Electricity
220-280 volts 50 Hz, AC, mainly three-point plugs in hotels. Most electrical goods shops in Vila and Luganville sell adaptors that are usually compatible with foreign designs.
Food
A wide range of food choices is available in Vanuatu including Melanesian, Polynesian, French, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, English and Japanese. Fresh fish, beef, fruits and vegetables are plentiful. Local specialities include coconut crab, wild pigeon and flying fox cooked in a ground oven. Melanesian cultural shows offer visitors the chance to sample a traditional feast.
Health Regulations
No vaccinations required but anti-malarial medication is recommended, especially for visits to outer islands.
History
The Melanesian settlers arrived in Vanuatu about 3000 years ago. A number of European navigators visited the islands from 1606 but it was Captain Cook who mapped them and named them the New Hebrides. After that, both the British and the French began showing an interest in the islands, purchasing land and playing a key role in the country’s developing economy. In 1906 the New Hebrides was formally declared a condominium under the joint rule of Britain and France. From the 1960s, with the economy growing more prosperous, the Melanesians began claiming back their land and a move towards independence gained in strength. In 1979, 26 seats in parliament were won by a Melanesian party and Walter Lini became Prime Minister. The first President of the Republic was elected in 1980 and the country was renamed Vanuatu, meaning ‘our land’.
Language
The national language is Bislama (pidgin English). English and French are also spoken. There are another 115 languages in common use in the outer islands.
Medical Services
Hospitals are located in Port Vila and at Luganville on Santo. Other medical aid posts are found throughout the islands, although there may be no facilities in remote rural areas. Vila has a dental surgery and optician. Vanuatu has no dangerous animals or insects.
Politics
Vanuatu is a self-governing Republic and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The government is based on the Westminster System with 52 members elected for a 4-year term. The cabinet consists of the prime ministers members from the council of ministers. The President is the Head of State, and a national council of chiefs (Malfatu Mauri) advises parliament on traditional matters.
Religion
The main denominations in Vanuatu are Presbyterian, Anglican and Catholic. Saturdays and Sundays in Vanuatu are dedicated to God. Visitors are welcome to attend the services.
Shopping
Shops are generally open from 8am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and Saturday morning 8am to 12 noon. Most close during the middle of the day for siesta although eating places, banks and supermarkets stay open. Supermarkets and some specialty stores open on Sunday morning and suburban general stores open early to late seven days a week. Vila has the country's only duty-free shops, as well as a good selection of handcrafts and artefacts, including carvings from northern Ambrym. Foreign cash, travellers cheques and major international credit cards (Amex, Diners, JCB, Mastercard and Visa) are widely accepted. Bankcard is not normally accepted.
Sport and Recreation
Vanuatu offers a wide range of watersports, including swimming, kayaking, jetskiing, sailing, scenic cruises, reef and wreck diving and big game fishing. Parasailing is another option. Port Vila has four golf courses plus tennis courts, fitness centres, jazzercize classes and squash courts. Horse riding and cycling can also be enjoyed. Visitors to Port Vila can join a nature walk through the bush or a river tour. Flightseeing tours offer aerial views of the Vanuatu landscape.
Time
Vanuatu time is GMT plus 11 hours
Tipping
Neither tipping nor bargaining is culturally acceptable in Vanuatu. If you would like to express thanks for a service, you can send a postcard or perhaps give a t-shirt as a gift from your country.
Transport (Domestic)
Inter-island travel is mainly by air. Air Vanuatu operates to all major islands in the country and has daily flights from Bauerfield airport, Port Vila. In Port Vila small buses (number plates will start with ‘B’) will take you anywhere within the greater Port Vila area for VT100. Be aware that if the bus is full when you get on board you will be the last one to be dropped off. Port Vila also has many taxis which are more expensive but worthwhile if you are sharing or are in a hurry. Be sure to agree on a price before setting out.
Yachting Services - Outer Islands Clearance Charge
Lenakel (Tanna), Port Vila (Efate), Luganville (Espiritu Santo) and Sola (Vanua Lava) are the only legal ports of entry. Yachts wanting clearance in or clearance out of Sola and Lenakel must pay an outer islands clearance charge of 3000VT per clearance. Contact the Dept of Customs, PMB 012, Port Vila.
Email the Dept of Customs
National Tourism Office of VanuatuLini Highway
GF Pilioko House
PO Box 209
Port Vila
Vanuatu.
Email the National Tourism Office of Vanuatu