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 Airlines
National carrier Air Vanuatu operates regular services to Port Vila from Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Noumea and Nadi. Other airlines operating to Vanuatu include Air Calin, Pacific Blue, Air Pacific and Air New Zealand.
Airline Phone (678) Fax (678)
Air Vanuatu/Qantas 23 878 23 250
Air Calin/Air France 22 739 24 301
Air New Zealand 22 666 24 275
Air Pacific 22 836 23 538
Pacific Blue 22 836 23 538
Airports
Vanuatu's current International ports of entry are Bauerfield Airport on Efate, and Pekoa on Espiritu Santo. The airports are situated 10 minutes from their island’s city centres, being Port Vila and Luganville respectively. White Grass Airport on Tanna will commence receiving international flights in 2009.
Airport Tax
International departure tax in Vanuatu is VUV 3,000 per person (over the age of 12) which is included in airfares. A separate, provincial departure tax of 200vt applies for departures from the following domestic airports: Bauerfield – Port Vila, Siwo Airport – Emae, Pele Airport – Tongoa, Valesdir Airport – Epi, Laman Bay Airport – Epi, Pekoa Airport - Espiritu Santo, Whitegrass Airport on Tanna. The 200vt is not included in domestic fares, but paid separately.
Airport/Hotel Transfers
There are various licensed airport transfer companies who can provide pre-arranged transport to and from the airport. Vehicles are either 26-seat standard buses or luxury 10-seat mini coaches, and most have air-conditioning. Your hotel or resort may arrange transfers or ask for a luxury coach from the company of your choice to be available at the airport or hotel. The costs will vary depending on the arrangement and number of passengers but are similar to taxi fares. Check with your travel agent to confirm your transport arrangements or contact the transfer company of your choice, directly.
Transfer companies include:
Operator Phone (678) Email
Melanesian Tours 26 847
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Adventures in paradise 25 200
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Horizon Tours 25 053
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Vanuatu Specialist Tours 27 950
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Banking and Currency
Banks found in Vanuatu are Westpac, ANZ, National Bank of Vanuatu and Bred Bank. Banking hours and cash dispenser (ATM) points are as follows:
ANZ – 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. ANZ have cash dispensers (ATMs) in Port Vila and Luganville and at Bauerfield International Airport.
Westpac – 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. AWestpac ATM is located in down town Port Vila.
National Bank of Vanuatu (NBV) - 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday; Fridays to 4pm. The NBV Airport office is open for all arrivals and departures. There are NBV ATMs in Luganville, Port Vila and at the Port Vila Post Office.
Bred Bank Ltd - Open Monday till Friday from 8.30 am to 3.30 PM (foreign exchange till 4.30PM) with an ATM outside the Port Vila branch.
There are currently more than 250 EFTPOS outlets around Port Vila and Luganville which accept the following cards – Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, Amex, JCB & Plus card and Access International Debit Card. Major credit cards Visa, MasterCard, and to a lesser extent, American Express and Diners club are accepted at most major resort/hotels and some restaurants and shops in Port Vila. Travellers cheques are widely accepted at the major banks and most of the larger resorts and hotels in Port Vila. Cash advances on Visa and Mastercard are available during bank hours, and International and domestic cash transfers are available at Western Union branches, Vanuatu Post and Goodies in Port Vila (Opening hours: 8 am until 5.30-6.00 pm Monday to Friday and 8.30 am to 4.00 pm weekends and public holidays). ATM facilities are available only in Port Vila, Efate & Santo. Other outer islands don’t have ATM facilities except Espiritu Santo and Port Vila and overseas travellers can use their credit cards.
New Caledonian visitors are obliged to advise their bank that they will be travelling to Vanuatu and would like to increase Credit Card withdrawing limit, up to 100,000vt per week, in Port Vila, if they plan to withdraw over 50,000vt per week which is the current limit restriction imposed by banks in their home country.
ATM Location
ANZ ANZ Bank Building, Santo Branch
ANZ ANZ Bank Building, Port Vila
ANZ Traverso Butchery, Port Vila
ANZ Au Bon March Supermarket, Nambatu, Port Vila
ANZ Au Bon March Supermarket, Downtown, Port Vila
ANZ Au Bon March Supermarket, Manples, Port Vila
ANZ Vanuatu Brewing, Tagabe Rd. Port Vila
ANZ Bauerfield Airport International Terminal, Port Vila
ANZ Mok Store, China own, Port Vila
ANZ Sound Centre, Port Vila
ANZ Tropical Market store, Port Vila
ANZ WILCO Hardware, Port Vila
ATM Location
BRED Bank BRED Bank Building, Port Vila
BRED Bank LAM Store Tebakor, Port Vila
BRED Bank Shell D’Dock Services Station, Port Vila
BRED Bank La Parisienne Bakery, Port Vila
BRED Bank General Store, Port Vila
BRED Bank Au Bon March Supermarket, Nambatu, Port Vila
National Bank of Vanuatu National Bank, Air Vanuatu Building, Port Vila
National Bank of Vanuatu Vanuatu Post, Port Vila
National Bank of Vanuatu National Bank Building, Santo Branch
Westpac Bank Westpac Building, Port Vila
Westpac Bank Computer World, near USP
Westpac Bank Le Meridien Port Vila Resort & Casino
Business/Shopping HoursBusiness hours are usually 7.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday with ‘siesta’ from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm. Some shops close for lunch during siesta hours though supermarkets, banks and the post office remain open. Larger supermarkets remain open until 7.00 pm.
Some shops and supermarkets are open Saturday mornings until 12 noon however most shops are closed on Sundays, except on cruise ship days when shops in Port Vila are open.
Climate
 The best time of year is April/May to October when temperatures range from 18 to 28 degrees Celsius. Light weight casual clothing plus a sweater is usually sufficient. November & December are warm but not generally unpleasantly so. January to March is hot (26-34 degrees Celsius), often wet and prone to cyclones, but being low season it's also a good time of year to take advantage of travel deals.
For the most current weather information and a forecast summary throughout all island provinces and capital Port Vila, visit the Vanuatu Meteorological Services website.
Currency
The Vanuatu currency is the Vatu. Although Australian dollars are accepted by many shops, restaurants and hotels in Vila, and a few in Luganville (Espiritu Santo), they are NOT readily accepted outside of these town centres or on outer islands. All major foreign currencies are exchangeable in Vanuatu for Vatu.
Daily fluctuations occur, however you should work on the following approximations and reconfirm upon your arrival.
Australia AU$ = VT78.23 Euro = VT145.70 New Zealand NZ$ = VT63.33
UK £ = VT162 Japan ¥ = VT1.10 US$ = VT110.31
New Caledonia XPF = VT1.22
Clothing
Light weight, casual clothing plus a sweater for evenings is usually sufficient year round. Modest attire should be worn outside of public bathing areas and Port Vila, out of respect for local customs.
Communication
Branches of Vanuatu’s two telecommunications companies, Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) and Digicel can be found in Port Vila and are open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.30pm. Telecom Vanuatu closes for lunch from 11.30am-1.30pm.
Vanuatu has a world standard mobile phone GSM system operated by TVL (phone +678 22 005, email
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). TVL will now accept roaming from NZ, Australia, England, France, New Caledonia and Tahiti (not all providers or phone types). Visit the TVL website www.tvl.vu to see if your phone and system are compatible. Internal SIM cards are available at Telecom House. For enquiries, phone (678) 22 185 or email
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All TVL mobile numbers in Vanuatu now have 7 digits with 77 added to all current mobile numbers.
New communication company, Digicel provides competitive rates to TVL and has eighty percent coverage of Vanuatu's 83 islands. Recharge/top-cards digicel cards are found throughout Vanuatu’s outer islands. Additional information on the communication provider can be found at www.digicel.com
Numerous internet cafés can be found in down town Luganville on Espiritu Santo as well as Port Vila including Naviti Internet Café (ph: 27 813) and Nambawan Cafe (ph: 7744 826).
Vanuatu has two newspapers, English publication, Vanuatu Daily Post (available: Mon-Sat) and The Independent (Available Sunday) which features articles in Vanuatu’s three official languages, English, Bislama and French.
Internet
There are several Internet cafes in Port-Vila and Luganville. Internet facilities are also available at some post offices.
Mobile phone
Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good. Mobile phone companies in Vanuatu include Digicel Vanuatu and Telecom Vanuatu.
Digicel Vanuatu Ltd – www.digicelvanuatu.com
Telecom Vanuatu Ltd – www.tvl.net.vu
Telephone
Country code: 678. There are no area codes. Outgoing international calls must go through the international operator. There are public telephones at airports and post offices. Phone cards can be purchased in local currency from the post office. For emergency services, dial: 22333 for fire services; 22222 for police; 22100 for an ambulance.
Duty-Free Allowances
 Standard Allowances shall mean the following goods:
- 2 Litres of Spirits/Liquor
- Other goods to the value of 50,000vt
Strictly adults only are entitled to the above allowances!!
Electricity
240V, 50HzHz. 3 pin plugs (as found in Australia and New Zealand) are used predominately in hotels in Vanuatu although French 2 point plugs can be found in small resorts/bungalows. Foreign, 2 pin round plug adapters are readily available in most hardware or Chinese stores in Port Vila and Luganville.
Embassies and Consulates
New Zealand High Commission
PO Box 161, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Phone (678) 22 933 Fax (678) 22 518
Email
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Australian High Commission
PO Box 111, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Phone (678) 22 777 Fax (678) 23 948
Email
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French Embassy
PO Box 60, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Phone (678) 22 353 or (678) 22 816
Fax (678) 22 695
Email
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The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
PMB 071, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Phone (678) 23 598 Fax (678) 24 877
Email
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EntryVisas are not required from most countries: (All commonwealth countries, Belgium, Denmark, Eire, Fiji, France and its dominions, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, U.S.A.) However you must have a valid, ongoing or return airline ticket and your Passport must be valid for six months beyond your intended stay.
Health
Malaria is endemic in Vanuatu however visitors do not need vaccinations, although anti-malarial medication is recommended if you are travelling outside of Port Vila and Efate.
CAUTION: Most anti-malaria medication increases your risk of sunburn! Bring 15+ sun cream, even in Winter. Hepatitis B and tuberculosis exists throughout the islands but should be of no concern to travellers if normal precautions are taken.
Hospitals, and several private English and French doctors can be found in Port Vila and Luganville (including Doctor: J. Bador ph. 23065, Dentist: H. Collard ph. 22306, and Chiropractor / Physiotherapist : G. Sariani ph. 25777). Small clinics and dispensaries with limited resources can be found throughout the outer islands. Serious injuries and medical conditions will require medical evacuation to more modern facilities in Australia, New Zealand or New Caledonia, so travel insurance is strongly recommended.
There are no dangerous animals or insects in Vanuatu.
Insurance
Although Vanuatu is a safe destination, many tours and activities especially to outer islands fall under the adventure category meaning that occasionally volcanoes are closed, domestic flights delayed or cancelled due to poor weather, Scuba dives cancelled due to cyclones etc. Therefore purchasing travel insurance prior to your arrival in Vanuatu is strongly recommended.
Language
 There are over 120 distinct languages and many more dialects spoken in Vanuatu making it one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. The national language of Vanuatu is Bislama (pidgin English) however English and French are also official, and commonly spoken languages.
Post Office
For all postage, stamps, faxes and phone calls, Vanuatu Post Office is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 4.30pm, 7.30am to 11.30am on Saturday and from 7.30am to 3pm on public holidays and cruise ship days. The underwater post box located at Hideaway Island Resort (outside of Port Vila) and the Volcano Post box at Mt Yasur on Tanna, are open daily. Postcards for Tanna must be bought in Port Vila or at Tanna's White Grass Airport. For enquiries, phone (678) 22 000 or visit www.vanuatupost.vu
Public Transport
Privately owned mini buses are the most common form of transport in Port Vila and run unspecified routes through municipal areas. Public mini buses have a red ‘B’ on their number plate. As they do not have a fixed route, just flag one down and advise the driver where you would like to go. Be aware that if the bus is full when you get on board, you may be the last passenger to be dropped off, however if time permits, buses can be an interesting way to see the town. Bus fares within the greater Port Vila area are 150VT per trip, and start from 200VT to villages or areas outside of town, and exact change in most cases is required, for payment.
Most outer islands have taxis which are marked by a red ‘T’ on their number plate and are usually 4WD open utilities. Taxis are plentiful in the capital of Port Vila but are more expensive than buses costing around 100VT per kilometre, however can present a more affordable option if travelling in a group. In Port Vila there is a set price of 1400VT from the airport to down town however outside of this, you should always negotiate a price with your driver before starting your journey. To access other parts of Efate, utilities are licensed to carry passengers and can be found at the Port Vila market.
Air Vanuatu is the only domestic airline to offer regular services between Vanuatu’s islands, with daily flights to most outer islands. Advance bookings are recommended during weekends and school holidays, especially on the popular flights to Santo and Tanna. There are a limited number of charter aircraft including Unity Airlines. For additional information contact: phone: (678) 23242/24475or www.unity-airlines.com
Inter Island cargo trading boats vessels travel between Port Vila and outer islands on a semi-regular basis. Fresh Cargo operates between Port Vila, Malekula, Ambrym, Santo and Tanna. For timetables, contact MV Fresh Cargo, phone (678) 27936/ 7760660 or the Vanuatu Tourism Office. For other internal trading vessels, their movements are aired on national radio three times daily or contact the agencies directly.
Rental car company offices are located at Port Vila’s international airport and in downtown Vila (Efate) and Luganville (Santo). Cars, 4WDs and vans are available for hire if you are aged 23 or over. Both international and national driving licences are accepted, as long as you have held your licence for at least one year. Scooters (mopeds) are also available for hire in Port Vila. The minimum rental age is 17 years, or you must possess an open car licence.
Car Rental companies include:
Phone (678) Fax (678) Email
Avis Rent a Car 25 457 24 968
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Budget Car & Truck Rental 23 170 23 132
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Discount Car Rentals 23 242 23 898
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World Car Rentals 26 515 26 510
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Road warnings:
• Driving is on the right-hand side of the road (as in France) – always give way to traffic coming from the left
• The speed limit in Vila and Luganville is 50km/h, and 80km/h out of town.
• Road conditions and signage outside of town centres can be rough, so take care. Watch for people or animals on the road, and ask for directions if in doubt.
• If you are driving outside of town centre, be certain to check there is enough fuel in your tank, as petrol stations are restricted to urban areas.
Quarantine
All food, fruits, animal products and plants must be declared upon entry into Vanuatu. Most 'clean' (smooth) wooden artifacts, shells, string bags and even some grass skirts are accepted by foreign destinations including Australia and New Zealand (notorious for their stringent quarantine regulations). Some artifacts require a Quarantine certificate which is readily issued in Vanuatu and accepted in most foreign countries. When in doubt, check with the proprietor when purchasing and declare it upon entry. It will not be confiscated, at worst you may need to have it sprayed. Some items such as turtle, giant clam and trumpet shells can be purchased in Vanuatu markets. They have been harvested as a food source by individual ni-Vanuatu, but most countries who are signatories to the CITES agreement have banned their import.
For more details, click here
Religion & ChurchesThe main denominations in Vanuatu are Presbyterian, Anglican and Catholic (Sunday) and Seventh Day Adventists (Saturday). Visitors are welcome to attend church services which normally run between 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Sundays are generally a day of rest, and visitors will find many activities and services are unavailable on this day.
Taxes (VAT)
There is a 12.5% tax on accommodation, food and most products in Vanuatu, excluding market and local produce.
Tipping
In accordance with Vanuatu Custom neither tipping nor bargaining are practised in Vanuatu.
Time
Vanuatu is one hour ahead of AST (Australian Standard Time) and 11 hours ahead of GST (Greenwich Standard Time or UT). There is no daylight saving in summer.
Visa & Entry Requirements
For stays not exceeding 30 days, visas are not required by Nationals of Commonwealth and EU countries as well as nationals of Fiji, Japan, Norway, Philippines, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland and USA. However you must have a valid, ongoing or return airline ticket and your Passport must be valid for six months beyond your intended stay. For other nationalities visas are obtainable from The Immigration Department.
For more information on Visa, short and long term Permit requirements and immigration, click here
Visitor InformationVanuatu Tourism Office is located at Pilioko House situated on the main street in downtown Port Vila. The Vanuatu Tourism Office Visitor Centre is open from 7.30 - 4.30pm and on Saturday mornings and public holidays from 7.30 - noon.
On cruise ship days the Visitor Information Centre is open from 8am to 2pm.
The Vanuatu Tourism Office in Luganville, Santo is located next to the Apex Hotel in the Centre of Luganville. Information hours are from 7: 30am -4: 30pm Monday to Friday and Saturday, 8am- 12 noon. If a cruise ship falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the office is open from 8am to 2pm.
Vanuatu Public Holidays
January 1st - New Year's Day
February 21st - Father Lini Day
March 5th - Custom Chief's Day
May 1st - Labour Day
May 24th - Ascension Day
July 24th - Children's Day
July 30th - Independence Day
August 15th - Assumption Day
October 5th - Constitution Day
November 29th - Unity Day
December 25th - Christmas
December 26th - Family Day
Browse our Events List 2009 and discover what events will be happening in Vanuatu this year 2009.
Water
With little industry or agriculture and no unusual water borne bugs, Vanuatu’s town water supply is very safe to drink. However some people react to water in different places and if you are travelling to outer islands bottled water can be readily purchased in Port Vila and Luganville as supplies in the outer islands are limited.
Yachting Services
Yachts entering Vanuatu during working days (Mon-Fri) must pay 3000VT to quarantine, 3000VT to customs and 2000VT to immigration. Extra charges are incurred on weekends. There is no exit fee. Contact the Dept of Customs for up-to-date information phone (678) 24 544/23 298. Also Click here for more information on entry requirement for yachts cruising into Vanuatu.
The Vanuatu Cruising Yacht Club can assist in answering all enquiries relating to yachts cruising in Vanuatu, and Yachting World Vanuatu provides all facilities for cruising yachts arriving into Port Vila, Vanuatu.
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