Vanuatu
Vanuatu (Vanuatu means 'Land Eternal')
is a "Y"-shaped chain of 83 islands 800km
west of Nadi (Fiji). The islands range from towering
volcanic cones to others covered in dense rainforest
to others which are raised coral islands with wide beaches
and deep natural harbours. The Ni-Vanuatu people are
a peaceful, loving, gentle race, (Vanuatu was recently
voted the World's Happiest Country) who enjoy life's
simpler pleasures in a country of unique and diverse
customs and culture. The Ni Vanuatu have populated the
islands for centuries and with more than 115 distinctly
different cultures and languages still thriving, Vanuatu
is recognised as one of the most culturally diverse
countries in the world. There are small communities
of French, British, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese,
Chinese and other Pacific Islands people living in harmony
with the Ni Vanuatu. Until 1980 Vanuatu, then known
as the New Hebrides, was jointly administered by France
and Great Britain as a 'Condominium'.
Port Vila
For a small town with no traffic lights, there are a
surprising number of fine cafes, restaurants, &
bars in Port Vila. Local markets are on during the week,
where you can find inexpensive souvenirs & fresh
food at unbeatable prices. Don't forget to pick up your
duty free as Port Vila is a stopover on many major cruise
lines, the shopping is not to be missed. Back
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Business
Hours
Offices are generally open from 7:30 am to 11:30 am
and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Shops from 8:00 am to 11:30 am and from
1:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday and 8:00 to Noon
on Saturday.
Banks from 8:00 to 3:00 pm Monday to Friday.
Post Office from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday
to Friday
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Money
The local currency is Vatu (roughly 80 to 1 Australian
$ - click here for currency converter) there are several
banks with ATMs located in Port Vila, including ANZ,
Westpac., National Bank of Vanuatu, and Bred Bank. There
are also ATMs at the airport, in the supermarkets and
in the main street in town. Australian dollars are accepted
at many shops and restaurants in Port Vila, but nowhere
else. Credit cards similarly are accepted at major shops
and restaurants in town only and should not be relied
on in outlying, rural areas. Back
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Tipping
Neither tipping and bargaining are practiced. A smile
and a 'thank you' is tip enough. Mind you, the prices
at the souvenir markets do rise on days when cruise
ships are in dock, so it's best to put off the shopping
for a day if you know one is in town.Back
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Other Islands
Take some time while you're here to visit a few of the
islands of Vanuatu.
Espiritu Santo is home to the SS Coolidge,
ranked amongst the world's best wreck dives - just a
short flight from Port Vila. Home to a rich military
history, you can get up close and personal with World
War II artifacts - but take your time; you can spend
weeks here and still not see all the dive sites on the
island.
Tanna is home to Yasur volcano, an active
volcano popular with tourists because it is so easily
accessible.
Pentecost Island is famous for its land
jumping ceremony of Nagol, practiced as a fertility
rite at certain times of the year. Book your excursion
early as tours fill up quickly.
Click
here for more on the other islands of Vanuatu.Back
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Climate
Summer is from November to March, and with an average
temperature is 28°C, it can be hot, wet and humid.
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 and December are warm but not generally unpleasantly
so.Back
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Entertainment
All major hotels have regular entertainment
and there are several night clubs open till late. There
is gambling at Palms Casino (Le Meridien Resort), Club
21 (Melanesian Resort) and at Club Vanuatu. In the evenings
men drink kava at local kava bars (nakamals) or Nakamals.
Regular Melanesian cultural shows are available.Back
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Kava
Kava is not an alcoholic drink. It is
a non-addictive natural intoxicant, the only legal narcotic
in world. If you have travelled to Fiji and tried kava
there, be aware that Vanuatu kava is considered the
strongest in the world. Kava looks (and tastes) like
muddy brown water. If you would like to try kava, there
are plenty of places in Port Vila to try it or witness
a kava ceremony - ask at reception for suggestions.
Kava is legal to bring into Australia
& most other countries (up to 2 kg), but it must
be declared to Australian quarantine on arrival. Back
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Shopping
Foreign cash, traveller's cheques and
major international credit cards (Amex, Diners, JCB,
MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted. Most shops
close for 'siesta' FROM 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Restaurants,
cafes, banks, supermarkets and the post office do not
observe siesta. Shops open on Saturday morning and some
specialty shops and supermarkets open on Sunday morning.
Suburban general stores open early and close late seven
days a week. The colourful market in the town centre
operates every day except Sundays for flowers, fruit,
vegetables and handicrafts. Back
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Departure
Tax
Departure tax at the International Airport
is VUV 2,500 per person over the age of 12 years and
VUV 400 for domestic Vanair Service tax. Both these
passenger service charges are included in airfares.
A separate domestic departure fee has
also recently been launched which charges visitors and
locals 200 vt from any Shefa and Sanma Province domestic
airport. This is applied to every leg where a passenger
departs 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. The 200 vt is paid separately as it is not included
in passenger tickets. Back
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Tourism Levy
The Tourism Levy is 100 vatu [approx
A$1.10] per room night and is an initiative of the Vanuatu
Tourism Associations which ask Vanuatuan businesses
to collect it on their behalf to be used to help promote
Vanuatu as the destination in the Pacific region.
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