Things to Do in Vanuatu

About Vanuatu

Vanuatu greets you with the scent of damp volcanic earth and frangipani blossoms, a humid sweetness that sticks to your skin before you’ve even left Bauerfield Airport’s single runway in Port Vila. This isn’t a destination curated for Instagram; it’s a raw, elemental place where the 83 islands feel like 83 different countries. On Tanna, you can stand at the rim of Mount Yasur, the world’s most accessible active volcano, and feel the ground tremble under your feet as it spits molten rock into the night sky — a day-trip that costs 18,000 Vatu (about $150) with a guide from Lenakel village. On Espiritu Santo, you’ll wade into the impossibly clear, turquoise water of the Blue Holes, the limestone-filtered light so sharp you can count the fish at 10 meters depth. And in the nakamals (kava bars) of Port Vila’s dusty side streets, you’ll drink shell after shell of the muddy, peppery narcotic root, your tongue going numb as the chatter of Bislama (pidgin) swirls around you. The trade-off is the infrastructure, or lack of it: inter-island flights get cancelled for weeks during the wet season, and the ‘roads’ on most outer islands are bone-rattling dirt tracks that turn to rivers in the rain. But that’s the point. Vanuatu hasn’t been polished for tourists; it’s a place where you pay for a coconut with a 100 Vatu coin (about $0.85), where the measure of a good day is how much ash from the volcano has settled on your shoulders, and where you come to feel small again.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Getting between islands is the single biggest logistical puzzle. Air Vanuatu’s domestic network is your lifeline, but flights are famously fickle — they get cancelled or rescheduled on a whim, especially during the November-April wet season. A one-way from Port Vila to Santo costs around 12,000 Vatu (~$100). Book at least two legs of your itinerary in advance, but keep your plans flexible for the rest. On the ground, forget rental cars on most islands; they’re prohibitively expensive and the roads are brutal. Your best bet is to hire a 4WD with a driver-guide for the day — expect to pay 8,000-10,000 Vatu (~$65-85) for a full-day tour on Tanna or Santo. In Port Vila, taxis don’t use meters; agree on a price before getting in. A short hop within town should run 300-500 Vatu ($2.50-4.20).

Money: Vanuatu runs on cash. The local currency is the Vatu (VT), and outside of major resorts in Port Vila, you’ll struggle to use cards. ATMs are reliable in Vila and Luganville (Santo), but vanish completely on the outer islands. Withdraw what you think you’ll need, then add 30%. A good rule of thumb: 1,000 Vatu is about $8.40 USD. Tipping isn’t expected, but rounding up for great service is appreciated. At the colorful Port Vila Market, a heap of local bananas might cost 100 VT ($0.85), and a stunning hand-woven pandanus basket could be 3,000 VT ($25). Haggling isn’t really done here; prices are generally fixed and fair. The one exception: for longer taxi rides or custom guide services, a polite negotiation is acceptable.

Cultural Respect: Vanuatu’s kastom (traditional culture) is alive and deeply respected. The most immediate encounter you’ll have is with kava. Drinking it is a social ritual, not just a beverage. In a nakamal, you drink your shell in one go, clap once, and sit in silence for a minute. It’s contemplative, not rowdy. Dress modestly outside resort areas, especially when visiting villages — covered shoulders and knees (below the knee) for both men and women is the norm. Always ask permission before taking photos of people. A simple “Mi tekem foto, plis?” in Bislama goes a long way. If invited to a village ceremony, a small gift for the chief is appropriate — a bundle of kava root (available at any market) is the gold standard. Don’t touch or point at sacred objects like tamtams (slit-drums) or carvings without explicit permission.

Food Safety: You’ll eat incredibly well here if you follow a few rules. The rule of thumb for street food and markets: eat what’s cooked fresh in front of you. The laplap (national dish of grated root vegetable, meat, and coconut milk cooked in banana leaves) steaming from a market stall is almost certainly safe. The same dish sitting lukewarm under a fly net for hours, maybe less so. Seafood is spectacularly fresh. A plate of just-grilled lobster on the beach at Hideaway Island might run 2,500 VT (~$21), and it’s worth every vatu. Tap water in Port Vila and Luganville is generally treated and safe to drink, but on the outer islands, stick to bottled or boiled water. Fruit is your best friend — peel it yourself. The pineapples and papayas are so sweet and abundant, a whole fruit might cost you 150 VT ($1.25) from a roadside seller. Avoid salads and pre-cut fruit unless you’re at a reputable restaurant, as the washing water might be the issue.

When to Visit

Vanuatu’s seasons are dictated by two things: rain and wind. The dry season (May to October) is the obvious choice for most. Temperatures hover around a pleasant 22-27°C (72-81°F), the southeast trade winds keep humidity manageable, and rainfall is low. This is peak season, so flights and the best bungalows on islands like Espiritu Santo get booked months ahead, and prices can be 30-40% higher than in the wet months. July and August are particularly busy with Australian and New Zealand school holidays. The wet season (November to April) is a different proposition. It’s hotter (26-31°C / 79-88°F), much more humid, and prone to heavy, daily downpours and the occasional tropical cyclone. That said, this is when you’ll find deals. Resort prices in Port Vila can drop by half, and you’ll have famous sites like the Millennium Cave on Santo mostly to yourself. The landscape is a shocking, lush green. The catch? Mosquitoes are fierce, some dirt roads become impassable, and inter-island travel becomes a game of chance. For a sweet spot, aim for the shoulder months: late April/early May or late October. The weather is still largely dry and warm, but the peak season crowds and prices haven’t fully arrived. Festival-goers should target July for the Naghol (land diving) ceremonies on Pentecost Island, or the Independence Day celebrations in Port Vila at the end of July. For divers, the water visibility is best and the water warmest from October to December.