Vanuatu Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Vanuatu.
Government clinics and one referral hospital per main island. Private practices in Port Vila and Santo.
Northern Provincial Hospital (Luganville, Santo) and Port Vila Central Hospital have 24-hour emergency rooms. Bring cash or insurance guarantee for admission.
Chemists in Port Vila (Au Bon Marché complex), Luganville, and Lenakel stock common antibiotics and malaria prophylaxis. Bring prescription repeats for chronic medication.
Not legally required. But strongly recommended and requested up-front for private care.
- ✓ Pack a small first-aid kit including waterproof plasters and iodine for coral cuts.
- ✓ Dengue and Zika are present, use DEET repellent day and night on Efate, Espiritu Santo, and Tanna.
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Opportunistic bag-snatching in Port Vila harbour front and market crowds. Occasional break-ins at beachfront bungalows.
Potholes, unlit roads, and livestock after sunset. Minivan drivers can be fast on Efate ring road.
Strong rips off Pango and Erakor points. Stonefish and fire coral in shallow reef flats.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Men pose as village chiefs and demand a kastom fee to see waterfalls or beaches already on public land.
Unmetered taxis quote high flat fares from Bauerfield Airport to Port Vila hotels, on late flights.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
- • Carry a colour copy of your passport. Lock the original in your Vanuatu hotel safe.
- • ATMs are in Port Vila and Luganville only, withdraw enough vatu before heading to outer islands.
- • Tell your accommodation your hiking route on Santo's Mt. Tabwemasana and expected return time.
- • Wear a rash vest for sun protection. Equatorial burn occurs within 15 minutes on cloudy days near the lagoon.
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Solo and group women travelers report feeling comfortable in Vanuatu. Harassment is uncommon but modest dress earns respect in villages.
- → Choose family-run bungalows where the mamas look after female guests.
- → Avoid walking alone on unlit beaches after 22:00; take a resort buggy or pre-arranged taxi.
Same-sex relations legal since 2023; anti-discrimination protections exist but are rarely tested.
- → Book LGBT-friendly Vanuatu hotels in Efate that advertise inclusivity. They brief staff on respectful service.
- → Ask resort management before bringing outside guests to rooms, house policies can be stricter than law.
Travel Insurance
Protect yourself before you travel.
Medical evacuation flights to Australia cost tens of thousands without cover. Even a coral cut infection can escalate quickly.
Ready to plan your trip to Vanuatu?
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