Port Vila Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know
Port Vila surprised me the first time I landed. It is small, relaxed and refreshingly unpolished compared to other Pacific capitals. The airport is a tight hop from the town, the people are genuinely friendly, and the pace of life is slower than anywhere I have travelled. This guide pulls together everything I wish I had known before my first visit, from flights to food and everything between, so you can arrive ready rather than learning on the ground.
Getting To Port Vila
You fly into Bauerfield International Airport, a short drive from the centre of town. Air Vanuatu and a handful of regional carriers connect Port Vila with Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Noumea. There are no direct flights from the Americas or Europe, so you route through Sydney, Brisbane or Auckland. Check visa rules before you go. Many nationalities receive a visitor permit on arrival, but it always pays to confirm your own status with the nearest embassy. Factor in that baggage allowances can be tight on the smaller regional planes, so pack only what you need.
Getting Around
Taxis and vans are the backbone of transport in Port Vila. Taxis are cheap and do not use meters, so agree on the fare before you get in. The local vans run fixed routes around town for a very low flat fare and are a great way to move about with locals. Many resorts offer transfers, and you can also hire a car or motorbike to explore Efate at your own pace. Driving is on the right hand side of the road, which surprises many visitors. I found a hired car the easiest way to reach the beaches and cascades outside town, and it lets you make the most of day trips on your own schedule.
Money And Costs
The currency is the Vanuatu vatu. Credit cards work in the larger hotels, restaurants and tour operators, but cash is king at the markets and small shops. Withdraw cash in town rather than relying on cards at small stalls. Prices sit between typical Southeast Asia and full Pacific resort levels. A simple meal at a local eatery runs a few hundred vatu, while a resort dinner costs considerably more. Budget a reasonable amount per person per day for a mid range trip, and remember that day tours, island transfers and the volcano excursion add to the total, so plan those into your budget from the start.
What To Eat
Do not leave without trying lap lap, the national dish of grated taro, yam or cassava baked with coconut milk and meat in banana leaves. Fresh seafood is excellent, and everyone raves about the fruit. Markets sell papaya, mango and the unmistakable taste of island bananas, sweet and full of flavour. For an evening classic, find a kava bar. Kava is part of everyday life here, drunk communally in the late afternoon. It is an acquired taste, but the ritual is worth experiencing and the open air setting is memorable, with locals happy to guide a first timer.
What To Pack
Pack light and bring clothes for heat and humidity. Light cottons, swimwear and a hat cover ninety percent of your days. A light rain jacket helps in the green season. Good walking sandals matter for the waterfall trails, and reef shoes are worth their weight for wading over coral. Sunscreen, insect repellent and a refillable water bottle round out the kit. Leave formal wear at home unless you are dining at a top resort, and remember that the dress code is casual everywhere on vacation.
Staying Safe And Respectful
Port Vila is generally safe and welcoming. Use common sense at night and keep valuables close, as you would anywhere. Cyclone season runs from November to April, so check the forecast and have insurance that covers weather events. Respect local customs. Ask permission before photographing people, and dress modestly away from the beach. A little courtesy goes a long way with the ni-Vanuatu, who are famously among the friendliest hosts in the Pacific. Slow down, smile, and you will be treated like a friend.
Day Trips Worth Taking
While Port Vila itself rewards a slow few days, the surrounding island of Efate opens up a string of worthwhile day trips. Mele Cascades is the must-see, with its tiered swimming pools in the forest. From there you can drive across to the blue lagoon, that famous stretch of bright turquoise water, and to the east coast beaches. A hired car makes all of this simple, letting you stop where you please. For a bigger adventure, day trips fly over to Tanna for Mount Yasur’s glowing volcano crater, which is the most memorable excursion in the whole country if time and budget allow. Book everything through a reputable local operator and confirm pick up times in advance.
