Vanuatu Travel Tips

Social Conventions
Informal wear is suitable for most occasions. Some establishments appreciate men wearing long trousers in the evenings. Life goes at its own pace and while modern influences can be seen in the main centers, in the hill villages and outlying islands, age-old customs continue. Those hiking or exploring must be aware that Vanuatu has strict and sensitive land ownership regulations.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is Air Vanuatu (NF) (website: www.airvanuatu.com).

Air Passes
Visit the South Pacific Pass: valid with Solomon Airlines (IE), Air Vanuatu (NF), Our Airline (Air Nauru) (ON), Qantas (QF), Air Niugini (PX), Aircalin (SB) and Air Pacific (FJ). The pass allows flexible island-hopping within the South Pacific, for up to 40% off normal airfares.

Departure Tax
VUV2,800 (usually included in ticket price). Children under 12 years of age are exempt.

Main Airports
Port-Vila (VLI) (Bauerfield) is 6km (4 miles) from Port-Vila (journey time – 15 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses and taxis are available. Facilities: Bank/bureaux de change, left luggage, duty-free shops, bars, restaurant and club lounge for business class passengers.

Overview
The following items may be imported into Vanuatu by passengers aged 15 and over without incurring customs duty:

• Personal effects and clothes, used or worn and for own use.
• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 1.5l of spirits and 2l of wine.
• 250ml of eau de toilette and 100ml of perfume.
• Other articles up to a value of VUV20,000.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
Domestic services are provided by Vanair, which operates under the umbrella of Air Vanuatu Ltd as Air Vanuatu domestic (see Getting There). It offers scheduled services to 29 destinations within the archipelago. Unity Airlines (website: www.unity-airlines.com) and Air Club Vila (website: www.airclubvila.com) offer charter flights.

Air Passes
Vanair deducts 20% from the standard domestic airfare to travelers with an international ticket issued outside of Vanuatu. It also offers the Vanuatu Pass which allows four flights to any destination.

Getting Around by Water
Inter-island ferries infrequently operate from Port-Vila and Espiritu Santo to the northern and southern islands. Boats can also be chartered.

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Roads are either compacted coral or dirt tracks. The road around the island of Efate is currently open but visitors should check with their hotel or the police whether the road is open before attempting to drive around the island. There is no public transport.

Bus: Private buses serve the town center and the airport in Port-Vila. Frequent minibus services are available. As there are no timetables, the most common way to catch a minibus is to flag one down and tell the driver where to go.

Taxi: These are plentiful and all are metered, although a fixed rate can be agreed.

Car hire: Major car hire operators have offices in Port-Vila. Cars, 4-wheel drive vehicles and jeeps are available.

Documentation: A national driving license is acceptable.


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