Travel tips

1.Climate

The best time of year is April/May to October when temperatures range from 18 to 28 degrees Celsius. November & December are warm but generally not unpleasantly so. January to March is hot (26-34 degrees Celsius), often wet and prone to cyclones, but being low season it's also a good time of year to take advantage of travel deals.

Sweet tips: Light weight casual clothing plus a sweater is usually sufficient. Umbrella is necessary.

2. Dress

Light and casual clothes, but not too brief in public. Light clothing is appropriate all year, with perhaps a light sweater for the cooler evenings during May to October.

3.Communications:

Worldwide satellite communications, 24 hour telephone, fax, plus e-mail and Internet services.

Sweet tips: Vanuatu has a world standard mobile phone GSM system operated by Telecom Vanuatu Ltd. China Mobile does not cover this area. Local SIM cards are available at Telecom house. For enquiries, phone 678-08111 or email: info@smile.com.vu.

4.Transportation:

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. Cars and vans are available for hire. Metered taxis and buses are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Inter-island travel is mainly by air—inter-island boats taking deck passengers are irregular. Cruise ships regularly call in at Port Vila.

Sweet tips: Mini-buses offer transportation that travel unspecified routes through the municipal areas frequently, You need only board one heading in approximate the right direction and tell the driver where you wish to stop and you will get there, albeit by a circuitous route! the one-way fare is 100 vatu.

5.Time

Vanuatu is one hour ahead of AST (Australian Standard Time) and 11 hours ahead of GST (Greenwich Standard Time or UT).

Sweet tips: no daylight saving in summer

6.Business hour

Government offices and most businesses organizations open Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 11:30am, and 1:30pm to 4:30pm, including The National Tourism Office. Bank are open 8.00 am till 3.00 pm Monday to Friday, and Wespac opens from 8.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

Sweet tips: Information Center is open from 7:30 until 4:30pm and on Saturday Mornings from 7:30am to 2pm and on days when there are cruise ships in port. Tour Companies and many shops are open at 7:30 until 4:30-5pm. Large shopping center trade hours are 7:30 am to 7 pm. Most shops are open on Saturday mornings and some open on Sunday Mornings.

7.Shopping

Port Vila is Vanuatu’s only duty-free port and a shopper’s delight with its colorful blend of French, English and Melanesian cultures. You will need your passport and return ticket to make a purchase, and the shop will deliver the goods to the airport or main wharf when you depart Vanuatu. There are often outer island artists displaying and selling crafts at Espace Culurel Francais, an exhibition area supported by the Alliance Francais adjacent to the Vanuatu Tourism Office. On the Market in downtown Port Vila, you will see Ni-Vanuatu women in their brightly colored ‘Mother Hubbard
Dresses selling fresh local produce, some you have probably never seen before. Also to be found are wonderful array of shells, bead necklaces, anklets and island dresses.

Sweet tips: French perfume, champagnes and patisseries can be found alongside souvenir outlets, jewelry, gift shops and fashion wear including brightly colored sarongs, hand-printed t-shirts, board shorts and beachwear can also be found close-by. Chinatown in Rue Carnot is a good place to look for bargains.
On the main street, there are several duty-free shops selling electrical goods, gifts, French perfume, CDs, cosmetics, liquor, wines, spirits and French crystal.

8.Banking and Currency

The currency used is the Vatu. The main banks are Westpac (with a branch at the international airport), ANZ and Bank of Hawaii. Australian dollars are accepted by many shops, restaurants and hotels in Vila, and a few in Luganville (Santo). Daily fluctuations occur.

Sweet tips: There are several ANZ ATM machines in Port Vila and Luganville, Santo only. You can also get cash advances on Visa and Mastercards during bank hours. "Goodies" money changer in town is open 8 am until 5.30-6.00 pm Monday to Friday and 8.30 am to 4.00 pm weekends and public holidays. For Australian and New Zealander's please note only ANZ Bankcard is accepted, and Visa, Mastercard and to a lesser extent Amex and Diner's.
Money Exchange Rates: AU$=VT84.68, US$=VT111.65 (rates correct as at October 2005)

Vanuatu Post Office open from Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm and Saturday from 7:30am to 11:30am. Underwater post box at Hideaway Island Resort opens every day.

Sweet tips: For enquiries, phone 678-22000 or email: vanuatupost@vanuatu.com.vu

10.Duty Free Allowance

*Less than 15 years of age are not entitle to the above allowance
Standard Allowances" Shall mean the following goods:
[a]  250 Cigarettes, or 100 Cigarillos or 50 Cigars or 250 Grams of Tobacco.
[b]  1.50 Liters of Spirits/ Liqueurs;
[c]  2.250 Liters of Wine;
[d]  25 Centiliters of Toilet Water;
[e]  10 Centerlines of Perfume Spirit;
[f]  Any other new  new or unused items includind gifts [ but excluding  prohibited or restricted goods] up to a value of 50,000 Vatu per person.
[g]  1 Carton Beer Children.

The Following Goods must be declared:

1. Any Prohibited or restricted goods such as Arms, Ammunitions, Drugs, Animals, Plants.
2. Any goods of a commercial value.
3. Any goods in excess of the allowance that have been obtained Duty Free in Vanuatu, or during the voyage or abroad [whether Duty and Tax Free or not] including gifts, or goods carried on behalf of other persons.
   

11.Quarantine

All food, fruits, animal products and plants must be declared upon entry into Vanuatu. Many such items are allowed though, some require a valid quarantine certificate from the country of origin. If you are purchasing coral, shells, tree fern carvings in Vanuatu to take home, you may need an export permit. Customs in your own country may require a fumigation certificate on items such as mats, grass skirts and wooden carvings; otherwise they may confiscate these goods.

Sweet tips: Check with Department of Environment (Tel: 678-25302). Contact Quarantine at the Department of Agriculture fro information (Tel: 678-23130), Email: vqisvila@vanuatu.com.vu

12.Language

There are over 120 distinct languages and many more dialects. The lingua franca and national language is Bislama (pidgin English). The official languages are Bislama, English and French.

13.Electricity

Standard 220-280 volts 50 Hz, AC, 3 pin (angled) plugs are required - same as Australia and New Zealand. Two pin round plug adapters are readily available.

14.Health

No vaccinations are required but antimalarial precautions and preventative medication are recommended for visits to outer islands. Hospital facilities exist in Port Vila and Luganbille, Espiritu Santo. There are small clinics and dispensaries throughout the islands. There are no dangerous animals or insects.

Sweet tips: Most such medication increases your risk of sunburn profoundly! Bring a jug of 15+ sun screen, even in Winter. Although we are very fortunate that AIDs has yet to gotten a toehold within the country, please ensure safe sexual practices at all times.

15.Insurance

Although Vanuatu is a safe destination, many tours, especially to outer islands, are in the adventurous category. This means that outside activities will be highly influenced by weather. Therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be purchased prior to your departure.

 16.Emergency Services

17.Religion

The main denominations in Vanuatu are Presbyterian, Anglican and Catholic.

Sweet tips: Saturdays and Sundays in Vanuatu are decided to God. Visitors are welcome to attend the services.

18. Airport 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 200vt from any Shefa and Sanma Province domestic airport. The 200vt is paid seperately as it is not included in passenger tickets.  

19.Entry Requirements

Visas are not required from most countries: (All commonwealth countries, Belgium, Denmark, Eire, Fiji, France and its dominions, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, U.S.A.) However you must have a valid, ongoing or return airline ticket and your Passport must be valid for four months beyond your intended stay.
     
20.Vanuatu Public Holidays

Total public day is 14 days.

21. Tipping

Neither tipping nor bargaining is considered civilised behaviour.

Sweet tips: If you would like to express your gratitude for service, you might like to send a postcard or perhaps give a 't' shirt as a gift from your country. It is neither necessary, nor expected, but such small items are received with much appreciation.

22.Water

With little industry or agriculture and no unusual water borne bugs, the town water supply is very safe to drink. In the outer islands, water is collected from streams whose catchments are untouched jungle, or as rainwater from roofs. Bore water is less common but safe to drink throughout.

Sweet tips: However some people react to water in different places simply because it's different. If you fall into that category, bottled water can be readily purchased from Vila and Luganville. Supplies in the outer islands are very limited.

23.Food