Vanuatu – Guidebook

Airport
Vanuatu International Airport is on the island of Efate (Port Vila), known as Bauerfield Airport is both an International and a Domestic Airport, located 11 km from central Port Vila.

Business Hours
Monday to Friday 7.30am-11.30am & 1.30pm-4.30pm. Siesta time is generally 11.30am-1.30pm. Eating places, banks, supermarkets and the Post Office do not observe siesta time. Saturday hours are approximately 7.30am-12 noon.

Climate
Warm tropical climate. Summer is from November to March with an average temperature of 28°C which tends to be hot & humid, while winter tends to be from April to October with an average temperature of 23ºC.
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Currency & Banking
The unit of currency is Vatu. Paper money 100vt, 500VT and 1000VT, coins 1VT, 2VT, 5VT and 100VT. Australian dollars are generally accepted. Vanuatu is a tax haven, there is no income tax. Foreign currency is readily transacted. There is a Westpac and ANZ Bank in Port Vila and also in Luganville on Santo Island. Most restaurants take credit cards i.e. American Express, Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Diners Club. Local currency should be exchanged before leaving Vanuatu as it is rarely found outside Vanuatu. Banking hours are 8.30am-3pm Monday to Friday.

Departure Tax
International departure tax is currently 2,500 Vatu per person (with the exception of children under 12 being exempt). Domestic flights 250 Vatu per person. These taxes are charged on the airline ticket.

Drinking Water
Tap water is safe to drink in Port Vila, however we recommend bottled water when on outer islands.
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Duty Free
The following purchase allowance applies per person over the age of 18 years. Please note these allowances are provided as a guide only. They may be subject to change by the governing bodies without prior notice.

Restricted Item	Allowable Quota
Cigarettes	200
Tobacco	250 grams
Cigars	50
Liquor	1.5 Litres
Wine	2 Litres

Electricity
220-240 voltage, mainly 3 point plugs in hotels.

Languages
Ni-Vanuatu (local people) speak Bislama Pidgin English, however both English and French are widely spoken.
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Location
In the heart of Melanesia, 2,500km north-east of Sydney, 2,200km north of Auckland and consists of some 80 tropical islands. The 3 main islands with full facilities for visitors are Efate (Port Vila), Santo and Tanna. Total land mass is around 13,000 square km. The islands range from towering volcanoes to dense rainforest, while others are raised coral islands with wide beaches and deep natural harbours.

Population
Total population is approximately 160,000, made up of the local Melanesian people known as Ni-Vanuatu and a significant variety of expatriate Australians, English, French, New Zealanders, Asians and Canadians.

Shopping
The colourful market in the town centre operates every day except Sunday for flowers, fruit, vegetables and handcrafts. Port Vila is a duty free port. There are a variety of trading stores, shops and souvenir shops selling everything from stereo equipment, watches, jewellery, perfumes, leathergoods and local handcrafts (carvings, masks, spears etc). Cruise ships stop regularly and shops are well supplied. A supermarket in Port Vila stocks some international brands.
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Tipping
No tipping or bargaining, it goes against local tradition.

Vaccinations & Health
We recommend consultation with your own doctor prior to travel for anti-malaria precautions if travelling to the outer islands.