Vanuatu — Travel Tips

Language

There are three official languages in Vanuatu—French, English, and Bislama. It is Bislama, however, that is the most commonly used language in the country. Bislama is a Creole which mixes French, English, and Melanesian grammar and vocabulary.

Currency

The official currency of Vanuatu is the Vatu (VUV, symbol VT). Banks and exchange bureaus will easily be able to change money to local currency. However, Australian dollars are readily accepted by hotels, restaurants, and shops in the capital Port Vila and in other major destinations. ATMs are available at the airport and in the major towns. Credit cards are accepted but mostly only MasterCard and Visa. Travelers’ checks, though uncommon, are also usually accepted.

Time

Vanuatu uses the Vanuatu Time Zone (VUT). It is 11 hours ahead of GMT (GMT +11) and does not use daylight saving time.

Electricity

The voltage in sockets of Vanuatu is 220 to 240V/50Hz. Plugs that can be readily used are those that follow Australian standards: three prongs with a grounding pin and two flat-current carrying pins arranged in an upside-down V.

Communications

The international dialing code for Vanuatu is +678. Local SIM cards can easily be bought at retail outlets. Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) has special visitor SIM cards offering discounts for tourists. Otherwise, Digicel SIM cards are also available. Mobile coverage is mostly good and roaming is possible. Resorts are usually equipped with internet facilities but visitors can use internet cafés in Port Vila and Luganville.

Duty-free

With import and export of local currency, no restrictions exist. However, anything over VT1,000,000 ($10,840) must be declared. Visitors aged 15 and up can enter Vanuatu with the following items without incurring customs duty: two liters of wine or spirits and nine liters of beer; 250ml of cologne and 100ml of perfume; 250 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or basically, 250g of tobacco products; and articles not exceeding to VT20,000 ($217) in value.

Tourist Office

Vanuatu Tourism Office, Piloko House, Main Street, Port Vila: +678-22-813, tourism@vanuatu.travel, or http://vanuatu.travel

Consulates in Vanuatu

Australian Embassy, Port Vila: +678-22-777 Belgian Consulate, Port Vila: +678-22-306 French Embassy, Port Vila: +678-28-700 Swedish Consulate, Port Vila: +678-22-944 American Embassy, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: +675-321-1455 Canada High Commission, Canberra, Australia: +61-02-6270-4000 British High Commission, Suva, Fiji: +679-322-9100

Emergency

Ambulance: 22-100 Police: 22-222 Fire: 22-333