Social ConventionsInformal 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 AirThe national airline is
Air Vanuatu (NF) (website:
www.airvanuatu.com).
Air PassesVisit the South
Pacific Pass: valid for many airlines operating in the South Pacific, including most of the larger ones, such as
Air Caledonie,
Air Marshall Islands,
Air Nauru,
Air Niugini,
Air Pacific,
Air Vanuatu,
Polynesian Airlines,
Qantas,
Royal Tongan Airlines and
Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 40 per cent on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) and New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington). It is only available for people resident outside of the South Pacific. The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two sectors must be bought before departure (extra sectors can be purchased en route). There is a maximum of one pass per person, and passes must be used within six months of the first day of travel. Children under 12 years of age pay 75% of the adult fare. For details and conditions, contact the
South Pacific Tourist Organization (see
General Info).
Departure Tax(Usually included in ticket price). VUV2,800. Children under 12 years of age are exempt.
Main AirportsPort-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.
OverviewThe 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 AirDomestic services are provided by
Vanair, which operates under the umbrella of
Air Vanuatu Ltd as Air Vanuatu domestic (see
Travel International). 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.
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 for US$236.
NoteDeparture TaxVUV400. Children under 12 years of age are exempt. The departure tax must be paid in cash and in local currency (Vatu) only.
The departure tax is often included in airfares: please check with your travel agent when booking.
Aseparate departure fee charges visitors and locals VUV200 from anyShefa province domestic airport. This applies to every leg where apassenger departs from the following domestic airports: Bauerfield-Port-Vila, Swio Airport- Emae, Pele Airport- Tongoa, Valesdir Airport-Epi and Laman Bay Airport- Epi.
Getting Around by WaterInter-island ferries infrequently operate from Port-Vila and Espiritu Santo to the northern and southern islands. Boats can also be chartered.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the right. Of the 1130km (702 miles) of road, 54km (32 miles) are paved. 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.
Minibus: Frequent services 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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