According to topb2bwebsites, Vanuatu is a country and island region in Oceania consisting of 83 islands. The largest islands are Espiritu Santo, Malakula, Efate, Erromango and Ambrym. The capital of Vanuatu is Port Vila. A number of major cities in Vanuatu are: Luganville and Norsup.
Vanuatu is known as a group of tropical volcanic islands. The landscape is hilly and consists of tropical forests with several volcanoes. The coastline consists of white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, ideal for diving and snorkeling to colorful fish species, coral reefs and wrecks. The population mostly lives from agriculture and fishing. See shoefrantics for Vanuatu as a tourist country.
Where is Vanuatu located?
Travel information of Vanuatu
Official name: Republic of Vanuatu
Continent: Oceania
Area: 12,189 km²
Capital: Port Vila
Country code: VU, VUT
Population: 298,333 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 1,877 m (Mount Tabwemasana)
Distance (Amsterdam – Port Vila): 15,675 km
Flight time: approximately 27 hours
Travel advice
Current status: Attention, safety risks.
Current color code: Yellow.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), (temporary) measures may apply in Vanuatu that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs from Vanuatu, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
At the moment there are no travel organizations that offer travel to Vanuatu. If you want to put together your own trip or are looking for separate travel components such as hotels, airline tickets and a rental car, please visit our travel offer page.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Vanuatu?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in Vanuatu at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
Vanuatu has a tropical climate. Temperatures are around 27 degrees all year round.
Vanuatu is prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tropical storms, tsunamis and cyclones.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Vanuatu can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Vanuatu can be found at Climate info.
Best time
January, February and March are the best months to travel to Vanuatu. This avoids the prolonged rainy season.
Language
English, French and Bislama are the official languages in Vanuatu.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in Vanuatu.
A visa is not necessary if you stay in Vanuatu for less than 30 days.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Australia (also for Vanuatu): netherlandsworldwide.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Before visiting Vanuatu it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs in Vanuatu. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency
In Vanuatu people pay with the vatu (VUV).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Vanuatu can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in Vanuatu are much higher than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is +15% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (11% cheaper), food (94% more expensive), imported beer in catering (60% more expensive), cigarettes (12% more expensive) and public transport (57% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Vanuatu it is not customary to tip.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 9 hours later in Vanuatu.
During our winter time it is 10 hours later in Vanuatu.
Vanuatu has no difference in winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for Vanuatu can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Vanuatu you have to drive on the right.
To drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Vanuatu you must have an international driver’s license. The international driver’s license is available at an ANWB shop.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Vanuatu.
Electricity
In Vanuatu you need a travel plug.
More information about common plugs and sockets in Vanuatu can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 112
– Fire: 112
– Ambulance: 112
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Vanuatu can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Vanuatu can be found at Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Vanuatu end in.vu.
Vanuatu official websites: governmentofvanuatu.gov.vu and vanuatu.travel.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Vanuatu is 00678 or +678.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Vanuatu? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Phone numbers can be found in the Vanuatu Telephone Directory.
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of Vanuatu.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from Vanuatu.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Vanuatu.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Vanuatu, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Vanuatu?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Vanuatu. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Vanuatu can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Vanuatu can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Vanuatu? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, money and perfume, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Vanuatu.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: No maximum permitted alcohol content.
– Tobacco: Unknown
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…Vanuatu used to be called “New Hebrides”?
…Vanuatu is known as a corporate tax haven?
…Rising sea levels threaten the existence of the islands?
…Vanuatu was voted the happiest country to live in 2006?
…Vanuatu has an underwater post office?
…In Vanuatu the Vanuatu Open is played every year (golf)?
