What should I buy in Vanuatu?

When visiting Vanuatu, prioritize purchasing locally made, authentic handicrafts, organic beauty products, and gourmet food items. Top recommendations include hand-woven mats and baskets, wood carvings (like masks or tam-tams), Tamanu oil, gourmet Tanna coffee, and organic cocoa. The best places to shop are the Port Vila Handicraft Market and local duty-free shops for alcohol and perfume.

What to buy from Vanuatu?

Some of the best things on sale include woven baskets, mats, hats, and bags that are made from natural materials like pandanus leaves or coconut fibres. You can also find intricately carved wooden sculptures, masks, and pig tusk jewellery. Naturally, prices will vary depending on what crafts you're buying.

Is shopping good in Vanuatu?

Shopping in Vanuatu offers a multicultural variety of shops featuring Melanesian, Chinese, French and English influences. Vanuatu shopping is ideal for picking up beachwear and jewellery as well as souvenirs, t-shirts and even fine wine as well as almost any modern item savvy tourists seek.

Are things cheap in Vanuatu?

Are things expensive once I arrive in Vanuatu? While Vanuatu isn't considered expensive it's also not considered as 'cheap'. Australian visitors can expect to pay similar prices for food and drink as they would back home.

What to be careful of in Vanuatu?

The usual precautions are always advised: keep valuables secure, avoid travelling alone at night, have photocopies of your passport, tickets, and credit cards in case the originals are lost. Finally, respect local customs and laws to ensure a safe and enjoyable stay in Vanuatu.

Why I Rarely Recommend Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment

When to avoid Vanuatu?

January and February also see an increased probability of cyclones (the cyclone season starts in November and runs through to May), meaning it's common to experience unpredictable and unfavourable weather patterns during these two months.

What is the most popular food in Vanuatu?

One of the most iconic meals is lap-lap, a dish made from root vegetables such as yam, manioc, or taro, mixed with coconut milk, and often wrapped in banana leaves before being cooked in an earth oven, or imu. The result is a deliciously smoky, hearty meal that is rich in flavor.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for outfits?

The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.

What to wear in Vanuatu?

When visiting Vanuatu, it's important to dress modestly and appropriately both during the day and in the evening. During the day, opt for light, breathable clothing such as t-shirts, shorts, and sundresses. In the evening, casual yet respectful attire like blouses, skirts, or lightweight pants is recommended.

What is the 5 outfit rule?

The "5 Outfit Rule" is a mindful shopping guideline: before buying a new clothing item, you must be able to immediately envision styling it in at least five different, distinct outfits using clothes you already own, ensuring versatility, reducing impulse buys, and building a more functional wardrobe. This encourages thoughtful purchases that get more wear, preventing clutter from items worn only once or twice, and helps create a cohesive, mix-and-match capsule closet for various occasions and seasons. 

Is it best to take cash to Vanuatu?

Several local ATMs are available at the local banks in many towns, but most charge local ATM and currency conversion fees. As credit cards aren't widely accepted, we recommend bringing Vatu in cash for your trip.

What fruit is in Vanuatu?

The fresh fruit market in Port Vila, Vanuatu, is vibrant and bustling, offering an array of tropical delights. You'll find an abundance of local produce, including sweet pineapples, creamy bananas, papayas, coconuts, and exotic fruits like soursop and passionfruit.

Is there a McDonald's in Vanuatu?

Vanuatu Capital

It's a capital city, but don't be fooled. We're not talking an "only-one-Starbucks-only-one-fast-food-joint" capital city. There's no Starbucks (which is absolutely no problem, Tanna produces some great coffee), no McDonalds, and very few shops and supermarkets.

What does fakafetai mean?

Manuia te pō means Good night. Manuia te taeao means Good morning. Mālo nī means Hello. Fakafetai means Thank you.

What does "tuff tumas" mean?

For those who don't know, the word 'Tuff' means Tough and 'Tumas', Too Much (Strong). They come from a common language spoken in Vanuatu called Bislama.

Do you get sick in Vanuatu?

Dengue can occur anywhere in Vanuatu. Use mosquito repellent, mosquito nets and wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothes. Cases of Zika virus, rubella, mumps, measles, and chickenpox cases have been reported.

What is the hottest month in Vanuatu?

Vanuatu weather is hot enough for the beach all year round, with temperatures during the day ranging from 20-33 degrees Celsius, depending on the season. February is typically the hottest month and August the coolest. August is also the driest month while March experiences the highest rainfall.

Can you swim in the ocean in Vanuatu?

Everyone from toddlers to grandmas will enjoy sinking their toes into the sand on Vanuatu's beaches. Calm, sheltered and perennially warm waters invite families to spend whole days swimming, snorkelling and lazing by the beach in Vanuatu. Here are a few of our favourite spots to swim and sunbathe with the whole family.

Do you tip in Vanuatu?

No tipping or bargaining is practised in Vanuatu.

Do taxis in Vanuatu take cards?

To go from the airport to Pango, it will cost you approximately 4,000 vatus. To go from town to Blue lagoon it will cost you approximately 10,000 vatus. For a hassle-free experience, it is advisable to have cash, as credit cards are not always accepted.