VANUATU TRAVEL REPORT

 At the Honiara Henderson Airport (Solomon Islands), at the check in desk of the Solomon Airlines Company, for the flight to Port Vila, they asked me to show them the Airline booking attesting to leaving Vanuatu.

 

Punctual as never before leaves from Honiara Henderson Airport (Solomon Islands) at 15.15., My plane no. IE702, by Solomon Airlines, in the direction of Bauerfield Airport in Port Vila (Vanuatu), (price one way, including taxes: AUD 246.20)

 

Lunch is served on the aforementioned aircraft.

 

The duration of the flight is 2 hours.

 

Punctual arrival at 5.15pm, at Bauerfield Airport in Port Vila (Vanuatu).

 

There are 9 hours of time zone, compared to Italy, when summer time is in force in Italy, 10 hours when winter time is in force.

 

To enter Vanuatu you do not need an entry visa, for tourism up to 90 days. To easily obtain the entry stamp, it is necessary to present a passport with six months of residual validity on the date of entry into the country, the completed form indicating the address where you intend to stay and the Airline booking certifying the exit from Vanuatu.

 

Keep in mind that in some areas of Vanuatu, Malaria is present, with moderate risk.

 

In Vanuatu there is a guide on the right, in the French style.

 

Vanuatu is a former British and French colony.

 

In Vanuatu mobile phones with Italian cards work.

 

At the Bauerfield Airport International Terminal in Port Vila (Vanuatu), it is possible to withdraw money at ATMs, but it is also possible to exchange cash (Euros, US Dollars, Australian Dollars, Solomon Dollars and many other currencies), at the following exchange rate ( 1 Euro = 126.58 VT, 1 USD = 109.89 VT), which is more or less the same as you can find in the City.

 

Keep in mind that there are very few vehicles on the roads of Vanuatu, with the exception of the large Port Vila cities.

 

In Vanuatu, even in the dry season it is possible that it rains mainly at night.

 

Languages: English and French (official), bislama (local language)

 

Religions: Mostly Christian, in the various denominations.

 

In Vanuatu the police are generally kind to foreigners and do not bother them with requests for money.

 

In Vanuatu, there are many Filipinos and Indonesians working there.

 

The roads on the island of Efate are in fair condition.

 

From Bauerfield Airport in Port Vila (Vanuatu), located approximately 5 km north of the city center, to reach it you need to take a taxi (2,000 VT) or a minibus which stops in front of the Domestic Terminal at a cost of 200 VT. You pay the driver after getting on. The ride takes about 20 minutes and ends in the main street (Lini Hwy Ave) near the central market.

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One of the cheapest solutions to sleep in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu is to stay overnight, through the site "Hostelword.com" at the City Lodge (e-mail: citylodge@vanuatu.com.vu,, Phone +678 26826) , located in the center, in front of the Central Market. Cost for a bed in a mixed dormitory with shared bathroom: VT 1,770 per night. Wifi available only in front of the reception.

 

Mosquito net not present. Air conditioning and television absent. Shared kitchen. Well maintained and very clean accommodation.

 

Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, is good on foot and appears quite safe both during the day and after sunset.

 

The most important attraction in Port Vila is the National Museum which costs 1,000 VT without a guide or 1,500 VT with a guide.

 

 To reach the Island of Erakor it is necessary to take, from sunrise to sunset, one of the many minibuses, with the red letter B on the front plate (150 VT, 10 minutes) which stop in front of the Central Market and get off near the beach near the Nasama Resort. From here a boat departs for free 24 hours a day and shuttles free of charge to the island of Erakor.

 

Whether you stay 10 minutes or stay 1 full day, the entrance to the Island of Erakor is 1,500 VT, including 1,000 VT to spend at the Restaurant to drink and eat, although it must be borne in mind that the Buffet breakfast costs 1,950 VT.

 

Back on dry land, I took a bus to Mele Beach for the price of 300 VT. Duration of the ride: half an hour.

 

A boat that shuttles free of charge to Hideaway Island departs from here 24 hours a day.

 

Whether you stay 10 minutes or stay 1 full day, the entrance to Hideaway Island is 1,500 VT, including 1,000 VT to spend at the Restaurant to eat and drink although it must be borne in mind that the Buffet breakfast costs 1,250 VT.

 

From Mele Beach I walked for about 1.5 km before reaching the Secret Gardens whose entrance costs 1,500 VT, including the Guide.

 

From the Secret Gardens I walked about 1km before reaching the Mele Falls which entrance costs 2,000 VT. Opening hours: every day from 8.00 to 16.30.

 

From the entrance to reach the Falls you have to walk uphill for about half an hour and the last 5 minutes have to be done barefoot in the water.

 

From the Falls of Mele I took one of the many minibuses to the central market of Port Vila. Fare: 300 VT. Duration: 20 minutes.

 

On the main street (Lini Hwy Ave) near the Central Market minibuses stop for the Domestic Terminal of Bauerfield Airport in Port Vila (Vanuatu). Cost of the ride: 200 VT. Duration: 20 '.

 

Keep in mind that in Vanuatu for all Domestic Flights, you must pay the 200VT fee at the dedicated Desk before boarding. This is not included in the air ticket. The receipt is stapled to the plane ticket.

 

Please note that at the Domestic Terminal at Bauerfield Airport in Port Vila (Vanuatu), there is no security check on hand and checked baggage.

 

Punctual as never before leaves from the Domestic Terminal of Bauerfield Airport in Port Vila (Vanuatu) at 2.30 pm, my plane no. NF238, of the Air Vanuatu Company, in the direction of Tanna Airport (Vanuatu), (multi-route price Port Vila - Tanna, Tanna - Port Vila, Port Vila - Nadi), including taxes: 501.10 AUD).

 

Nothing is served on the aforementioned aircraft.

 

The duration of the flight is 40 '.

 

Arrival on time at 3.10 pm at Tanna Airport (Vanuatu).

 

 

From Tanna Airport, a driver sent from my hotel and paid for 3,000 VT, took me in about 1 hour along terrible roads (initially paved, then cemented and finally dirt) at the foot of Mount Yasur mt. 361 above sea level, where I joined the other tourists for the excursion to the crater of the most accessible active volcano in the world. The cost of the same is 9,750 VT (payable only in cash before going up the Volcano), which includes transport by off-road to the square just below the crater. (here there is also the only mailbox in the world located on a volcano). From there it is necessary to walk for about 15 minutes, until you reach the mouth of the volcano about 30 minutes before Sunset. There you can stay for about 1 hour, that is up to half an hour after sunset, to witness the spectacular eruptions that occur at regular intervals of about 5 minutes. It is usually very windy and very cold, but the organization (Tanna Volcano Safari Tours), provides free wind jackets. At the end of the excursion, we return to the base for a refreshment based on fruit and biscuits offered by the organization.

 

One of the cheapest solutions to sleep near the Mount Yasur Volcano on Tanna Island, is to stay overnight, through the "Booking.com" site at Volcano Island Paradise Bungalows (e-mail: volcanoislandparadise@gmail.com, Mobile + 678_7717460), located in the Loanengo Village, which offers an excellent view of Mount Yasur. Cost for a Bungalow with double bed, with shared bathroom: 1.676 VT per night. Wifi for a fee. Mosquito net present. Air conditioning and television absent. Electricity guaranteed with generator for a few hours in the evening. Breakfast included.

 

Keep in mind that that is a very rainy area as the Volcano makes the climate very rainy. In fact I had planned to take a car tour the next day on Tanna Island for the price of 8,000 Vt, but early in the morning after the heavy rains of the night I had to hurry to leave my accommodation to reach the Airport in how soon the road for the same would become impracticable. The 1 hour trip cost 3,000 Vt to me and 3,000 Vt has a French tourist.

 

When I arrived at Tanna Airport, I asked to be able to take the morning flight (11.50am) as mine would leave in the afternoon (3.50pm). It was granted to me, as there was still a free seat left on the plane.

 

Keep in mind that in Vanuatu for all Domestic Flights, you must pay the 200VT fee at the dedicated Desk before boarding. This is not included in the air ticket. The receipt is stapled to the plane ticket.

 

Keep in mind that at Tanna Airport (Vanuatu), there is no security check on hand baggage and checked baggage.

 

Punctual as never before leaves from Tanna Airport at 11.50 am, my 20-seat plane, of the Air Vanuatu Company, towards the Domestic Terminal of Bauerfield Airport in Port Vila (Vanuatu), (multi-route price Port Vila - Tanna, Tanna - Port Vila, Port Vila - Nadi), including taxes: AUD 501.10).

 

Nothing is served on the aforementioned aircraft.

 

The duration of the flight is 40 '.

 

Punctual arrival at 12.30 p.m., at the Domestic Terminal of Bauerfield Airport in Port Vila (Vanuatu).

 

From the pier located behind the Port Vila Central Market, a 24-hour ferry leaves for Iririki Island, where there are Bungalows, a Casino, a beach and sports and leisure facilities. I visited it for free just before sunset, but I had the feeling that it is necessary to pay to visit it (you need to get a Pass at the Reception, located just beyond the pier).

 

To go around the island of Efate I hired a taxi, addressing the only taxi driver who stopped near the Central Market. I paid 8,000 VT.

 

I also made a stop at the Siviri Cave, where I took a short Kayak excursion among the bats. Cost: 1,000 VT.

 

To leave Vanuatu it is necessary to present the completed form to the Airport Authorities, thus obtaining the exit stamp.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

https://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2019/01/viaggio-in-papa-nuova-guinea-wewak.html