Vanuatu

Vanuatu has three official languages: Bislama, English and French. Bislama is a creole language. More than 95% of its words come from English, so it is often easy to guess. Many people also speak a local island language at home. Visitors in Port Vila and other tourist places usually get by in English or French.

• Mobile networks: The two main operators are Vodafone and Digicel. Both have shops in Port Vila and Luganville, and stands at the airport. Top-up cards are sold in shops and by street vendors.
• Outer islands: Most of the country has mobile coverage. In remote places the signal can be weak, and internet is often not available. Plan offline maps and tickets before you leave the main islands.
• Wi-Fi: In towns, cafes, hotels and post offices may offer Wi-Fi, sometimes for a fee. Speeds can be slow.

• Tap water: In Port Vila and Luganville, tap water is generally reported to be safe. After a cyclone or ash fall it can be affected. On the outer islands, use bottled or treated water unless your host tells you the water is safe.
• Mosquitoes: Malaria risk is reported mainly in the northern islands (Sanma, Penama and Torba provinces). Dengue and chikungunya also occur. Use repellent and cover up at dusk. Ask a travel clinic before you go whether you need malaria tablets.
• Medical care: Facilities are limited, and they are best in Port Vila. You may need to pay in cash, and serious cases may need an expensive evacuation. Buy travel insurance with medical evacuation. Divers should note that the hyperbaric chamber is in Port Vila.
• Vaccines: Ask your doctor or travel clinic about routine vaccines and any others needed for your route.

Vanuatu is an independent country. Its tourism office says that citizens of many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the EU and the USA, do not need a visa for stays of up to 120 days. Other travelers may need to apply for a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your planned stay, and you may be asked to show proof of onward travel. Requirements depend on your nationality and can differ from this general summary. For the official summary, see the Vanuatu Tourism Office entry information.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

• Dress: Dress modestly away from beaches and resorts. Cover up over swimwear when you walk through towns and villages.
• Photos: Always ask before you take photos or videos of people, especially children.
• Kastom: Local custom, called kastom, guides life in villages, and land is owned by families and communities. Visit villages, waterfalls, beaches and volcanoes with permission, and follow your host's instructions. Some sites charge a small local fee.
• Kava: The traditional drink kava is served in a meeting place called a nakamal. Ask a local host how it is done before you join in.
• Land diving: The Pentecost land-diving ritual is a cultural event. It is organised by the local community. Ask locally or through your tour operator, and follow their rules.

Public holidays can close shops, offices and banks, and some services run less often. Plan ahead if your travel falls on one. Some holidays move each year.

There is no road link between islands, so most travel between islands is by air or by boat.

• By air: Air Vanuatu runs the domestic flights. Larger aircraft serve Port Vila, Santo and Tanna, and smaller planes serve the outer islands. Book early, because outer island flights are limited. Schedules can change with the weather. A provincial departure tax may need to be paid at some domestic airports, so keep some cash.
• By boat: Ferries and cargo boats run on slower routes, and small boats serve nearby islands. They wait on sea conditions and cargo. Check safety before you book.
• In Port Vila and Luganville: Taxis and minibuses are common.
• On the island: Outside the towns, people travel by pickup truck, on foot or by small boat. Hire a local driver or guide for remote areas.

Northern flights may need an overnight stop in Santo, so leave time in your plans.

• Roads: Only a small part of the road network is paved. Roads outside the towns are often poorly maintained, with little signage. Some are suitable only for four-wheel-drive vehicles.
• Licence: Ask the rental company which licences it accepts. Check that your insurance covers you.
• Motorbikes and scooters: Wear a helmet, and check with the rental company that insurance is included.
• Local advice: Ask your host or rental company about current road conditions before long drives.

The national dish is lap lap. It is a pudding made from grated yam, taro, banana or manioc with coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves and baked in an earth oven. Seafood is also common, including reef fish and tuna. Coconut crab is considered a delicacy but is endangered, and many restaurants no longer serve it.

French influence is visible in bread and pastries in Port Vila. Gateau huit, a fried pastry shaped like the number 8, is a popular snack.

Kava is the traditional drink. It is not alcoholic and is usually drunk at dusk in a nakamal. It can make your mouth feel numb. Tusker is the well-known local beer.

Most trips combine two or three islands.

Central islands

• Efate is the main island and has the capital Port Vila and the main international airport. The Cathedrale du Sacre-Coeur is in the city. The Mele Cascades waterfall is a short trip north of town.
• Espiritu Santo ("Santo") is the largest island. The main town is Luganville. It is known for Champagne Beach, blue holes such as Riri, and diving at SS President Coolidge and Million Dollar Point.

Southern islands

• Tanna is the home of Mount Yasur, an active volcano that many visitors reach on a guided visit. Check the volcano's alert level first.
• Erromango and Aneityum are islands in the far south of the country.

Northern and central volcanic islands

• Ambrym has the Marum and Benbow volcanoes. Accommodation is in traditional bungalows, and there are no hotels.
• Pentecost is famous for Naghol land diving in the south of the island, usually in April to June.
• Malekula is a large island west of Ambrym.
• Gaua has Mount Garet and Lake Letas, the country's largest lake.