Vanuatu family-friendly travel guide

Due to Vanuatu’s beautiful tropical climate, the weather is generally good year-round. However conditions are at their best from April to October when temperatures are a comfortable 18 to 28 degrees Celsius. The wet season is from November to March and although showers are usually brief, they can make conditions quite humid.

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date you intend to return to Australia.

If you are visiting Vanuatu for 30 days or less and you have a return or onward ticket, you can apply for a visa on arrival.

Port Vila International Airport is a 10-minute drive north of Port Vila and sits adjacent to the domestic airport.

Metered taxis are plentiful in the main towns of Vanuatu, as are mini-buses. This is a cheap way of getting around although the driving skills of some of the locals are a bit dubious.

Cars, 4WDs and jeeps can be hired in Port Vila and Luganville, with an Australian driver’s license. Éfaté has around 240 kilometres of sealed roads and Santo has 370 kilometres. Many of the roads on the outer islands are off limits during the wet season. The best way to get between the main islands is to fly.

Port Vila offers some of the most varied dining in the Pacific, with plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars. There is excellent seafood to be enjoyed, as well as fine French cuisine. Western and Chinese style restaurants are also plentiful in Port Vila. Most resorts offer menus to suit any taste and children’s menus should please fussy kids.

Major credit cards are widely accepted, along with the local currency. Check your banks foreign exchange and ATM fees before travelling. You will get a better exchange rate in Vanuatu than in Australia

Many shops are closed for siesta between 11.30am and 1.30pm, although restaurants, cafes, banks and supermarkets remain open. Suburban general stores usually open early and close late. Except for some supermarkets, specialty stores and some Chinese-run stores, most shops are closed on Sundays. Port Vila has a colourful market open every day except Sunday where fruit, vegetables, flowers and handicrafts are on display.

As in most Melanesian cultures, tipping is not practiced in Vanuatu. A polite smile and a thankyou will suffice.

Light clothing is sufficient any time of year in Vanuatu, although light jackets or jumpers are a good idea at night during the cooler months. Hats and sunscreen are a must, and rain gear is a good idea, particularly during the wet season. Clothing should not be too revealing in public.

Traditional animist beliefs are still held by many of the local Melanesian and Polynesian people and it is important to be sensitive to local culture when visiting villages. Always get permission before entering a village and do not take food or other items without asking first. Melanesian culture is rich in music and dance. Stone and woodcarving are still commonly practiced arts.

Electricity mainly operates on 220 volts, plug Type I, the same as Australia.

Malaria occurs throughout the year in some areas, particularly the north. Other mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever and filariasis have occurred. See your GP before you travel to Vanuatu.

The tap water in Vanuatu is not safe to drink. Drink only bottled water from bottles with unbroken seals, and make sure ice is made from bottled water. Water in Port Vila may be safe to drink.

Vanuatu’s islands are situated in the Ring of Fire, making it susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. There are active volcanoes in Vanuatu, please check with local authorities before heading to any volcanic sites

On the days where the cruise ships are docked, prices tend to go up, especially at the markets. So if you know the ships are arriving it might be a good idea to save shopping for another day.

Many families expect that the price of meals to be cheaper than Australia but the costs is actually very similar. Try to have meals included in your package.

Hire a taxi for the day – this is an economical way to get around.

On the island of Efate, the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon don’t need an Instagram filter, they are just that stunning. There’s also fun rope swings for some great action shots!

Situated in South Central Santo, Millennium Cave is Vanuatu’s largest cave. After trekking through coconut plantations, scrambling over massive boulders and crossing bamboo bridges you will finally reach it … this one is for the adventurous!

If you are scared of heights, then this one is not for you. Vanuatu’s Jungle Zipline is a thrilling activity for those wanting to get the blood pumping in Port Vila.