Port Vila

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Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: -17.740391
• Longitude: 168.320999

On Travellerspoint

• 1 Port Vila Apartments
• 3 Port Vila Hostels

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• Utrecht (54%)
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Introduction

Port Villa, Vanuatu

© All Rights Reserved AlexT

Port Vila is the capital and largest settlement in the island nation of Vanuatu. It has a population of about 40,000 inhabitants. The city is located on the south coast of the island of Efate and is the commercial centre of Vanuatu. The area where Port Vila is located nowadays has been inhabited by Melanesian people for thousands of years and these days functions as an important port and trade centre for the country. Also, most people who arrive in Vanuatu independently spend a few days here before moving on to the islands and beaches.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

• Iririki Island is visible from the waterfront of Port Vila and easily accessed by a courtesy ferry which will have you there in minutes! It is home to a Resort and Spa, but you do not need to be guest to visit this lovely island. There are water activities galore, including rental for kayaks, jet-skis and windsurfers, and some of the best snorkeling around!

• Port Vila Market runs every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 6am through to 1:30pm selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, to local handicrafts. Be aware that prices of everything in Port Vila tends to go up by around 50% on days when the cruise ships come to town bringing hundreds of tourists to this otherwise slow-paced city so remember to do your big purchases on other days (haggling is not custom here).

• Mele Cascades are approximately a 12 km drive from Port Vila, and easily accessible on local minibus taxis, though remember to ask your driver to come back to get you as it is not easy to hail public transport back again. It is a perfect examples of a tropical waterfall setting, with pools deep enough to wade in.

• You simply cannot go to Vanuatu without Scuba-diving or at very least snorkeling in some of the clearest water and surrounded by colourful fish and sea-life. There are numerous dive and snorkel tour operators in Port Vila so be sure to stop in and see what they can offer.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Port Vila has a pleasant tropical climate with hot and humid conditions but the sea breeze is welcome. November to May is the hotter season when most of the rain falls as well. Rain can fall in every month on the other hand and even the driest months averages 20 days of some rainfall. During the June to October period it gets slightly cooler with daytime temperatures around 26 °C and night temperatures even dropping a few degrees below 20 °C.

Getting There

By Plane

From Port Vila, the national carrier of Vanuatu Air Vanuatu flies to several neighbouring countries in the pacific like Nouméa in New Caledonia, Nadi in Fiji and Honiara on the Solomon Islands.

Also there are connections to Brisbane and Sydney in Australia and to Auckland in New Zealand.

Other airlines serving Port Vila are Aircalin based in New Caledonia, Air Pacific, based in Fiji and Pacific Blue and Qantas, both based in Australia. Air Pacific is the best way to connect to North America and Japan.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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