Port Vila

Travel Guide Oceania Melanesia Vanuatu Port Vila

Introduction

Port Villa, Vanuatu

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.

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Neighbourhoods

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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 6:00am 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-kilometre 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.

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Events and Festivals

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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.

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Getting There

By Plane

The national carrier of Vanuatu is Air Vanuatu and most flights arrive at Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) near Port Vila. International destinations with Air Vanuatu include Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, Nouméa and Sydney. Air Pacific flies to/from Nadi in Fiji and Honiara in the Solomon Islands. Other airlines serving Port Vila are Aircalin based in New Caledonia and serving Noumea as well,Air New Zealand serving Auckland, and Pacific Blue serving Brisbane. Air Pacific is the best way to connect to North America and Japan.

Domestic destinations with Air Vanuatu include Aniwa, Craig Cove, Dillon's Bay, Emae, Ipota, Lamap, Lamen Bay, Longana, Lonorore, Luganville, Norsup, Paama, Sara, Sota, South West Bay, Tanna, Tongoa, Torres, Ulei, Valesdir and Walaha.

By Boat

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Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

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Eat

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Drink

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Sleep

Budget

Property	Address	Type	Popularity
City Lodge - Port Vila	Lini Highway	Hostel	76
Hotel Olympic - Port Vila	Rue Bougainville BP 3232	Apartment	83
The Melanesian Port Vila	PO BOX 810, Port Vila, Vanuatu	Hotel	-
Coconut Palms Resort	Cornwall Street Seaside Efate	Hotel	86
Bluepango motel	po box 4033	Hotel	84
Kaiviti Motel	Lini Highway PO Box 152	Hotel	-
Holiday Motel	Tassiriki Park	Hotel	-
Worawia Holiday Haven	Fr. W, H.Likni (kumul Hwy) Mele	Hotel	-
Tradewinds Resort	Captain Cook Ave	Hotel	-