Trip Planning
The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure.
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Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.
Travel Essentials
Hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended for Vanuatu. Make sure your routine vaccines, like MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, and varicella (chickenpox) are up to date. Consider a typhoid vaccine, especially if you’ll be eating street food or traveling in rural areas. Rabies vaccination is not usually necessary unless you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors or working with animals. Check with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
vaccination requirementsWhen I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.
These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Vanuatu, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.
There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Airalo, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.
Get your e-sim for VanuatuCulture & Customs
Avoid wearing skimpy clothing; modesty is key, especially in villages—cover shoulders and knees. Always ask permission before taking photos of people or private areas. Address local elders with respect and use first names only when given permission. Sundays are generally reserved for rest and church, so plan activities accordingly. Homosexuality is not widely accepted, so discretion is advised for LGBTQ+ travelers. Women should be cautious when traveling alone, especially at night. Engage with the custom of exchanging small gifts when invited to someone’s home.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Vanuatu.
- Lap Lap: Sometimes called the national dish of Vanuatu, Lap Lap is a pudding made from grated yam, taro, or banana mixed with coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked in an underground oven. It’s a staple at celebrations and offers a taste of traditional island life.
- Tuluk: This is a savory, doughy snack made from grated cassava filled with meat, usually pork or chicken. It’s wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Tuluk is popular for its hearty flavor and is commonly found at roadside stalls.
- Kava: While not a dish, this traditional beverage is essential to experience. Made from the root of the kava plant, it’s known for its relaxing effects and is deeply rooted in social and cultural ceremonies.
- Santo Beef: The beef from the island of Espiritu Santo is renowned for its high quality, often compared to wagyu. Grilled or cooked in stews, it’s a treat for meat lovers and a significant part of local agriculture.
Tap water in Vanuatu is generally not safe for tourists; locals might drink it, but their stomachs are more accustomed to it. It’s better to stick to bottled or filtered water to avoid any unwanted stomach issues. Always have a reusable water bottle with a filter handy if you’re trying to reduce plastic waste.
The main language in Vanuatu is
Bislama. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Bislama skills have become a bit rusty.
Want to understand locals better?The complete Travel Guide for Vanuatu includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.
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Get the Travel Guide - In Vanuatu,
English is one of the official languages, alongside French and Bislama, a creole language widely spoken across the islands. English is commonly used in urban areas, particularly in Port Vila and Luganville, where many residents have a good command of the language. In these regions, you will find that most business, government, and educational institutions operate in English.
However, in more remote and rural areas, English proficiency may vary significantly. Many locals may speak Bislama or their native languages, with limited English skills. Tourists generally find that hospitality staff, guides, and those in the tourism sector are proficient in English, making communication easier in popular tourist destinations.
Overall, while English is widely understood in Vanuatu, especially in urban centers, travelers may encounter challenges in more isolated regions. Learning a few basic phrases in Bislama or the local languages can enhance the travel experience and foster connections with the local communities.
Money & Payments
The local currency of Vanuatu is VUV (VT).
When backpacking in Vanuatu, it’s smart to have some local currency, the Vanuatu Vatu (VUV), on hand. ATMs are mostly concentrated in Port Vila and Luganville, so plan your cash needs if you’re heading to smaller islands. While some places accept credit cards, many smaller vendors and accommodations prefer cash. If you’re carrying foreign currency, stick to Australian dollars (AUD) for easier exchanges, but Euros (EUR) can also be exchanged in the main towns. Avoid relying solely on USD, as it’s less commonly accepted for direct transactions.
For currency exchange, you can hit up banks or exchange services in Port Vila and Luganville. Keep in mind that exchange rates and fees can vary, so shop around a bit if you can. It’s not a bad idea to carry a mix of cash and a backup card to cover all bases. Also, let your bank know you’re traveling to avoid any card blocks.
Tipping in Vanuatu is generally not expected, as it’s not part of the local culture. However, if you receive exceptional service, a small tip or rounding up the bill is appreciated by service staff. Always tip in the local currency, Vatu, to avoid any confusion.
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Over the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.