How many parks to visit: I recommend
two to four national parks on one trip. Vanuatu’s transport is flight-dependent and weather-sensitive, so each extra island adds cost, delays and fewer hours on the trail. With a handful of stops, you can hike without rushing and still have time to sit on a village veranda with kava and talk.
Choosing by travel style: First-timers should start with
volcano and coastal parks, where guides, transfers and bungalows are well organized, and the payoff is a crater rim glowing after dark. If you want solitude, prioritize
remote forest and highland areas in the north, where tracks are muddy, rivers run high and you may see no other travelers. Reef and marine areas suit swimmers and snorkelers who prefer boat rides to climbs.
What it costs: Budget
US$50 to 100 a day …
read more 👉 How many parks to visit: I recommend two to four national parks on one trip. Vanuatu’s transport is flight-dependent and weather-sensitive, so each extra island adds cost, delays and fewer hours on the trail. With a handful of stops, you can hike without rushing and still have time to sit on a village veranda with kava and talk.Choosing by travel style: First-timers should start with volcano and coastal parks, where guides, transfers and bungalows are well organized, and the payoff is a crater rim glowing after dark. If you want solitude, prioritize remote forest and highland areas in the north, where tracks are muddy, rivers run high and you may see no other travelers. Reef and marine areas suit swimmers and snorkelers who prefer boat rides to climbs.What it costs: Budget US$50 to 100 a day for bungalows, local meals, guides and ground transport, rising when you add flights. Entry or custom fees usually run about 2,000 to 7,500 vatu (US$17 to 63) per site, guides about 2,000 to 6,000 vatu (US$17 to 50), and a day of truck hire or a boat transfer 3,000 to 15,000 vatu (US$25 to 125). Domestic flights typically cost US$100 to 250 each way. Carry vatu in small notes, because change is scarce and ATMs vanish outside Vila and Luganville.Safety and etiquette: Hire a local guide every time. They read volcanic activity alerts, know river crossings and keep you on the right side of kastom. Ask permission before photographing people, ceremonies or sacred places, and dress modestly in villages. Pack rain gear, sturdy shoes and a headlamp, since dusk drops fast. Cyclone season can strand you, so keep a spare day and travel insurance that covers evacuation. Respect closures and no-go zones, because your reward is a warm welcome and trails few outsiders ever see.