Vanuatu — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Mount Yasur volcano, a legendary shipwreck, crystal blue holes, and living Melanesian culture”
Vanuatu is a Pacific archipelago that hides raw, real wonder on every island — from Mount Yasur on Tanna, the most accessible active volcano in the world, to the SS President Coolidge shipwreck, a world-class diving treasure; from turquoise crystal blue holes in the rainforest to the Pentecost land-diving ritual that inspired bungee jumping worldwide — all wrapped in a living Melanesian culture.
Vanuatu at a glance
Choose a city in Vanuatu
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Vanuatu right for you?
Why people love Vanuatu, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Mount Yasur
The most accessible volcano in the world for viewing lava, on Tanna — you can walk up to the crater rim at night.
SS President Coolidge wreck
A WWII ship sunk 20–65 meters deep at Espiritu Santo, one of the best wreck dives in the world.
Crystal blue holes
Natural turquoise freshwater pools, crystal clear in the rainforest — a cool, refreshing swim surrounded by nature.
Pentecost land diving
An ancient ritual in which men leap from tall wooden towers with vines tied to their ankles — the origin of the world's bungee jump.
Port Vila and the lagoon
The capital on a blue lagoon, full of fresh local markets, restaurants and waterfront resorts.
Traditional culture
Traditional villages across 83 islands, each with its own language and customs, the people carrying on their ancestral ways.
Vanuatu vs its neighbors
| Vanuatu | Fiji | Solomon Islands | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $63–130 | $70–145 | $50–100 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Check before you travel | Check before you travel | Check before you travel |
| Known for | Volcanoes · diving · culture | Resorts · beaches · reefs | Raw diving · nature · drier north |
| Currency | Vatu (VUV) | Fijian Dollar (FJD) | Solomon Dollar (SBD) |
| Main draw | An accessible volcano | World-class resorts | Pristine, raw nature |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Divers
Espiritu Santo — the Coolidge wreck, the blue holes, Champagne Beach — for divers of every level, over 3–5 days.
See this plan → 🌋Adventurers
Tanna — stand on the rim of Mount Yasur at night, see the Pentecost land diving, and visit traditional villages.
See this plan → 🌴Relaxation & culture
Port Vila, lagoon resorts, fresh markets, snorkeling and boat trips to coastal villages.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🥥
Lap-lap
The national dish — mashed taro, yam or banana wrapped in banana leaves and baked in an earth oven with pork or fish.
📍 National dish - 2🐟
Fresh Fish
Tuna, mackerel and reef fish, caught fresh every day from the Pacific.
📍 Seafood - 3🦀
Coconut Crab
The largest land crab in the world — rare and pricey, with a sweet flavor from the coconut it feeds on.
📍 Specialty - 4🌿
Nalot
A mashed sweet made from banana or yam, cooked in a traditional earth oven, with a natural sweetness.
📍 Traditional sweet - 5🍹
Kava
A drink made from the root of the kava plant, drunk in a nakamal (kava house) as a traditional social ritual.
📍 Ceremonial drink - 6🥭
Tropical Fruits
Mango, papaya, pineapple and rare rainforest fruits, found at the Port Vila market.
📍 Fresh / market
- 1🌋
Mount Yasur
The most accessible active volcano in the world — walk up to the crater rim to see lava by day and night.
📍 Tanna Island - 2🚢
SS President Coolidge Wreck
A 194-meter passenger-troop ship sunk in 1942, one of the best wreck dives in the world.
📍 Espiritu Santo - 3💧
Blue Holes Santo
Turquoise crystal freshwater pools in the rainforest — Riri and Nanda are the most popular.
📍 Espiritu Santo - 4🏙️
Port Vila
The capital on a lagoon, with fresh local markets, restaurants and waterfront resorts — the hub for travel.
📍 Capital - 5🪂
Pentecost Land Diving
The naghol ritual, where men leap from 20–30-meter wooden towers with vines tied to their ankles (April–June).
📍 Pentecost Island - 6🏖️
Champagne Beach
A white-sand, clear-water beach ranked among the most beautiful in the Pacific, with bubbles rising from the sand from geothermal activity.
📍 Espiritu Santo
🚆 Getting around Vanuatu
Domestic flights
Air Vanuatu and small carriers link more than 30 islands; the Port Vila–Luganville–Tanna routes fly often.
Inter-island boats
Passenger and cargo boats connect the islands cheaply, but they're slow with uncertain schedules.
Share-trucks and minibuses
The main way around town — yellow, cheap, and you can flag them down anywhere along the route.
Speedboats and island tours
Hire a speedboat to tour the islands, go on diving trips, and reach remote beaches — book through your resort.
Car rental and taxis
Car rental is available in Port Vila and Luganville; agree taxi fares before you get in, and note that some roads on the small islands are dirt.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Vanuatu
The kastom system
The traditional way of life called Kastom covers language, music, ceremonies and community rules, still practiced across 83 islands.
Respect the chief
Vanuatu society holds chiefs in great respect; when visiting a village, ask permission and bring a gift as custom requires.
Dress modestly
Away from resorts and beaches, dress modestly with shoulders and legs covered, especially when entering a village or local market.
The Bislama language
The common language across the islands is Bislama (English creole); 'Halo' or 'Tankyu tumas' (thank you very much) earns a warm welcome.
Ask before photographing
Ask permission before photographing people and villages; there may be a small fee that helps support the local community.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Guesthouse / local bungalow $23–43
Eat at local markets, use the share-trucks, and take the cheap inter-island boats.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3★ hotel / mid-range resort $70–130
Diving trips, a volcano visit, and good restaurants.
Premium
🛏️ Lagoon-side villa resort $145+
Luxury resorts, spas, private tours, and diving with a divemaster.
🗓️ When to visit Vanuatu
Cool dry season
May – OctThe dry season with cool, pleasant weather (20–28°C), calm seas, clear diving and easy volcano trips — the best time to go.
Early rains
Nov – DecThe rains begin but it's still doable; hotel prices drop and tourists thin out.
Storm watch
Jan – MarCyclone season — avoid if you can, as some islands get cut off by high water.
Pentecost
Apr – JunThe land-diving ceremony on Pentecost Island happens only at this time of year.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Vanuatu — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.6💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.2💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Vanuatu?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Vanuatu
How many days do you need in Vanuatu?+
7–10 days — Port Vila 2 days + Tanna (the volcano) 2–3 days + Espiritu Santo (diving and blue holes) 3–4 days covers the main highlights.
Do Thai passport holders need a visa?+
Check the latest visa conditions (many nationalities can enter visa-free for short stays — verify first) with the embassy or Vanuatu's official website before you travel.
Is the diving good in Vanuatu?+
Very good — the SS President Coolidge wreck at Espiritu Santo is one of the best wreck dives in the world, suitable for beginners and advanced divers alike.
Is Mount Yasur dangerous?+
The risk level is assessed and viewing routes are adjusted according to the volcano's activity; generally it's safe to visit with a local guide — check the status before you travel.
Tips before you go to Vanuatu
- Book the Mount Yasur tour through your accommodation on Tanna — a local guide is safer than going alone.
- Learn a little Bislama — 'Tankyu tumas' (thank you very much) makes a great impression.
- For the Coolidge wreck dive you should have at least a PADI Open Water certificate; some parts require Advanced.
- The Pentecost land diving runs only Apr–Jun — plan ahead.
- Drink bottled water; tap water on the small islands shouldn't be drunk straight.
- Exchange vatu in Port Vila before heading to the small islands; cards only work at big hotels in town.