Luganville

See

thumbnail|American WWII military vehicles rusting away Luganville for the most part is a very utilitarian town, and consists mainly of Chinese stores which carry cheap imported goods and serves the local population's needs for western goods. There aren't many sites to see in town and most of your trips will take a large amount of planning on your part. However there are several places nearby worth visiting, listed in #Go next.

In Luganville itself there are a few things you'll want to make a point of getting to before you leave.

Buy

There are many stores that dot the main road in town, however Vanuatu is a tax free island, so you will pay a premium for imported goods . The majority of these stores carry cheap imported goods from China and contain many of the same items.

There are lots of good local craft stores which carry everything from Coke bottles dating back to WWII to carvings made by local wood workers.

Eat

thumbnail|Pineapples for sale For those on a limited budget the outdoor produce market has several vendors who serve up meals with rice these include beef stew, eggs (sort of an omelette), steak (not the best) and fish. With your meal expect a light lemon-aide, and fresh fruit for dessert. These meals are 400 Vatu at most and are quite filling.

Drink

thumb|Luganville at sunset Water throughout Santo is quite safe to drink. The local beer is called Tusker and is quite refreshing. You can buy Tuskers at most any of the small stores for 200 Vatu a bottle. You won't get a discount on a buying a case so be prepared for that.

Alcohol isn't that popular of a drink amongst the local Ni-vanuatans and as such there are no real bars. There is a sports bar in town, but its dingy and run down. Your best bet to have a drink in town is at the bar of Hotel Santo. Or you can buy a beer and sit on the shore of the Nemo Nakamal.

Sleep

There are several hotels in Luganville. In addition to the ones listed below there are several smaller options. Booking in advance is recommended as during peak diving season (which coincides with the cooler dry season) all available lodging might well be booked.

Go next

thumb|Champagne beach There are a few great trips day trips you can do from town:

is about an hour long trip from town but well worth it. The sandy beach is postcard worthy and features silky soft silica sand as well as coconut palms. There is a nominal fee to enjoy the beach and this goes to the landowners. While in Santo be sure to visit one of the many blue holes (fresh water springs well up and form cool blue pools) its refreshing to stop at one of these on your way home from Champagne Beach, jump into the cool water and wash off the sand and salt before going home. While Jackie's blue hole has the nicest facilities like changing rooms and toilets and is located further, are Riri and Matevulu blue holes quite close to each other and you have an access between them via village road that you can see on Maps me. To avoid paying the entrance of 1000 Vatu at Riri, turn to the main road at Matevulu junction, not at Right because the guys are charging there. It's the same 1000 Vatu entrance fee to each blue hole. A trip through the is well worth your time. You'll have to ask someone at your hotel about the best way to organize a trip there, often this will involve getting a group together, booking a bus and having someone prepare a guide at the village to take you through. The caves are beautiful and are inhabited by bats and sparrows. The caves were worn through by the river over many many years. This is a more adventurous undertaking, and you'll need to expect to get quite we…