Port Vila

Understand

thumb|Port Vila from the air thumb|Street level Port Vila

Often described as the most beautiful capital in the South Pacific, Port Vila owes this epithet less to its street-level appearance, a hodgepodge collection of concrete buildings in varying states of repair and congested, potholed roads, and more to its stunning location on the lush green hillside by the blue waters of Mele Bay. As the political, economic, cultural and transport hub of Vanuatu, "Vila" offers the nation's best eating, shopping and resorts, and nearly all tourists and divers exploring the country's various islands, beaches and diving spots will at least pass through.

This article covers greater Port Vila, roughly defined as "where public buses will go", meaning the crescent of the bay from Mele Village in the north to Pango Beach in the south. See Efate for points of interest elsewhere on the island.

Get around

Orienting yourself in Port Vila is straightforward, since the town is squeezed in between Mele Bay to the west and Erakor Lagoon to the east. The main road, Kumul Highway, travels near the bay side, passing through central district of Nambawan (as in #1) and then south in neat logical order through Nambatu and Nambatri.

Allow plenty of time to get around, since Port Vila has surprisingly heavy traffic for its size. On a bad day, it can take up to an hour to cross town from the airport to the southern resorts or vice versa.

See

thumb|National Museum of Vanuatu

Buy

thumb|Port Vila Market thumb|Hustle and bustle at the market

Port Vila is a duty free zone for tourists, so duty free alcohol and cigarettes are comparatively cheap in Port Vila. Buy your duty free before going to the airport as the airport duty free prices are slightly higher and the range not as great.

Stores cannot sell alcohol to take away between midday Saturday and Monday morning. This does not apply to bars and restaurants.

There are markets selling a variety of local goods such as fruit and vegetables. They close on Sundays unless there is a cruise ship in port.

Drink

Like everywhere in Vanuatu, the local drink of choice is not alcohol but kava, a mildly narcotic drink made from pounded roots. There are numerous kava bars (nakamal) where you can sample this, see Vanuatu#Drink for a primer on how to indulge.

Alcohol is widely available but targets visiting tourists and is priced accordingly. Expect to pay 400-600 VT for a local beer (Tusker), more for anything imported.

Sleep

thumb|Cathédrale du Sacré-Coeur

Port Vila has Vanuatu's widest range of accommodation, but most of it consists of posh resorts priced for Australian visitors on Australian budgets, meaning prices start at A$300/20000 VT per night. Off-season (outside school holidays), long stay and package rates can be much cheaper.

The listings below cover greater Port Vila, including Mele, Pango, and the lagoons of Erakor and Emten. For listings elsewhere on the island, see Efate.

Stay healthy

The narrow channel of Erakor Lagoon on the east side of the city, where many large hotels are located, is contaminated with raw sewage and not safe for swimming or fishing. The bay on the west side is better, but you'll still want to stay outside the city if snorkeling off the beach is a priority.

Port Vila is generally considered malaria-free. However, dengue is a real concern, so take precautions against mosquitoes.

Public hospitals in Port Vila are not up to Western standards and may demand immediate cash payment. Ensure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation to Australia if needed.

Stay safe

Port Vila is generally a safe place. However, opportunistic theft is a concern and walking around Port Vila at night is best avoided, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.

Go next

Rent a car, charter a taxi or join a tour to see the sights around Efate. Tanna, home to the active volcano of Mt Yasur, easily if expensively visited by plane on a day tour from Vila