Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Is it worth going to Vanuatu Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Vanuatu
mw1302 16:50 UTC 17 Mar 2013 | I have an opportunity to possibly go to port vila for 4 weeks. However, I am on a backpackers budget. Before the opportunity came up I was looking into a mutli-stop trip around south east asia via Dubai (however I have been to SE Asia before). I have a genuine interest in going to Vanuatu but am concerned about the cost. I will be based in port vila for a few weeks but wanted to travel around some other islands but the flights are very expensive. Given the length of time I would be there, the cost of living/ doing things once there and the amount of things to actually do/places to see, would it be worth going all that way or would I just be bored and broke? Flights are going to cost around 1000 extra than my other option. Any ideas would be great |
Laszlo 06:10 UTC 19 Mar 2013 | Depends on what your "backpacker budget" is. Backpacking in SE Asia or AU? Vanuatu is definitely not cheap. Even by staying in the cheapest, local-run village bungalows or village homes, eating from markets and supermarkets, mostly traveling around by uncomfortable cargo boats, I still ended up spending US$50 per day, and most people would spend more than that. If you can afford it, and don't mind the "discomfort", it is an extremely rewarding place to visit. But if you are comparing what you pay and what you get in Vanuatu with what you'd get for your money in Asia, forget it. | 1
soksabai 12:55 UTC 04 Apr 2013 | Vanuatu is not a cheap place to travel. Personally I would love to have had the time to travel on Big Sista from Port Vila to another island of my choice. Not expensive, a bit uncomfortable perhaps but hey, the times you travel like a local are often the best. Most people who stay on Efate seem to get stuck in Vila. You can travel quite a long distance on the buses for the standard bus fare..150 vatu I think. It is the same for everyone. The only exception from this I found was to Hideaway Island where for some reason the asking price was 300 vatu. While Tanna is the most obvious place to visit I really enjoyed it. The volcano was amazing. I also really enjoyed staying at the Resolution Bay Yatch Club. It is very basic but the real pleasure was walking to the nearby sand beach, playing with local children in the water and witnessing local ceremonys. If you are prepared to spend a bit of money I also recommend Melekula, especially a trip booked through the Malumpa Travel centre. This is a local enterprise, run by locals for locals. Very efficient and they deliver what they promise. Including receipts. My tip: go for the big Nambas. | 2