PNG or Vanuatu? Help me make up my mind!

Hi Laszlo, Ozziegiraffe and all you others!
Some years ago I spent two wonderful months cruising around the Solomons. It’s now time to go back to the area but this time I´m thinking about going to either PNG or Vanuatu. I usually do a lot of studying before I travel and this time is no exception - I spent countless of hours browsing the net, reading this forum and books but still I can’t make up my mind! One second I´m convinced that PNG is the choice just to discover that next second all I want to do is going to Vanuatu...

I can spend aprox 5-8 weeks in either country before I have to move on. I’m very interested in cultures, especially village life, and I also plan to do some diving and trekking. I want to get as far away from the beaten track as possible and really to really get to know the people, the culture and the country.

I don’t mind if it gets a little rough, I usually travel with the locals, sleep in villages and eat whatever is served.

So what do you say guys, where do you think I will have my best/most interesting trip? All tips are appreciated!

Cheers!

John

These are my two favourite countries in the Pacific, and both are really great.

The main difference is of course size: PNG is much bigger so harder/pricier to get around, and nearly impossible to see even remotely "fully" in one trip.
For the same reason you can get further off the beaten track there if you wish.

But much off Vanuatu is well off the beaten track too, and if anything, it's even more traditional and friendly than PNG. I think with your time-frame I'd choose Vanuatu, but you are likely to have a great time in either.

If you choose PNG, try and focus on certain regions of the country rather than trying to "see it all" in one trip!

Hi Laszlo, thanks for your answer.

Of course your right, PNG is way to big to cover in such a limited time. I should have been more precis about my plan: I want to enter PNG through the backdoor via the Shortlands and then go through Bouganville up north to New Ireland and New England. If I have time I would also like to go to Milne Bay for some diving. What do you recon?

The main reason why Im hesitating over going to Vanuatu is that Im a little bit worried that it will be very similar to the Solomons.

Does anyone have any idea how much more expensive PNG is compared to Vanuatu? 50%? 150%??

Vanuatu is very different from the Solomons, and more interesting than the part of PNG you are thinking about IMHO.

The main difference regarding costs is due to the possible need to take internal flights in PNG.
This depends on if and where you fly there.