Vanuatu with children and safety

Hi, My husband and I are considering a trip to Vanuatu with our children in the next month or so. I have been doing a bit of research and would really like to see some of the culture, not just Port Vila. Has anyone stayed in any of the villages with your children, and if so, did you feel safe? We have 5 kids. 11 year old boy, 9yo boy, 6yo boy, 4yo girl and 1yo girl.

Any info about your experiences would be great.
Thanks.

It has been ages since I was in Vanuatu and I didn't have kids then, but I was wondering what you are worried about with concern to safety? Other than the malaria issue in some parts of Vanuatu I wouldn't have any hesitation in taking my kids (much younger than yours) to a village there. We spent very little time in Port Vila but on other islands we stayed in quiet areas, or villages and they were the highlight of the trip. When you travel with kids it generally makes these experiences more intense and interesting since most (non-western) cultures just love children.

I would agree with Api. My experience is in Solomon Islands, which is culturally similar to Vanuatu. I have taken an assortment of friends with their children to Solomon villages, and they loved the experience.

Thank you. I'm really looking forward to us all experiencing something different, but am a very inexperienced traveler - so I suppose I'm just a bit afraid of the unknown. It does look very beautiful there, and I've rarely read anything negative, I suppose I just wondered if anyone had any bad experiences where the kids were concerned.

Also, I'm breastfeeding, and don't hesitate to do it in public here (not flaunting or anything, it's just completely natural to me) but I did wonder if it's acceptable there?

I wouldn't worry about breatfeeding there, if you are discreet. I don't have experience with kids in the Pacific, but I have travelled quite a bit with mine and in more conservative cultures (and we live in India). Breastfeeding is generally not something to be flaunted, but also most cultures don't think it is wrong - up to a certain age. I would just be (a bit) discreet about it and if you notice local woman feeding more openly then you know you can follow their example.

Don't worry about the trip - enjoy the place and people. Be prepared for more attention than the average tourist, but it will almost certainly be positive.

Thanks! Just another quick question. Would you recommend I take medications (paracetamol, antibacterial creams etc) or are they readily (and reasonably cheaply) available there?

I would definitely take my own, and if you are planning to venture into rural areas, and stay in a village, take extra, as they will be appreciated by your hosts. Clinics tend to be limited in rural areas.

I also want to add another vote for "no worries".
I can't think of any place where I felt safer than in villages in Vanuatu - they feel as safe as it gets.
Yes, do take medicines with you!
And do take malaria pills - ask a specialist doctor for advice on what/how to give to children.

If you're worried about kids in Vanuatu then you better keep them under lock and key in Australia etc. Couldn't think of anywhere safer for them than Vanuatu.

Have fun!!!