Costs in Vanuatu

Hi!

My husband and I are thinking of going to Vanuatu next year, April/May.
After some research we like the idea of going to Iririki Resort. I know that from there, we can go to Port Vila easily and have lunch / dinner there. What is the cost of a reasonable meal (not take away or pizza)? How much is, let's say a beer in town or a beer at Iririki Resort? I have read (in this branch) that food at the resort is superb... how much does it cost?

Thanks for any help,

Pepita

Ask again mid September with either a generic postimg or pm'ing me direct. I'm going to Iririki with husband for a week's relaxation in early September. Happy to provide feedback on my return.

Thanks, Kalki,

I will pm you when you are back.

Pepita

Access to Vila from Irriki is very easy (via a free "punt") and very quick - only 2 or 3 minutes, soALL meals in Vila arean option, to keep costs down. Food costs on Irriki will be dearer as itis a resort, but think Australian restaurant prices.

Vila has a number of cheaper options, including cafes, takeaways, supermarket and the fresh food market some mornings.

Thanks mandja,

one more question.... is Iririki a good option to find white sand beaches? it looks so in the web site....

how much does a bus (if any) or taxi cost from the airport to Port Vila? I suppose then we can take the ferry to the resort...

thanks!

Iririki has a couple of small beaches, they could almost be man made, one on the harbour side and is good for children, the other on the outer side and has some snorkeling. The new swimming pool is great.

There are some nice beaches around Port Vila; a day trip to Hideaway Island would be a good idea although the beaches are more crushed coral than white sand. Try using the minibuses to get there at 300 vatu each.

Temanu and Eratap resorts have nice open ocean beaches right out front (no charge for access) so a day trip to either or both would work. Have lunch at either place as both restaurants are excellent.

The best white sand beach is 45 mins out of town on the eastern coast at Eton Beach. As usual in Vanuatu entry to the beach costs, 300 vatu each(about A$3.00 ea), but the swimming and snorkeling is good as well as it's a nice drive out of Port Vila with a chance to buy fresh paw paw and coconuts from roadside stalls that the locals setup.

To go resort hopping or get to Eton either hire a car (approx A$100) or negotiate a day hire with a mini bus driver (about the same cost as a car but you get the driver plus local knowledge - and the resort will usually provide him with a simple lunch as a thank you for bringing you in).

The cost of a taxi into town from the airport is 2,000 vatu (about A$20.00) and the cost in a mini bus would be 400 vatu (about A$4.00) each. Standard taxi rates to every resort are posted at the arrival lounge at the airport. It would be easier for you to pay a little more and take a taxi on your arrival as the buses take a little getting used to.

Enjoy your trip

I'm not a fan of Irririki. I've stayed there twice now. On our last trip we had a spare day when we did a bit of a 'resort crawl' i.e we walked and caught taxis to all the resorts in Port Vila and had a drink or a meal and generally checked out the facilities.

Irririki is certainly the most convenient up-market resort but I think you could do better. Erakor Island resort impressed me, as did Pango's (I think it's called something else now) and Poppy's on the Lagoon.