| Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 | ![]() |
Is it worth going to VanuatuCountry forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Vanuatu | ||
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 | ||
Depends on what your "backpacker budget" is. Vanuatu is definitely not cheap. If you can afford it, and don't mind the "discomfort", it is an extremely rewarding place to visit. | 1 | |
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 | |