PORT VILA

madmanascar18:49 UTC19 Jul 2010

Hello
I am going to be in Vanuatu for about three weeks. I would like to know how many days should I spare to see Port Vila and its surrounds ? Is there any activity or any recommended tour which you think is a must-do ? Any operator which is favored by you ?

Thanks
Eli

Laszlo10:44 UTC20 Jul 2010

Port Vila itself is pleasant enough but not exactly thick with sights.
Visiting the museum and the markets is worth your time, but even with time allowed for walking around the tiny town center, it barely fills a day.

Another day could be spent on a round-island tour of Efate, but that, along with the island's beaches, is hardly more than just killing time if you have 3 weeks to tour other, more interesting parts of Vanuatu.

madmanascar14:22 UTC20 Jul 2010

Thank you Laszlo.
Do you think that 3 weeks are enough to cover the classic route as appears on the Lonely-Planet guidebook?

Laszlo01:37 UTC21 Jul 2010

I have no idea what appears in the LP guide as classic route but their itineraries are often unrealistic.
You could probably cover 3 islands besides Vila in 3 weeks.
Trying to do more could be a stressful rush.

newfie4323:14 UTC21 Jul 2010

We used Melanesian Tours Vanuatu(google) to book our trip to Tanna and a couple of tours on Efate, as well as airport transfers. I'm not sure if this is the type of thing you are looking for but we were very pleased with the work Glenda and Ray did for us.

uncle_sav09:45 UTC23 Jul 2010

There's a classic route ? Gollygosh !

The first McDonalds can't be far away.

Having so much time available you really should get out of Vila. Santo is second best for transport with planes from Vila every day. all the villages that are easy to get to are on the East coast. Rent a car maybe ?

Take a look at some of the more isolated places like Vanua Lava, Pentecost or Ambrym. Say you fly to Vanua Lava. There are flights 3 days a week. You could stay a few days in Sola then walk (4 hours or so) around to Waterfall Bay and stay a few days there. There is also a road up the East coast. Actually there's only one road. Both places have guest houses which charge about 2500 pp including food. Here is a guide to the guest houses

http://www.positiveearth.org/bungalows/explorer.htm

Interested in cultural festivals ? Northern Ambrym has the Rom dance festival August 25 - 27. There's a dance festival at South Malekula on August 11 and 12. The Yam Festival is on Vanua Lava September 1 - 5. For native pop music the Fest Napuan is in Vila October 21 - 23. It's mostly pacific reggae. All of these festivals are genuine local events that will happen whether tourists show up or not.

You really shouldn't waste your time sitting around in a resort.

PORT VILA Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Vanuatu
madmanascar18:49 UTC19 Jul 2010	Hello I am going to be in Vanuatu for about three weeks. I would like to know how many days should I spare to see Port Vila and its surrounds ? Is there any activity or any recommended tour which you think is a must-do ? Any operator which is favored by you ? Thanks Eli
Laszlo10:44 UTC20 Jul 2010	Port Vila itself is pleasant enough but not exactly thick with sights. Visiting the museum and the markets is worth your time, but even with time allowed for walking around the tiny town center, it barely fills a day. Another day could be spent on a round-island tour of Efate, but that, along with the island's beaches, is hardly more than just killing time if you have 3 weeks to tour other, more interesting parts of Vanuatu.	1
madmanascar14:22 UTC20 Jul 2010	Thank you Laszlo. Do you think that 3 weeks are enough to cover the classic route as appears on the Lonely-Planet guidebook?	2
Laszlo01:37 UTC21 Jul 2010	I have no idea what appears in the LP guide as classic route but their itineraries are often unrealistic. You could probably cover 3 islands besides Vila in 3 weeks. Trying to do more could be a stressful rush.	3
newfie4323:14 UTC21 Jul 2010	We used Melanesian Tours Vanuatu(google) to book our trip to Tanna and a couple of tours on Efate, as well as airport transfers. I'm not sure if this is the type of thing you are looking for but we were very pleased with the work Glenda and Ray did for us.	4
uncle_sav09:45 UTC23 Jul 2010	There's a classic route ? Gollygosh ! The first McDonalds can't be far away. Having so much time available you really should get out of Vila. Santo is second best for transport with planes from Vila every day. all the villages that are easy to get to are on the East coast. Rent a car maybe ? Take a look at some of the more isolated places like Vanua Lava, Pentecost or Ambrym. Say you fly to Vanua Lava. There are flights 3 days a week. You could stay a few days in Sola then walk (4 hours or so) around to Waterfall Bay and stay a few days there. There is also a road up the East coast. Actually there's only one road. Both places have guest houses which charge about 2500 pp including food. Here is a guide to the guest houses http://www.positiveearth.org/bungalows/explorer.htm Interested in cultural festivals ? Northern Ambrym has the Rom dance festival August 25 - 27. There's a dance festival at South Malekula on August 11 and 12. The Yam Festival is on Vanua Lava September 1 - 5. For native pop music the Fest Napuan is in Vila October 21 - 23. It's mostly pacific reggae. All of these festivals are genuine local events that will happen whether tourists show up or not. You really shouldn't waste your time sitting around in a resort.	5