Vanuatu, Efate (2 weeks, 2 people)

Hey all,

Looking for some help before my brain explodes!

We are a couple traveling to Vanuatu, Efate next month for 2 weeks travel, we are both long term backpackers and thought the island would be an easy and cheap place to visit from new zealand....(cooks would have been cheaper we found but we have already booked flights to Port Vila)

So the problem we are having is that we have around $NZD 1000 between us for the 2 weeks (73,000 Vatu), struggling to find accomodation and areas to stay near the sea that would keep us within budget...

Can anyone help us!!!!

Thankyou
Jason & April

Vanuatu is not a cheap destination, you would have been better off in Fiji or Tonga.

This site will give you th best info on budget accommodation:

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

Mind you, Efate is probably the country's least interesting island, so if you have 2 weeks in Vanuatu, it would be a real shame not to go further.
Even on a limited budget, you should be able to visit at least one of the outer islands, like Santo, by boat.

Hi

I highly recomend Pele Have stayed thetre over Xmas and New Year. If U like beaches Pele has it. Recommend Sion/SIMOA bungalows with Mark and Miriam Excellent hostes and great bungalow and food. A lovely spot!!

Agree with Lazlo but suggest Epi Lamen Bay. Nice quite beautiul and lots of turtles - See Paradise Sunset bungalows on the web site below

Check here for more info and phone nos or look at this site fore more options Have Fun
http://www.positiveearth.org/bungalows/SHEFA/sion.asp

Sadly Vanuatu is expensive.

You could however start a new trend ( I am not joking) by rocking up to a village and asking if anyone would let you stay for a price. You would need to be able to enjoy basic conditions and the food that was offer.

In Vila I have stayed at Room with a View a couple of times. There are basic cooking facilitities. You can easily buy fresh food at the market in town ( the variety is increasing all the time) and at the main supermarkets Au Bon Marche .

Transport is provided by a fleet of minibuses which cost 150 vatu. I am advised by my Nivan friends that this is the cost no matter where you go. I havent used the buses to explore further than Pango but this might be an option.

The inter-island boat Big Sista that is referred to above leaves Vila once (or maybe twice) a week and is a relatively cheap way to get to another island.

I am a fan of Tanna and I also enjoyed visiting Melekula but neither of these come cheap.

Try this
http://www.tourismvanuatu.com/vanuatu-hotels.html