| 
Vanuatu is an island nation located in the South Pacific
Ocean to Australia’s east. It is approx. 2 ½
from Brisbane, 3 ½ hours from Sydney & Auckland
and 1 hour from New Caledonia and Fiji.
The
archipelago consists of some 84 islands which are of volcanic
origin, with a population of only 220,000 people the country
is largely uninhabited which lends to the expression
Port Vila is the national capital on the island of Efate.
Luganville is the next largest town located on the largest
island in the group Espiritu Santo
Vanuatu time is GMT plus 11 hours, which is 1 hour ahead
of Australian Eastern Standard time. There is no daylight
saving.
Vanuatu
decimal currency is based on the Vatu [ Vt.] Banks or Money
Exchangers convert all major foreign currencies into local
vatu.
Banks are open Monday to Friday 9am – 3:30pm - ANZ,
Westpac, National Bank of Vanuatu & the French Bred
Bank.
ATM machines are located in and around Port Vila and Luganville
and travelers can use their credit cards at most venues.
Credit card usage incurs a 6% fee.
Businesses generally operate Monday to Friday and Saturday
morning with Sunday being a day of rest.
“Island
Time” is an affectionate referral to the relaxed
Melanesian way of life where time simply doesn't matter.
Neither tipping nor bargaining is culturally acceptable
or expected.
There are Private Medical Services, Pharmacies, Dental Services
and a Hyperbaric Chamber available for divers. Hospitals
have basic facilities.
Vanuatu utilities are excellent on Efate. Electricity is
AC 220-280 volts and mainly 3 point Australian plugs in
hotels.
There are no dangerous animals and although no compulsory
vaccinations are required, anti-malarial medication is recommended
if staying on the outer islands.
Vanuatu’s tropical climate ranges from 24 –
34 over summer and can get as low as 14 degrees on a winter
evening. Bring light and casual clothing but not too brief
in public places. You will enjoy fine warm days and cooler
nights in the dry season May to October but expect higher
temperatures and heavier rain from November to March.
Communication:
The country code for Vanuatu is 678.
Land phone numbers have 5 digits and mobile phones 7 digits
Internet is available. Telecom Vanuatu [ TVL ] accept
roaming from NZ, Australia, England, France, New Caledonia
and Tahiti [ not all providers or phone types ]
Internal SIM cards are available and further information
is available via www.tvl.vu
Vanuatu
is a tax haven and there are no income taxes, however
a value added tax of 12.5% is added or included in all
purchases.
The
NBV airport office is open for all arrivals and departures.
An international Departure Tax of Vt: 3000 is included in
your ticket price.
A provincial Departure Tax of Vt: 200 on domestic flights
is payable at the airports.
| 
