Before you go to Vanuatu: what to know
Must know
- Check the correct visa category: tourist and visitor permissions have different durations.
Entry and visas
The official portal lists a 120-day single-entry tourist visa and a separate 30-day visitor visa. Exempt-country travellers may obtain the appropriate permission on arrival; non-exempt travellers must obtain approval before travel. Both categories prohibit employment and commercial/business activity and list no extension.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: evisa.gov.vu ↗, immigration.gov.vu ↗, immigration.gov.vu ↗
Money
Mostly cash is used. Cards are accepted mainly in cities and tourist areas.
Apple Pay — no data · Google Pay — no data
- Cards and ATMs are mainly available in Port Vila and Luganville. Carry local cash for markets, transport and outer islands.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: travel.state.gov ↗, travel.gc.ca ↗
Rules and bans
Laws visitors break unknowingly
- Do not undertake work or commercial activity on tourist permission.
- Follow current volcano alerts and exclusion-zone instructions.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: evisa.gov.vu ↗, travel.gc.ca ↗
Culture and clothing
Religion: Ask your hosts about local religious customs before visiting sacred places.
Clothing: Ask village hosts about appropriate modest clothing for community and church visits.
Etiquette
- Greet market vendors politely and carry small local notes.
- Respect local kastom and ask before entering community spaces.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: vanuatu.travel ↗, vanuatu.travel ↗
Climate
Tropical conditions; generally cooler/drier May–October and hotter/wetter with cyclone risk November–April.
Month by month
- January: Jan: Hotter wet/cyclone season.
- February: Feb: Hotter wet/cyclone season.
- March: Mar: Hotter wet/cyclone season.
- April: Apr: Hotter wet/cyclone season.
- May: May: Cooler, relatively drier season.
- June: Jun: Cooler, relatively drier season.
- July: Jul: Cooler, relatively drier season.
- August: Aug: Cooler, relatively drier season.
- September: Sep: Cooler, relatively drier season.
- October: Oct: Cooler, relatively drier season.
- November: Nov: Hotter wet/cyclone season.
- December: Dec: Hotter wet/cyclone season.
Best season: May–October for generally drier conditions; check island-specific forecasts.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: nao.gov.vu ↗
What to pack
- Clothing suited to the local climate
- Personal medication and copies of travel documents
- A cash reserve kept separately from cards
Do not bring / prohibited to import
- Depending on a single payment method
Practical
Plugs: Confirm socket type and appliance voltage with your accommodation.
Water: Confirm the local drinking-water supply; carry safe water for outings.
Traffic: drives on the right
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: vanuatu.travel ↗
Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.