Vanuatu

The epitome of the laid-back South Pacific, the island nation of the Republic of Vanuatu encompasses an archipelago of 83 picture-postcard tropical islands, about a thousand miles (1,700km) east of Australia. The islands, originally 'discovered' by Captain James Cook in 1774, were jointly administered by Britain and France after being settled by Europeans in the late 18th century, and gained independence as recently as 1980.

The native Melanesian people, who now proudly speak their pidgin English tongue, are largely dependent on tourism for their livelihood, and the islands are full of natural attractions that make this a very desirable destination for beach-lovers, scuba divers and adventurers.

The islands are part of the Pacific 'ring of fire', volcanic in origin, with plenty of volcanic activity on the go to astound visitors. The last eruption occurred in 1945, but the volcanoes are continually bubbling and spewing out rocks and lava, adding an enticing element of danger to any visit to Vanuatu.

The capital city, Port Vila, is situated on the main island of Efate, the hub of commerce and tourism, and where most of the population live. The town encircles a natural harbour, offering breathtaking views of offshore islands. A pretty town with a neat waterfront area, it is also a stone's throw from the main international airport and gateway to the islands. In recent years a number of luxury tourist resorts have been established close to Port Vila, which has developed a reputation as the gourmet capital of the south Pacific, with its dozens of restaurants and cafes, reflecting a variety of cuisines, from French and Italian to Chinese and Thai.

The rest of the island offers a rugged coastline and verdant, green countryside, bisected by rivers and waterfalls, sporting sandy bays and tranquil lagoons where tropical fish dart among the coral reefs. On the other islands it is possible to play at being Robinson Crusoe, leaving footprints on beaches seemingly untouched by man.

One of the main attractions of Vanuatu is an annual event that takes place on Pentecost Island each Saturday between April and June. A legend sparked the tradition of 'land-diving', where young men test their mettle by launching themselves from towers constructed of branches, tied by vines at the ankles, and plunge towards the ground. It is the original form of 'bungee jumping' and although visitors cannot participate, the spectacle is awesome.

Climate

Winter, between April and October, is a pleasant time to travel to Vanuatu, when temperatures average around 73°F (23°C) and the sea is a few degrees warmer. Summer is hot and humid, with tropical cyclones probable between November and April with abundant rainfall.

Money

The unit of currency in Vanuatu is the Vatu (VUV), although Australian Dollars are widely accepted in Port Vila. The Vatu has no subdivisions. Exchange facilities are readily available at banks and kiosks in Port Vila. Banking services are sophisticated and major credit and debit cards, as well as travellers cheques, are widely accepted in Port Vila and Luganville, but cash is required in the countryside away from tourist resorts. MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted. There are ATMs accepting most international cards in Port Vila. Banking hours are generally weekdays between 8am and 4pm.

Passport Visa

Travellers to Vanuatu must hold a passport valid for six months beyond the date of arrival. Sufficient funds, all documents for next destination and return or onward tickets are required. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

• United States citizens require a valid passport; do not require a visa to stay in Vanuatu for up to 30 days.
• British citizens, regardless of their national status, do not require a visa to stay in Vanuatu for up to 30 days. They do require a valid passport.
• Canadians do not require a visa to stay in Vanuatu for up to 30 days. They do require a valid passport.
• Australians do not require a visa to stay in Vanuatu for up to 30 days. They do require a valid passport.
• South Africans do not require a visa to stay in Vanuatu for up to 30 days. They do require a valid passport.
• Irish citizens require a valid passport; do not require a visa to stay in Vanuatu for up to 30 days.
• NZ citizens require a valid passport; do not require a visa to stay in Vanuatu for up to 30 days.

Health

There has been an increase in the number of dengue fever cases in Vanuatu. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended because malaria is also common in the region. It is vital to take precautions against mosquito bites because dengue fever is prevalent. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended, as well as typhoid immunisation for those planning to consume food outside of the better hotels and restaurants. Urban tap water is safe to drink, but elsewhere drink only bottled or purified water, and ensure food is well-prepared and well-cooked, and served piping hot. Medical facilities on the islands are basic but adequate for routine treatment. More serious cases require evacuation to Australia or New Zealand. Scuba divers should be aware there is one decompression chamber on the islands, at Port Vila, and sea rescue services are not comprehensive. There have been fatal shark attacks in the island waters and it is best to seek local advice before swimming. Comprehensive travel health insurance with evacuation cover is strongly recommended.

Embassy Consulates

• Vanuatu Honorary Consulate, Cape Town, South Africa: +27 (0)21 434 6570.
• Vanuatu Consulate, Auckland, New Zealand: +64 (0)9 277 6060.

Foreign Embassies

• United States Embassy, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (also responsible for Vanuatu): +675 321 1455.
• British High Commission, Suva, Fiji (also responsible for Vanuatu): +679 322 9100.
• Canadian High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for Vanuatu): +61 (0)2 6270 4000.
• Australian High Commission, Port Vila: +678 22777.
• South African High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for Vanuatu): +61 (0)2 6272 7300.
• New Zealand High Commission, Port Vila: +678 22933.