Vanuatu is a Pacific island country located in the South Pacific Ocean northeast of New Caledonia, east of New Guinea, southeast of the Solomon Islands, and west of Fiji.
The country’s culture and history inheritance make it one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, which you as a tourist will be delighted to discover.
However, there are some negative aspects of the country that you should be aware of in order for you to be able to safely enjoy to the fullest your trip.
Warnings & Dangers in Vanuatu
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Overall it can be claimed that it is a safe destination for tourists if all precautions measures will be taken into account and choose wisely your accommodation.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Transport infrastructure is not so developed on the island and as a result, traveling facilities are not available everywhere and not always safe.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Pickpockets are often met here and therefore it is advisable to keep a close look at your belongings especially on your documents and try if possible not to carry all you have with you but instead store them in a safe place.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Vanuatu is part of the Pacific ring on fire, which means that it is located in a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that can in the end cause tsunami, therefore it is advisable to get familiar with all measures that should be taken in case of emergency.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
There is an increasing number of violent crimes in the country, meaning that in order for you to avoid such unpleasant cases you should opt for not walking alone at night in not-so-populated places and take all measures to safeguard your possessions as well as yourself.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Even if there are no historical records of terrorist attacks happening on the island these can not be ruled out and the only solution to this would be to follow the advice of public authorities.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
There are scammers on the islands but these could be easily avoided through using your common sense and not being easily influenced.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
As it is considered more of a romantic destination it is really a low chance of you getting harmed, but still, this does not mean that no measures should be taken for preserving your safety.
So... How Safe Is Vanuatu Really?
Overall it is a safe destination for you as a tourist from almost all perspectives, but it is advisable to take all measures in order to preserve your safety and security.
In recent years with the development of tourism on the islands the cases of robberies, thefts, and crime, in general, have increased, which means that you as a tourist should choose wisely your accommodation which will ensure that all your belongings are safe also it is recommended to always have a mobile phone from which in case of emergency you will be able to call.
Another major drawback of the islands is that their transportation routes are not so developed and as a consequence, there are not many options available for traveling that you as a tourist can choose from.
Boat services that transfer you from one island to another are claimed to be not always certified, so it is advisable to check it before going on a trip.
Water sports are widely practiced there, therefore it is advisable to take all measures and follow the advice of specialists in case of emergency as there have been registered some unpleasant cases involving sharks.
Taking everything into account and following all the above-mentioned pieces of advice you will be able to safely enjoy your trip.
How Does Vanuatu Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Vanuatu | 70 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Portugal | 57 |
| Japan | 83 |
| Ghana | 73 |
| Australia | 86 |
| Slovakia | 80 |
| Greece | 73 |
| Norway | 85 |
Useful Information
Visas
It depends on your citizenship whether you need a visa or not, but all the required information is clearly provided by the web-site of the public authorities.
Currency
The local currency is the so-called Vanuatu Vatu (VUV).
Weather
Vanuatu is a combination of two climate zones and namely equatorial in the northern islands which means that it is hot and rainy all year round, while in the central and southern part it is tropical.
Airports
There is a wide range of available airports that one can use depending on the destination you are coming from.
Travel Insurance
As it is always recommended to have travel insurance while traveling, no matter the destination and Vanuatu is not an exception.
Vanuatu Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 |
| Low °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 |
| High °F | 86 | 86 | 86 | 84 | 82 | 82 | 81 | 81 | 81 | 82 | 82 | 84 |
| Low °F | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 73 | 73 |
Amazing! 10 stars!
Vanuatu was like heaven on earth for me! It was a spectacular experience from the moment I first arrived on this island country. This place is the perfect spot to unwind and recharge your batteries especially after this horrible pandemic that doesn’t seem to want to end in some areas.
Here are 3 of my favorite spots from Vanuatu (at the moment as this can change as I get a chance to visit more when I visit again):
Champagne Beach is without question one of the best beaches in the whole, wide world. White sands as far as the eye can see, clean, blue water plus the rainforest background – I mean, what more can you ask for? Here there is underwater volcanic activity which makes the ocean fizzle when there’s a low tide and this is why the beach is called Champagne.
I got a chance to do some snorkeling in Tanna’s Blue Cave and it was great. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a snorkeling fan. The blue cave is pretty much inaccessible except for a narrow sea channel. It’s not a place for someone who doesn’t like tight spaces, that’s for sure. But the whole experience was amazing for me and I can’t wait to go there again when we come back to Vanuatu.
There’s also the Black Magic Island of Ambrym to visit. But this is not for everyone. You need to prepare yourself for the trip and know that most of Ambrym’s volcano tours can go for 3+ days. You were warned! The terrain is rough and you absolutely need a guide to do this. You can stay in bungalows as there are no hotels here.
Of course there are other amazing places waiting to be explored and you should research Vanuatu before coming here and pick the spots you like better.