Port Vila
Port Vila is the capital of Vanuatu, where a harbor town meets reef lagoons, island markets and a short drive to waterfalls.
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Port Vila is the capital of Vanuatu, a country of around 80 islands in the South Pacific, and the main town on Efate. The town sits on a harbor, and many visitors arrive by air or cruise ship and start here. Vanuatu was ruled jointly by Britain and France until independence in 1980, and English, French and Bislama are all spoken.
Travelers come for the central market, the calm lagoons around Efate, and day trips to waterfalls and cultural villages. Hotels, restaurants and shops cluster near the waterfront, so the town is easy to walk. The dry season, roughly June to September, is the most comfortable time to visit. The wet season, from about November to April, brings heavier rain and cyclone risk. Two or three days cover the town and one day trip, and add more if you want to reach islands beyond Efate.
Port Vila in five
- Withdraw vatu in town before the outer tripsCards work in larger hotels and restaurants, but many shops, minibuses and village stalls take only cash. Withdraw enough vatu in Port Vila before you leave town.Money and costs
- Get a Digicel or TVL SIM for townDigicel and TVL (Telecom Vanuatu) run the main mobile networks. Signal thins outside Port Vila, so download offline maps before you leave.Phones and eSIM
- Agree the taxi fare before you get inTaxis in Port Vila have no meters, and airport fares are negotiated too. Settle the price with the driver first and confirm whether it is one way or return.Getting around
- Book boat trips with a named operatorTrips to Hideaway Island and the reefs depart from the coast, and conditions can change within a day. Book with an operator that names its boat, its guide and its safety gear.Tours and tickets
- Set up cover for water sportsMany standard policies exclude diving and snorkeling trips unless you add them. Read the activity list before you buy and keep the policy number on your phone.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Vatu (VUV)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; check stay length and passport validity
- Emergency
- 112 police and ambulance; Vila Central Hospital in town
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+11, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryHot, wet
- FebruaryHot, humid
- MarchHot, wet
- AprilRains easing
- MayDrier, cooler
- JuneDry, mild
- JulyDry, mild
- AugustDry, breezy
- SeptemberDry, warming
- OctoberWarm, dry
- NovemberCyclone season
- DecemberHot, holidays
Right now in Port Vila
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 89%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 74%
Port Vila
07:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°22°74%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 74%.
- Wed29°23°99%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Thu30°23°63%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Fri30°23°45%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Sat30°23°65%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sun30°23°45%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Mon30°23°60%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 60%.
Updated 04:17 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 119.2 VUV
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Mele Cascadesabout 30 min by roadA waterfall pool on Efate with a walk through the bush.Read the guide
- Hideaway Islandabout 20 to 30 min by boatA small island with a reef for snorkeling, reached from Mele Bay.Read the guide
- Erakor Lagoonabout 15 min by roadCalm water for kayaking, with a few resorts on the shore.Read the guide
Before you go to Port Vila
Rules for Port Vila, checked
- Many passports enter Vanuatu visa-free. Check the allowed stay and passport validity on the official immigration site before you book.
- Declare fresh food, plants and animal products on the arrival card. Biosecurity officers can confiscate them.
- Dial 112 for police or an ambulance anywhere in Vanuatu.
- Ask before photographing people, especially in villages and at custom ceremonies.
Plan around Port Vila
Islands, entry rules and transport for the whole trip
Read the guideEfateThe island Port Vila sits on, with beaches and day trips
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, buses and car hire on Efate
Read the guideMoney and vatuCash, cards and prices for a Vanuatu trip
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and passport checks before you book
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses in town and on the coast
Read the guidePort Vila FAQ
Is Port Vila worth visiting?
Yes, for a harbor town with markets, a few beaches and boat trips from Efate. It is small, so it suits a slow start to a Vanuatu trip more than a city break.
How do you get from the airport to Port Vila?
Bauerfield International Airport is a short drive from town. Taxi fares from the airport are not metered, so agree the price before you get in, or book a hotel transfer.
How many days do you need in Port Vila?
Two or three days cover the town, a market, a beach and one boat trip. Add more days if you plan to leave Efate for other islands.
When is the best time to visit Port Vila?
June to September is the dry season, with mild weather and less rain. Cyclone season runs from November to April, with heavy rain and some storms.
Do you need a visa for Vanuatu?
Many passports enter visa-free. Check the allowed stay and passport validity on the official immigration site before you book.
Can you pay by card in Port Vila?
Larger hotels and restaurants take cards. Many smaller shops, minibuses and market stalls take only cash in vatu.