TRAVEL GUIDES RECAP - VANUATU | How Much Would It Cost to Travel Vanuatu Like A Travel Guide?

Sit back and relax as the Fren Family (Mark, Cathy, Jono and Victoria), the Boys (Kev, Dorian and Teng), the Snobs (Kevin and Janetta), the Husbands (Matt and Brett), and the Outback Siblings (Stack and Josh), take you on a tour of the top attractions in Vanuatu.

VANUATU TRAVEL ITINERARY | Best things to do in Vanuatu

Vanuatu is one of the Pacific’s best kept secrets, with only 120,000 tourists each year discovering the 83 islands Vanuatu has to offer.

With sapphire seas, tranquil and affordable accommodation, rich culture, and warm, friendly locals, this just might change in the future as more and more people discover this Pacific jewel.

Not only that, but it’s also just a stone’s throw from Australia, so there’s less flight time and more travel time!

If you really wanted to, you could turn one of your long weekends into a Vanuatu holiday, and soak up the sun in island paradise.

Read on for everything the Travel Guides did in Vanuatu, and how much it cost...

Day 4-7 | Espiritu Santo – The Largest Island in Vanuatu

Vanuatu Accommodation & Flights – Espiritu Santo

VANUATU FLIGHTS TO ESPIRITU SANTO

The Travel Guides took a 50-minute flight with Air Vanuatu – to the island of Espiritu Santo, which is the largest island in Vanuatu and home to the famous Blue Pool.
COST: $462 per person for a return flight from Port Vila to Luganville.

VANUATU ACCOMMODATION IN ESPIRITU SANTO

From Luganville, the Travel Guides took a 10-minute trip to Aore Island Resort. 
This boutique accommodation focuses on relaxing and resetting – no wifi or TV allowed, so you really switch off.
The Travel Guides were greeted with a friendly cultural welcome, and went to their private bungalows… each with their own little private beach.
COST: The bungalows range from $340AUD to $400AUD per night.

Read on for everything the Travel Guides did in Port Vila, and how much it cost...

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Water Music Cultural Experience

Once a week, the Aore Island Resort offers a cultural experience – Water Music. For centuries, the  women and girls of remote northern islands of Vanuatu have made music out of water – skilfully cupping and slicing the water to create echoes – and telling stories about their way of life.
The women of the Travel Guides got to participate in this ‘aquatic symphony’ – it’s a lot more difficult than it looks!
COST: Free, part of hotel activities.

Canoeing in the RiRi Blue Hole (and Matevulu Blue Hole)

“Like a magical little fairyland” – The Snobs
The RiRi Blue Hole and nearby Matevulu Blue Hole are a pristine, crystal clear, vividly azure natural spring, and the Travel Guides dove into the 18-metre deep water via a rope swing after paddling their way with wooden canoes.
The locals have gone to huge efforts to make this natural wonder accessible with bathrooms and change areas, and you can find the canoes by asking the locals!
COST: 500 Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) per person (around $7 AUD).

Cultural Experiences and Jungle Tours

The Leweton Cultural Village Tour was one of the most exciting parts of the trip, with the Travel Guides experiencing the ancient traditions of Vanuatu culture first-hand – from being greeted with spears, to cooking traditional meals, to drinking kava (Vanuatu’s traditional healing drink).
Also in Luganville, the Travel Guides learned traditional weaving and sand drawing!
COST: Leweton Cultural Village Tour costs 4000 Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) per person (about $50AUD).

VANUATU TRAVEL MONEY TIPS – How To Get The Right Currency at the Best Rates

Make sure to keep an eye out on currency exchange rates for the Vanuatu Vatu, and come and see us before you go!
We have zero fees and zero commission – because we’re travellers too and wouldn’t want that either.
Don’t forget to take advantage of our Best Price Guarantee*, Rate Move Guarantee*, and Cash Commitment* so you leave with the most money in your pocket.

VANUATU TRAVEL TIPS | CARDS, TIPPING, AND ATM ACCESS

CASH OR CARD IN VANUATU?
In Vanuatu, cash is still king. You’ll pretty much be dealing mostly in cash, or withdrawing cash from an ATM – whether it be for tour operators or market stalls. There are very few ATMs and money exchange offices, and often travellers run out of cash (especially in remote areas).
We recommend having Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) in cash, and having your Currency Pass prepaid travel card as a backup – remembering that it’d only really be possible to withdraw from an ATM in Port Vila and Luganville and not in the rural areas.

TIPPING IN VANUATU
Tipping isn’t expected or customary in Vanuatu, just be kind. If you really want to show your appreciation, you could offer a little gift.
Bargaining at market stalls or bartering anywhere is not standard practice in Vanuatu.

ATM ACCESS IN VANUATU
The main tourist towns of Port Vila and Luganville have ATMs, but in rural areas there will be no access to ATMs. Make sure to have enough cash to get you by!

SO… HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST TO TRAVEL VANUATU LIKE A TRAVEL GUIDE?

If you were to do all the activities we saw the Travel Guides do on their week-long holiday in Vanuatu, going for the mid-range options, it would look a little something like this:

Flight to Port Vila: $580
Accommodation at Erakor Island Reort & Spa Honeymoon Villa: $650 per night for 3x nights >> $1950 total.
Offroad Adventures Bush & Beach Bash Tour: $99AUD (8000VUV) per adult.
Shopping at the markets: Up to you!
Coongoola Boat Tour: $123AUD (10,000VUV).
Flight to Luganville: $462AUD
Accommodation at Aore Island Resort: $340 per night for 3x nights >> $1020 total.
Canoeing in Ri Ri Blue Hole: 500 VUV ($7 AUD).
Leweton Cultural Village Tour: 4000VUV ($50AUD).

In total, your Vanuatu Holiday comes to $4291 Australian Dollars per person.
Of course, that doesn’t cover any shopping, food and snacks, transport, insurance, visas, and more, so factor that into your Vanuatu travel budget too!

WE’RE YOUR TRAVEL (MONEY) GUIDES!

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We’re as friendly as the Fren Family and savvy as the Snobs. Come and see us in-store for your foreign currency needs, and our Travel Money Experts will help guide you through the whole process!
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DISCLAIMER:

Published May 12, 2023. This blog is provided for information only and does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs.  You should consider whether the information and suggestions contained in any blog entry are appropriate for you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.  While we take reasonable care in providing the blog, we give no warranties or representations that it is complete or accurate, or is appropriate for you.  We are not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise, arising from use of, or reliance on, the information and/or suggestions contained in this blog. Terms and conditions apply to Best Price Guarantee, Rate Guard and Cash Commitment. See travelmoneyoz.com for more details.