Information, Shops & Services in Port Vila & Efate

Port Vila is the most developed part of Efate, so you have plenty of supermarkets, convenience stores, markets and places to eat across the capital and nearby suburbs.

Once you get further around the island, however, food shopping and restaurants become more limited, so it’s worth stocking up in Port Vila before heading to quieter corners of Efate.

Supermarkets and Convenience Stores

Port Vila is home to Vanuatu’s main supermarket chains, where you’ll find the most variety when it comes to food staples, packaged goods, imported items, drinks and toiletries. The largest supermarkets to know include:

• Au Bon Marché Numbatu, corner of Kumul Highway and Elluk Road, Nambatu, Port Vila
• Au Bon Marché Manples, Kumul Highway, Manples, Port Vila
• Au Bon Marché Freswota, Freswota, Port Vila
• Au Bon Marché Tassiriki, Eauma Road, Tassiriki, Port Vila
• HXM Supermarket, corner of Rue Dartois and Rue Bretagne, Port Vila
• HXM Freswota, opposite Au Bon Marché, Freswota, Port Vila
• HXM Manples, Lini Highway, Manples, Port Vila
• HXM Black Sand, route to Mele, Tagabe, Port Vila

Port Vila also has plenty of convenience stores along its main roads and in the suburbs, usually stocked with snacks, drinks, canned goods, noodles and basic pantry items.

For more information on what sort of food to expect in shops, see A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Vanuatu.

Markets and Roadside Stalls

When it comes to fruit and vegetables, Port Vila Central Market is the main place to go. Located on Kumul Highway in the centre of town near the ferry wharf, it’s the best stop for local produce such as bananas, papaya, coconuts, taro, yams, breadfruit, island greens, ginger, turmeric, wild chillies and seasonal fruit.

You’ll also come across smaller roadside stalls around Efate, especially around villages and along the road toward Havannah Harbour. These usually sell whatever has been harvested locally, such as fruit, vegetables, drinking coconuts and root crops. Needless to say, bring cash.

More information about markets can be found at the 10 Best Markets in Vanuatu.

Dining at Your Accommodation

Note that there are a few apartment-style accommodations in Port Vila with self-catering facilities, plus communal kitchens at some budget guesthouses and motels. Outside of Port Vila, however, self-catering accommodation is more limited, with many resorts and retreats providing their own meals instead.

Check out your accommodation options in Where to Stay in Port Vila & Efate: The Best Accommodations.

Restaurants on Efate

Again, outside of Port Vila, restaurants are limited. Most places to eat around Efate are either in the capital, attached to resorts or found at popular beach and day-trip stops. Check out your options for dining inside and outside Port Vila in The Food Guide to Port Vila & Efate: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

If you've forgotten a few essentials or need basic medication (see What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Vanuatu for advice) while travelling in Vanuatu, you'll be pleased to know that finding toiletries and everyday health products is usually straightforward, especially in Port Vila.

From supermarkets stocking common over-the-counter remedies to pharmacies offering prescription services, most travellers can easily find what they need without packing half their bathroom cabinet.

Medication at Supermarkets and Convenience Stores

Most supermarkets in Port Vila sell a range of everyday toiletries and personal care products, including sunscreen, insect repellent, shampoo, toothpaste and feminine hygiene products.

We've found that the larger supermarkets (see section above) generally offer the widest selection, making them the best places to stock up after arriving. Many also carry basic over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and cold and flu remedies.

For more information on where to shop, check out A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Vanuatu.

Pharmacies

Thanks in part to Vanuatu's French influence, pharmacies are common throughout Port Vila.

One of the best-known pharmacies in Port Vila, Healthwise Pharmacy provides prescription medications alongside phytotherapy, aromatherapy products, cosmetics and even veterinary medicines.

You'll find several options around the town centre, making it relatively easy to fill prescriptions, seek health advice or purchase specialist health products.

• The Pharmacy, Rue Dartois, Port Vila
• Healthwise Pharmacy, Kumul Highway, Port Vila (opposite The Grand Hotel)
• Inhouse Pharmacy, Pango Road, Port Vila
• Pacific Health Limited, Pango Road, Elluk, Port Vila
• Unichem Pharmacy Vanuatu, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• Villa Pharmacy, Melcofee Building, Kumul Highway, Port Vila (opposite Moorings)
• Pharmacie de Vanuatu, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• Tana Pharmacy Tabage Mall, Tagabe, Port Vila

Medical Centres and Hospitals

For more serious medical concerns, Vanuatu's primary public hospital is Vila Central Hospital, which provides emergency care, inpatient services, maternity care, surgical services and specialist clinics. The hospital operates under the Ministry of Health and serves as the country's main referral hospital.

Operated by the Vanuatu Emergency Services Association (VESA), ProMedical Vanuatu provides 24-hour paramedic ambulance services across Efate and Espiritu Santo. The service delivers rapid emergency response, advanced pre-hospital care and patient transport in both urban and remote areas, making it an important resource for residents and visitors alike.

• Port Vila Central Hospital, Rue De Wales, Port Vila
• The Medical Centre, Wantok House Nambatu, Cnr of Rue d'Artois and Rue Languedoc, Port Vila
• Vanuatu Family Health Association, Rue Mercet, Port Vila
• Novo Medical Centre, Novo House, Lini Highway, Port Vila
• Medical Options Vanuatu, D'Auvergne Street, Nambatu, Port Vila

If you are travelling outside of Port Vila, medical facilities become more limited, so it is worth ensuring you have adequate travel insurance and any essential prescription medication before travelling to the outer islands.

For more health and safety advice while visiting Vanuatu, check out Vanuatu Safety Tips: Is it Safe to Travel to Vanuatu?

Topping up your rental car is usually straightforward. Most fuel stations are concentrated around Port Vila, with a handful of options serving travellers exploring the rest of the island.

Fuel stations in Vanuatu are fully serviced. Rather than filling up yourself, simply pull up to the pump and tell the attendant how much fuel you would like. Once your vehicle has been filled, payment is typically made directly to the attendant in cash.

Most fuel stations operate from around 6 am to 8 pm, while at least one station in Port Vila provides 24-hour service for late-night arrivals and early departures.

If you're planning to explore beyond the capital, it's a good idea to refuel before setting off on longer drives around Efate, particularly if you're heading to more remote parts of the island where services are less frequent.

• Chuan Fuel Station, Route to Mele, Port Vila
• Happy Castle Station, Tagabe, Port Vila
• Pacific Station Tebakor, Lini Highway, Port Vila
• Pacific Station Freswota, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• Korman Petrol Station, Teouma Road, Port Vila
• ABM Service Station Tassiriki, Teouma Road, Port Vila
• ABM Service Station Manples, Rue Dartois, Port Vila
• ABM Service Station Tropical Market, Rue Dartois, Port Vila
• ABM Paray Service Station and Shop, Elluk Road, Port Vila
• HJK Store, 2 Lagoon Area, Starfish Cove, Port Vila
• Pacific Energy, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• Number 3 Petrol Station, Elluk Road, Port Vila

For more tips on getting around, check out How to Drive in Vanuatu + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know and Vanuatu Transport Guide: 15 Ways to Get Around Vanuatu.

Staying connected in Vanuatu is relatively easy, especially around Port Vila and Efate. Whether you need a local SIM card, mobile data, postal services or free WiFi, you'll find plenty of options to keep in touch while travelling.

Phone Networks

The two main mobile network providers in Vanuatu are Digicel and Vodafone. Both offer prepaid SIM cards, data packages and mobile services suitable for visitors.

You can purchase SIM cards and top-up credit at their stores in Port Vila, as well as at various retailers throughout Efate.

Travellers arriving by air can also purchase SIM cards and data packages from kiosks at both the international and domestic terminals of Bauerfield International Airport.

Additional mobile service kiosks can be found at Port Vila Central Market, easily recognised by their colourful shipping-container premises.

• Digicel Flagship, Port Vila, Digicel Flagship Building, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• Digicel Au Bon Marché #2, Au Bon Marché Numbatu, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• Digicel Gab's Market, Market House, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• Digicel Chew Store, Chew Store Building, Rue de Bougainville, Port Vila
• Digicel Head Office, Digicel House, Ellouk Plateau, Port Vila
• Digicel Kiosk, International Airport, Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila
• Digicel Kiosk, Domestic Airport, Domestic Terminal, Port Vila Airport, Port Vila
• Digicel Sama Sama Store, Sama Sama Building, Mele Road, Port Vila
• Digicel Forro Store, Forro Store Building, Mele Road, Mele Village, Efate
• Digicel Efate Kiosk, Emua Kiosk, Ring Road, Emua Village, Efate
• Vodafone Port Vila, Telecom House, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• Vodafone Port Vila Flagship Store, Ex Post Office, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• Vodafone Domestic Airport Kiosk, Domestic Airport, Port Vila
• Vodafone International Airport Kiosk, Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila

Learn more about the network, prices and coverage in The Best SIM Card in Vanuatu for Travellers.

Post Offices

Vanuatu Post operates the country's postal network, with its main branch located in Port Vila, located opposite Rapid Electrical, Stade, Route de la Teouma. Services include domestic and international mail, parcel delivery and postal boxes. Opening hours are from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

For something a little more unusual, Vanuatu is home to the world's only fully operational underwater post office. Located off Hideaway Island Resort, you can purchase special waterproof postcards and post them beneath the sea, making for a unique souvenir from your trip.

Internet and WiFi

Free WiFi is becoming increasingly common around Port Vila, particularly in cafés, restaurants, accommodation providers and visitor attractions.

Some venues known to offer complimentary WiFi include:

• Stonegrill (free WiFi)
• Mali Beach Club (free WiFi)
• Nambawan Café (free WiFi)
• Jill's Café (free WiFi)
• The Rossi (free WiFi)
• Amoremio (free WiFi)
• Vanuatu Zipline (free WiFi)
• Bauerfield International Airport (free WiFi)
• E Nauwi Beach Resort (free Wifi for guests)
• Tamanu on the Beach (free WiFi for guests)
• Waves at Surfside (free WiFi for guests)
• Poppy's on the Lagoon (free WiFi for guests)
• MG Cocomo Resort Vanuatu (free WiFi for guests)
• Le Life Resort (free WiFi for guests)
• Mangoes Resort (free WiFi for guests)
• Breakas Beach Resort (free WiFi for guests)
• Kaiviti Motel (free WiFi for guests)
• The Grand Hotel & Casino (free WiFi for guests)
• Nakatumble (free WiFi for guests)
• Crown Royale Hotel & Lounge (free WiFi for guests)
• Banana Bay Beach Club (free WiFi for guests)
• Lagoon Gardens (free WiFi for guests)
• Nawesa Resort (free WiFi for guests)
• Troppo Mystique (free WiFi for guests)
• Ramada Resort by Wyndham Port Vila (free WiFi for guests)
• Retreat Seaside (free WiFi for guests)
• Room With A View Hotel (free WiFi for guests)
• City Lodge (free WiFi for guests)
• Casa Di George (free WiFi for guests)
• Travellers Motel (free WiFi for guests)
• Melanesian Hotel (free WiFi for guests)
• Vanuatu Rainbow Lodge (free WiFi for guests)
• Vanuatu Jungle Zipline (free WiFi for visitors)

For more tips on staying connected, read our complete guide, How to Get Internet & WiFi in Vanuatu.

Should you need to exchange currency or withdraw cash during your trip, Port Vila is by far the best place to do so. The capital has branches and ATMs for all of Vanuatu's major banks, while additional ATM facilities can be found at Bauerfield International Airport and a handful of locations around Efate.

We recommend withdrawing any cash you might need before exploring the more remote parts of the island, where banking services and ATMs can be few and far between.

Banks

Banks are concentrated in Port Vila, with most major banks operating branches and ATMs in the town centre and nearby commercial areas. You'll also find ATM facilities at Bauerfield International Airport and selected locations around Efate.

In addition to everyday banking services, most banks offer foreign exchange facilities for travellers, which you can learn more about in The Best Place to Exchange Currency in Vanuatu. Bank branches in Vanuatu are typically open from around 8:30 am or 9 am to 3:30 pm or 4 pm Monday to Friday, with some offering limited Saturday opening hours.

• BRED Bank, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• BRED Bank, Tagabe, Port Vila
• ANZ Bank, Lini Highway, Port Vila
• National Bank of Vanuatu, Rue de Paris, Port Vila
• National Bank of Vanuatu, Emua Village
• BSP Freswota, Teouma Street, Port Vila
• Wanfuteng Bank, Churchill House, Kumul Highway, Port Vila

Note that the above branches also have ATMs accepting foreign cards, best to use Visa and MasterCard, see Can You Use Your Credit or Debit Card in Vanuatu?

ATMs

Other than at the bank branches mentioned above, ATMs are the easiest to come by across Port Vila and Efate. The list includes:

• BRED Bank Port Vila Branch, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Tagabe Branch, Tagabe, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Teouma, Teouma, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Warwick LeLagon, Elluk Road, Erakor Lagoon, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Main Wharf, Wharf Road, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Nambatri, Inomakas Store, Elluk Road, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Ramada Resort, Akiriki Parade, Paray Bay, Port Vila
• BRED Bank ABM Nambatu, ABM Supermarket Nambatu, Nambatu Port Vila
• BRED Bank Nambatu, HXM Store, Corner Rue Dartois and Rue Bretange, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Iririki Island Resort, Iririki Island, Port Vila
• BRED Bank D'Dock Fuel Station, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Carrie Shop Centre, Ave Edmond Colordeau, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Sound Centre, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Vila Mall, Vila Mall, Rue de Paris, Port Vila
• BRED Bank La Parisienne Bakery, Teouma Street, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Freswota, HXM Store, Freswota, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Freswota, Yumi Yumi Store, Freswota, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Korman, Tassiriki, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Second Lagoon, Pacific Suppliers, Teouma Road, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Tana Russet Plaza, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Lin Ping Store, Tebakor, Lini Highway, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Tebakor Shopping Centre, Tebakor, Lini Highway, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Manples, HXM Store, Lini Highway, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Airport, Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila
• BRED Bank Sama Sama Store, Route to Mele, Mele, Port Vila
• ANZ ABM Nambatu, ABM Supermarket Nambatu, Nambatu Port Vila
• ANZ Bank Vila Branch, Lini Highway, Port Vila
• ANZ Family Market, Parliament Road, Port Vila
• ANZ Traverso Boucherie, Melcoffee, Port Vila
• ANZ ABZ Freswota, Au Bon Marche Freswota, Port Vila
• ANZ ABM Tassiriki, Au Bon Marche Tassiriki, Port Vila
• ANZ Brother Restaurant, Tagabe, Port Vila
• National Bank Port Vila Head Office, Rue de Paris, Port Vila
• National Bank Vila Mall Branch, Vila Mall, Rue de Paris, Port Vila
• National Bank ABM Nambatu, Au Bon Marche, Nambatu, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• National Bank ABM Tassiriki, Au Bon Marche Tassiriki, Port Vila
• National Bank ABM Freswota, Au Bon Marche Freswota, Port Vila
• National Bank ABM Manples, Lini Highway, Port Vila
• National Bank Domestic Airport, Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila
• National Bank Emua Branch, Emua Village
• BSP ABM Manples, Lini Highway, Port Vila
• BSP ABM Nambatu, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• BSP ABM Korman, Teouma, Port Vila
• BSP Airport, Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila
• BSP Breakas Beach Resort, Pango Road, Pango
• BSP Carrie Shop Centre, Ave Edmond Colordeau, Port Vila
• BSP Freswota Branch, Teouma Street, Port Vila
• BSP Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu, Route de la Teouma, Port Vila
• BSP HJK Store, Teouma Road, Port Vila
• BSP La Parisen, Teouma Road, Port Vila
• BSP Tagabe Mall, Route to Mele, Port Vila
• BSP Punjas, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• BSP Sama Sama, Route to Mele
• BSP Tana Russet Plaza, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• BSP Tebakor Shopping Centre, Lini Highway, Port Vila
• BSP The Port, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• BSP Family Market, Rue Dartois, Port Vila
• BSP Vila Central Hospital, Rue De Wales, Port Vila
• BSP Vila Mall, Rue de Paris, Port Vila
• Wantufeng Bank Sea Front, Devil's Point Road, Mele Maat
• Wantufeng Bank Domestic Airport, Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila
• Wantufeng Bank Chuan Store, Chuan Store, Tagabe, Port Vila
• Wantufeng Bank ABM Manples, Lini Highway, Port Vila
• Wantufeng Bank Tana Russet, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• Wantufeng Bank Ming Kai Building, Rue du General de Gaulle, Port Vila
• Wantufeng Bank Main Branch, Churchill House, Kumul Highway, Port Vila
• Wantufeng Bank Carrie Shop Centre, Ave Edmond Colordeau, Port Vila
• Wantufeng Bank Nambatu, Ex Auto-Pro Nambatu, Nambatu, Port Vila
• Wantufeng Bank Nambatri, Elluk Road, Port Vila

Learn more about paying your way through Port Vila and Efate in What is the Best Way to Pay in Vanuatu?