Information, Shops & Services in Vanuatu

You’ll find the best choice of shops in Port Vila and Luganville, where supermarkets, convenience stores, markets and takeaway-style food options make it easy to stock up for your trip.

On outer islands and away from town, shopping becomes much more limited, so it’s worth buying essentials, snacks, toiletries and any specialist foods before heading to rural Efate, Espiritu Santo or Malekula.

Grocery Stores in Vanuatu

Vanuatu’s largest supermarkets are concentrated in Port Vila, with a smaller but useful selection in Luganville. In both towns, supermarkets stock food staples, packaged goods, imported items, drinks, toiletries and some imported products. Small convenience stores are also common around the main towns, usually covering snacks, noodles, canned goods, drinks and basic pantry items.

The largest supermarkets and shops to know include:

• Au Bon Marché Numbatu, corner of Kumul Highway and Elluk Road, Nambatu, Port Vila, Efate
• Au Bon Marché Manples, Kumul Highway, Manples, Port Vila, Efate
• Au Bon Marché Freswota, Freswota, Port Vila, Efate
• Au Bon Marché Tassiriki, Eauma Road, Tassiriki, Port Vila, Efate
• HXM Supermarket, corner of Rue Dartois and Rue Bretagne, Port Vila, Efate
• HXM Freswota, opposite Au Bon Marché, Freswota, Port Vila, Efate
• HXM Manples, Lini Highway, Manples, Port Vila, Efate
• HXM Black Sand, route to Mele, Tagabe, Port Vila, Efate
• LCM Supermarket, Main Street, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
• Daming Supermarket, Avenue Pasteur and Avenue Picanon, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
• Dmart, Boulevard du Général de Gaulle, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
• Sunshine Supermarket, Main Street, near Luganville Market, Espiritu Santo
• Lakatoro Consumer Cooperative “Consumers”, Lakatoro Back Road, behind Wilkins Memorial Stadium, Lakatoro, Malekula
• CP Trading, Main Road, Lakatoro Town Centre, Malekula
• Malekula Distributors Centre, Main Road, Lakatoro Town Centre, Malekula
• ECV Trading, Old Commercial Centre, Main Road, Lakatoro, Malekula
• Lakatoro Trading Centre, Old Commercial Centre, Main Road, Lakatoro, Malekula
• Denilson Trading, Main Road, Litzlitz, Malekula
• Tautu Shopping Centre, Tautu, Norsup, Malekula.

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

Liquor Stores in Vanuatu

Alcohol is available from many supermarkets and convenience stores in the main centres, especially in Port Vila and Luganville, where you’ll find the best choice of beer, wine and spirits. Outside of the main towns, the selection becomes much more limited, so it’s best to stock up before travelling to remote areas or outer islands.

• Paris Shopping - Duty Free Vanuatu, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• Fung Kuei Duty Free, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• 83 Islands Distillery, Stella Mare, Port Vila, Efate
• Villa Bottle Shop, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• Libation Trading Co, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate.

© VanuatuPocketGuide.com

Produce Markets and Roadside Stalls in Vanuatu

When it comes to fruit and vegetables, markets are usually the best places to shop in Vanuatu. Port Vila Central Market, located on Kumul Highway in the centre of town near the ferry wharf, is the main market on Efate, selling bananas, papaya, coconuts, taro, yams, breadfruit, island greens, ginger, turmeric, wild chillies and seasonal fruit.

On Santo, Luganville Market on Main Street, between Cook Street and Sarakata Bridge, is the best place for fresh local produce, with stalls selling bananas, avocados, watermelons, ginger, chillies, cooked peanuts and whatever else is in season.

On Malekula, Lakatoro Market is the main place to go for fruit, vegetables, root crops, kava and everyday island ingredients. There are also simple snacks and casual meals around the back of the market, making it one of the few public places to find food outside of accommodation meals.

You’ll also come across roadside stalls around the islands, especially near villages and along routes such as Efate’s road toward Havannah Harbour and Santo’s East Coast Road. These usually sell whatever has been harvested locally, such as drinking coconuts, bananas, taro, cassava, kumala and other fresh produce. Needless to say, bring cash.

... And there's more listed in the 10 Best Markets in Vanuatu.

Dining at Your Accommodation

Self-catering is possible in Vanuatu, especially if you stay in apartments, motels, guesthouses, holiday homes or bungalows with private or shared kitchen facilities. This is easiest in Port Vila and Luganville, where you’ll be close to supermarkets, markets and convenience stores.

Outside of the main towns, many resorts, lodges and bungalows are more meal-focused, with on-site restaurants or meals arranged through your host.

On Malekula, dining is mostly arranged through accommodation, while on islands like Aore or Malo, many bungalows and resorts provide meals or have kitchen facilities depending on the property.

Check out your accommodation options in Where to Stay in Vanuatu: The 65 Best Accommodations in Vanuatu.

Restaurants in Vanuatu

Restaurants are mostly concentrated in Port Vila and Luganville, with a smaller selection of resort restaurants, beach cafés and bungalow dining options scattered around the islands.

Outside of the main towns, restaurants are limited, so it pays to plan ahead if you’re doing a full-day road trip or staying somewhere remote.

On Malekula, there isn’t really a restaurant scene, aside from market snacks and casual meals around Lakatoro Market. Instead, confirm meals with your accommodation, bring any essential snacks or specialist foods and make the most of local markets when you’re in town.

Check out your options for dining across the islands in The Food Guide to Vanuatu: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

Souvenir and Gift Shops in Vanuatu

• Haos Blong Handicraft Market, Port Vila Waterfront, Feiawa Park, Port Vila, Efate
• Mahitahi Handicraft Market House, Port Vila Waterfront, Port Vila, Efate
• Dolasa Mama's Handicraft, Boulevard du General du Gaulle, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
• Noa Noa Vanuatu, Elluk Road, Nambatri, Port Vila, Efate
• Tanna Coffee, Devil's Point Road, Mele Bay, Port Vila, Efate
• Malampa Handicraft Centre, Lakatoro, Malekula
• Volcanic Earth, Elluk Road, Numbatri, Port Vila, Efate
• Pandanus Vanuatu, Corner of Kumul Highway and Winston Churchill, Port Vila, Efate
• Fung Kuei Duty Free, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• Lapita Cafe, Elluk Road, Namatri-Oval, Port Vila, Efate.

See more gift shops listed in the 10 Best Shops to Buy Souvenirs in Vanuatu, as well as other shopping needs in The Guide to Shopping in Vanuatu + The Best Places to Shop.

Vanuatu has hospitals, medical centres, pharmacies and emergency services available in the main centres, particularly in Port Vila and Luganville.

However, services become much more limited on outer islands and in rural areas, so travellers should bring all essential medication, a basic first aid kit and adequate travel insurance. See What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Vanuatu for ideas.

Note that emergency phone numbers in Vanuatu include 111, 1111 or 2222 (Police), 112 (Hospital), 113 (Fire), 114 (Ports), Promedical (115).

Medication at Supermarkets and Convenience Stores

Basic medication and personal care items are available from larger supermarkets and convenience stores in Vanuatu’s main towns.

In Port Vila, supermarkets commonly sell everyday toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products and basic over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol and cold and flu remedies.

In Luganville, larger supermarkets such as LCM Supermarket, Daming Supermarket and Sunshine Supermarket are the best places to look for light medication, baby products, toiletries and feminine hygiene products.

On outer islands, options are much more limited. On Malekula, for example, small grocery shops are useful for food, drinks and household items, but should not be relied on for medication. Bring paracetamol, antihistamines, rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, prescription medication and anything specific with you from home, Port Vila or Luganville.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are fairly easy to find in Port Vila and Luganville, where several options are available around the town centre and surrounding suburbs. Thanks in part to Vanuatu’s French influence, Port Vila has a good choice of pharmacies offering prescription medication, health advice, specialist health products, cosmetics and everyday medical supplies.

There are no commercial pharmacies ot be found on the other islands. Healthcare is instead provided through hospitals, health centres, dispensaries and aid posts, which are primarily set up for local communities rather than passing tourists.

Pharmacies in Vanuatu include:

• The Drug Store, Main Street, Luganville, Espiritu Santo (next to Uncle Bill's and the fuel station)
• The Pharmacy, Rue Dartois, Port Vila, Efate
• Healthwise Pharmacy, Kumul Highway, Port Vila (opposite The Grand Hotel), Efate
• Inhouse Pharmacy, Pango Road, Port Vila, Efate
• Pacific Health Limited, Pango Road, Elluk, Port Vila, Efate
• Unichem Pharmacy Vanuatu, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• Villa Pharmacy, Melcofee Building, Kumul Highway, Port Vila (opposite Moorings), Efate
• Pharmacie de Vanuatu, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• Tana Pharmacy Tabage Mall, Tagabe, Port Vila, Efate.

© VanuatuPocketGuide.com

Medical Centres and Hospitals

Vanuatu’s main public hospital is Vila Central Hospital in Port Vila, which provides emergency care, inpatient services, maternity care, surgical services and specialist clinics. It operates under the Ministry of Health and serves as the country’s main referral hospital.

Other major hospitals in Vanuatu include Northern Provincial Hospital in Luganville, Norsup Hospital on Malekula, Lenakel Hospital on Tanna and Lolowai Hospital on Ambae.

Medical centres and hospitals useful for travellers include:

• Vila Central Hospital, Rue De Wales, Port Vila, Efate
• The Medical Centre, Wantok House Nambatu, corner of Rue d’Artois and Rue Languedoc, Port Vila, Efate
• Vanuatu Family Health Association, Rue Mercet, Port Vila, Efate
• Novo Medical Centre, Novo House, Lini Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• Medical Options Vanuatu, D’Auvergne Street, Nambatu, Port Vila, Efate
• Northern Provincial Hospital, Paiaporou Avenue, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
• Medical Santo, Luganville, Espiritu Santo (behind Northern District Police Headquarters, Higginson Boulevarde)
• ProMedical Vanuatu, Main Street, Village de Santo, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
• Norsup Hospital, near Norsup and Lakatoro, Malekula
• Espigles Bay Dispensary, northwest Malekula
• Banam Bay Dispensary, southeast Malekula
• Galilee Health Centre, Galilee, north Malekula
• Atchin Health Centre, Atchin, northeast Malekula
• Lakatoro Aid Post, Lakatoro Back Road, Lakatoro, Malekula
• Lenakel Hospital, Tanna
• Lolowai Hospital, East Ambae
• Nduindui Hospital, Ambae

Hospital office hours are generally 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, while hospital and emergency services are available 24/7.

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

Need to fuel up? Fuel stations in Vanuatu are most common around Port Vila, with smaller clusters in Luganville and very limited options on outer islands.

If you're hiring a car, it's best to refuel before leaving the main towns, especially before driving around Efate or exploring Santo's East Coast Road.

Fuel stations in Vanuatu are fully serviced. Simply pull up to the pump and tell the attendant how much fuel you would like or how much you want to spend. Payment is typically made directly to the attendant, with cash being best, especially outside Port Vila.

Most fuel stations operate from around 6 am to 8 pm, while at least one station in Port Vila provides 24-hour service. Fuel prices can be slightly higher outside the capital, particularly on Santo and outer islands.

• Chuan Fuel Station, Route to Mele, Port Vila, Efate
• Happy Castle Station, Tagabe, Port Vila, Efate
• Pacific Station Tebakor, Lini Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• Pacific Station Freswota, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• Korman Petrol Station, Teouma Road, Port Vila, Efate
• ABM Service Station Tassiriki, Teouma Road, Port Vila, Efate
• ABM Service Station Manples, Rue Dartois, Port Vila, Efate
• ABM Service Station Tropical Market, Rue Dartois, Port Vila, Efate
• ABM Paray Service Station and Shop, Elluk Road, Port Vila, Efate
• HJK Store, 2 Lagoon Area, Starfish Cove, Port Vila, Efate
• Pacific Energy, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• Number 3 Petrol Station, Elluk Road, Port Vila, Efate
• Pacific Gas Station / Unity Store, Main Street, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
• Gas Station, corner of Main Street and Avenue Pasteur, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
• Gas Station, Main Street, Luganville, west side across the Sarakata River, Espiritu Santo
• Pacific Petroleum, Lakatoro, Malekula
• Lesuvamwel Station, Melsisi, Pentecost

For more tips for driving in Vanuatu, take a look at How to Drive in Vanuatu + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know.

When it comes to staying connected in Vanuatu, mobile data is usually the most reliable and convenient option. Port Vila and Luganville have the best choice of SIM card outlets, phone stores, post offices and WiFi hotspots, while outer islands rely more on mobile coverage and accommodation WiFi. For this reason, we recommend getting a local SIM card and downloading maps, booking confirmations and travel details before travelling to rural areas.

Phone Networks

The two main mobile network providers in Vanuatu are Digicel and Vodafone. Both offer prepaid SIM cards, data bundles and top-ups suitable for travellers.

SIM cards can be purchased at airport kiosks, official stores, market kiosks and selected retailers. Travellers arriving in Port Vila can usually buy SIM cards and data packages at Bauerfield International Airport, including both the international and domestic terminals.

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

Post Offices

Offering postal and secretarial services, there are several post offices across Vanuatu:

• Vanuatu Post Port Vila, opposite Rapid Electrical, Stade, Route de la Teouma, Port Vila, Espiritu Santo
• Vanuatu Post Luganville, Main Street, Luganville town centre, Espiritu Santo
• Vanuatu Post Pekoa Airport, Santo-Pekoa International Airport, Espiritu Santo
• Vanuatu Post Agency Lakatoro, old commercial centre, Lakatoro, Malekula.

For something a little more unusual, Vanuatu is also 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

Internet and WiFi are available in Vanuatu, but quality varies a lot depending on where you are. In general, Port Vila has the best WiFi options, followed by Luganville, while outer islands usually rely on mobile data or accommodation 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:

For more tips on staying connected, check out How to Get Internet & WiFi in Vanuatu.

Should you need to exchange currency or withdraw cash in Vanuatu, Port Vila is by far the best place to do so. The capital has the widest choice of banks, foreign exchange services and ATMs, followed by Luganville on Espiritu Santo.

Banking services become very limited on outer islands, so we recommend withdrawing enough cash before exploring rural Efate, Santo’s East Coast Road, Malekula or the outer islands.

Card payments are becoming more common at resorts, dive operators and larger businesses, but cash is still essential for markets, local shops, transport, village tours and accommodation in remote areas.

Banks

Banks can be found in Port Vila and Luganville, with much more limited banking services on islands such as Malekula. They offer services like cash withdrawals, international banking services and, in many cases, foreign exchange, 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.

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 Vanuatu.

Learn more about paying your way through the islands in What is the Best Way to Pay in Vanuatu?