The Best Place to Exchange Currency in Vanuatu

An easy go-to to exchange money in Vanuatu is the banks. There are banks offering currency exchange in key traveller hubs, especially around Port Vila, Port Vila Airport and Luganville, although options become much more limited on the outer islands.

Before you compare rates, remember that bank exchange tables are written from the bank’s point of view. If you are exchanging foreign cash into Vanuatu Vatu, look for the “buying” or “notes buy” rate. The higher that number, the more vatu you get for your money (and the happier your holiday budget will be).

National Bank of Vanuatu Currency Exchange

National Bank of Vanuatu is one of the most useful banks for travellers exchanging cash in Vanuatu, with exchange available at bank branches, Bauerfield International Airport and even at a pop-up kiosk at the cruise ship port in Port Vila. National Bank of Vanuatu generally offers better cash-buying rates than other banks and even forex companies for popular traveller currencies like AUD, USD, NZD, FJD and PGK.

They are also the most useful for exchanging currencies that other banks don't tend to cover, such as EUR, GBP, JPY and XPF. In short, National Bank of Vanuatu is a strong first choice if you are arriving with foreign notes and want to change them into vatu.

Cruise passengers may also find a National Bank of Vanuatu exchange marquee set up at the cruise ship port departure area. However, don’t assume the cruise port rate will always be the same as the branch rate. When we last compared rates, the cruise port rate was better for USD and NZD, but worse for AUD, EUR, XPF and FJD, so it pays to compare before handing over the cash.

Although National Bank of Vanuatu has 27 branches around the country, foreign exchange services are only available at Aneityum (Mystery Island), Downtown Port Vila and Luganville (Santo) branches, plus a desk at Bauerfield International Airport open for all international arrivals, and cruise ship day kiosks at Mystery Island, Port Vila and Luganville; general branch hours are from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 4 pm Friday and closed Saturday and Sunday.

BSP (Bank South Pacific) Currency Exchange

BSP is another transparent option for checking exchange rates in Vanuatu, with its exchange rates published online. Travellers exchanging physical banknotes need to look at “Notes Buy”, not “TT Buy”.

BSP's currency exchange rates are lower than the National Bank of Vanuatu for common traveller currencies like USD, AUD, NZD, FJD and PGK.

BSP branches in Vanuatu are generally open from 9 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Friday, with branch locations at BSP Freshwota, Teouma Street, Port Vila, Efate, BSP Santo, Main St, Luganville, Santo, and BSP Tanna, S Beach Rd, Lenakel Tanna.

There are a few currency exchange bureaus in Vanuatu, mostly centred around Port Vila and the main international arrival points. Based on the rates we compared, specialist foreign exchange bureaus generally offer better cash exchange rates than banks for most traveller currencies, although there are the odd exceptions, such as some National Bank of Vanuatu branches.

One thing to note before you start shopping around like a currency detective: No 1 Currency, Goodies Forex and Fexco Pacific are all owned by the same company. In other words, don’t expect fierce competition between them, even if the signs on the street make them look like separate options.

No 1 Currency

No 1 Currency is one of the most convenient currency exchange options for travellers in Vanuatu, with branches at the airport and in downtown Port Vila.

No 1 Currency has branches and kiosks in the following locations:

• Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila, Efate
• Pilioko Building, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• Kumul Highway, directly across from Grand Hotel, Port Vila, Efate
• Colorite Building, Nambatu, Port Vila, Efate
• Pekoa-Santo International Airport, Luganville, Santo

Opening hours for the Bauerfield International Airport branch are from 4 am to 11 pm daily. The Pilioko Building branch is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am to 7 pm on weekends. The Pekoa-Santo International Airport kiosk is open for international arrivals and roughly from 8 am to 4 pm.

Goodies Forex

Goodies Forex has a few branches in Port Vila town centre, all along or around the main road, Kumul Highway. Again, it is under the same company as No 1 Currency and Fexco Pacific, so it’s useful for convenience rather than rate competition.

Goodies Forex has branches in the following locations:

• Olympic Court, Port Vila, Efate. Opposite Healthwise Pharmacy and next to Island Time Restaurant.
• Opposite Wanfuteng Bank, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate
• Opposite Market House, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Efate

Opening hours are from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday and 7:30 am to 12 pm Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Currency Exchange on the Outer Islands

No 1 Currency and Western Union agents exist on some outer islands, but they are generally more focused on money transfers than tourist currency exchange. For that reason, we don’t recommend relying on them to change foreign cash once you’re travelling away from Port Vila.

There are also not many currency exchange options on Santo, aside from limited airport services and the banks in Luganville. In short, exchange enough cash before heading to the outer islands, because “we’ll sort it out later” is not always a winning financial strategy in Vanuatu.

Travellers staying in some of Vanuatu’s larger hotels and resorts will be pleased to know that a few offer currency exchange among their guest services. Here are some options that will make managing your money a little easier:

Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu features in-house currency exchange and an ATM on-site for guest convenience. You’ll find everything you need without having to leave the resort grounds, which is always a win when holiday mode has fully kicked in.

Mangoes Resort offers currency exchange at reception, making it a handy option if you’re staying on-site and need some vatu without heading into town.

Another convenient option is Warwick Le Lagon, a Port Vila property that provides exchange services at its 24-hour reception. This can be especially useful if you arrive outside standard bank or bureau opening hours.

Iririki Island Resort & Spa, located just a short ferry ride from Port Vila, also provides currency exchange at the front desk. For guests staying on the island, this saves an extra trip into town just to sort out spending money.

Finally, Ramada Resort by Wyndham Port Vila offers exchange services and is conveniently located near the city centre, making it useful for travellers who want resort convenience without being too far from Port Vila’s banks and currency exchange bureaus.

With these options, you don’t have to worry about hunting down a currency exchange bureau straight away. That said, while exchanging currency at your resort is certainly convenient, keep in mind that hotel and resort rates may not always be the best exchange rates available...

ATMs are another worthy way to get vatu in Vanuatu with an overseas debit or credit card. You cannot, however, exchange foreign currency at an ATM; only make a withdrawal.

What International Cards Do Vanuatu ATMs Accept?

Most ATMs in Vanuatu accept major international cards, especially Visa and MasterCard, while some also accept Maestro, Cirrus, UnionPay, PLUS, JCB and American Express, depending on the bank operating the machine.

There is likely to be a withdrawal fee for withdrawing currency from an ATM using an overseas bank account. Local ATM operator fees typically range from 490 to 800 VT per transaction, depending on the bank. Your bank back home may also charge a foreign currency conversion fee, because apparently, one fee is never enough.

See Can You Use Your Credit or Debit Card in Vanuatu? for more details.

Where are the ATMs in Vanuatu?

ATMs in Vanuatu are mostly found around Port Vila on Efate and Luganville on Santo, usually outside banks, at larger supermarkets and at Port Vila Airport.

ATMs become much more limited on the outer islands. For example, on Malekula, the only ATM on the entire island is located at Tautu Shopping Centre.

Check out the ATM locations for each island in our Information, Shops & Services in Vanuatu LINK#TTD096 articles before travelling beyond the main centres.