The Best SIM Card in Vanuatu for Travellers

First things first, you need to make sure your phone is unlocked and supports GSM/3G at 900 MHz and LTE Band 28 (700 MHz), which are the main mobile frequencies used in Vanuatu.

Where to Get a SIM Card in Vanuatu?

Vanuatu SIM cards can be purchased from a Vodafone or Digicel office in Vanuatu. Both companies have outlets in Port Vila (Efate) and Luganville (Santo), as well as in Lakatoro (Malekula) and Lenakel (Tanna).

Offices are usually open from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays, with some locations (especially flagship stores) operating until 6 pm. Many branches and kiosks are also open from 8 am to 12 pm on Saturdays, sometimes from early morning until late evening, even on Sundays.

You can also find Digicel and Vodafone outlets in small bright red shipping containers at the Port Vila Central Market and the Luganville Market. Digicel's main office on Malekula is a shipping container at the Lakatoro Market.

The outlets that most visitors will use are:

Important: You need a valid ID, like your passport, in order to set up a local SIM in Vanuatu!

You'll find that many convenience stores, supermarkets and even kiosks scattered along the streets of Port Vila offer e-charge (top-up) of local SIM cards. However, it's best to make an initial purchase of SIM cards from the phone network offices themselves. For a list of convenience stores, check out the Information, Shops & Services in Vanuatu LINK#TTD096.

Vodafone Vanuatu offers a solid range of prepaid mobile and data plans, with 4G coverage available in Port Vila and Luganville. Vodafone is a popular choice for travellers staying in urban areas and on Efate and Espiritu Santo, as well as in north Malekula.

Vodafone Vanuatu Tourist SIMs

• Free SIM – 2GB data, three days validity
• 1,000 VT SIM – 2GB data, 14 days validity
• 3,500 VT SIM – 10GB data, 100 mins local calls and SMS, 14 days validity.

WAO! Data Plans

For those who buy a standard Vodafone SIM card for around 300 VT, you'll get access to Vodafone's WAO! data plans, which can work out to be a better deal.

Data-Only Bundles

• WAO 10,000 – 100GB + 800MB bonus, 90 days validity for 10,000 VT
• WAO 3,000 – 20GB + 500MB bonus, 30 days validity for 3,000 VT
• WAO 1,000 – 7.5GB + 500MB bonus, 30 days validity for 1,000 VT
• WAO 600 – 6GB + 300MB bonus, 7 days validity for 600 VT
• WAO 500 – 5GB + 300MB bonus, 7 days validity for 500 VT
• WAO 200 – 2.2GB + 200MB bonus, 1 day validity for 200 VT
• WAO 150 – 1.2GB + 200MB bonus, 1 day validity for 150 VT
• WAO 60 – 800MB + 3 hours validity for 60 VT

To purchase these Vodafone data bundles, simply text the corresponding code to 183. For example, text 'BUY WAO600' to 183 for the 6GB package, or 'BUY WAO10000' to 183 for the 100GB package. You can also dial 1832# to access additional plan options.

What Are the Standard Rates with Vodafone Vanuatu?

What happens once your Vodafone bundle runs out? Standard rates apply if you don’t renew or purchase a new bundle.

Local Calls

Calls to Vodafone numbers and other local operators cost 28 VT per minute.

International Calls

International call rates vary by destination, starting from 62 VT per minute in Zone 1, 72 VT per minute in Zone 2, 152 VT per minute in Zone 3, 515 VT per minute in Zone 4.

Text Messages

Sending an SMS to a Vodafone number and other operators costs around 11 VT per message.
Texts to international numbers cost around 13 VT per SMS.

Mobile Data Outside Bundles

Using mobile data without an active bundle costs around 11 VT per MB, which can become expensive very quickly. Travellers are strongly advised to activate a data bundle before using mobile data.

Digicel offers a comprehensive range of prepaid phone plans and data bundles in Vanuatu, with 4G coverage available in Port Vila, Luganville and in some populated areas in Tanna and south Malekula.

Digicel Vanuatu Tourist SIMs

The Digicel Vanuatu Tourist SIM includes a free SIM card with one of the below budle purchases. Note that all calls and SMS include local and Australian and New Zealand phone numbers.

• 1,000 VT SIM – 1GB data, 7 days validity
• 2,000 VT SIM – 5GB data, 50 mins local calls and 50 SMS, 7 days validity
• 3,000 VT SIM – 15GB data, 100 mins local calls and 100 SMS, 14 days validity

Digicel Data Bundle Options

For those purchasing a standard Digicel SIM card, which is approximately 500 VT, Digicel offers several categories of bundles to suit different needs:

All-in-One Data Plans (Data, SMS, Mins)

• 125 VT – 200 MB of data, 95 Digicel mins, 95 Digicel SMS, valid for 24 hours
• 250 VT – 500 MB of data, 95 Digicel mins, 95 Digicel SMS, valid for 3 days
• 500 VT – 1 GB of data, 150 Digicel mins, 150 Digicel SMS, valid for 7 days

4G Data Plans

• 50 VT – 350 MB of data, valid for 3 hours
• 65 VT – 650 MB of data, valid for 3 hours
• 75 VT – 650 MB of data, valid for 3 hours
• 125 VT – 600 MB of data, valid for 24 hours
• 150 VT – 1 GB of data, valid for 24 hours
• 175 VT – 1.5 GB of data, valid for 24 hours
• 200 VT – 2.4 GB of data, valid for 24 hours
• 350 VT – 3 GB of data, valid for 3 days
• 500 VT – 3.5 GB of data, valid for 7 days
• 600 VT – 6 GB of data, valid for 7 days
• 1,000 VT – 6 GB of data, valid for 30 days
• 1,200 VT – 9 GB of data, valid for 30 days
• 2,000 VT – 14 GB of data, valid for 30 days
• 3,000 VT – 20 GB of data, valid for 30 days

What are the Standard Rates with Digicel Vanuatu?

What are the standard rates with Digicel Vanuatu once you have run out of data, texts or minutes? The standard rates are as follows:

Local Calls

Calls to Digicel numbers cost around 28 VT per minute.
Calls to other local mobile or landline numbers cost around 30 VT per minute.

International Calls

International call rates vary by country, starting from about 61 VT per minute for nearby and major destinations, and increasing for more remote countries.

Text Messages

Sending a text to a Digicel number costs 10 VT per SMS.
Texts to other local or international numbers cost 12 VT per SMS.

Mobile Data Outside Bundles

Using data without a bundle costs 12 VT per MB, which gets expensive quickly, so travellers should always use a data bundle.

For more about Digicel's coverage, check out the Phone Coverage in Vanuatu section below.

Keeping track of your mobile usage in Vanuatu is easy, with both providers, Vodafone and Digicel, offering apps and USSD options to check balances and remaining allowances.

How to Check Your Credit and Usage with Vodafone Vanuatu?

For Vodafone, the easiest way to monitor your data, call minutes, and SMS usage is through the My Vodafone App, which clearly shows your active bundles, expiry dates, and remaining balance.

You can also check your balance and usage by dialling Vodafone’s USSD short codes directly from your phone. To check your WAO Data balance, Dial *183*4*2# or *183#. You can also text “Query” to 183.

How to Check Your Credit and Usage with Digicel Vanuatu?

Digicel customers can check usage by downloading the MyDigicel App, which provides a clear overview of data usage, bundle validity, and remaining credit.

Alternatively, you can use Digicel’s USSD shortcode *120# to quickly check your balance and bundle status without using mobile data.

How to Purchase Bundles/More Data with Vodafone and Digicel in Vanuatu

You can purchase prepaid bundles across Vanuatu using several convenient methods, depending on your provider.

Vodafone Vanuatu

• MyVodafone App: Download the app to manage bundles, check usage, and top up credit
• USSD Codes: Dial the Vodafone short code, *183#, to view and activate available bundles
• In-store: Visit any Vodafone shop or authorised dealer for instant bundle activation

Digicel Vanuatu

• MyDigicel Pacific App: Full bundle management, balance checks and promotions
• USSD Menu: Dial Digicel’s shortcode, *120#, to check balance and activate plans instantly
• In-store: Available at Digicel stores and authorised resellers nationwide

Where to Top Up Your Phone in Vanuatu

Topping up mobile credit in Vanuatu is straightforward and widely accessible. You can add credit at Vodafone or Digicel offices/retail stores, as well as through authorised resellers across the country.

Most resellers are small shops, supermarkets, and convenience stores, usually displaying Vodafone or Digicel signage out front. You'll also find kiosks in wooden huts or under marquees in towns like Port Vila and Luganville, while the main markets at Port Vila, Luganville and Lakatoro also have a small shipping container with phone network kiosks.

Vodafone and Digicel also support app-based top-ups, making it easy for travellers to reload credit without visiting a store, as long as you have an internet connection.

Mobile phone reception for calls and texts is available across most populated areas in Vanuatu, particularly in Port Vila (Efate) and Luganville (Espiritu Santo).
Coverage is very patchy in villages, mountainous inland areas, and on some outer islands, but even as you drive around the main island of Efate. While both major providers operate nationwide, coverage quality and strengths vary significantly by location, with both major networks having gaps where the other may provide service.

Why Having Both Networks is Ideal

For comprehensive coverage across Vanuatu, locals often recommend carrying SIM cards from both Vodafone and Digicel. Both networks have patchy coverage with different tower locations, meaning where one network lacks a tower, the other usually provides service. This dual-network approach ensures the most reliable connectivity as you move between islands and regions.

Why Choose Digicel in Vanuatu?

If you must choose just one network, Digicel has slightly more towers across the country, making it the marginally better single-network choice. Digicel offers strong coverage across many outer islands and rural areas, and performs particularly well in southern regions of islands like Malekula.

This makes Digicel a solid option for travellers planning to visit less-developed islands or remote communities. While data speeds may vary by location, Digicel remains reliable for basic connectivity and voice services across much of the country.

Why Choose Vodafone in Vanuatu?

Vodafone offers competitive rates and coverage with good call quality and reliable data services in populated areas. It has solid coverage in the most populated areas of Port Vila, Efate, Espiritu Santo, Tanna and other major islands, with expanding 4G services.

Vodafone performs particularly well in northern regions of Malekula, making it a valuable complement to Digicel's southern strength. For travellers wanting dependable connectivity for communication and internet use, Vodafone provides reliable service where its towers are present.

Which is Better Vodafone or Digicel in Vanuatu?

Here's the honest truth: neither network is perfect on its own.

Vodafone tends to be the more budget-friendly option. However, if you're serious about staying connected wherever your Vanuatu adventure takes you, we'd recommend getting both SIM cards.

Our tip, it's always worth checking which network has the best signal in your specific area when you're booking accommodation.

Finally, here are some quick tips to help you get the most out of your Vanuatu SIM card and avoid burning through mobile data, which can still be relatively expensive outside of bundle deals.

1. If you’re travelling beyond Efate and/or to south Malekula, consider Digicel
2. If you’re staying mainly in Port Vila, Luganville or north Malekula, Vodafone is a solid all-round option
3. Download your provider’s app to track usage
4. Turn off auto-updates and background data
5. Switch off mobile data when not in use.