20 Tips to Save Money in Vanuatu

Vanuatu's budget accommodation options are simply known as bungalows, and they're one of the best ways to stretch your travel dollars. These charming retreats are typically run by locals and offer standalone units that provide a much more authentic experience than your average resort stay.

What makes these bungalows special is their use of local materials; some are even treehouses on Tanna LINK#D071. It's accommodation with character, and your bank account will be happier for choosing authenticity over luxury.

We've compiled all our favourite budget-friendly options in The Best Budget Accommodations in Vanuatu guide.

When it comes to paying your way in Vanuatu, we not only recommend paying with cash, as it's often the only accepted form of payment, but also to avoid card fees.

Vendors charge an extra 3 to 5% on all purchases made by foreign bank cards, which certainly adds up after a few purchases!

Bring some cash to Vanuatu with you to start your first few days, then exchange it in Port Vila (see the point below) on arrival.

When you start to get low on funds, withdraw as many vatu as you feel comfortable carrying from an ATM to see you through a few more days.

Make sure you secure your cash, however, as petty theft does happen in Vanuatu.

Learn more about paying your way through the islands using What is the Best Way to Pay in Vanuatu? and keep your cash safe following our Vanuatu Safety Tips.

The local currency is the Vatu, which can be exchanged at banks and currency exchange bureaus at Port Vila Airport or in Port Vila town.

Where is the best place to exchange currency in Port Vila? The National Bank of Vanuatu tends to have better exchange rates for swapping foreign currency for Vatu. There are No1 Currency and Goodies Forex branches across Port Vila, including the airport, that tend to have better rates than Vanuatu's other banks, at least.

For the National Bank of Vanuatu, there is no difference in their exchange rates between their airport branch and in town, which is handy to know. However, their cruise passenger exchange rates at the kiosk at port are less advantageous, so we recommend that cruise passengers exchange currency at the National Bank of Vanuatu branch in town, located on Rue de Paris.

For more on currency exchange, take a look at our tips in The Best Place to Exchange Currency in Vanuatu.

If you’re travelling from Australia, there’s a handy little trick for quickly working out what things cost in Vanuatu without pulling out your phone every five minutes.

For a rough AUD estimate, divide the VT price by 100, then multiply it by 1.2. So, 5,000 VT becomes 50, then 50 x 1.2 gives you about AU$60.

It’s not perfect, because exchange rates move around like they’ve had too much Tanna Coffee, but it’s handy when you’re deciding whether that extra woven bag is reasonable.

And if you want to convert the other way around, use AU$1 = 80 VT as your rough baseline. Multiply the AUD amount by 100, then subtract 20%. For example, AU$50 becomes 5,000 VT, minus 1,000 VT, giving you around 4,000 VT.

Let's be honest, cruise lines have a reputation for charging eye-watering prices for shore excursions, and we've seen markups of up to 300%!

That's why we always recommend booking your activities independently and in advance. You'll save a considerable amount whilst having much more flexibility with your time.

For cruise passengers looking to make the most of their time ashore, we recommend checking out our 10 Best Shore Excursions in Vanuatu. Better yet, book all your Vanuatu tours directly through book.vanuatupocketguide.com and skip those hefty cruise line fees entirely!

Travelling with kids? Check whether your accommodation has family deals before you lock in the room, because the savings can be surprisingly good.

Some resorts in Vanuatu offer deals where kids stay, play or eat free when sharing with paying adults. For example, Holiday Inn has kids-eat-free options from the kids’ menu when dining with a paying adult, while Warwick Le Lagon Resort has been known to run packages where kids 12 and under stay, play and eat free for all meals when accompanied by paying adults. Iririki Island Resort & Spa also often features packages where up to two children under 16 stay free when sharing the same room as their parents.

That said, don’t just look at the big “family deal” headline and call it a day. Some hotels charge a room rate based on two people, then add an extra cost per additional guest, even for family rooms. Sneaky? A little. Worth checking? Absolutely.

Our tip is to compare the total room price, meal inclusions and child policies before booking. A room that looks more expensive at first glance might work out cheaper once free meals, kids’ activities and extra-person charges are factored in.

Speaking of accommodations, those with kitchen facilities are available in some of the apartments and guesthouses across Port Vila, Santo, Malekula and Tanna, as well as some accommodations in the outer islands.

Buying local groceries and cooking for yourself will save you a ton compared to eating out continuously.

So, look out for listings with kitchen facilities in our guide, Where to Stay in Vanuatu: 50 Best Accommodations, and follow the advice in A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Vanuatu to learn about where to shop.

We know, we know, not spending money on alcohol is usually the better money-saving tip. But you’re on holiday, and that sunset drink isn’t going to sip itself.

Many bars, restaurants and resorts in Vanuatu offer happy hours, weekly specials or meal deals that can help reduce your food and beverage costs. Keep an eye out for discounted cocktails, local beer specials and early evening promotions, especially around Port Vila.

It’s also worth timing your night out around the deals rather than wandering into the first waterfront bar you see when you’re already hungry, thirsty and suddenly terrible at budgeting.

For more ideas on where to go and when to save, check out The Ultimate Guide to Vanuatu Nightlife + Happy Hour List.

We're big fans of taking taxis rather than renting a car to get around Port Vila and Luganville. The savings alone make it worth considering: you'll pay around 12,000-$15,000 VT per day for taxi services compared to 14,000-$16,000+ VT for a rental car (plus fuel costs).

If you're arriving on a cruise ship, taxis and drivers are readily available at the port (which saves you the hassle of arranging car pickup from the get-go). Some can be quite pushy with cruise passengers, however, so as mentioned above, it's best to pre-arrange drivers/tours in advance to ensure you get the price you've agreed upon.

For more details on your options, check out The Cost of Renting a Car in Vanuatu and Taxis & Trucks in Vanuatu: Taxi Fares, How to Use & More.

Vanuatu's minivan "buses" are all part of the fixtures around Port Vila, characterised by their "B" license plates and taking you where you want to go with no fixed route or schedule.

They're also remarkably affordable, typically costing 150 VT for most journeys around town.

Learn more about getting around in our Vanuatu Transport Guide: Buses, Taxis & More.

If you're looking for an incredibly budget-friendly way to travel between Efate (the main island) and the outer islands, we highly recommend taking the ferries.

There are several ferry companies in Vanuatu that offer competitive rates, with routes to Malekula for around 9,900-10,000 VT for adults, and to Santo (Espiritu Santo) for around 12,200-12,500 VT.

For an even more budget-friendly option, cargo boats provide a basic, slow, overnight experience; a ride to Malekula from Santo might cost as little as 2,000 VT, though this is quite a basic experience.

For all the details on schedules, booking and what to expect onboard, check out The Guide to Taking the Ferry in Vanuatu.

Renting a car for the day? Before you grab the keys and point the bonnet toward the horizon, check whether your rental includes unlimited kilometres.

Not all car rental companies, in Port Vila especially, include unlimited kilometres, with some only covering around 50-100 km per day. That might sound like plenty if you’re just pottering around town, but it can disappear quickly once you start exploring further afield.

For example, if you’re hiring a car for one day to drive the 130 km (81 mi) Efate Ring Road, you could be charged around 750-1,500 VT extra in kilometre fees. Suddenly, that “cheap” rental car is doing its best impression of a luxury upgrade.

Our tip? Ask about kilometre limits before booking, check the excess kilometre rate and factor it into your day’s driving plan. A slightly higher daily rate with unlimited kilometres can sometimes work out better than a lower rate with a sneaky distance cap.

For more car rental money-saving tips, head to The Cost of Renting a Car in Vanuatu: Full Car Rental Cost Breakdown.

Here's something we've learned the hard way: baggage allowances in Vanuatu are surprisingly strict, and they can hit your wallet if you're not careful.

If you're flying domestically within Vanuatu without any international connections, you'll get 10 kg (22 lbs) for checked baggage and a measly 5 kg (11 lbs) for carry-on baggage. Eek!

The good news is that if you're travelling between Port Vila, Santo and Tanna on ATR-72 aircraft with connections to Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia or Fiji, you might get 30 kg (66 lbs) of checked luggage.

Stick to these limits religiously. They're incredibly strict about enforcement, and you'll be looking at extra fees for an overweight bag or even more if you need to check an additional piece.

Our advice? Weigh your bags before you leave home and pack light.

Skip the local SIM card unless you're planning to be online constantly.

The phone networks here are pricey and don't offer the most reliable coverage (something we discovered first-hand during our last visit).

Instead, we recommend choosing accommodation that offers complimentary WiFi. You'll find that many hotels, resorts and guesthouses provide free internet access, which can save you a decent chunk of money over the course of your trip.

If you're spending time in Port Vila, you'll also find several cafés around town that offer free WiFi to customers. For a complete list of where to get online, check out our How to Get Internet & WiFi in Vanuatu guide.

If you want to learn more about the price of data with the local phone networks, check out The Best SIM Card in Vanuatu for Travellers.

The highlights of Vanuatu are not helicopter rides, skydiving or spa treatments, but its natural wonders.

Discovering waterfalls, blue holes, World War Two sites and cultural villages doesn't demand too much from your wallet, even if you need to pay entry fees, as is customary in Vanuatu. Fill your time sightseeing instead of doing costly activities and you're sure to save big!

For a list of affordable attractions and experiences, in which we state what's free and what's not, take a look at the 50 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Vanuatu.

You'll love eating out at the affordable cafés, restaurants and takeaways we've discovered during our visits to Vanuatu. We've listed all our favourite budget-friendly spots in our cheap eats guide!

From what we've experienced, most of the best local finds and street food gems are located at or behind the local markets in Port Vila, Luganville, Lakatoro and beyond, and are covered in our cheap eats article. So, if you're planning to dine out, this guide will definitely help you save money whilst discovering some local flavours.

Whatever you do, don’t waste money (and kill the environment) by buying bottles of water throughout your trip.

If you know you’re staying at an accommodation with filtered drinking water, have a few reusable water bottles to refill at the resort before you head out.

Alternatively, we highly recommend using a water purification bottle, such as Lifestraw, which removes 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites from water. That way, you can refill the bottle from any tap water you come across.

We’ve used ours right across the South Pacific with no issues!

For more tips on having access to water, check out Is the Water Safe to Drink in Vanuatu?

The more people you travel with, the more savings you’re likely to make!

Whether it’s splitting the cost of a holiday home rental, car rental, taxi (or truck) fares or even doing a boat charter, there are certainly more savings to be made as a tribe.

Before we conclude this list of money-saving tips, we can't forget to mention how you can save money on your trip to Vanuatu by saving on your flight to Vanuatu!

There are multiple airlines and routes for getting to the islands, connecting in either Fiji, Australia or New Zealand, so be sure to compare all of your options following the advice in Getting Here: How to Get to Vanuatu and Which Airlines Fly Directly to Vanuatu?

As an extra tip for those parking at the airport before departing for Vanuatu, be sure to compare third-party park-and-ride companies rather than just paying at the official airport car park. They are usually significantly cheaper!

If you've made it all the way to this point on this list of tips to save money in Vanuatu, then you probably don't need this tip but we'll tell you anyway… Doing your research about Vanuatu before you travel ensures that you're staying in the best-value accommodation, getting the best deals on activities, and making your dollars stretch further thanks to the money-saving tips we offer here at Vanuatu Pocket Guide!

Head to The Backpacking & Budget Travel Guide to Vanuatu for more ways to shave the costs.