port vila - P&O Cruises

port vila
destination Guide
PORT VILA has seen more history and
change than many towns ten or even a
hundred times its size. This city of 35,000
has incredible depth when it comes to
culture, tradition and history.
Vila has something for everyone - whether you want an
adrenalin rich adventure, a chance to get acquainted with
Ni-Vanuatu culture, or time to simply relax and absorb the
tropical beauty. Indulge in some shopping, dine in a cafe
or restaurant in the French Quarter or meander around the
waterfront market.
Did you know
The most northern islands of Vanuatu were first named
by Europeans in 1768. French explorer, Louis-Antoine de
Bougainville called them Les Grande Cyclades. Six years later,
Captain James Cook chartered many of the islands in the
archipelago and gave them the collective name New Hebrides,
which remained in atlases for more than two hundred years.
WHAT TO SEE
QQ
Ekasup Cultural Village
Awarded Vanuatu’s best tourist attraction for the past two
years, Ekasup Village provides an insight into the magical and
mysterious world of ancient Melanesia. This is one of our best
selling P&O Cruises shore tours in Port Vila.
AUSTRALIA
BRISBANE
NEWCASTLE
SYDNEY
VANUATU Port Vila
NEW ZEALAND
AUCKLAND
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Cascade Waterfalls
Cascade Waterfalls is an accessible, 50-metre high waterfall
with naturally eroded rock swimming ponds, set amidst
jungle-like rainforest. For the truly adventurous, consider
abseiling down the waterfall! Join one of our Shore Tours to
discover the magic of Vila.
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Travel further afield
Port Vila is a spectacular natural harbour, yet it only
represents a small part of the entire island of Efate. Beaches,
cliffs, villages and spectacularly dense jungle and villages
await discovery by land, air or sea. We have a number of
tours available to help you explore this magnificent place.
PORT VILA IN A NUTSHELL
Port Vila is the trading centre and capital of Vanuatu. It’s
perfectly located around a beautiful harbour on the southwestern
coast of the island of Efate. Here you’ll find a mix
of cultures – Melanesian (Indigenous Ni-Vanuatu), French,
English, Chinese and many others.
POPULATION: 29,356 (approximately)
LANGUAGE: English, Bislama and French
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary republic
CURRENCY: Vatu
Keep your guide handy. This guide is intended to assist you, regardless of whether you’re on a Shore Tour, touring independently or doing both.

ville
port vila
Everything you need to know.
DOCKING
Your ship will dock at Port Vila’s commercial pier, about five
kilometres from the centre of town.
TAXIS
There are plenty of taxis in Vila. At the dock you’ll find them
lined up just outside the port gates. A trip into town should
cost around $15 AUD. There is a minimum fare and taxis are
not metered. Make sure that you have either agreed on a
fare, or the driver switches the meter on if you are using
a taxi for an extended journey. Taxi vans, which wait until
they’re full before heading off, charge around $3 AUD per
passenger for the trip into town.
DINING
For a small city, Vila is surprisingly cosmopolitan. Satisfy
your cravings with a gourmet meal at a licensed restaurant,
a simple snack, a great coffee or Vanuatu’s national dish,
laplap - a unique “packet” of local vegetables and meat or
fish marinated in coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves
and cooked underground. The water in Vila is safe to drink.
For quarantine reasons, please do not take any food or drink
(other than bottled water) off the ship.
SHOPPING
Vila has everything; there are duty-free goods, and
competitively priced indigenous arts, crafts and clothing. The
markets near the pier where your ship docks are also quite
good. Most shopping is located along Lini Highway in the
centre of town. Please ensure that any items you purchase do
not contravene Australia’s or New Zealand’s strict quarantine
laws. Do not buy anything that is made from turtle shell,
feathers or seeds. Bargaining is not customary in Vanuatu.
SHORE TOURS
There are a range of tours available for you to really
get the most out of your time in Port Vila. Tours can be
booked onboard at the shore tours desk and are subject to
availability. Passengers are required to meet at a specific
location for each shore tour departure. Please refer to your
tour ticket for the correct time and place.
ENVIRONMENT
Coral is an extremely precious marine organism. In an effort
to preserve its natural beauty and habitat please avoid
touching it in all circumstances. During your time ashore we
also ask that you dispose of your rubbish thoughtfully.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Please ask permission before you take photographs of Ni-
Vanuatu (indigenous people).
P&O Cruises’ agents
While you are ashore, please contact the nearest crew
member in the case of an emergency. Alternatively, the
P&O Cruises port agent for Port Vila is:
South Sea Shipping
Lini Highway, Vila, Vanuatu
Phone: 678 22205
Emergency Phone (24 hours): +61 2 8424 8947
CLIMATE
Vila’s climate is tropical. The average mid-day temperature is 29
degrees in summer and 25 degrees in winter. It can also be very
humid at times. The wet season is from December to March.
Make sure you stay hydrated and sheltered from the sun.
CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards and charge cards are widely accepted in larger
stores, restaurants and some cafes. Some shops may accept
Australian dollars but will only be able to give you change
in Vatu. You will not be able to exchange your Vatu for
Australian dollars once back onboard.
TELEPHONES INTERNATIONAL & LOCAL
There are public telephones in downtown Vila. Mobile
coverage is generally available as long as global roaming is
selected prior to leaving home.
Port Vila
Iririki Island
Rue De Par
is
Rue Bougan
Rue Pasteur
Market
Kumul Highway
Town
Hall
Lookout
Point
Winston Ch urchill
National
Museum
Rue Dartois
WHAT TO WEAR ASHORE
To make your day ashore as enjoyable as possible, please
wear comfortable flat soled shoes, lightweight clothing and
a hat. You are also advised to bring sunscreen, bottled water
and an umbrella during the wet season. Ni-Vanuatu are quite
conservative, so please dress modestly. Wearing swimwear
downtown is not acceptable. Nude or topless bathing is not
permitted on any beach.
Vila Bay
Cruise Terminal
Wharf Road
500 m
Elluk Road
Note: The information in this guide is subject to change without notice. We apologise for any inconvenience, but P&O Cruises cannot accept responsibility for any such alterations. Thank you.