Vanuatu

🇻🇺

Prefisso Telefonico

+678

Capitale

Port Vila

Popolazione

320.000

Nome Nativo

Vanuatu

Regione

Oceania

Melanesia

Fuso Orario

Vanuatu Time

UTC+11:00

Vanuatu stands as one of the South Pacific's most adventurous destinations—a Y-shaped archipelago of 83 islands where you can stand on the rim of an active volcano watching molten lava erupt below, witness the traditional land diving ritual that inspired modern bungee jumping, dive pristine coral reefs and World War II wrecks, and experience authentic Melanesian kastom culture barely touched by global homogenization. Gained independence in 1980, this former New Hebrides maintains a unique trilingual character (Bislama, English, French) alongside hundreds of indigenous languages. Port Vila, the capital on Efate Island, provides a comfortable base with decent hotels, restaurants, and services. Beyond Vila, outer islands from volcanic Tanna to remote Banks Islands offer genuine adventure for travelers willing to embrace basic conditions. Vanuatu attracts adventure travelers, divers, volcano enthusiasts, and those seeking Pacific islands beyond the usual tourist circuits.

Vanuatu Visa & Immigration System

Vanuatu operates a visitor-friendly visa-free entry system for citizens of most countries. Nationals of major Western countries including Australia, New Zealand, UK, US, Canada, and EU member states receive 30-day visitor permits upon arrival at Bauerfield International Airport (Port Vila) or Pekoa International Airport (Santo). Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure date. Immigration officials require confirmed return or onward flight tickets and may request evidence of sufficient funds and accommodation details. The initial 30-day permit can be extended to 120 days total through application to the Immigration Department in Port Vila, typically granted for tourism purposes with payment of extension fees. Business visas for extended activities, work permits for employment, and residence permits for long-term stay require advance arrangements. Vanuatu offers a citizenship-by-investment program enabling qualifying applicants to obtain citizenship and passports through financial contributions, though this differs from standard tourist entry. Travelers transiting through Vila to reach outer islands should verify any specific requirements, though most domestic travel is straightforward.

Tipi di Visto Comuni

Visa-Free Entry

30 days (extendable to 120 days total)

Tourism, visiting friends/family, business meetings

Visitor Permit Extension

Up to 120 days total (apply at Immigration Dept, Port Vila)

Extending tourist stay beyond initial 30 days

Business Visa

Variable (requires advance application)

Extended business activities, project work

Work Permit

Annual permits (requires employer sponsorship)

Employment in Vanuatu

Essential Information for Vanuatu Travelers

Visa-free entry for most nationalities for 30 days (extendable to 120 days). Passport valid 6 months required, onward ticket required.

Cyclone season November-April poses significant risks. Devastating cyclones have caused major damage recently. Travel insurance covering cyclones essential. May-October is safer.

Vanuatu is expensive. Budget $150-200+ per day minimum. Accommodation, food, domestic flights, and activities all carry premium prices.

Panoramica del Viaggio

Vanuatu offers a range of experiences from comfortable resort-based holidays to challenging outer island adventures. Port Vila on Efate Island serves as the main hub, with international flights from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and New Caledonia. Vila provides good hotels ($100-300/night), diverse restaurants, tour operators, and easy access to nearby attractions including Mele Cascades waterfall, Ekasup Cultural Village, and excellent diving. Beyond Vila, the standout attraction is Mt. Yasur volcano on Tanna Island—one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes where visitors stand meters from the rim watching strombolian eruptions spew lava into the night sky. Tanna also hosts the land diving ritual (April-June), where men leap from tall wooden towers with vines tied to their ankles—the precursor to modern bungee jumping. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu's largest island, attracts divers to the SS President Coolidge, one of the world's most accessible large shipwrecks. Outer islands like Pentecost (land diving), Ambae, Ambrym, and the remote Banks and Torres groups offer authentic kastom village experiences, basic guesthouses, and genuine adventure for independent travelers. English is widely spoken alongside French and Bislama (an English-based creole). Infrastructure is adequate on main islands but basic on outer islands. Vanuatu is expensive by Pacific standards due to import costs and island isolation. The cyclone season (November-April) poses significant risks—devastating cyclones have hit recently, causing major damage.

Scopri Vanuatu

Mount Yasur on Tanna Island represents Vanuatu's premier natural attraction and one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes. This continuously erupting volcano has maintained activity for over 800 years, with strombolian eruptions occurring multiple times per hour. Visitors are driven to the ash plain at the volcano's base, then climb a short but steep cinder slope to reach the crater rim (approximately 20-30 minutes). Standing at the edge, travelers witness extraordinary spectacles: glowing lava bombs launched hundreds of meters into the air, explosive roar of eruptions, acrid sulfur fumes, and the primal power of Earth's interior on full display. Evening visits are most spectacular when eruptions illuminate the night sky. The experience feels simultaneously thrilling and terrifying—this is an ACTIVE volcano with no barriers or safety infrastructure beyond tour guide instructions. The volcano's access is controlled by custom land owners who charge entry fees. Tours are arranged through operators in Tanna's main villages (Lenakel or Port Resolution) or Port Vila. While Yasur is unusually accessible, it remains a genuine volcanic hazard—eruptions vary in intensity, and visitors must accept real risks. The combination of accessibility and dramatic activity makes Yasur one of the planet's most memorable natural experiences.

Modi per Scoprire Questa Destinazione

Volcano & Adventure Tour

Focus on Mt. Yasur volcano on Tanna Island. Combine with Port Vila base, possibly add Santo diving or land diving (seasonal). Classic 7-10 day itinerary. Moderate adventure level with good accommodation available.

Diving Expedition

Base on Espiritu Santo for SS President Coolidge wreck diving and reef dives. Excellent for wreck diving enthusiasts. Combine with Port Vila and possibly Tanna. 10-14 days recommended.

Cultural Immersion & Outer Islands

Visit multiple islands for kastom village experiences. Include Pentecost for land diving (April-June), Ambrym for volcanic landscapes, Banks Islands for remoteness. Requires weeks, flexibility, and adventure spirit.

Comfortable Island Escape

Stay in Port Vila area resorts, day trips to Mele Cascades and cultural villages, diving/snorkeling excursions, beach relaxation. Less adventurous option with good infrastructure. 5-7 days sufficient.

Rappresentanze ospitate

Ambasciate presenti in Vanuatu

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Tutti i paesi per continente

Vanuatu offers South Pacific adventure for travelers seeking more than beaches—where you can stand on the rim of an erupting volcano, witness the original bungee jump ritual, dive world-class wrecks, and experience authentic Melanesian kastom culture. From Mt. Yasur's lava eruptions to remote island villages, Vanuatu delivers genuine adventure.

Check Vanuatu Visa Requirements