 Port Vila
Vanuatu’s capital has been built around a beautiful natural harbour on the island of Éfaté. Vila is an ideal base for trips to the outer islands but is also a fascinating city in it’s own right. There are excellent city tours available which will give you a glimpse of landmarks like the Cultural Centre, Parliament Building and the Court House.
Iarofa Cultural Village – If you want to know how to catch fish with a spider’s web, survive a cyclone in the roots of a banyan tree, and see the skull of one of Vanuatu’s last victims of cannibalism, take a tour to the Iarofa Cultural Village outside capital, Port Vila.
The concept of Johnson Sausiara who is fiercely proud of his people’s culture, history and heritage – but speaks perfect English, has a mobile phone, his own website and carries business cards under his grass skirt – the hour-long tour offers a fascinating insight into village life both past and present.
Visitors see how pigs are trapped, spider’s webs that catch small fish, how a wild cane stripped of its bark and dropped into coral pools sucks the oxygen from the water to kill fish in the pools, learn about village herbal medicines, see how bows and arrows bring down birds and pigs caught in booby traps, how food can be stored underground for times of famine or cyclones, and learn about cannibalism that existed in Vanuatu until 1968.
They also hear about respect for elders and chiefs, see several traditional dances, watch village foods being prepared, taste local fruits in season and see how traditional stone axes are shaped from rocks.
There’s also a somewhat startling "warrior’s challenge," and need for approval by the local chief before visitors are allowed entry to his village… and plenty of photo opportunities of the traditionally dressed and painted chief and his "warriors," and equally photogenic village children.
The tour costs Vt3850 which is about AU$48pp including pick-up from Port Vila hotels and resorts, and return from Iarofa that’s 15-minutes out of town.
The Cultural Centre holds an extensive collection of South Pacific artefacts and features exhibitions, films and shows including traditional music, dancing and story telling and if you are into Banyan trees there is a beauty here.
Mele Cascades – A 12km drive out of Port Vila takes you to the tropical Cascades waterfall, a perfect picnic spot with a large, clear pool for swimming. This is a steep walk but well worth the effort. Don’t let small children stop you from making this trip as the guides will carry or piggy back them for you. It is well worth the trip and you will be ecstatic that you went. Be sure to swim in one of the natural tropical pools.
 Pentecost Island
Many islanders here still live the traditional way of life and hold indigenous beliefs. Here you can witness a religious rite known as land diving, visit kava and cocoa plantations and observe active volcanoes from a safe distance.
Erromango Island
This mountainous island is one of the best places to trek through virgin rainforest, encounter tropical birds and other wildlife and explore remote beaches and caves. A guide is recommended for longer walks.
Tanna Island
This island is known for the Yasur Volcano, wild horses and villages that are easily accessible to tourists. Tanna can be visited as a day trip from Port Vila, but it’s more fulfilling to stay at least overnight and enjoy a mixture of natural and cultural attractions.
Top TEN things to do
- Take a full day tour of Éfaté island, from the Colonial architecture of Port Vila to untamed tropical rainforest and small, culture-rich villages.
- Visit the Markets in Port Villa for hassle-free souvenir shopping and food tasting.
- Swim in a natural tropical pool under a beautiful waterfall like Mele Cascades.
- Go snorkelling or diving amongst colourful coral and reef fish on Hideaway Island.
- Experience a Melanesian feast at your resort with music, dancing and an enormous tropical buffet.
- Get on a plane at Vila airport and view spectacular active volcanoes from the air.
- Take a tour of Ekasup Cultural Village and experience first-hand ancient Melanesian practices of preparing food and medicine, traditional weaving and more.
- Float from island to island on a cruise ship.
- Visit Mele Gardens and Reptile Park near Port Vila.
- Trek through forests and explore the mountainous terrain of Santo, Guau, Ambrym and Erromango.
 Events
Different villages celebrate their own cultural events throughout the year. Christmas is an especially important celebration for Christians in Vanuatu.
Land diving – is practiced on southern Pentecost Island between April and June. In this religious and fertility rite, men tie vines to their ankles and dive off timber platforms so that their hair scrapes across the ground at high speed. This rather unsettling spectacle is said to ensure successful yam crops.
Jon Frum Day – is celebrated in February on Tanna Island and includes festivals of dancing and parades.
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