Vanuatu operates on Vanuatu Time, which is UTC+11 year-round with no daylight saving adjustments. The country uses 230V electrical supply at 50Hz with Type I plugs, the same three-flat-pin configuration as Australia and New Zealand. Most accommodations in Port Vila and Luganville provide adapters, but travelers from North America, Europe, and Asia require their own plug adapters and may need voltage converters for devices not rated for 230V. Mobile phone coverage exists on Efate, Espiritu Santo, and Tanna through Digicel and TVL networks, both offering prepaid SIM cards purchasable at the airport and in Port Vila and Luganville. Data coverage remains inconsistent outside urban areas, and most outer islands have no mobile service. Internet connectivity in Port Vila and Luganville reaches adequate speeds for basic use, but outer islands typically offer no internet access beyond occasional satellite connections at resorts.
The Vanuatu vatu (VUV) is the sole legal currency, with the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu maintaining the official exchange. As of 2024, approximate rates hover near 120 VUV to 1 USD and 135 VUV to 1 EUR, though rates fluctuate. ATMs exist in Port Vila and Luganville, dispensing vatu with daily withdrawal limits typically around 50,000-80,000 VUV. Most ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard; American Express and Discover have limited acceptance. Banks include the National Bank of Vanuatu, ANZ, and Bred Bank, with branches concentrated in Port Vila and Luganville. Credit cards function at hotels, larger restaurants, and dive operators in Port Vila and Luganville, but cash remains essential for markets, villages, and outer islands. No banks operate on Tanna or most other islands beyond Efate and Espiritu Santo. Currency exchange offices cluster near the Port Vila waterfront and at Bauerfield International Airport. The Australian dollar circulates informally in some tourist businesses but is not legal tender.
Vanuatu levies a 15% Value Added Tax on most goods and services, included in listed prices. Tipping does not exist as a cultural practice in Vanuatu, and attempting to tip can cause confusion or offense. No service charges appear on bills at restaurants or hotels. Tour guides and dive instructors do not expect tips, though small gifts of betel nut or tobacco may be appropriate in village contexts when following kastom protocols. Bargaining occurs at Port Vila market for produce and handicrafts but not at fixed-price shops or for services.
The official languages are Bislama, English, and French, reflecting the Anglo-French Condominium history that ended in 1980. Bislama functions as the lingua franca, spoken by the entire population as a first or second language. This English-based creole evolved during the 19th century plantation era and uses simplified grammar with vocabulary drawn primarily from English but also French and indigenous languages. English dominates in Port Vila's tourism sector and business, while French prevails in schools on certain islands and in formal government documents. More than 100 indigenous languages exist across the archipelago, with most islands maintaining distinct languages unrelated to neighboring island languages. Travelers function adequately with English in Port Vila, Luganville, and established tourist areas. On Tanna and outer islands, Bislama becomes necessary for communication outside of organized tours. Basic Bislama phrases include "halo" for hello, "tangkyu" for thank you, and "wanem praes?" for how much. French proves useful in Francophone communities, particularly on certain islands in the northern groups.
Medical facilities in Vanuatu remain basic by developed-world standards. Port Vila Central Hospital, the largest facility, opened a new building in 2019 with emergency, surgical, and general medicine departments staffed by local and visiting doctors. Luganville Northern Hospital provides similar services on Espiritu Santo. Both facilities lack advanced diagnostic equipment such as MRI or CT scanners as of 2024. No hyperbaric chamber exists in Vanuatu despite the country's popularity for diving, requiring medical evacuation to Australia or New Zealand for serious decompression illness. Outer islands have aid posts staffed by nurses with radio contact to Port Vila. Pharmacies in Port Vila and Luganville stock basic medications, but travelers should carry prescription medications in original packaging with documentation. Malaria transmission occurs year-round on all islands except Aneityum and some of the southern islands, with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax both present. The World Health Organization confirms Vanuatu as a malaria-endemic country. Dengue fever outbreaks occur periodically, with significant outbreaks recorded in 2016-2017 and 2022. Zika virus presence was confirmed in 2016. No specific insect-borne disease prevention infrastructure exists beyond basic public health messaging.