Compare hotels in Vanuatu from AU$181

When you’re in your third hour of conference calls or fiftieth PowerPoint slide on stock options, where does your mind wander to? If you dream of bright blue lagoons, sunny skies and drinks with tiny umbrellas, Vanuatu holidays are just what you need. Vanuatu is just an easy skip across the Coral Sea from Brisbane, even closer to the Oz than Fiji.

Things to Do in Vanuatu

Whether you want a secluded, thatched-roof hut right on the beach, or the luxey, all-access resort vibe, Vanuatu hotels are always a great home base. Need a break from the stressful work of drinking in a hammock? Drink by a lagoon instead! On Efate, the second-largest island, head to Eton Beach on the southeast coast to find the Blue Lagoon. The light blue water looks like Glacier Freeze Gatorade, and the rope swing will make you feel like a kid again.

Want to do something that would truly make your younger self pee a little with excitement? Take a scenic waterfront helicopter flight. If you’re trying to impress a certain travel companion you brought along, mission accomplished.

If you’d rather be under the water than above it, Santo, the largest island, has some of the world’s premier diving spots. The SS Coolidge was taken out by World War II mines off the coast of Luganville, on the south shore, and is now a real “wreck”.

If you prefer to stay near the surface, head to Million Dollar Point, just east of Luganville. Despite the name, the views of military trucks and weapons frozen in time beneath the waves don’t cost a thing. Back at your Vanuatu accommodation, upload your snaps and take a quick power nap. You’ve got Melanesian feasts and live music in your future, and you don’t want to fall into a food coma before the dancing begins!

Getting To& Around Vanuatu

Flights to Vanuatu can take you directly to either Santo or Efate islands. On Santo Island, you’ll land at Santo-Pekoa International Airport (SON), in Luganville, and on Efate you’ll fly into Bauerfield International Airport (VLI), 6km from the Port Vila city centre.

You’re in the tropics, so sure, you can channel your inner explorer…or just check with our hotels in Vanuatu about shuttle arrangements. If you plan on getting off the resort, lastminute.com.au’s fantastic car hire options are cheap and accessible, and taxis also get the job done.

Popular Events in Vanuatu

Vanuatu is tropical, so you can get rid of that farmer’s tan year-round. Every day is a party thanks to the “joie de vivre” of the locals, but Pentecost Island in April through June is a real thrill. During the land diving ceremonies, villagers jump from tall wooden towers, secured only by two vines tied to their feet. Done properly, their hair should graze the ground before the vines break their fall. Want to get in on the action? Wait until you’re home, then try bungee jumping, you daredevil.

If you’re coming to the island later in the year, then you can help the locals celebrate their favourite saint during the Saint Andrew Festival, held over three days at the end of November. This Christian festival has been flavoured with the Vanuatu spirit and includes lots of dancing, celebrating and grub. The best food in Vanuatu is on display, including rare dishes cooked by geothermal energy. And you thought your new convection oven was fancy!

Party Zone

Assuming that you are a decent fellow or lady, you should have no trouble making friends with the locals. You’ll know you’ve made it into the inner circle when you snag an invite to a “Nakamal” or kava bar. These can be comfy village meeting huts or just roadside stalls where the locals share their favourite beverage—kava. Okay, so it kind of looks like muddy water served in a coconut shell or bowl, but don’t turn your nose up at it. Kava is a traditional drink that was often shared between tribes as a gesture of community and friendship. Gulp it down in one sip (like a shot) and let its mild sedative qualities help you forget about every single one of those PowerPoint presentations that are due when you return.

Sorry, ladies, communal kava drinking is kind of a guy thing, though that tradition is changing, especially in places like Port Vila. You probably won’t get invited to a Nakamal on your own, but you can join your male travel companions and even get a bottle of kava to enjoy in private.

If the last thing you want at night is to get all sleepy and relaxed under kava’s sway, then you can find posh bars and even a few happening clubs in Port Vila. You’ll notice that most locals don’t frequent these institutions, but that’s no reason not to party with all the crazy blokes who just came off the latest cruise ship. Time to put your worm to the test!

Weekend Getaway

Vanuatu’s island chain gives you the opportunity to enjoy a variety of different environments and different places to stay in Vanuatu without technically leaving the country. You can live the good life on a resort in Port Vila, then spend a few days in a simple and beautiful village on a different island that will make you feel like the 21st century never came.

Hop over to Tanna Island, where you can explore the active Mount Yasur Volcano. For a fee, you a can hike all the way up to the rim of this grumpy mountain. The surrounding vistas are gorgeous. Go ahead, snap some shots and give your Instagram followers even more reasons to hate you. Just be careful: since Mount Yasur is active, double check that it is safe to hike. It’s all fun and games when your favourite movie star is running away from CGI lava (in a manly way, of course), but remember what your mum told you as a kid, “Just say NO to lava”.

What? She didn’t say that? Poor parenting!

Think you can only afford to spend one day in Vanuatu? We’ve got you covered! If you’re ready to take the plunge, check out accommodation in Vanuatu on lastminute.com.au. You may have waited until the last second, but you can still save big. You’ll find the best selection and deals, so you can be maxin’ and relaxin’ before you can say “ta-ta” to your co-workers.