This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Efate.
Port Vila is situated on the island of Efate and is the capital city of Vanuatu. The main street runs along the ocean and here you will find majority of the hostels, restaurants, shops, and markets. The largest supermarket on the island is further inland, but ask at the desk of your Port Vila hostel and they will be able to give you directions to get there. The famous local market selling fresh produce is open twenty-four hours a day, six days a week, except for Sundays, when the locals observe a day off to go to church as they are avid Christians. So if you feel the midnight urge for a pineapple or other fruit, you can wander down and wake up one of the vendors that are sleeping under the tables for your produce.
The locals are all very friendly and will say hello to you in the street so make sure you say hello back. Here they speak a combination of English, French, and local dialects, so prepare for signs to be written in different languages. Not all locals will be bilingual, so phrasebooks of English/French may be useful.
Many activities are available out of Port Vila such as snorkeling, kayaking, jet-skiing and other water activities, buggying through local villages, abseiling, shopping, and cultural tours -- many to other islands off of Efate. The museum containing many local artifacts from different islands of Vanuatu is of high cultural significance if you are interested in this aspect of ni-Van culture and living.
Written by local enthusiast for Efate hostels
Globetrotter
