Markets in Vila - Saturday trading hours

[Brushtail]

We will be in Vila on a Saturday. It says in 'Lonely Planet Vanuatu & New Caledonia' that the markets in Vila close at 12 noon on a Saturday.

Can anyone confirm this? I am hoping they will stay open all day with a cruise ship in town.

We have booked in a shore tour for the morning but also want to go to the markets.

[fishtaco]

Hi Jenny,I think they will stay open all day if a cruise ship is in port, cant see them closing at 12 and missing out on people coming back off of shore tours.
Den

[didiaust]

I have been in vila on a Saturday and I am sure they don't close till the ships pulls up anchor. The traders on the port do the same

[Tropicalshowers]

The markets are open MON - SAT 24 hrs (Vanuatu website). There's also no closing for 'siesta' while the ships are in port either!
Cheers

[Brushtail]

Thanks heaps, everyone.

Whew!! Panic over. :D

We have booked the Glass Bottom boat and Snorkel Safari early in the day and I was not looking forward to being damp and salty walking through the markets at a breakneck speed before they closed.

Now we have time to go back to the ship, shower and change before heading back into town.

Thanks again. :)

[didiaust]

Jenny

The markets are very local and i wouldn't bother changing . Its very stuffy & hot onder the tin roof.

You need a shower after you've been to the market and rode home in the grotty taxi or bus- but its all in the spirit of Vila

[MsMinx]

We recently honeymooned there. Most shops do close for siesta midday but on a cruise ship day they stay open all day. They set up market at the wharf on ship days too so you can buy all your trinkets and souvineers, get your hair braided etc...... I got my hair braided by a lady on main street. They have permanent markets set up on the left side of the road just up from the fruit markets. There are heaps of ladies that braid hair there for about $15. To be honest they did the best job there that i've ever had done. I think the ladies at the wharf tend to hurry a little to churn through all the tourists waiting to have braids ;)