Does Vila close?

Doing Vila in April and although we've been there before we weren't in town during lunch time. Do most of the duty free/tourist shops close during lunch?

Also, we will be there on Good Friday. I know they celebrate it as a holiday but I'm hoping most of the shops will be open. Does anyone know for sure.

Thanks.

Hi Oxstang

i am on the same cruise and was worried about the shops being closed on Good Friday. I emailed Vanuata tourism and they stated that if a ship was in, the shops would be open. i also emailed a tour operater (Evergreen Tours) and they are also open on Good Friday

I am sure they will be open as the ships bring so much money to their economy.

Jennie

No matter where in the world you are, if there is a ship coming to town, they will be open regardless.

I know that on our Mexican cruise, all the shops opened when the ship/s arrived.

As Aussie Gal said, it is what drives their economy.

Vila will be open all day. (someone else checked into it for the same day)

No matter where in the world you are, if there is a ship coming to town,

I don't know, I reckon Noumea would be the excpetion to that - they don't seem to care when the ships are in.

Hi cruisers, I agree with Skyrules about Noumea.

the shops close about 11am on Saturday's and are closed on Sunday's, except for around at Anse Vata.

(they don't care if a ship is in or not.)

Maybe if you landed on a weekend, the stalls at the shipping terminal may be open !!!

I always check the brochure for the day we arrive in Noumea, if it's on our cruise.

I wouldn't bother going on the Star if you want to see Noumea by day, the ship gets in too late, and shops close early,at about 4pm.

Vila.. will always be open whatever day the ship gets there. they rely on tourism so much, and it is the best for duty free stuff.

just make sure whatever you buy is covered by an Australian warranty....

kindest regards, Lorraine:) :)

If your arrive in Vila on a Sunday the markets are closed, all other duty free stores are open.

Chez

We arrived in Noumea on a cruise once on Easter Sunday. Double whammy - Sunday and a Public Holiday. The place was dead - everything was closed.

The shops might close slightly earlier. Not sure. We were there on a Sunday but I think from memory it was a holiday. Fung Kwei shut around 3 or 3.30. There was also no markets.

We were in Vila on a Sunday in April 06. There was a few shops that were closed but most were open and the markets were open aswell.

Karen:)