Port Vila

[Wyuna1]

Wondering if the transportation arrangements have changed from wharf to town. Heard after last cruise (March 2013 ) that Mini Van Hire was to be more controlled.:confused: Can any fellow cruisers recommend a local tour company or individual to provide a 4-5 hour tour for 4 people and what could we expect to pay.:confused:

[Fletch1]

We were there last October and nothing much has changed. They still tout for your business at the port gate. Cost into town is about $5 each in a private taxi or $2 each in a filled mini bus. Coming back to the ship, you can get back for $1 or $2 each.

 

We did a trip to Hideaway Island last time and the taxi driver charged us $50 for the taxi (there and back). And he dropped us at the Chinese duty free shop on the way back and waited for us and then drove us back to the ship.

 

For $100, I would say you would just about get a full day tour everywhere.

[aussie cruzer]

I was in Vila in Feb and hired a van at the pier for $80 for 4 hrs.

 

He took us out to cascade waterfalls first....payed our own entry fee and waited for us and took us back into town for lunch at the Anchor inn.

 

Just walk out of fenced area and talk to the taxi drivers.

[jennyau]

We were there is February and May. It was actually worse in May. In Feb they stayed outside the fence. In May they started coming inside the fence touting.

 

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[Seadog & Sea Hag]

We were there in January and negotiated a fare of $15 for 5 persons into town

[Aus Traveller]

We were there in January and negotiated a fare of $15 for 5 persons into town

$15 is the usual fare to town, regardless of how many passengers there are. :)

[LPCRUISER58]

After eating our way to Port Villa, how long would it take to walk to town to help with the extra kilos?

 

We have been to Villa before but not by ship, so not sure how far from the port to town the walk would be.

 

Just a thought

 

Glenn

[rkmw]

After eating our way to Port Villa, how long would it take to walk to town to help with the extra kilos?

 

We have been to Villa before but not by ship, so not sure how far from the port to town the walk would be.

 

Just a thought

 

Glenn

 

it would be about 4-5kms into town and normally its hot and humid, we have seen people walking it but we'd rather get a taxi or mini bus

[LPCRUISER58]

it would be about 4-5kms into town and normally its hot and humid, we have seen people walking it but we'd rather get a taxi or mini bus

 

You pretty much answered my question, no walking or "stand back from the buffet"

 

Thanks

[Aus Traveller]

After eating our way to Port Villa, how long would it take to walk to town to help with the extra kilos?

 

We have been to Villa before but not by ship, so not sure how far from the port to town the walk would be.

 

Just a thought

 

Glenn

Bob's answer is correct. Another point is that there are not good footpaths for much of the way.

 

It is much simpler and easier to get a taxi. By the way, taxis back from town cost $10 in the morning and in the afternoon, can sometimes be only $5. This is still more than the price for locals.

[keagle]

Look for the water taxi as well. They do (or did) charge $10 per person, but it is an alternative.

 

My advice.

 

Barter the price of a taxi, no matter how many people are going.

Walk away from those at the gate and go further up the street and find a taxi away from the ship and barter the price without other drivers around.

Tell the ones that try to get you, something like 'no thanks, we are just going up there', and be firm but nice.

Barter the price of the taxi.

[Tara Jane]

We were there in May and the water taxi was $5 per person each way. It was a lovely way to go to Villa and took about 15 mins. There were 2 boats running at the same time from 2 different spots about 100 metres apart. The one closest to the gates was the easiest to use if you have a bit of trouble climbing in and out of the small boat as the steps were easier to get up and down. When we arrived in Villa the boat driver told us where to meet him to go back and walked us to the main street, we happened to be the only passengers on the boat. When it was time to return we went back with the other water taxi which left from the far side of the casino as we waited at the place we were told for quite a while with no water taxi arriving. Villa was a bit like fiji where things operate on fiji time rather than real time so just make sure you allow plenty of time to go back to the ship so if the water taxi doesnt show up you can get a taxi taxi which would not be a problem as the drivers are going up and down touting for your business. If you want duty free, head to the store at the far end of the street, cant remember the name of it but it is a chinese type name. We dont drink but bought some jim bean for our son and it was $20 AUD for a 2 litre bottle and they delivered it direct to the ship. We were there Sunday and they werent planning to stay open all day, assume it would depend on how busy they are. So if you want duty free do that before wandering the other shops. At 3 pm there was a lovely church service in the enclosure in the middle of the town, if you go around that time the beautiful singing will take you there. We fortunately had some pencils, aussie flags in our bag that we gave the pastor for the kids.

Suggest you spend a few dollars at the cheap shops to buy some aussie things for the kids at the islands. Having been to the sth pacific several times now we have got into the habit of buying up before we leave home and each day putting a few packets in our day pack for when we come across kids. Of course we only approach the parents, not the kids, stranger danger awareness is important all around the world.

Mare in particular is a relatively new port only having cruise ships visiting since 2012 so their school is in great need of supplies of all kinds. The school is right at the wharf and the kids will be hanging over the fence very excitedly when you arrive.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Tara Jane