How to have a fantastic family holiday in Vanuatu on a budget
Vanuatu is the stuff that tropical island dreams are made of so you may be surprised to learn that you can indeed have a fantastic family holiday in Vanuatu on a budget. Our budget holiday to Vanuatu consisted of coconut trees, white sand, warm aqua water, great snorkelling and no crowds. It’s what I imagine French Polynesia may have looked like before the expensive resorts moved in.
Take a direct 2 – 3 hour flight from the east coast of Australia and you’ll see find yourself on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. Known as just ‘Santo’ to the locals and those in the know, this island is the perfect island to do Vanuatu on a budget with your family.
See that picture below? Other than a cow taking a siesta under a tree in the distance, and a staff member raking leaves under the tree house bungalow you see on the right, this beach was completely deserted.
The wonderful thing about Santo, is that luxury resorts are few and far between and there are no brand names. You won’t find an upmarket Sofitel or a takeaway chain like Mcdonald’s. If you need to be pampered, Santo is probably not for you.
Since you are reading a post about doing Vanuatu on a budget, then I’m confidently guessing you are okay with this. If we’re being honest, the thought of taking kids to a fancy restaurant gives me panic attack inducing anxiety anyway.
Here’s how to do Vanuatu on a budget!
Score those cheaper flights like a pro
Flights will probably be the most expensive item in your Vanuatu budget. Here’s a tip though…travel in shoulder season. The weather is still decent and flights and accommodation are way cheaper.
Vanuatu has a wet and dry season. Summer (November to March) is hot with more rain, and Winter (April to October) is cool and dry. April and October are considered shoulder months.
We visited during the last week of March and the first few days of April, so technically it was still ‘off-season’ for the most part of the holiday. I figured it was so close to the ‘okay’ season that it would be fine and the risk paid off. The weather was perfect with a couple of enjoyable evening thunderstorms that rolled out just as quickly as they rolled in.
For those flying with younger kids on a budget to Vanuatu, you’ll be pleased to know that kids aren’t usually charged the full rate. If flying with Air Vanuatu for your international flight, and your child is under two, you will only be charged 10% (at the time of writing) of the adult fare provided you are happy to have them on your lap. If your child is between 2 and 11 years, you will only be charged 75% of the adult fare (at the time of writing).
Sometimes they have deals where kids fly for a set price such as $199 for kids flying from Brisbane.
Check out Air Vanuatu’s specials page here.
Alternatively, try searching on Trip.com
Accommodation options on a budget in Vanuatu
You will be able to stick to your budget in Vanuatu by staying in basic accommodation, especially in the off-peak and shoulder seasons. This certainly doesn’t mean it’s dodgy though!
We chose to stay at Lonnoc Beach Bungalows. It’s a one-hour drive from the main town of Luganville and mains electricity does not reach this far down the island. The locals, including the bungalows and restaurants, use a combination of solar, diesel and coconut oil-generated electricity.
The bungalows are basic, consisting of thatched roofs, mosquito nets over wooden beds and cold water ensuite. Lights are powered by solar, but there are no power points to charge electronic devices in the bungalows. Anything that needs charging can be charged at the restaurant.
The bungalows do a great job of keeping the weather out and ensuring you get a good night’s sleep. If you have brought a tent and equipment over with you, there is also an option of camping.
The location beside a beautiful, uncrowded beach and friendly staff make up for any lack of luxuries.
The nearby hospitality school does work experience at these bungalows so the waitresses can often seem unsure of themselves. However, what they lack in confidence they make up for in friendly smiles and are apologetic for any small mistakes made whilst learning the ropes.
It’s worth checking out the bungalows ten minutes down the road at the very beautiful Port Olry as well. There is an option to stay in a tree house bungalow on a very beautiful beach here!
If you would like to stay in town at Luganville, check out these options.
Getting around
Hiring a car is a good option here because the nicest beaches and cheap bungalows are located down towards Port Olry, which is around a one-hour drive away from the main town of Luganville and the airport.
If you invite some friends or family along to Vanuatu, car hire costs can be shared as it is normal here to pack a small crowd into the tray back. Providing you are comfortable with it, two families can share one car this way.
There are no brand-name car hire companies here. However, you can hire a car from Espiritu Hotel & Car Rentals.
Car hire is not cheap, between $100 and $150 per day. This is cheaper than hiring a mini-van everytime you want to visit an attraction though.
Eating on a budget in Vanuatu
It is surprisingly hard to eat on a budget in Vanuatu, comparable to pricing in Australia. Nevertheless, you don’t need to blow $100 at every mean. Here are some ways to reduce the cost of eating in Vanuatu.
- Seek out the eateries lining one side of the produce market in Luganville. They offer tasty food at a lower cost. Just sit down at a plastic chair and table, and order your meal through the brightly coloured window.
- The cost of fresh fruit and vegetables are reasonably cheap. For those doing Vanuatu on a budget, stock up at the markets in Luganville.
- There are a couple of supermarkets in Luganville to stock up on supplies for self-catering like bread and margarine.
- Find out if your accommodation includes breakfast in the price. Lonnoc Beach Bungalows served up a simple breakfast of toast and fruit every morning.
- If you get lucky with fishing like we did when Poppy reeled in a decent coral trout, you can cook it on an open BBQ at your simple bungalow. Always ask permission to do this though!
Things to do – free or cheap
- Snorkel over dumped military vehicles over seven decades old at Million Dollar Point near Luganville. It cost under $10 per adult and young kids are free.
- Check out the produce market in Luganville
- Visit the amazing freshwater Blue Holes. My favourites were Riri Blue Hole and Nanda Blue Hole. Riri Blue Hole is surrounded by jungle, complete with a jumping platform and rope swing is under $10 per adult to visit. Nanda Blue Hole is a little more expensive (but still affordable) due to its spectacular colour and clarity.
- Pay a visit to Port Olry. If you are not staying here, you can pull in at Chez Louis Restaurant (on your right as you enter Port Olry) for lunch as the beach in front is truly spectacular with great snorkelling just to the left. If the tide is low enough, you can wade across to some neighbouring islands.
- Visit Lonnoc Beach. If you are not staying here, you can visit the restaurant at Lonnoc Beach Bungalows for lunch and enjoy the lovely sheltered beach. This beach is warm, calm and perfect for young kids.
- Champagne Beach is worth a visit but I personally feel it’s a bit overrated when compared with Lonnoc Beach or Port Olry. It is 500 metres further on from Lonnoc Beach Bungalows and there is an entry fee of $5 – $10 depending on who asks. The cruise ships stop here regularly and there will be a pop-up market on those days. On any other day, you may be sharing the area with nobody except some free-range pigs and cows.
- Hire a Kayak on one of the above lovely beaches. This may be free if you are staying in the bungalows there.
- Sway in a hammock set up at your bungalow accommodation.
- If you have a hire car, go looking for World War II relics. They are everywhere!!
Things to do – more expensive but worth it
- Visit Freshwater Plantation on Aore Island. It’s a five-minute boat trip from Luganville, you just need to phone them to ask them to send the boat over. Doing a tour of the plantation can add up if there are a few of you, but it’s worth it. You can also swim out front or jump off the floating platform. Phone (+678) 37366 of email info@freshwater.vu.
- Horse Riding with Santo Horse Adventures. Enjoy a unique trail ride through a lovely tunnel of mangroves complete with white sand and aqua waters. The ride also boasts a ride through the jungle and through the waters at Lope Lope Beach. Phone (00678) 777 4700 or email santohorseadventures@gmail.com
- If organised tours are your thing, you won’t have trouble finding someone to take you on one. This can get a bit pricey when on a family holiday but it ensures you don’t miss out on anything.
The cost of our holiday to Vanuatu on a budget
Our budget was AU$3,000
- $1,279 flight for all four of us. This included 2 x adult sale fares, 1 x 10% infant fare, 1 x child special rate fare.
- $534 accommodation in a basic bungalow. $89 x 6 nights.
- $450 car hire. Full car hire of the most expensive 4WD at $150 per day x 6 days was $900. We went halves with our fellow travellers.
- $450 food. This includes eating out and shopping purchases. Beer works out to be around AU$80 a carton here.
- $200 splurge on a tour at Plantation resort and a very fancy meal afterwards
- $40 entry fees in total to various places
- $30 souvenirs to take home
Total spent AU$2,983 – Also, let’s put this into perspective
$3,000 is $58 per week saved for a whole year. With a few sacrifices, it’s not as hard as it sounds!
Looking for more awesome family holiday destinations?
For more information on visiting Vanuatu, head on over to our Vanuatu page. Alternatively, jump back to the home page for inspiration on Australia and destinations worldwide.
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Resources for booking your holiday to Vanuatu
Flights
Try comparing airlines on Trip.com or check out Air Vanuatu’s specials.
Accommodation
Compare accommodation on the Island of Espiritu Santo here.
