Vanuatu travel advice

Most visits to Vanuatu are trouble-free.

On 4 March 2007 mob violence broke out in the capital Port Vila resulting in three fatalities. The situation is now calm and the State of Emergency has been lifted. However, you should continue to exercise caution and avoid demonstrations and large crowds of people. You should monitor the media for the latest information.

Vanuatu lies on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' and regularly experiences seismic and volcanic activitys. Mount Yasur on the island of Tanna is experiencing 'very high level of activity'. Travellers are advised not to visit the area. The most recent earthquakes, measuring 7.0 and 6.5 on the Richter scale were recorded 229kms north of the island of Espiritu Santo and 54kms south west of the island of Tanna on 9 September 2008.

Travellers are advised to exercise caution when considering visiting active volcanoes on any of the islands in the Vanuatu archipelago; check with the Vanuatu tourist office for latest reports on volcanic activity before travelling to the island.

Travellers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Violent crime is increasing and travellers should avoid visiting isolated locations alone.

The tropical cyclone season in Vanuatu normally runs from November to April.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel