Maximum Alerts / Vanuatu
Level published by the State Department on 21.05.2025 · read 16 October 2026 · source checked daily
Vanuatu — official level as of 16 October 2026: Level 1/4 ("Exercise Normal Precautions"), from the U.S. Department of State. Maximum Insurance covers this country: hospital settled directly, unlimited repatriation, EUR 1.5M, certificate on payment.
Every country has its own scale, so we ask them all the same question: is the whole country advised against?
An advisory covering only areas of the country does not raise the answer: it stays “No”, and the area is shown in the relevant column.
The level shown on this page — and across this site — is the one published by the U.S. State Department, from 1 (normal precautions) to 4 (do not travel). France and the United Kingdom publish their own advisories, with their own rules: they add to that level, they do not replace it.
You will be alerted only on the day the official level of this country changes.
In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: +41 22 ••• •• •• — 24/7 support number, an adviser stays with you to the end.
The 207 country pages — hospitals, pharmacies, police, embassies, emergency numbers, official advice from four governments, health, safety in figures, events in progress — read around the city you name. Your policy — benefits, the six steps, claims, articles. The site — prices, certificate, subscription. Nothing else: what it does not know, it says so and hands you to an adviser.
What I say on the phone
What to do, in this order
In immediate danger, call local emergency services first. Then contact assistance without delay; before engaging a service, seek approval under your policy. Cover is confirmed by the insurer.
Ask assistance where to get care and whether direct cover can be arranged. It confirms the facility and seeks the insurer's approval under your policy. In immediate danger, call local emergency services first.
Even for a pain you meant to shrug off. Without a medical certificate written on the spot, the same day, the insurer cannot cover the event — a certificate written after you return does not count.
The hospital desk sends the request to assistance. Direct payment depends on the insurer's approval and the policy; the call alone does not guarantee it. Have the response confirmed before relying on no up-front payment.
In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services immediately. For an arranged transfer or repatriation, contact assistance: the insurer's medical team decides on measures under the policy. A medical flight booked without approval may not be reimbursed.
Even if everything went well on the ground. Send your invoices and the medical report within 30 days; after that, compensation may be reduced or refused.
Reading hospitals, doctors and pharmacies around this point…
near Emile Mercet Street
near Pasteur Street
near Lini Highway
near Kumul Highway
near Ring Road
Mo-Sa 08:00-21:00
near Kumul Highway
near Ring Road
Mo-Fr 08:00-17:30; Sa 08:00-12:00
near Kumul Highway
Rue Pierre Lamy Port Vila
Mo-Fr 09:00-12:00,13:00-15:00
Rue Pierre Lamy Port Vila
open "By appointment only";PH off
Rue Pierre Lamy Port Vila
Mo-Th 07:30-11:30, 13:30-17:00; Fr 07:30-15:00
Rue Rene Pujol Port Vila
Avenue Capitaine Cook Port Vila
Port Vila
Mo-Fr 08:30-11:30, 14:30-16:30
near Emile Mercet Street
Forecast: MET Norway (Norwegian Meteorological Institute, CC BY 4.0), grouped by day and formatted by Maximum.
10-16 0.3 · 10-17 0.3 · 10-18 0.3 · 10-19 0.4 · 10-20 0.4 · 10-21 0.4 · 10-22 0.3 m³/s
Simulated discharge: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), data rounded and formatted by Maximum. Contains modified Copernicus Emergency Management Service information 2026. For information only: this is not a flood warning; only national or regional authorities issue those.
No geolocated event in this country at this reading.
No geolocated UCDP incident in this country.
National numbers (Wikidata, 2026 reading). On site, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: the insurer sends its payment guarantee to the hospital.
Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include Chickenpox (Varicella) Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, Tdap, or Td) Flu (influenza) Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Polio Shingles
All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see Your COVID-19 Vaccination for more information.
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Vanuatu. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Vanuatu.
CDC recommends that travelers going to Vanuatu take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take. Transmission areas All Drug resistance 1 Chloroquine Species P. vivax (primarily) P. falciparum and P.
Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.
Monkeypox vaccination is recommended for any adult who anticipates any of the following activities during travel: Sexual or intimate contact with a new partner Sexual or intimate contact at a commercial sex venue, like a sex club or bathhouse Sexual or intimate contact in exchange for money, goods, drugs, or other trade Sexual or intimate contact in association with a large public event, such as a rave, party, or…
Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in Vanuatu. If rabies exposures occur while in Vanuatu, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.
Recommended for most travelers. Typhoid vaccine is not 100% effective. Practicing safe food and water habits , including washing hands at key times , can also help prevent typhoid fever .
CDC recommendations: Vaccine is not recommended. Country entry requirements: Vaccine is not required. Updated April 23, 2025
CDC Travelers' Health, re-read weekly — the recommendation depends on your age, vaccines and itinerary: confirm it with a doctor or a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure.CDC ↗read 10.10.2026
Moderate incidence: nothing special for a short stay.
Coverage too low to stop the virus circulating: check your two MMR doses before leaving.
Transmission limited to some areas: repellent, and the CDC says which.
World Bank — latest published valuedata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
Source: France Diplomatie (health advice, in French).
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
WHO: no outbreak reported for this country in the last 24 months (Disease Outbreak News).who.int ↗read 15.10.2026
France Diplomatiesource ↗updated 07.10.2026 · read 15.10.2026
Consulter si besoin son médecin traitant ou un centre de vaccinations internationales (médecine des voyages) pour faire une évaluation de son état de santé et bénéficier de recommandations sanitaires, notamment sur les vaccinations. Consulter éventuellement son dentiste avant le départ.
Constituer sa pharmacie personnelle en conséquence et n’emporter dans ses bagages que les médicaments strictement nécessaires ; ne jamais consommer de médicaments achetés dans la rue (risque de contrefaçons). Les médicaments doivent être dans leur emballage d’origine avec les étiquettes originales, accompagnés d’une ordonnance portant le nom des médicaments en dénomination commune internationale (DCI). Il est indispensable de vérifier que les médicaments concernés sont autorisés dans le pays visité : pour plus d’informations, consulter la fiche Informations pratiques .
Les principaux médicaments connus en France sont disponibles sur place ainsi que leurs équivalents génériques ou anglo-saxons (se munir d’une ordonnance).
Les vaccins recommandés en France sont également indispensables lors d’un séjour à l’étranger : les maladies qu’ils préviennent circulent partout dans le monde, parfois même plus fréquemment qu’en France. Avant tout départ, le voyageur (adulte et enfant) doit donc d’abord s’assurer d’être à jour du calendrier vaccinal français, en particulier des vaccins contre la diphtérie, le tétanos, la poliomyélite, la coqueluche mais aussi contre la rougeole. Le carnet de vaccination peut être demandé à l’arrivée de certains pays.
Des vaccinations complémentaires peuvent être nécessaires :
Il est donc conseillé de consulter son médecin traitant ou un centre de vaccinations internationales (médecine des voyages) suffisamment de temps avant le voyage.
La chikungunya est une maladie virale transmise par l’intermédiaire de moustiques infectés. Cette maladie se manifeste par l’apparition de symptômes grippaux (fièvre, douleurs musculaires et articulaires). En cas de signes cliniques, il est impératif de consulter immédiatement un médecin ; le traitement est uniquement symptomatique. Les moyens de prévention reposent sur la vaccination et la protection contre les piqûres de moustiques. Il est conseillé avant le départ de se référer à son médecin traitant et/ou à un centre de vaccination internationale.
Pour plus d’informations , consulter la rubrique risques sanitaires .
La dengue est une maladie virale transmise par piqûres de moustiques. Les symptômes sont de type grippal (fièvre, maux de tête, courbatures, parfois éruption cutanée). En cas de signes cliniques, il est impératif de consulter immédiatement un médecin. Il n’existe pas de traitement curatif. La prise en charge médicale repose uniquement sur le traitement des symptômes. Il faut impérativement éviter la prise d’anti-inflammatoire. La prévention individuelle repose essentiellement sur les moyens de protection contre les piqûres de moustiques. La vaccination des voyageurs peut être indiquée dans certains cas. Il est conseillé de se référer, avant son départ, à son médecin traitant et /ou à un centre de vaccination internationale.
Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site du ministère de la Santé et le site de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé .
Le paludisme (ou malaria) est une maladie parasitaire transmise par piqûres de moustiques infectés. Les formes bénignes associent des symptômes de type grippal : fièvre, frissons, fatigue, maux de tête, courbatures, vomissements. Des formes graves potentiellement…
La fièvre typhoïde est une maladie infectieuse causée par des bactéries présentes dans l’eau contaminée par des matières fécales d’origine humaine. L’infection résulte le plus souvent de l’ingestion d’eau ou d’aliments contaminés, ou d’une transmission directe de personne à personne. Les symptômes surviennent en moyenne 3 semaines après la contamination et associent fièvre, maux de tête, perte d’appétit, douleurs abdominales avec diarrhée ou constipation, fatigue et parfois, éruption cutanée. Dans les formes plus graves, la fièvre typhoïde peut être fatale en l’absence de traitement.
Les mesures de prévention reposent sur les règles élémentaires d’hygiène générale vis-à-vis de l’eau, des aliments et du lavage des mains ainsi que sur la vaccination.
Pour plus d’informations , consulter le site de l'Institut Pasteur .
La leptospirose est une maladie bactérienne présente dans le monde entier. La transmission à l’humain se fait par contact cutané (muqueuse ou plaie) avec les milieux souillés par les urines d’animaux infectés (rongeurs, animaux d’élevage et de compagnie) . La maladie est souvent bénigne, mais parfois mortelle.
La prévention repose sur les mesures d’hygiène générales (lavage des mains, lutte contre les rongeurs, assainissement, etc.) et sur la vaccination des personnels à risque.
Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site Santé publique France et le site du ministère de la Santé .
Plusieurs cas de leptospirose sont régulièrement détectés au Vanuatu chaque année.
La rage est une maladie virale mortelle affectant le système nerveux et présent dans la salive des animaux infectés, tels que chiens, chats, chauves-souris et autres mammifères sauvages. Le virus se transmet par morsure, griffure ou contact de la…
Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site du ministère en charge de la Santé et le site de l'Assurance Maladie .
Pour plus d’informations, consulter le site du ministère en charge de la Santé .
L’eau est potable à Port-Vila et à Luganville.
Health — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026
Before you travel check that:
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Call 115 and ask for an ambulance.
For a fee, Promedical provide a 24-hour ambulance service in Port Vila and Luganville.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
See what health risks you’ll face in Vanuatu , including:
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro .
Medical facilities in Vanuatu are basic and limited in range and availability. There are medical clinics in Port Vila, some with Australian-trained GPs, which offer primary care. More serious cases will require evacuation to Australia or New Zealand. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad, medical evacuation and repatriation.
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .
TravelHealthPro ↗ · CDC ↗read 10.10.2026
Level 1 - Global DengueCDC ↗read 10.10.2026Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Country List : Colombia, Vietnam, Maldives, Bolivia, Cambodia, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu Country List :…
Places read from OpenStreetMap, within a circle of about 12 km: phone, email, address, website and hours when the source publishes them. No customer reviews, that source has none. Straight-line distances.
Notices vary by bank and vintage — yours prevails. On the right: the Maximum contract (public documents).
No region is advised against by the official readings checked (Global Affairs Canada, Foreign Office and France Diplomatie): the national advice applies everywhere.
The levels each government publishes, unsummarised: their texts, linked below, prevail.
no region is advised against by these readings; the trip follows the national advice. A new regional advisory would call for a new, written decision.
Global Affairs Canada — Open Government Licence – Canada (13.10.2026) · Foreign Office — Open Government Licence v3.0 · France Diplomatie (13.03.2026) · Natural Earth
No located event in this reading.
Last change: Updated information about global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
Updated 21.05.2025
Exercise normal precaution in Vanuatu .
Vanuatu is generally a safe destination for travelers.
Pacific: Dengue Outbreak - 2025-2026ReliefWeb ↗read 16.10.20262025-02-27
Source: ReliefWeb (OCHA), via HDX — CC BY
10-16 0.3 · 10-17 0.3 · 10-18 0.3 · 10-19 0.4 · 10-20 0.4 · 10-21 0.4 · 10-22 0.3 m³/s
Simulated discharge: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), data rounded and formatted by Maximum. Contains modified Copernicus Emergency Management Service information 2026. For information only: this is not a flood warning; only national or regional authorities issue those.
The level is national. Risk areas are in the state advisories below.
No major event in progress is located in this country at this morning's check.
Reading: The homicide rate is in the same range as Switzerland or France. On the road, 7 times more deaths than in Switzerland: road crashes are the leading cause of death of healthy travellers (CDC) — seat belt, no night driving, a driver or a taxi from a rank.
World Bank (UNODC for homicides, WHO for roads) — latest published valuedata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
What we locate on the map are events in progress that have real coordinates: USGS earthquakes, GDACS disasters, NOAA storms and open NASA EONET events. Hover a dot for details, click to open it in this briefing.
French passport — France Diplomatie
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
The security page lists no red or orange area.France Diplomatie ↗updated 07.10.2026 · read 15.10.2026
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Dernière actualisation le 13/03/2026, information toujours valable à la date du jour
Vanuatu est placé en vigilance renforcée (en jaune sur la carte sécuritaire).
La criminalité (cambriolages et agressions, voire meurtres) et la petite délinquance existent au Vanuatu. Il est recommandé de s’assurer de la fermeture des portes et des fenêtres la nuit et de mettre en sécurité ses documents (passeport, billet d’avion) et objets de valeur. Il est recommandé d’avoir une photocopie de son passeport, en cas de perte ou de vol.
Les voyageurs doivent surveiller le chargement des bagages dans les véhicules qu’ils empruntent, notamment au départ des aéroports. Il est également recommandé, notamment aux femmes, de ne pas circuler seules le soir, à pied ou en transport public (tels que les bus, minibus et taxis).
La saison des cyclones s’étend de novembre à fin avril. Les autorités émettent des consignes adaptées au niveau d’alerte, disponibles sur le site du National Disaster Management Office . En cas d’approche d’un cyclone, les avis d’alerte et les bulletins météo sont diffusés sur le site du Vanuatu Meteorological and Geological Department , ainsi qu’en anglais, bichlamar et moins régulièrement en français à la radio.
Radio Vanuatu : MW 1125, SW 7260, SW 3945, FM 100 Capital FM 107 : FM 107 (24 h/24 - Vanuatu) Buzz FM : FM 96 24 (24h/24 - Port Vila) Paridise FM (Radio Vanuatu) : FM 98 (24 h/24 - Port Vila) Halo FM : FM 98.1 (06h00/18h00 - Torba, Sanma, Pernama & Malampa) Radio Life FM : FM 90 (24 h/24 - Port Vila)
En période cyclonique, le bord de mer et les abords des cours d’eau sont à éviter. Lorsque le niveau d’alerte rouge (impact imminent du cyclone) est annoncé à la radio, il est impératif de demeurer à son domicile et de se reporter aux consignes précitées.
Des informations complémentaires sur le risque cyclonique sont disponibles dans la fiche thématique Risques climatiques (cyclones/ouragans) .
Le Vanuatu est une terre de volcans, qui se répartissent en deux catégories : les volcans fréquemment actifs (mont Yasur, situé sur l’île de Tanna ; mont Garet, sur l’île de Gaua ; mont Lopévi, sur l’île de Lopévi ; monts Maroum et Benbow, sur l’île d’Ambrym ; mont Manaro Vui, sur l’île d’Ambae ; volcan sous-marin d’Epi) et les volcans « dormants » (mont Suretamatai, sur l’île de Vanua Lava).
Certaines îles de l’archipel sont placées sous la surveillance d’organismes officiels, qui disposent d’un système d’alerte sur une échelle comportant 5 niveaux, échelonnés par gravité croissante de 0 à 4. Même lorsque le niveau d’alerte semble peu élevé, il est fortement recommandé de suivre les directives des guides locaux. Un accident dû à la projection de lave ou à une chute ne peut jamais être exclu à proximité des volcans actifs. La plus grande prudence s’impose.
Il est conseillé de se renseigner sur l’activité volcanique du pays, en consultant régulièrement les informations et les recommandations disponibles sur le site internet ou la page Facebook du Département de la météorologie et des géo-risques du Vanuatu (Vanuatu Meteorology & Geo-Hazards Department - VMGD).
Actuellement, un volcan est placé au niveau d'alerte 3 (le Manoro sur l'île d'Ambaé), quatre volcans sont placés en niveau d’alerte 2 : le mont Yasur sur l’île de Tanna, le Lopevi sur l’île du même nom, les monts Maroum et Benbow sur l’île d’Ambrym, et le Mont Garet sur l’île de Gaua. Le volcan sous-marin d’Epi est placé en niveau 1.
Le Vanuatu étant situé dans une zone d’activité sismique, des tremblements de terre et des raz-de-marée ne sont pas exclus. Ils peuvent notamment provoquer des glissements de terrain et endommager les axes de transports.
Lorsqu’un tremblement de terre se produit au Vanuatu, il est recommandé de se tenir informé, notamment en suivant la page Facebook ou le site internet du Département de la météorologie et des géo-risques du Vanuatu (VMGD).
En cas de risque de tsunami, il est rappelé que des sirènes d’alerte au tsunami peuvent se déclencher dans le centre-ville de Port-Vila. Dans les autres endroits non-couverts par ce système d’alerte, y compris dans certains quartiers de la capitale, il convient de rester vigilant et attentif aux différents signes avant-coureurs.
Les plages n’étant pas surveillées au Vanuatu et les courants pouvant s’avérer extrêmement dangereux, il est fortement recommandé d’éviter de se baigner dans des endroits isolés.
Des requins sont parfois présents au large du Vanuatu, notamment autour des îles d’Espiritu Santo et de Malicollo. Il convient donc de se renseigner auprès des autorités locales avant toute activité aquatique et de respecter les consignes de sécurité.
Full text of the Security pagediplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 07.10.2026 · read 15.10.2026
Swiss passport — FDFA (Switzerland)
The FDFA has no readable travel advice for this country at this reading: consult eda.admin.ch directly.eda.admin.ch ↗
British passport — Foreign Office (UK)
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Warnings — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026
Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.
Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:
Safety — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad .
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Vanuatu, attacks cannot be ruled out.
The risk of crime is generally low but there have been:
Take sensible precautions as you would in the UK.
You should respect local customs, which are strictly observed, and religious sensitivities.
Do not wear beachwear away from beaches and hotels.
It is illegal for supermarkets to sell alcohol from midday on Saturday to 7am on Monday. However, clubs, bars and hotels may serve alcohol during these times.
Kava is a traditional drink in Vanuatu used in kava ceremonies, at kava bars (‘nakamals’) and at some hotels. Some nakamals, particularly outside of Port Vila, do not welcome women. Be wary of the effects of kava and consume it responsibly. Kava is banned from entry to the UK due to concerns about its health impacts.
Avoid all recreational drugs. Possession of even small quantities can lead to imprisonment and a large fine.
Most people in Vanuatu will allow you to take their photograph, but you should always get permission first.
Ask your service provider if your mobile will work in Vanuatu. A 4G network is available but coverage varies across the country. You can also buy SIM cards from local phone companies Vodafone or Digicel , including at Port Vila airport.
Land ownership in Vanuatu is an important and often sensitive issue. If you travel off the beaten track, you may be trespassing unless you pay a ‘visiting fee’ to the landowner. At most beaches you will also be asked to pay an entry fee.
Same-sex relationships are legal in Vanuatu. However, showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention and is likely to offend some people.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Take care when swimming, diving or snorkelling in the sea as currents can be extremely strong. Coral reefs can easily cause cuts and scrapes. There are reports of water quality issues in some of the lagoons, and there are sharks in Vanuatu waters. Be cautious and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities.
See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
Many visitors to Vanuatu take part in water sports, including scuba diving and snorkelling without incident. However, water sports activities have on occasion led to injuries and deaths because of a lack of basic safety measures. To reduce risks:
Diving schools and rescue service standards are not always as high as in the UK.…
American passport — U.S. Department of State
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Vanuatu - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions 2025-05-21travel.state.gov ↗updated 21.05.2025 · read 16.10.2026
Exercise normal precaution in Vanuatu .
Vanuatu is generally a safe destination for travelers.
Global Affairs Canada — additional reading
Exercise normal security precautions
Open Government Licence – Canada · October 13, 2026 15:21 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Global Affairs Canada — written for Canadian travellers, valid for all
You must abide by local laws. Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.
The sale of alcohol is prohibited between Saturday and Monday or during elections. Exceptions apply to hotels and restaurants. Drugs, alcohol and travel
Always ask permission before photographing locals. To avoid offending local sensitivities:
Vanuatu law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely accepted in Vanuatu society. Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Vanuatu. If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Vanuatu by an abducting parent:
If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies. Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.
The speed limit is 50 km per hour. You should carry an International Driving Permit. International Driving Permit
The currency is the vatu (VUV). You may use Australian dollars at some shops, restaurants and hotels in Port-Vila. Major credit cards are generally accepted in Port-Vila and Luganville, but less so elsewhere in Vanuatu. ATMs are available at the ANZ and Westpac banks.
Open Government Licence – Canada · October 13, 2026 15:21 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Foreign Office — laws and cultural differences
You should respect local customs, which are strictly observed, and religious sensitivities.
Do not wear beachwear away from beaches and hotels.
It is illegal for supermarkets to sell alcohol from midday on Saturday to 7am on Monday. However, clubs, bars and hotels may serve alcohol during these times.
Kava is a traditional drink in Vanuatu used in kava ceremonies, at kava bars (‘nakamals’) and at some hotels. Some nakamals, particularly outside of Port Vila, do not welcome women. Be wary of the effects of kava and consume it responsibly. Kava is banned from entry to the UK due to concerns about its health impacts.
Avoid all recreational drugs. Possession of even small quantities can lead to imprisonment and a large fine.
Most people in Vanuatu will allow you to take their photograph, but you should always get permission first.
Ask your service provider if your mobile will work in Vanuatu. A 4G network is available but coverage varies across the country. You can also buy SIM cards from local phone companies Vodafone or Digicel, including at Port Vila airport.
Land ownership in Vanuatu is an important and often sensitive issue. If you travel off the beaten track, you may be trespassing unless you pay a ‘visiting fee’ to the landowner. At most beaches you will also be asked to pay an entry fee.
Same-sex relationships are legal in Vanuatu. However, showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention and is likely to offend some people. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Open Government Licence v3.0gov.uk ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026
What it changes for you: Air acceptable at this hour: nothing special to plan. Very high UV: sunscreen, hat and shade between 11 am and 4 pm; sunstroke and dehydration are travellers' first reasons to see a doctor.
Reading 19:00 (Pacific/Efate)Open-Meteo ↗updated 16.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026
Air quality and UV: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), data rounded and formatted by Maximum. Contains modified Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information 2026. Neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use that may be made of the Copernicus information or data it contains.
No value published by the World Bank in the last eight years for Vanuatu: hospital beds per 1,000 people.
Reading: With 0.2 physicians per 1,000 people (96% fewer than Switzerland), the nearest hospital does not always have the capacity for a serious case: evacuation to an adequate centre is the rule, not the exception — that is what unlimited evacuation and repatriation cover. Health spending of 143 USD per person (Switzerland: 11,784) goes with private hospitals that bill foreigners in hard currency and ask for a guarantee before admission: the direct payment guarantee is what avoids the deposit.
World Bank — latest published value, year per indicatordata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
French passport — France Diplomatie
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
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Toutes les mesures sanitaires en vigueur pour entrer sur le territoire vanuatais ont été levées le 12 septembre 2022. Il n’est désormais plus nécessaire de présenter un résultat de test PCR ou antigénique. La vaccination contre la COVID-19 est encouragée et il est recommandé aux voyageurs présentant des symptômes de COVID-19 de repousser leur voyage.
Plus d’informations sur le site du ministère de la Santé.
Les ressortissants français ne sont pas soumis à demande préalable de visa pour les séjours touristiques (cf. le site du Département de l’Immigration vanuataise , en anglais).
Un visa visiteur valable trois mois sera délivré à l’arrivée sur le sol vanuatais, quelle que soit la durée du séjour. Les visiteurs doivent présenter un passeport dont la durée de validité dépasse d’au moins six mois la date de fin de séjour envisagée, ainsi qu’un billet retour valide pour une date de départ n’excédant pas trois mois à compter de la date d’arrivée, une réservation d’hôtel ou une lettre d’invitation prouvant l’hébergement par la famille/amis.
Pour les plaisanciers : seuls les ports de Port-Vila et de Luganville, sur l’île de Santo, sont ouverts aux opérations de douane et d’immigration. De fortes amendes sont applicables en cas de non-respect de ces points d’entrée.
Pour toute information relative à la délivrance d’un visa ou d’un permis de résidence, il convient de contacter le Département de l’Immigration (site internet) à l’adresse suivante :
A Port-Vila : Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services Kumul Highway, Tamarama Building Port-Vila, île d’Efate Téléphone : (+678)22354
A Santo : Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services Luganville, île de Santo Téléphone : (+678)36724
En Nouvelle-Calédonie, le Vanuatu dispose d’un Consulat général (voir les coordonnées ci-contre).
L’ambassade du Vanuatu en Belgique est également compétente pour la France : Avenue de Tervueren, 380 - 1150 WOLUWE-SAINT-PIERRE Téléphone : (+32) 2-7727141
Entry and stay pagediplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 07.10.2026 · read 15.10.2026
Swiss passport — FDFA (Switzerland)
The FDFA does not publish entry requirements: they are set out by the destination's embassy or consulate in Switzerland — check them before booking, passport in hand. As a guide, the French and British requirements below describe the same rules as seen by two other governments.eda.admin.ch ↗
British passport — Foreign Office (UK)
Faithful summary of the official texts below, which prevail.
Entry requirements — rules for a British passportForeign Office ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Vanuatu’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Vanuatu set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services .
To enter Vanuatu, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement . See Dual citizenship .
Check with the Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services for details of whether you need a visa in advance of travel.
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Vanuatu guide .
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Vanuatu . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
American passport — U.S. Department of State
The State Department publishes the requirements ("Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements") on its country page, which our servers cannot read. Read it before you go; as a guide, the French and British requirements below describe the same rules as seen by two other governments.travel.state.gov ↗updated 21.05.2025 · read 16.10.2026
For each risk, the official texts themselves: what is happening, then, where they say so, what to do.
What the texts say · The risk of crime is generally low but there have been: burglaries accompanied by violence - some instances of street crime and attacks on foreign nationals, including on tourists at nightclubs and bars in Port Vila. Exercise caution when attending bars and clubs in Port-Vila as tourists have been the target of attacks.
What the texts say · Many roads in Vanuatu are not properly surfaced. A lack of street lighting and the presence of pedestrians and animals makes roads particularly dangerous at night. Taxis may be hailed on the street and are metered.
What the texts say · The tropical cyclone season in Vanuatu normally runs from November to May, but cyclones can happen throughout the year. Vanuatu is in an earthquake zone and is prone to significant year-round seismic and volcanic activity, with an associated risk of tsunamis.
What the texts say · Avoid all recreational drugs. Possession of even small quantities can lead to imprisonment and a large fine. It is illegal for supermarkets to sell alcohol from midday on Saturday to 7am on Monday.
What the texts say · Be cautious when using debit or credit cards: pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others - use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business - avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature - cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN - check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements.
Sentences copied word for word from the official texts cited, chosen for the destination; the level is our reading. The full texts, at each source:Foreign Office ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026 (updated 19.03.2026 · read 30.09.2026)Global Affairs Canada ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026 (updated 13.10.2026 · read 30.09.2026)
Reading: The homicide rate is in the same range as Switzerland or France. On the road, 7 times more deaths than in Switzerland: road crashes are the leading cause of death of healthy travellers (CDC) — seat belt, no night driving, a driver or a taxi from a rank.
World Bank (UNODC for homicides, WHO for roads) — latest published valuedata.worldbank.org ↗read 10.10.2026
Time zone: IANA and timezone-boundary-builder (ODbL) · RESTCountries · EmergencyNumberAPI · Wikidata · European Central Bank
Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Photon search by komoot.
Maximum policyholder: before paying anything, call the 24/7 number. If you are admitted for more than 24 h, Maximum sends its direct payment guarantee to the hospital (art. 2.12).
+41 22 ••• •• •• — Full number in your client areaThe hospital list has not been read from OpenStreetMap for this page yet: the medical-network map loads it when opened. Maximum's assistance directs you to the right facility, 24/7. The medical-network map ↗
CDC Travelers' Health recommendations, most important first. They depend on your age, vaccines and itinerary: confirm them with a doctor or a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Details, disease by disease ↗cdc.gov ↗read 10.10.2026
The health system — With 0.2 physicians per 1,000 people (96% fewer than Switzerland), the nearest hospital does not always have the capacity for a serious case: evacuation to an adequate centre is the rule, not the exception — that is what unlimited evacuation and repatriation cover. Health spending of 143 USD per person (Switzerland: 11,784) goes with private hospitals that bill foreigners in hard currency and ask for a guarantee before admission: the direct payment guarantee is what avoids the deposit.
Back home — a fever in the following weeks should be told to a doctor, naming the country.
Forecast: MET Norway (Norwegian Meteorological Institute, CC BY 4.0), grouped by day and formatted by Maximum.
French passport — French embassy and consulates
Rue Pierre Lamy, Port Vila
Useful contacts listed by France Diplomatie (in French)diplomatie.gouv.fr ↗updated 07.10.2026 · read 15.10.2026
Updated: 7 October 2026
OpenStreetMap
British passport — British embassy and consulates
Rue Pierre Lamy, Port Vila
phone not published
https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/bri ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026
OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap
Getting help — Foreign OfficeForeign Office ↗updated 19.03.2026 · read 15.10.2026
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
If you are in Port Vila and need assistance from the UK government, call the British High Commission on (02)6270 6666.
Ambulance: 115
Fire: 113
Police: 111 or 22222
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
Find out about call charges
English is an official language in Vanuatu: no translated phrases here. No Bislama phrases yet, though it is widely spoken there.
Actions to take before each professional trip abroad.
Live alerts and level changes, each with its official source. Continuously updated.
Natural disasters and climate section – added information on El Niño
October 13, 2026 15:21 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 13.10.2026 · read 16.10.2026No level change recorded for this country since the log opened. The live alerts above are updated continuously.
Level 1/4 — Exercise Normal Precautions, U.S. Department of State, retrieved on 16 October 2026.
Sourcestravel.state.gov · updated 21.05 · read 16.10France Diplomatie · updated 07.10 · read 15.10DFAE207-country comparison
An area advised against does not rule out the country.
SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 07.10 · read 15.10Foreign Office · updated 19.03 · read 15.10State Department · updated 21.05 · read 16.10
The rules depend on the passport, not on the destination alone.
SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 07.10 · read 15.10Foreign Office · updated 19.03 · read 15.10State Department · updated 21.05 · read 16.10
For a Schengen visa, yes: at least €30,000 of travel medical insurance (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, art. 15).
SourcesRegulation (EC) 810/2009, art. 15General conditions, policy 20 00 479
VIP Pack — €990 for twelve months, unlimited trips.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479OpenStreetMap · read 12.10
Six steps, in this order.
SourcesSpecial conditions 01.26General conditions, policy 20 00 479
Local emergency services: single number 112 · police 11 · fire 113
SourcesEmergencyNumberAPI · Wikidata · read 08.10OpenStreetMap · read 12.10
At today's level 1/4, card by card:
SourcesAmex Platinum France T&Cs, 01.2025 — general exclusion n° 11BNP Paribas Visa Infinite notice (policy PT7), 04.2025 — comFortuneo World Elite Mastercard notice, 01.2026 — art. 5.5 '
A health plan reimburses at home; here, the hospital asks for a payment guarantee before admission.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
The page reads hospitals, pharmacies and doctors from OpenStreetMap, around the point you choose.
The sourced detail is under Medical network › Health: vaccines, diseases present, altitude, outbreaks.
SourcesCDC Travelers' Health · read 10.10France Diplomatie · updated 07.10 · read 15.10OMS · read 15.10Foreign Office · updated 19.03 · read 15.10
0.2 physicians per 1,000 people (2019) versus 4.5 in Switzerland.
SourcesWorld Bank · read 10.10General conditions, policy 20 00 479
0.3 homicides per 100,000 people (2020) versus 0.6 in Switzerland and 1.3 in France.
The nearest representations, by passport (OpenStreetMap):
SourcesOpenStreetMap · read 12.10DFAE
No region is advised against by the official readings checked (Global Affairs Canada, Foreign Office and France Diplomatie): the national advice applies everywhere.
SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 13.10 · read 16.10Foreign Office · updated 19.03 · read 15.10France Diplomatie · updated 07.10 · read 15.10
Local laws apply to every traveller; here is what the official texts say.
SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 13.10 · read 16.10Foreign Office · updated 19.03 · read 15.10
Every foreign ministry runs a 24/7 emergency line for its nationals.
Sourcesdiplomatie.gouv.fr · updated 07.10 · read 15.10eda.admin.ch
Keep the entry stamp, the invoices, the prescriptions and the medical report.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
Cancellation or change up to EUR 20,000, special risk EUR 5,000 per person, crisis management and security, optional Kidnap & Ransom.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
A question not answered here? Ask Maximum below, or call the support number: every question gets a clear, actionable answer.
In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: +41 22 ••• •• •• — 24/7 support number, an adviser stays with you to the end.
The 207 country pages — hospitals, pharmacies, police, embassies, emergency numbers, official advice from four governments, health, safety in figures, events in progress — read around the city you name. Your policy — benefits, the six steps, claims, articles. The site — prices, certificate, subscription. Nothing else: what it does not know, it says so and hands you to an adviser.
Same advisory level: Palau · Paraguay · Poland · French Polynesia · Portugal · Romania
The displayed level comes from the State Department, checked every morning. Before departure, always cross-check your country of residence's advisory: that is what your policy cites.
The level shown is the official U.S. Department of State level, checked daily. Maximum Insurance is an insurance distributor — general information, not personal advice.
The destination is already Port Vila. A few choices, then the reading of your cover, here.
Destination · Port Vila
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