💰 Quick Context: The Vanuatu Vatu
Vanuatu uses the Vanuatu Vatu (VUV / VT). There is no subunit. A coffee costs VT300–600, a restaurant meal VT1,000–3,000, and a hotel night VT8,000–40,000. Quick math: divide by 120. Roughly 120 VUV = $1 USD, so 1,000 VT is about $8. Port Vila has moderate card acceptance at hotels and restaurants, but you should carry plenty of cash for the outer islands, markets, and local businesses.
🎧 Order Vanuatu Vatu Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order VUV → CEI Currency ExchangeCash vs. Card: What to Expect in Vanuatu
Port Vila's waterfront restaurants, resort hotels like Le Meridien and Holiday Inn, and duty-free shops accept Visa and Mastercard. Card acceptance drops off quickly once you leave the main tourist strip along the harbour.
Cash is essential for Port Vila Central Market (fresh produce, handicrafts), nakamals (kava bars, VT200–500 per shell), minibus and truck transport, village stays, kastom (traditional) cultural experiences, and most local restaurants. Tanna, Espiritu Santo's outer areas, Malekula, and all other outer islands are entirely cash-dependent. Withdraw all the vatu you need from ATMs in Port Vila before leaving.
How much to carry: VT10,000–20,000 ($80–170) per day for outer island visits. In Port Vila, VT5,000–10,000 as a daily cash backup alongside your card.
How to Get Vatu for Your Vanuatu Trip
Vanuatu is one of the most cash-dependent destinations in the South Pacific. Cards work at Port Vila's waterfront resorts (Le Meridien, Holiday Inn), some duty-free shops, and a handful of upscale restaurants along the harbor. Everything else is cash. Port Vila Central Market, nakamals (kava bars where a shell of kava runs VT200–500), the minibus and truck transport system, kastom-village cultural experiences, the entire outer-island economy (Tanna, Espiritu Santo outside Luganville, Malekula, Pentecost), the famous Yasur volcano tour deposits, and most local restaurants are all cash-only. Withdraw enough vatu in Port Vila before flying to outer islands; ATM coverage past Port Vila and Luganville is essentially zero.
Bring USD or order vatu before you fly
For pre-arrival VUV, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange may stock Vanuatu vatu on request, with insured 2–5 day delivery. Most US home banks generally do not stock VUV. Backup that works in Vanuatu: pack USD or AUD cash and exchange at a Port Vila bank or licensed exchange office on landing — Port Vila exchange rates are competitive. Vanuatu does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. The cleanest setup for most Vanuatu trips: pack USD or AUD as exchange backup, use a Wise card at Port Vila resort and waterfront card payments, and pull vatu from BSP Vanuatu or ANZ Vanuatu ATMs in Port Vila for outer-island cash.
Withdraw from a Vanuatu bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of vatu is a major Vanuatu bank ATM. BSP (Bank South Pacific) Vanuatu, ANZ Vanuatu, Bred Bank Vanuatu, and National Bank of Vanuatu all give the actual interbank rate with no markup. Most charge a per-transaction operator fee for foreign cards (typically VT 500–1,000, posted on the screen before you confirm). Withdrawal limits run roughly VT 25,000–50,000 per transaction. Bank ATMs cluster around Port Vila (Lini Highway, the Drug Store cluster) and Luganville on Espiritu Santo. ATM coverage on Tanna, Pentecost, Malekula, and other outer islands is essentially zero, so withdraw enough cash before flying out. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what a BSP Vanuatu withdrawal will actually cost on your card after fees? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & resort exchange windows
Three traps to walk past in Vanuatu. The currency-exchange counters in arrivals at VLI (Bauerfield International) advertise rates that look reasonable but routinely run 5–10% off the interbank rate. The exchange windows inside Port Vila resort lobbies bake the markup into the rate. And the standalone independent ATMs at smaller hotel arcades layer DCC pitches and operator fees on top. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at BSP Vanuatu, ANZ Vanuatu, Bred Bank, or National Bank of Vanuatu; decline DCC; and withdraw enough cash in Port Vila before any outer-island travel since ATM coverage drops to zero past the main hubs. Vanuatu does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-VUV timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Vanuatu
Vanuatu has limited banking infrastructure. ATMs are concentrated in Port Vila and Luganville (on Espiritu Santo). Withdraw enough cash before heading to the outer islands, as there are no ATMs on most of them.
ANZ Vanuatu
The most reliable option for foreign cards. ANZ has ATMs in Port Vila and Luganville on Espiritu Santo. English-language interface and wide international card compatibility make this the top choice for travelers.
RecommendedBred Bank Vanuatu
A French bank with ATMs in Port Vila. Bred ATMs accept major international cards and are a solid alternative to ANZ. Also available at Bauerfield International Airport.
RecommendedBSP Vanuatu
Bank of South Pacific has a growing presence in Vanuatu. BSP ATMs are found in Port Vila and accept Visa and Mastercard. A good backup if ANZ or Bred machines are unavailable.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
DCC is rare in Vanuatu, but if an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in USD or AUD instead of VUV, always decline. Choosing a foreign currency means accepting a markup hidden in their exchange rate. Always select "VUV" or "local currency" at every prompt.
ATMs to Avoid in Vanuatu
Vanuatu does not have the Euronet-style independent ATM problem found in Europe. However, be cautious with any standalone machines not clearly attached to a bank branch.
Standalone ATMs
Any ATM not clearly branded as ANZ, Bred, or BSP may charge additional fees or offer poor exchange rates. Stick to bank-branch ATMs in Port Vila and Luganville for the best rates.
AvoidPaying by Card in Vanuatu
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at Port Vila hotels, resorts like Le Meridien and Warwick, and larger waterfront restaurants. Coverage thins rapidly outside Port Vila. American Express works at a handful of high-end resorts but cannot be relied on. Discover is not accepted in Vanuatu.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Tap-to-pay is available at some Port Vila hotels and modern restaurants along the waterfront, but coverage is inconsistent. Apple Pay and Google Pay are virtually nonexistent in Vanuatu. Do not plan to rely on mobile payments. Some Port Vila businesses require a minimum purchase of VT1,000–2,000 for card payments.
Where Cards Will Not Work
Port Vila Central Market (the main produce, fish, and handicraft market) is entirely cash-only. Nakamals (kava bars) are always cash-only. Minibuses, trucks, and small boats between islands require cash. Village stays and kastom cultural experiences are cash-only (and bringing a gift of kava or rice is more appropriate than a large cash payment). Tanna, Espiritu Santo outside Luganville, Malekula, and all other outer islands are entirely cash-dependent.
Tipping in Vanuatu
Tipping Guide
Tipping is not part of Melanesian culture. A small gift is often more appropriate than a cash tip. At tourist resorts, rounding up or leaving 5–10% is appreciated but not expected. Some resorts (Le Meridien, Warwick) have a staff tip box at reception. At restaurants, tipping is not customary. Rounding up the bill is a kind gesture for excellent service.
Tour guides on Mount Yasur volcano treks, snorkeling tours, and Blue Hole excursions appreciate VT500–1,000 per person. For village visits, bringing a small gift of school supplies, kava root, or a bag of rice for the community is more culturally appropriate than handing cash to an individual.
Port Vila, Tanna & the Outer Islands: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
Withdraw all cash in Port Vila before visiting any outer island. There are no ATMs on most islands. Tanna (home of Mount Yasur, one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes) draws many visitors but has no reliable ATM access. Budget your entire Tanna trip in cash before leaving Port Vila. Luganville on Espiritu Santo is the only other town with reliable ATMs (ANZ has a branch). Withdraw cash before heading to Champagne Beach or the Blue Holes.
Kava is a cultural must-try. A shell of kava at a nakamal costs VT200–500 (cash-only). Nakamals open in the evening and are unique to Vanuatu and the Pacific. AUD, NZD, and USD cash can be exchanged at banks in Port Vila. Some tourist businesses accept AUD directly, but change comes in vatu.
Vanuatu has no income tax, no VAT, and no sales tax. Prices are what you pay. This makes Port Vila a popular duty-free destination for cruise passengers. Larger duty-free shops accept cards. Air Vanuatu flights between islands can be booked by card online or at the Port Vila office. Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) has ANZ and Bred ATMs in arrivals.
Money Safety in Vanuatu
Staying Safe
Vanuatu is very safe for travelers. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. Standard precautions are sufficient. Use ATMs during banking hours at ANZ and Bred bank branches in Port Vila. If a machine retains your card, you can get help from branch staff during business hours.
Carry cash securely on outer islands. Multi-day trips to Tanna or Espiritu Santo mean carrying VT50,000–100,000+ in cash. Use a money belt or divide cash between bags. ANZ ATMs in Port Vila have a per-transaction limit, so plan your withdrawals over a day or two before departure. Tell your bank you are traveling to Vanuatu before departure. South Pacific transactions are flagged by many fraud detection systems, and a blocked card in Port Vila with only three banks is a real problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there ATMs on Tanna island?
Tanna has very limited ATM access that cannot be relied upon. Withdraw all the vatu you need from ANZ or Bred ATMs in Port Vila before flying to Tanna. Mount Yasur volcano tours, accommodation, and meals all require cash.
Can I use Australian dollars in Vanuatu?
Some tourist businesses in Port Vila accept AUD, but you will get a poor exchange rate. Banks in Port Vila exchange Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, and US dollars. Withdraw vatu from an ATM for the best value.
How much cash do I need for the outer islands?
Budget VT10,000–20,000 per day ($80–170) for outer island visits including accommodation, meals, and activities. There are no ATMs on most outer islands, so withdraw everything you need in Port Vila before departure.
Is tipping expected in Vanuatu?
Tipping is not part of Melanesian culture. At tourist resorts, rounding up or leaving 5–10% is appreciated but not expected. For village visits, bringing a small gift (school supplies, kava, or rice) is more culturally appropriate than a cash tip.
What is kava and how much does it cost?
Kava is a mildly sedative drink made from the root of the kava plant. It is central to Ni-Vanuatu culture. A shell of kava at a nakamal (kava bar) costs VT200–500, always cash-only. Nakamals are open in the evening and are a unique cultural experience.
Does Vanuatu have sales tax?
No. Vanuatu has no personal income tax, no VAT, and no sales tax. Prices are what you pay with no additional charges at the register. This also makes Port Vila a popular duty-free shopping destination for cruise ship passengers.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend Vanuatu vatu like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-FX-fee card (where accepted) | Best (no fees, mid-market rate) | ★★★☆☆ | Port Vila hotels, resorts, restaurants |
| Bank ATMs (ANZ, Bred, BSP) | Low (no or small operator fee) | ★★★★☆ | Cash for markets, islands, kava bars |
| Standalone ATMs | High (fees + poor rates) | ★★☆☆☆ | Never recommended |
| Airport exchange counters | High (5–12% markup) | ★★☆☆☆ | Absolute emergency only |
Vanuatu Quick Facts
| Currency | Vanuatu Vatu (VUV / VT). Roughly 120 VT = $1 USD |
| Cash vs. Card | Very cash-dependent. Cards accepted in Port Vila only. Carry plenty of cash for outer islands |
| Best ATMs | ANZ Vanuatu, Bred Bank, BSP Vanuatu |
| Contactless | Available at some Port Vila businesses. Very rare elsewhere |
| Card Acceptance | Moderate in Port Vila hotels and restaurants. Very limited or nonexistent on other islands |
| Tipping | Not expected. Small gifts are more appropriate than cash tips |
| DCC Risk | Rare. Always choose VUV if prompted |
| Best Strategy | Withdraw cash in Port Vila before visiting outer islands. Card for Port Vila hotels and resorts |